Papoose Babyfood Workshop Instructor
Everyone one has one in their own home! A magical place that can teach kids wonderful skills. This virtual classroom can teach reading, math, science, art and even social studies and history. But one of my favorites is self esteem.
This room is your Kitchen! Get you Kids in the Kitchen! If you are thinking to yourself: I barely have enough time to get myself in the kitchen to get dinner on the table how am I going to include my kids in this? Change your perspective! Cooking is a life skill that nurtures your family is so many ways.
Well I’ll be the first to admit it…dinner is not always easy. But believe it or not, including your kids in the plan is a great way to take some pressure off. Think about it. If your kids are in the kitchen with you helping prepare a meal: then they are not in the next room whimpering and moaning: “When is dinner ready?” “I SOOO am hungry!” “Can I have something to eat??”
Am I right? You will probably feel good about getting help in the kitchen! Best of all you’ll be giving them some missing ingredients in this face paced world we live. You are giving your most precious gift: time and togetherness. And an added bonus: Kids are more likely to eat what they have had a hand in creating. Here are just a few simple ways to get you kids involved at dinner-time. Have them Wash and snap apart veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus or beans or peal carrots. Even rounding up ingredients and opening up cartons or cans is a help.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with a simple snack or side like the ones below. Or simply pick a new food to explore. One afternoon a few months ago I called Patrick and Ayden to the kitchen to help excavate the seeds from a pomegranate. We talked about how it differed from other fruits and how it looked similar. We all tasted the seeds together and compared our findings. This was so fun! Just pick a fruit or veggie new to you and try it.
A Yogurt Parfait: My 6 year old, Ayden, loves to create layers of Banilla and Strawberry yogurt with Bananas in between. Topping are endless: Ground Flax seed, Wheat germ, Fruit is a must. Ayden’s Favorites are raisin bran (and for a sometimes treat – a few mini marshmallows on top.) He cuts up the banana himself (with a very dull kid safe plastic “knife”)and is so proud of his creation. (In case you were wondering Parfait is a French word meaning “perfect”. Nothing is more perfect than spending time together in the kitchen.)
Carrot Apple Salad: I am a fan of pairing fruits and veggies together in one dish where we can and this is always a fun one. This recipe is a favorite of my son, Patrick’s (7).
Choose 4-5 carrots to have you child peel with a vegetable peeler. (Be smart and make sure this is task is appropriate for your child) You can use cored and sliced 1-2 granny smith apples (Leave the skin on!). Have you child help feed the carrots and apples through food processor fitted with grating attachment. (Again Be Smart & Be Safe!) Have your child combine apples and carrots with a few tablespoons of orange or lemon juice to keep apples from browning. Next toss with sunflower seeds and raisins. Sprinkle on some cinnamon for the WOW! Ready to eat YUM!
Even my 18 month old, Elizabeth, loves cookn’ in the kitchen. Her specialty is embellishing our morning oatmeal. She scoops out the oats, drops in the raisins and sprinkles in the cinnamon. She also loves assembling salads and garnishing sandwiches.
We made these PB Power Balls over the holidays and they were loads of fun – all hands on!
http://wondertime.go.com/life-at-home/article/powerball-cookies.html
We’ve always wanted to make our own Pretzels and these have a healthy Twist!
http://www.caring4cancer.com/go/cancer/nutrition/wellness-nutrition?ContentId=314374
You can see some of these do not even require any cooking. They are make-and-eat treats.
GO ahead and get started! Get you Kids in the Kitchen!
Extra Credits:
http://www.spatulatta.com/
http://kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org/
http://www.cookingwithkids.com/
http://www.rd411.com/tkcenter/article1.php?ID=fhp-3-1_K-0594
http://www.lifeasmom.com/2008/12/kids-in-kitchen-joy-or-no-joy.html
March 2009
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with a simple snack or side like the ones below. Or simply pick a new food to explore. One afternoon a few months ago I called Patrick and Ayden to the kitchen to help excavate the seeds from a pomegranate. We talked about how it differed from other fruits and how it looked similar. We all tasted the seeds together and compared our findings. This was so fun! Just pick a fruit or veggie new to you and try it.
A Yogurt Parfait: My 6 year old, Ayden, loves to create layers of Banilla and Strawberry yogurt with Bananas in between. Topping are endless: Ground Flax seed, Wheat germ, Fruit is a must. Ayden’s Favorites are raisin bran (and for a sometimes treat – a few mini marshmallows on top.) He cuts up the banana himself (with a very dull kid safe plastic “knife”)and is so proud of his creation. (In case you were wondering Parfait is a French word meaning “perfect”. Nothing is more perfect than spending time together in the kitchen.)
Carrot Apple Salad: I am a fan of pairing fruits and veggies together in one dish where we can and this is always a fun one. This recipe is a favorite of my son, Patrick’s (7).
Choose 4-5 carrots to have you child peel with a vegetable peeler. (Be smart and make sure this is task is appropriate for your child) You can use cored and sliced 1-2 granny smith apples (Leave the skin on!). Have you child help feed the carrots and apples through food processor fitted with grating attachment. (Again Be Smart & Be Safe!) Have your child combine apples and carrots with a few tablespoons of orange or lemon juice to keep apples from browning. Next toss with sunflower seeds and raisins. Sprinkle on some cinnamon for the WOW! Ready to eat YUM!
Even my 18 month old, Elizabeth, loves cookn’ in the kitchen. Her specialty is embellishing our morning oatmeal. She scoops out the oats, drops in the raisins and sprinkles in the cinnamon. She also loves assembling salads and garnishing sandwiches.
We made these PB Power Balls over the holidays and they were loads of fun – all hands on!
http://wondertime.go.com/life-at-home/article/powerball-cookies.html
We’ve always wanted to make our own Pretzels and these have a healthy Twist!
http://www.caring4cancer.com/go/cancer/nutrition/wellness-nutrition?ContentId=314374
You can see some of these do not even require any cooking. They are make-and-eat treats.
GO ahead and get started! Get you Kids in the Kitchen!
Extra Credits:
http://www.spatulatta.com/
http://kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org/
http://www.cookingwithkids.com/
http://www.rd411.com/tkcenter/article1.php?ID=fhp-3-1_K-0594
http://www.lifeasmom.com/2008/12/kids-in-kitchen-joy-or-no-joy.html
March 2009
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