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I get it, we are all busy, especially this time of year. Between work and shuffling the kids around, shopping, helping with homework and managing a household, it is difficult to find time to cook healthy meals every night for your family. But however impossible you might believe it to be, the benefits of home cooking are huge. On top of that, when you bring your child into the kitchen to help you cook a meal, the results are priceless. The health advantages, bonding opportunities, creative expression and essential life skill development of cooking are essential to raising a well adjusted child. Here’s why…..
Better for their body: In this day and age most children are growing up in busy households where their parents may not have the time or energy to cook wholesome healthy meals every night. As a result, kids and parents today are too often relying on fast food and processed foods, thus creating an overwhelming increase in childhood obesity rates. Home cooking allows you to choose fresh, organic ingredients free from pesticides, preservatives and all sorts of other chemicals and unnecessary food additives that are prevalent in the grocery store aisles.
Also, when a child is allowed to experiment in the kitchen, they begin to understand about where our food comes from and learn to respect and appreciate it. When a child creates a dish, no matter what it is, they will eat it or at least try it. As they begin to try new things and develop new tastes, they will develop their palette…Introduce them to the joys of cooking and you’ll be surprised at what they will eat……If they don’t like salad, have them make a salad with you and guess what…they will eat it and most likely enjoy it.
Better for your family: Unfortunately many kids miss out of the lovely memories and bonding opportunities that evolve from cooking together in the kitchen that we had as children. My earliest and fondest memories are cooking with my grandmother. Cooking together provides an opportunity to be together to bond and create special moments. Cooking together gets families back into the kitchen and enjoying healthy meals around the dinner table. Even if it is just peeling potatoes together, it’s a great opportunity to talk.
Better for their future: Cooking is a valuable skill and is becoming a lost art. It is no longer offered in most schools and too many parents are too busy to teach their kids how to cook, much less cook themselves. Learning to cook builds self confidence and stimulates creativity. It also reduces the likelihood that your child will become a picky eater. If a child never learns to cook, he or she will be facing a lifetime of dining out or ordering in and most likely pass this legacy on to their children, thus perpetuating the cycle.
Better for the planet: When you cooking from scratch you are eliminating many harmful preservatives and additives that are commonly found in processed store-bought food to maintain shelf life. You are also more likely to buy fresh ingredients that are grown closer to home. This saves on fossil fuels used to transport packaged items and used to make the packaging itself. This creates a stronger, more sustainable local economy for all of us to live in.
In conclusion, the next time you are in the kitchen, whether cooking a whole meal or just a snack, ask your kids to help you. They will love it, and you will be begin to build them a solid foundation for a life-time of healthier eating.
PUMPKIN WHOOPIE PIES WITH MAPLE BUTTERCREAM FILLING
2 1/4 cups organic flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup organic brown sugar
1/2 cup organic butter, softened
1 1/2 cups organic pumpkin puree
1 organic egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
Filling:
1/2 cup organic butter, softened
2 cups organic powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon organic milk
2 Tablespoon organic maple syrup
Preheat oven to 350°
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt in large bowl.
In large bowl cream together butter and sugar. Add pumpkin and egg and beat well.
Add vanilla and beat until combined.
Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined, scraping the sides of the bowl when necessary. Do not overmix.
Using a small ice cream scooop, drop about 2 tablespoons of batter on greased baking sheet at least 2 ” apart.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until cakes are firm to touch.
Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.
Meanwhile combine the filling ingredients in large bowl and beat welll for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
Once the cakes are cooled, spread filling onto the flat side of one cake using a knife or spoon.
Top it with another cake flat side down. Repeat with all the cakes and filling. Enjoy
Yields 15 cakes (4″ in diameter)
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McRIB is back….give me a McBreak!!!
McRib is back…..A cult phenomenon they call it…. there are websites dedicated to finding the McDonalds Stores that offer this elusive sandwich……there are facebook shrines and twitter posts….I even heard them talking about it on a radio talk show the other day……whats all the hype about???
Contrary to what its name implies, there is very little actual rib meat in a McRib. It is mostly composed of shoulder meat which are the fattiest and cheapest cuts of pork. Read More…
Watching the T.V every night it appears like we are under siege from the fast food companies. I cannot remember so many dollar menus and value menus being promoted. Loss leaders are being used as ‘carrots’ to entice people into the stores, ( how can it be possible to sell 2 Big Macs for $3.50 and make money? the PZone from Pizza Hut 1lb of food for $1… cmon!!). Read More…
Many companies these days are using safe and natural food colorings in their products overseas because of a ban of many artificial food dyes throughout many countries in Europe. But in the good ole US of A, the same companies still continue to use these artificial food dyes in the exact same products. Why are these products banned in Europe but not in the US? Do American consumers have a false sense of security when it comes to our food? Read More…
ARSENIC IN KIDS APPLE JUICE? ONE MORE REASON TO BUY ORGANIC
In light of the recent findings of arsenic in apple juice in an independent study of Dr. Oz and his associates, I thought it would be a good idea to reiterate, once again, the importance of eating organic food, especially when it comes to feeding your children. Read More…
We all know the state of our school lunch program….It’s disgraceful….Many districts would like us believe the food that they serve our children is healthy and nutritional because it follows federal and state guidelines and meets the RDA requirements for protein, calcium etc. But those guidelines are, well, misguided. Read More…
San Diego’s Best Kids Birthday Parties
Captain Cooks Cooking School for Kids serves all of San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties for the most unique birthday party idea ever…..A Culinary adventure that is not only a blast, but also a valuable learning experience at the same time…..Kids prepare homemade organic recipes from scratch, (pizza, pasta, quiche, etc). An organic fruit side dish is then prepared and then after they eat their creations, the kids get to frost and decorate their own organic cupcakes…….Custom theme parties are available as well, for example… Harry Potter Birthday Parties and Pop/Rock Star Birthday Parties.
We use organic ingredients whenever possible so you and your guests can be assured that our party food is free from trans fats, pesticide residues, high fructose corn syrup, GMO’s, Rgbh, antibiotics and many other harmful additives that are normally found in most kids “birthday food”. Who could ask for more??? It’s entertainment and great food all in one great price…..oh yes, and we do all the clean up so you parents can just sit back and relax with friends….
Click here for more details or to book a party. Kids birthday cooking parties are available in San Diego, Orange, and Riverside Counties. View our event schedule to check on available dates…
Summer is upon us, and if you are like me, the zucchini in your garden is beginning to get out of control. No fear though, this abundant vegetable can be used in a multitude of delicious recipes. Since zucchini contains a lot of water, when baked into goodies it results in a moist texture and subtle sweetness that kids will love…… Read More…
Want a healthier family and healthier planet?? Here are some great ways to improve both and they are not as difficult to implement as you may think….. Read More…
