Learn new recipe ideas and follow the show @heykidsletscook 

]]> http://blog.heykidsletscook.com/two-days-left-to-enter/feed/ 0 http://blog.heykidsletscook.com/176/ http://blog.heykidsletscook.com/176/#comments Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:32:28 +0000 Ben http://blog.heykidsletscook.com/?p=176 Are you getting your kids in the kitchen for only one reason……..to eat a meal?  What better way to get them connected to the fun, creative, and learning aspects of food than giving them their very own space in the kitchen!  As parents, we give kids their own space for toys and clothing in their bedroom, and many kids have additional space in the family room to store their video games and books.  But just as important and valuable for life-long learning and health is to give kids their very own kitchen space to store their very own kitchen gadgets, utensils, and doodads.  Be careful not to think of it as another “junk drawer”, but a place where kids can begin a collection of tools, then learn how to use them right alongside you in the kitchen. The fun and learning continues as you find new kitchen tools at the grocery store, kitchen store, and even consignment shops or garage sales.  Kids will be excited and the next step will naturally be learning how to prepare and cook food.

The perfect opportunity to improve social skills

The art of conversation is where everyone gets to chime in and share their story.  In addition, it is the perfect opportunity for children to improve their social skills, practice how to speak in turn and focus on the person that is talking, and even expand their vocabulary.  The skill sets of conversation are often taught in school curriculum and can be a great life lesson for parents to reinforce at home at the dinner table. As parents, we all agree that our children are the light of our lives, but dinner conversations should be about more than just the happenings in our children’s daily experiences.  Kids can learn so much listening to parents sharing the fun and challenging events of their work day, and in return kids can share the fun and challenging events of their school day.

It’s important that kids learns how conversations can be fun.

Asking the questions can be as easy as going around the table and everyone gets to ask someone a question.  Another idea is to have each member of the family put ten questions in a container that will be used as the dinner table each night, or even purchase some fun conversation starter games geared toward kids.  As the weeks go by, you will see the conversations gets longer and more and more fun and quirky.  But no need to purposefully keep the conversation light and humorous at all times.

Every discussion can be positive.

Sometimes the conversation can get serious (about a child’s struggles with classwork or a friendship, or a parent changing jobs), and sometimes sad (about the illness or loss of a loved one).  More important than the nourishing, delicious meal that is served is the conversation that goes round and round the dinner table night after night.  After all, this is just what the dinner table was created for, and what the generations before us knew how to do so well; that having a great meal along with great conversation is the foundation for developing strong family relationships and friendships.

Here are a few quirky questions tonight to keep the conversation fun and non-stop :

• · What was the funniest thing that happened at school/work today?
• · What Superhero would you want to be?
• · If you got to change your first name what would it be and why?
• · Make a sound that represents a Jungle Animal.
• · What was the neatest act of kindness you saw today?
• · What was the most interesting thing you learned in school today?
• · If you could be any color crayon, what would it be?
• · If you had to eat one food the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

One thing for sure it’s a wonderful day to get the kids in the kitchen and learn family traditions and recipes.  I always make the apple pie recipe that my grandmother made for me when I was growing up.  It is easy to make (really), and irresistible.

This is just one of hundreds or recipes that I was taught from special family members, and I am handing there down to my three daughters and future cooks in our family.  When I see  my daughter Maggie making the crust, and Brigid peeling the apples, and I visualize myself as a twelve year old helping my Nan in the kitchen and that is what I am so thankful for.  Yes, with extra little ones in the kitchen it can be a bit chaotic, (i.e.,  the counter gets messy, and peelings and kitchen tools drop on the floor), but it is well worth the lesson taught, the time spent together, and the reward of empowering kids to be an essential part of preparing the feast.  So much to be thankful for!  What recipe will you make side-by-side with your children today?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Valentine’sDay!

Yes it’s Super Bowl Sunday and to me, that means not only football, but food,
friends, and feisty rivalries. Even if you’re just enjoying the afternoon with
immediate family, it’s a great opportunity to prepare some super healthy Super
Bowl snacks. Have the kids help come up with their very own menu for the game
and then have family members vote on their favorites. Only one more day to get
to the supermarket! We’re making mini-sliders layered with fresh veggie
toppings, garnished veggies with dill dip, homemade snack mix, and strawberries
dipped in dark chocolate. While I’m sad my 49ers didn’t make it (next year
guys!), I’m still going to enjoy the game, the friendly competition, my family
and the super healthy Superbowl fixin’s. Oh, and the commercials – can’t forget
them. Make sure to share your favorite part of the Super Bowl with us by
posting on our Facebook or sending us a Tweet. So excited that the big game is
finally here!