Teach Your Children

Hi there. I know it's been over a week, but I've been busy. Sorry. Life gets in the way sometimes.
So, when I drive to work every day around 5 am, I put on public radio, and at that time, they play the BBC news report. I love hearing about current events from a British point of view, but yesterday was particularly interesting, because they did a piece about why you should teach your children to cook. The gist of it was that if you teach your kids to cook at a young age, you will keep them from filling themselves with empty calories and precooked, prepackaged garbage food and empty calories.

WHAT A WONDERFUL IDEA! Can you just imagine, something that not only brings a family together, provides quality time, but also teaches them a skill, and gives them the power to make nutritious and homemade food for themselves...whoda thunk it?

I realize that maybe, just maybe, my kids are a bit unique because their mom is a chef, and loves to share her passion for food. But if you just even like to cook a bit, or want to spend quality time with your kids, this is a great way to do it. Not only can you introduce them to the concept of healthy eating, you can also teach them a life skill (remember, eventually they WILL leave you) while having a great time.

My kids have always liked to help in the kitchen. Breakfast is a great place to start. Drag a stool or chair up to the stove, and let them help you make eggs, pancakes, etc. Don't worry if it gets a little messy. You can always clean up. Everything tastes better if you've participated in the creation of it.

I love having the kids help at holidays. We are Jewish, and holidays are centered around food. Every Rosh Hashanah (New Year) we bake challah in the traditional circular shape, and cut up apples to eat with honey. They help me make Hamentaschen (a triangular cookie) for Purim. Latkes for Hanukkah. And so on. It not only brings us closer, it gives us a chance to talk about the history, the heritage.

I have made bread, pizza from scratch, soft pretzels, pasta, dessert, just about everything with the kids. They can help prep, measure, stir, garnish..whatever. Just get them involved. What you will find is, that as they get older, they begin to do things for themselves. Now, when my kids sleep late and I am busy, they get up and make their own breakfast; scrambled eggs and bagels or toast. They make quesadillas for lunch, or grilled cheese sandwiches. They can actually pack their own lunches with what they like.

I know, this may not sound like much, but having your kids do simple things, even like making celery sticks with peanut butter, or pasta with butter, gives them so much. They gain self confidence. They feel a part of what is going on around them. And..not only can they become somewhat self sufficient, they can make better nutritional choices than just nuking a hot pocket or eating some premade crap. They are proud of what they can do. Let them help make the food for dinner, or a party, even if they won't be there. Knowing that you  have given them credit for helping is huge. And think of all the money you will save by not having to buy all those frozen or fast food meals!

It's so hard these days to find ways to spend quality time with your children. Sitting down to the family dinner has become almost obsolete, for so many reasons. Why not do something so simple, so fulfilling as making a meal, or even a snack together, then watching them do it for themselves? Granted, I am not saying that they will ever clean up after themselves...let's get real here. Suck it up and know that someday that will be part of the equation.

So.. find a favorite recipe. Take the time to make it with your kids. Show them how to measure, how to be clean and sanitary, how to respect the kitchen with its sharp objects and its heat. Do age appropriate recipes. And watch the light in their eyes when they eat what they have made, or serve it to someone else. And trust me, they will begin to experiment for themselves. Sometimes, this is downright scary, but most times, you will be so proud. And then, maybe, you will know that when your kid gets to the dorms in college, it won't be all cup-a-soup (ok, I've just dated myself, do they even make that any more?) or ramen noodles. They may actually eat something nutritous, or become the most popular kid on the floor because they know how to scramble eggs or bake banana bread in a toaster oven.

Food+Love+Family=A lifetime of healthy, happy people. Check it out.