Eat Pretty Darling

Passionate about equipping picky eaters with health-conscious meal options, Eat Pretty Darling has long been a resource for local families.

As founder Katie Blauser has expanded her business, her mission has only grown. She hopes to create a “no pressure” environment by bringing kids and adults into the kitchen. Students can learn not only how to cook but also how to build healthy relationships with the foods they eat.

“It's really important to me to get them (children especially) to listen to their bodies,” Blauser said.

For Blauser, this means not forcing kids to take a bite of something they don’t want to eat. It also means encouraging students to explore their appetites at their own levels of comfort.

Doing so has impacted both Blauser’s family and her students.

“I've seen kids try things that they've never had before, and it's very exciting,” Blauser said. “For the older kids, they are so proud of what they made, and it's just really cool to see them building these skills and gaining this confidence in the kitchen.”

Still, Blauser also emphasized adaptability. Weekday meals like tacos or breakfast for dinner allow Blauser to cook one meal while still catering to her family’s preferences and dietary restrictions. It also allows Blauser to keep her culinary freedom.

“You have to get creative and make sure that they get to enjoy all the fun food too,” Blauser said, a message that comes through as much in her family life as her lessons themselves.

With upcoming sessions in Vandalia and Oakwood, Eat Pretty Darling can next be found on Saturday, January 25, at the Vandalia Senior Center, teaching two to five-year-olds how to make Snowman Snacks. The event is priced at $20 per child and will run from 10–11 a.m.