You know the dinnertime drill: Your toddler or preschooler insists on eating crackers and peanut butter for dinner for the fourteenth consecutive evening. You'd think he would get tired of it; after all, he's had the same meal for lunch over the same two-week period.

As a parent who thrives on creating wholesome meals with organic foods, you're ready to tear your hair out. And if you happen to have teenagers, the power struggles over eating junk food can escalate to in-your-face kitchen combat.

Researchers feel your pain. They've lived it, and they've devoted years to studying why children refuse to eat like "normal people." Their first piece of advice? Relax! Next, understand the reasons why many children are, by nature, picky eaters who wouldn't go near an organic cauliflower if you offered to triple their allowance.

The expense related to acquiring quality organic food leaves many people wondering what they can do to make the most of it and make it last. Spoilage of produce and other whole foods can be the equivalent of throwing away money. But how can one win the battle of keeping such loss from occurring when dealing with living organic foods?

Fortunately, there are a few systems that the savvy consumer and private kitchen manager can implement to keep abreast of the ever present problem of food loss. The first rule of preventing loss is to invest in a good method of storage. Canning jars of varying sizes are exceptional for keeping and maintaining produce, sauces, and even grains if necessary. The drawback of canning jars is that they can be a bit more expensive and are not as conveniently sized and easy to access as alternative storage options. But they are the most durable and reliable which can save you money in the long run.

Acquiring organic food has yet to become as easy as acquiring conventionally grown produce. Large supermarkets are beginning to cede more inches in the produce aisles to organic producers and some specialty markets are appearing that provide only natural and organic foods. But these specialty markets are not as readily accessible to more rural consumers. Farmer's markets can be quite prolific as providers of organic fruit and whole foods for those living in the heart of a city or surrounding suburbs. However long work schedules and hectic family living can make healthy shopping difficult.

Enter modern technology and the age of internet shopping to bridge the synaptic gap. An increasing demand for organic food has lead pioneering businesses such as Diamondorganics.com, based in California, to provide high quality organic food with a guarantee of overnight delivery nationwide. Organic online stores are betting that folks will be willing to forego the extra hassle affiliated with getting to and from the market for doorstep delivery of high quality organic food. It appears they may have successfully found a unique blending of old world farming and modern technology.

Fresh, organic, chocolate mint leaves are a revelation. The first time you taste a fresh chocolate mint leaf, you might think someone is playing a trick on you. Chocolate mint leaves smell and taste like mint and yes, chocolate. This remarkable herb comes from the spearmint family and has a purple stem with green leaves. You can use it like any mint plant in drinks, salads, desserts, sauces or as a garnish. I love to make fresh organic, chocolate mint ice cream with this herb.

There are over 600 varieties of mint crossing many categories of flavor, including peppermint, spearmint, lemon, chocolate, pineapple, ginger, orange and apple.

The calendula has a zesty or peppery flavor that complements soups, salads, rice dishes and herb butters.

Edible flowers have been used in international kitchens for thousands of years. You can grind them into a powder, to be used as a spice, or adorn an elegant dish with brilliantly hued petals. Purchase edible flowers at an organic market, spice store, nursery or farmer's market, or start an organic gardening project that brightens your backyard. You can search for an organic farmer's market in your area through Local Harvest or for a nursery through Plant Search Online.

According to OFA-an Association of Floriculture Professionals, the top 10 edible flowers are calendula, chives, daylily, mint, nasturtium, pansy, rose, sage, signet marigold and squash blossoms. Other favorites include chrysanthemum, dandelion, hibiscus, honeysuckle, lavender, sunflower, tulip and violet.