Kids love to help and they love to cook and create for those they love. What better day to do this and say Thank You to mom! You'll find lots of inspiration with these recipes.
So get dad to gather up the kids in the kitchen tomorrow. Moms, sleep in and enjoy your children on your special day.
Happy Mother's Day!
Health Coaching for the Whole Family.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Cinco de Mayo
What a fantastic week it has been! My classes had a little Cinco de Mayo "party". To celebrate we made Edamame Salsa and Big Kid Guacamole, courtesy of Weelicious.
I know my own children LOVE guacamole. Such a healthy snack full of brain enriching fats and protein from the avocados. I like to make a big bowl along with blue corn tortilla chips. It doesn't last long!
Another family favorite is salsa. And really, what's better than a dip full of tomatoes, onions and cilantro?? When I came across the Edamame Salsa, I knew it was something we had to make! All the yummy goodness of traditional salsa but with added protein from the Edamame Beans. Delicious!
Many of the kids loved these dips. Some were skeptical and 'ate' with their eyes and declined to try it. Sometimes colors and textures are just not appealing to some. I really try to encourage them all to at least try the new foods before saying no thank you. (We do this at home and call it the 'No thank you bite.') This is what Healthy Appetites is all about. Bringing new food to kids who may have not had the opportunity to try as of yet. I'm always incredibly proud of them for trying. There are a few hard nuts to crack here in class. I refuse to give up! I'll get them to 'Cook and eat healthy food'! :)
Looking forward to next weeks class. Pancakes are on the menu!
I know my own children LOVE guacamole. Such a healthy snack full of brain enriching fats and protein from the avocados. I like to make a big bowl along with blue corn tortilla chips. It doesn't last long!
Another family favorite is salsa. And really, what's better than a dip full of tomatoes, onions and cilantro?? When I came across the Edamame Salsa, I knew it was something we had to make! All the yummy goodness of traditional salsa but with added protein from the Edamame Beans. Delicious!
Many of the kids loved these dips. Some were skeptical and 'ate' with their eyes and declined to try it. Sometimes colors and textures are just not appealing to some. I really try to encourage them all to at least try the new foods before saying no thank you. (We do this at home and call it the 'No thank you bite.') This is what Healthy Appetites is all about. Bringing new food to kids who may have not had the opportunity to try as of yet. I'm always incredibly proud of them for trying. There are a few hard nuts to crack here in class. I refuse to give up! I'll get them to 'Cook and eat healthy food'! :)
Looking forward to next weeks class. Pancakes are on the menu!
Monday, May 6, 2013
Family Time
We have recently started a new family tradition; Family Hike/Trail Day. On Sundays we head out of doors for a hike or trail walk. We choose a different destination each week, though we may revisit favorites as it feels right. It's a time for us to be together, enjoy nature, talk, feel connected with each other and our surroundings. I'm so excited about this adventure!
We have always been an "out doorsie" family so this special day feels like a no brainer. But setting the intention for it to happen weekly keeps us active, accountable and spiritual. My husband and I feel so much more spiritual hiking a mountain than we ever have in the conventional way. I respectfully understand that this may not be the same for some folks.
Of course I want us all to be nourished before we head out. ;) I found a smoothie recipe by Weelicious. This is packed with spinach so no wonder the name is Green Monster! It's also dairy free which is fabulous for Sophia and all of us really. It was delicious!
Green Monster Smoothie via Weelicious
4 Servings
2 cups vanilla rice milk
4 cups packed fresh spinach
2 large ripe bananas
1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar
1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
2. Serve with a tall straw to slurp it up.
We've really enjoying our newest adventure. Wonder where next week will take us? :)
We have always been an "out doorsie" family so this special day feels like a no brainer. But setting the intention for it to happen weekly keeps us active, accountable and spiritual. My husband and I feel so much more spiritual hiking a mountain than we ever have in the conventional way. I respectfully understand that this may not be the same for some folks.
Lately I have been thinking about how fast time seems to be going by. Another school year is almost finished. I look at my son and see how much he's physically changed. He's getting taller, his face doesn't resemble a "baby face" anymore. My daughter will have one more year before she moves on to middle school. I am so not ready for that!
I want time to slow down. Spending this quality time together helps that, I think. At least our time together is Meaningful. Thoughtful. Joyful.
Of course I want us all to be nourished before we head out. ;) I found a smoothie recipe by Weelicious. This is packed with spinach so no wonder the name is Green Monster! It's also dairy free which is fabulous for Sophia and all of us really. It was delicious!
Green Monster Smoothie via Weelicious
4 Servings
2 cups vanilla rice milk
4 cups packed fresh spinach
2 large ripe bananas
1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar
1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
2. Serve with a tall straw to slurp it up.
We've really enjoying our newest adventure. Wonder where next week will take us? :)
Friday, May 3, 2013
Tip of the Week!
Fontina Cheese
Fontina is a delicious Italian cow's milk cheese. It can be semi-soft to firm in texture with a range of flavors from mild and creamy to more intense - depending on the region in where it came from.
It's delicious in sandwiches, lasagna, and even fondue because it melts beautifully.
Grating Fontina can be challenging because it's soft texture. Next time, freeze your wedge of cheese! This makes it much easier for grating and doesn't change the texture of flavor when cooked.
Fontina is a delicious Italian cow's milk cheese. It can be semi-soft to firm in texture with a range of flavors from mild and creamy to more intense - depending on the region in where it came from.
It's delicious in sandwiches, lasagna, and even fondue because it melts beautifully.
Grating Fontina can be challenging because it's soft texture. Next time, freeze your wedge of cheese! This makes it much easier for grating and doesn't change the texture of flavor when cooked.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Spring time enrichment
What an amazing, exciting time it is. My spring enrichment class began this week. A great groups of kids; such life, excitement and spunk!
My class was such a big hit back in the fall that my enrollment has increased this time around. I'm now teaching two days instead of one. The age group ranges from Kindergarten to Fourth Grade. A busy mama I am, but so very grateful! Bringing new, healthy ideas and engaging the kids to want to cook and eat healthy food is so very dear to me! Oh my heart feels so very full!
During last session, I found cooking with limited equipment, such as an oven or stove, a challenge. I do have a toaster oven and a microwave to use, but I do need to be creative. I've also learned that keeping 12 children busy during the "waiting" part of cooking is important. This year I've decided to add some education material to use; such as coloring pages, measurement charts, food pyramids etc.
This week we made granola bars. Really, what kid doesn't like them? Soft, chewy goodness. The store brands can be pricey and many are filled with additives and preservatives. These are so easy to make, have pure ingredients, and cost only pennies you really must try them yourselves!
My class was such a big hit back in the fall that my enrollment has increased this time around. I'm now teaching two days instead of one. The age group ranges from Kindergarten to Fourth Grade. A busy mama I am, but so very grateful! Bringing new, healthy ideas and engaging the kids to want to cook and eat healthy food is so very dear to me! Oh my heart feels so very full!
During last session, I found cooking with limited equipment, such as an oven or stove, a challenge. I do have a toaster oven and a microwave to use, but I do need to be creative. I've also learned that keeping 12 children busy during the "waiting" part of cooking is important. This year I've decided to add some education material to use; such as coloring pages, measurement charts, food pyramids etc.
This week we made granola bars. Really, what kid doesn't like them? Soft, chewy goodness. The store brands can be pricey and many are filled with additives and preservatives. These are so easy to make, have pure ingredients, and cost only pennies you really must try them yourselves!
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats {not rolled oats!}
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats {not rolled oats!}
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Directions:
In a large bowl, stir oats and rice cereal together. Set aside. In a small pot, melt butter, honey and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble. Reduce the heat and cook 2 minutes. Pour in vanilla and stir. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour into lightly greased small jelly roll pan {about 12x8x1} and press out to be about 3/4 inch in thickness. {If your pan isn't small enough, pack the mixture into one side. You really want to press them down so they stick together.} Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and press down lightly. Cool on a counter top to room temperature for two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
Recipe Notes: If your granola bars don't seem to be staying together when you cut them, you may have not boiled the mixture long enough...you want it to make it just past the softball stage. OR you made them too thin or you didn't pack them in tight enough. Stick them in the fridge for 20 minutes and that should help keep them together. {Be sure not to keep them in there too long or else they'll become super hard!}.
It is such an exciting time for us all. I'm looking forward to creating with these 24 marvelous children for the next 5 weeks! Check back here often to see what we've been cooking up in class and around my home!
Thank you for stopping by!
Recipe Notes: If your granola bars don't seem to be staying together when you cut them, you may have not boiled the mixture long enough...you want it to make it just past the softball stage. OR you made them too thin or you didn't pack them in tight enough. Stick them in the fridge for 20 minutes and that should help keep them together. {Be sure not to keep them in there too long or else they'll become super hard!}.
It is such an exciting time for us all. I'm looking forward to creating with these 24 marvelous children for the next 5 weeks! Check back here often to see what we've been cooking up in class and around my home!
Thank you for stopping by!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Faith in humanity
It seem surreal to me to, yet again, be shielding my children from tragedy. Keeping away the newspapers, choosing to talk about Monday only after they are fast asleep. Then today Sophia and Roman told ME that there was a bombing in Boston. They heard about it at school. In class, from other classmates. It took me off guard. But in that moment I knew I would need to try to explain to them what happened. But how do we explain such madness? Gently. Honestly. Giving them just enough information, but definitely not too much.
We sat down as a family at dinner and talked. Talked about how some "bad person or people" hurt innocent people. But that the "good guys" will find them, as they always do, and the bad ones will be sent to a place where they will never hurt anyone again.
At the same time, it's very important to me for my children to understand that there really are still good people in this world. That the world is not full of "bad guys". To teach them to have faith in humanity. If more people had faith, maybe this world would be a better place.
Hold your family close, shake hands with your neighbors, smile at a stranger, random acts of kindness for all. Let's not wait for tragedy to strike to be the humans we all should be!
We sat down as a family at dinner and talked. Talked about how some "bad person or people" hurt innocent people. But that the "good guys" will find them, as they always do, and the bad ones will be sent to a place where they will never hurt anyone again.
At the same time, it's very important to me for my children to understand that there really are still good people in this world. That the world is not full of "bad guys". To teach them to have faith in humanity. If more people had faith, maybe this world would be a better place.
Hold your family close, shake hands with your neighbors, smile at a stranger, random acts of kindness for all. Let's not wait for tragedy to strike to be the humans we all should be!
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Around the World....and back again
For the past several weeks, our daughter has been working so hard studying her heritage. We started with our family tree. This step was very fun. Writing down where parents, grandparents and great grandparents came from. Discussing what this means, why, how and when. Our heritage consists of Italy, Sweden and Finland. Sophia decided to concentrate her studies on Sweden.
So much thought and research went into this project. Each day there was a large amount of time blocked for work in the library, computer lab and classroom. Many of her classmates chose different ways to display their work. From Power Points, Posters, and Brochures - which was Sophia's choice - it was wonderful to see the creativity of each student. Such detail, personal touches, absolutely wonderful.
Of course I was excited when I learned we could make a food from our country of origin! ;) Sophia decided to make Swedish Meatballs. A savory, bite size meatball in a brown gravy sauce. Quite different from an Italian Meatball but just as delicious.
Sophia wrote out the recipe to display as part of her brochure. She and I shopped for ingredients and made the meatballs together. This was such a special time. Sophia was so excited and proud of what she was creating. So excited to share with her classmates at the Around The World Day at the school.
We are so proud of our little girl today! She's growing up so fast. Most days I want to hit the pause button. Just to slow things down a bit. At the same time, I enjoy watching and participating in the transformation of the lady she is becoming. I look forward to what she brings to the world in the future!
Sophia and I would like to share the recipe for Swedish Meatballs with you. Enjoy spending time with your family; learning from each other, talking, and of course cooking together!
So much thought and research went into this project. Each day there was a large amount of time blocked for work in the library, computer lab and classroom. Many of her classmates chose different ways to display their work. From Power Points, Posters, and Brochures - which was Sophia's choice - it was wonderful to see the creativity of each student. Such detail, personal touches, absolutely wonderful.
Of course I was excited when I learned we could make a food from our country of origin! ;) Sophia decided to make Swedish Meatballs. A savory, bite size meatball in a brown gravy sauce. Quite different from an Italian Meatball but just as delicious.
Sophia wrote out the recipe to display as part of her brochure. She and I shopped for ingredients and made the meatballs together. This was such a special time. Sophia was so excited and proud of what she was creating. So excited to share with her classmates at the Around The World Day at the school.
We are so proud of our little girl today! She's growing up so fast. Most days I want to hit the pause button. Just to slow things down a bit. At the same time, I enjoy watching and participating in the transformation of the lady she is becoming. I look forward to what she brings to the world in the future!
Sophia and I would like to share the recipe for Swedish Meatballs with you. Enjoy spending time with your family; learning from each other, talking, and of course cooking together!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)