Moldy old Cheetos
Anyone else, besides my friend Cathy – who introduced me to it, ever heard of Veggie Booty?
If you have kids, you’ve probably heard of it. For some reason, this crap is kiddie crack.
(A post containing the words “booty” and “crack”. The search engine hits ought to be monumental.)
If you haven’t seen it, here it is:
Cathy bought it for her daughter, who was vehemently opposed to the consumption of vegetables. I thought it sounded pretty revolting, but after seeing Tacy happily munch on it at Cathy’s house, I decided it might be worth a try.
So we tried it. Kyle and I were both revolted, as expected. Kyle refers to it as “moldy old Cheetos”. I have to admit the resemblance is striking, except that the ring of powder crusted around your mouth is green instead of orange.
Tacy devoured it. There were times when she would eat four helpings of it in one sitting. She’s not a big eater; this level of consumption is unusual for her.
One afternoon, when our friend Walter was over (as part of our year-long project to renovate the apartment using his skills and tools), he overheard me reading the grocery list out loud to Kyle:
“…plum tomatoes, mozzarella, garlic, basil, booty…”
What seemed perfectly normal to us caused a then-childless person to do quite a double take.
We stopped buying Veggie Booty about a year or so ago. Tacy’s tastes had expanded beyond booty, and we preferred to devote scarce cabinet space to foodstuffs that all three of us would consume.
Now that CJ is eating table food, I decided we’d try Veggie Booty again. I took both girls to the store and picked up a package of it. Tacy asked what it was, and I reminded her that she used to eat it all the time. She looked skeptical.
At home, I gave some to each of the girls. True to form, they both loved it. CJ was even double-fisting it.
Yes, that is booty crusted around her mouth. And she has a snotty nose. And she is standing up in her high chair. I have lost control of the situation.
And once again, I must devote cabinet space to this crap.
January 19th, 2006 at 10:34 pm
You don’t like the Booty? Man, I love the Booty. Shake that Veggie Booty!
The Pirate’s Booty (like cheesy popcorn)is also good (or at least I think so.)Aaargh.
January 20th, 2006 at 6:41 am
Ahh, Veggie Booty. Or as we like to refer to it, “BOOTY SNACKS!” (insert demanding yelp)
Bird will throw regular, yummy, cheesy Booty across the room in favor of this green crap. This is fine with me b/c there is at least a semblance of a nutrient in the Veggie version.
I am constantly amazed at what this stuff turns into when left in the floor of my car for days at a time. Blech.
January 20th, 2006 at 6:41 am
I never heard of this. Interesting. I will have to keep it in mind if the Branch and Blossom suddenly decide to become veggie-challenged.
January 20th, 2006 at 7:58 am
Our kids love the Pirate’s Booty. I remember I first heard about it at a neighbor’s house when the daugther started clamoring for “booty.” I must have given my neighbor a weird look and then she showed it to me. I’ll have to try the veggie kind too.
January 20th, 2006 at 8:09 am
I had never heard of it either. Weird. But anything that vaguely resembles a cheetoh has to be loved by kids!
January 20th, 2006 at 8:13 am
Mmmm….booty! I like the Pirate’s Booty more too. But I had to stop buying it. Eating bag fulls at a time is not really good.
January 20th, 2006 at 9:22 am
We also used an offshoot called “Veggie Sticks” which are the same idea, but cut thin and made crunchy.
Ah yes, the lengths to get some vegetable in the child.
But CJ looks so booty-licious.
I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.
January 20th, 2006 at 9:47 am
Look how big CJ is getting! She’s adorable, even with a snotty nose and booty-crusted mouth.
We discovered Pirate Booty a few years ago, it has no redeeming nutritional value but is so good!
January 20th, 2006 at 10:46 am
My daughter loves this stuff-truth be told-so do I-I love the veggie sticks too, anything that makes me think I am healthy snacking.
January 20th, 2006 at 11:56 am
Where the heck did you find that stuff? Do they have it at King Soopers? I explore all avenues in my desperate attempts to get something resembling a vegetable into my kids.
Stacey
January 20th, 2006 at 2:54 pm
Oh my god. The search phrases on this post are going to be really scary.
This is why I am drawn back to all of you wonderful writers who already have children and are in the know.
And now I am intrigued about the Booty and feel the need to try some for myself.
January 20th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Love the booty at our house. The pirate balls are good too!
January 20th, 2006 at 4:55 pm
Oh wow! That looks disturbing. I just may have to try it.
January 20th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
yay! booty!
i forgot about it – going to get some for Ellie – it seems right down her alley!
January 20th, 2006 at 5:52 pm
I bought “gourmet veggie chips” today at Costco. YUMMY.
I’m not sure I could eat something called “Veggie Booty.” Unless for money, like on Survivor.
Hh
January 20th, 2006 at 5:53 pm
How weird…it didn’t put in my ID and blog name…weird computer.
Hh
January 20th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
That is so funny because I’ve been meaning to get some for Owen. They didn’t have at my regular grocery store on my last two trips. Oh booty, where art thou?
Meanwhile: That is the first pic of CJ that I’ve seen where she looks like Tacy!
January 20th, 2006 at 7:19 pm
Looks like something you could sell on E-bay for at least $10 – “moldy cheeto found in Noah’s arc wreckage”!
January 21st, 2006 at 10:42 am
Julie…I’m so jealous when you say you’ve lost control of the situation. I never had any to lose. So maybe I’ll drown my sorrows in some booty. Yeah, that’s the ticket!
January 21st, 2006 at 6:50 pm
Well, I just have to delurk over this.
Could this be the answer to my kids’ “Vegetables? We don’t eat no stinkin’ vegetables” credo? I like the Pirates Booty, but I hadn’t heard of the veggie version.
Thanks for the tip!
January 22nd, 2006 at 7:11 pm
Is it actually healthy? Does it turn their poop green??? My kids will only eat corn. It is so frustrating. I’ve never been to your blog before, found you through throwing bananas at toddlers. We lived in CO for a few years, in Lakewood, and I worked at the new Englewood Public Library. How is it doing there? We left in 2001 to move back to upstate NY. Heard that the economy has gone downhill there, has it picked up any? Like your blog!
January 25th, 2006 at 10:16 pm
I love the Pirate’s Booty. It’s good. And my girl has those same pjs. I just put them on her tonight!