Jan 09 2008
Cooking with Kids Teaches Important Lessons
Cooking can be a chore for those of us who do it every day and bringing kids in to the equation is only a recipe for confusion and messes. However, this need not be true. Cooking can teach your children invaluable lessons and you never know they might grow up sooner than you think and take over. Just that thought may motivate you to read on.
Confidence and Creativity
As it is often said, confidence is the greatest gift you can give your child. When they help you make something and you give them the credit, you can see them feeling proud of their accomplishment and beaming from side to side. This is a big step in confidence because they feel they were able to create something which everyone is enjoying. Even if they mixed the dry ingredients when you were cooking or baking, the sense of accomplishment that ‘I did it’ is the most important lesson they learn.
Math Skills
While measuring ingredients, you can give them a practical math lesson while cooking with you. Asking them to double the ingredients if you are cooking two batches of soup or halving them if you are just making an appetizer size will help them practice their math skills without having to sit and work on a desk with paper and pens. They will also realize the practical aspect of math and may begin to put two and two together (literally) and like the subject even more when they can see how it is useful in everyday life.
Nutrition Skills
With childhood obesity levels at scary rates in the United States, cooking together is a great way to teach children some facts and figures about healthy eating and nutrition. Explaining how they just need a little olive or canola oil to make their French toast instead of deep frying the bread like there is no tomorrow is just one simple lesson you can impart. Trying out new fresh salads instead of desserts all the time is also setting a good example of healthy eating.
Equality
Equality in the kitchen is another great lesson you can teach by cooking with your kids. By telling your sons from a young age that they can pitch in too and that the kitchen is not only the woman’s domain, you are doing a big favor to is future wife and your next generation. Men who are involved in cooking and cleaning often have more respect for their spouses as they do not underestimate the time and effort it takes to whip up a meal and maintain a home.
Holiday Menus
(NC)—Try making this delicious Homegrown Ontario Pulled Pork simple slow cooker recipe this holiday season and see the difference a little planning makes. Great as an appetizer served on a crostini, this savoury morsel will save you time in the kitchen while impressing your guests. More delicious appetizer recipes can be found online at [...]
(NC)—Adding new flavour to traditional foods can be fun and be a great way to get family members to try new foods. Indian flavoured products are becoming widely available and provide a great opportunity to create mouthwatering recipes for the whole family. This shrimp korma recipe is a quick and easy one for the entire [...]
(NC)—Mulligatawny soup originally became popular with the British stationed in India (employees of the East India Company) during Colonial Times. When they returned home, they brought the recipe back with them to England, and to other members of the Commonwealth. In fact Mulligatawny is the Anglicized name of two words for “pepper water,” molegoo (pepper) [...]
(NC)—Here are two easy ways to bring some excitement to your next children’s party – Wacky Waikiki or Purple Razzle Dazzle Shakes. For dozens more delicious treats to thrill your child, visit www.homebasics.ca.
Wacky Waikiki Shake
2 large ripe bananas, peeled and quartered
1 can frozen pineapple or pineapple-orange juice concentrate, thawed (6 oz)
1/2 cup milk
4 scoops Breyers [...]
Savor the Flavor Every Day, Every Way
Â
(ARA) – Long overlooked, mushrooms are nature’s hidden treasure for helping those focusing on living a healthful life. To promote the nutritional benefits of fresh produce this back-to-school season, Weight Watchers continues Pick of the Season, a public health initiative spotlighting seasonal fruit and vegetables, with recipes this quarter [...]
Skyrocketing gas prices and escalating grocery costs have put getting more for a dollar top-of-mind for many consumers. Many Americans are tailoring their grocery shopping lists to ensure they get more bang for their buck. That means purchasing items that provide the best nutritional punch for their value.
Luxury items like prepackaged or single serve meals [...]
Blueberries are most abundant and least expensive in the summer, making it an ideal time to get your fill of these little blue gems. Stock the fridge and freezer with blueberries to make meals, snacks and desserts that are easy on the cook. Blueberries never need to be peeled, pitted, stemmed or chopped –just a [...]