Toddlers have small stomachs, yet they never seem to get full. It’s normal for toddlers to eat 4 or 5 small meals a day. Keeping them supplied with healthy food is a challenge for parents. When planning snacks, it doesn’t usually matter whether you spoil a toddler’s appetite for the next meal as long as […]
July 21, 2011
Cooking with Preschoolers: Distraction or Interaction?
This is the fourth part of a series on cooking with children. Previous posts in the series: 9 Great Reasons to Cook with Your Kids How to Cook with a Baby in the House How to Cook with a Toddler in the House Modeling aprons–you can win one Please welcome Yosefa […]
February 7, 2011
Interview with Canadian Reader Kelly
Please welcome Kelly (Elisheva) Milotay from Victoria, BC, Canada. She has three kids – Akiva is 4, Benjy is 2, and Mia is 1, and is expecting another in early summer. She used to be a middle school teacher but is now a full-time stay-at-home-mom. My husband works for the provincial government. What do you […]
January 6, 2011
Does Banning Snacks in Schools Prevent Obesity?
In this article, pediatrician and childhood feeding expert Dr. Katja Rowell protests a decision by the St. Paul’s city schools, explaining that banning candy and high-fat foods won’t prevent obesity. She argues that labeling foods as unhealthy can backfire, leading to inappropriate dieting and eating disorders. Rowells writes: First, the banning of “treat” foods and […]
November 29, 2010
9 Great Reasons to Cook with Your Kids
This post is the first part of a series on cooking with kids. See also: How to Cook with a Baby in the House How to Cook with a Toddler in the House Cooking with Preschoolers: Distraction or Interaction? A child’s strongest need, even more than food or affection, is to imitate adults. That is […]
October 14, 2010
Jamie Oliver: Teach Ten Recipes to Every Child
Chef Jamie Oliver gives a powerful talk on reversing the decline in healthy eating and the alarming rise in obesity. In one clip, he demonstrates how American schoolchildren can’t identify a tomato or a potato, much less beets or broccoli. His vision for America involves teaching every child about food, and teaching children and families ten simple, healthy recipes that they can cook at home. Well worth twenty minutes of your time.
July 4, 2010
Ten Kid-Friendly Foods Using Leftovers
You’re a good cook when you can make a delicious dish from fresh ingredients. But creating something new based on leftovers is especially satisfying. Those of us who value frugality and conservation are proudest when our unique leftover-inspired creation are enjoyed by everyone in the family.
Every home cook has to manage leftovers one way or another. Serving leftovers as they are is the easiest and often the tastiest. But when they aren’t enough for a whole meal, or you suspect there won’t be takers, leftovers can enhance your next cooking project.
Never try to recycle food that is starting to spoil. Spoiled food cannot be salvaged. You will ruin the entire dish and risk getting everyone sick. Always examine food carefully, and heat leftovers thoroughly before serving.
Need help with organizing your leftovers? See Thirteen Smart Ways to Manage Your Leftovers
Follow the links for more detailed recipes.
May 6, 2010
12 Tips for Getting Kids Used to Healthy Food
em>Hannah, how do you start to cook healthy for kids who are used to home-cooked fast food (pasta, burgers, shnitzel/potatoes)?
It’s discouraging because sometimes the “meals* are the least eaten.
By best meals I mean the ones I plan. The well-rounded, healthiest, most diverse ingredients. These are the meals that are most likely to be mostly thrown out. It’s very discouraging as my available time for cooking is very short.
Tanya, I can sympathize. My kids used to eat a lot of those things. They still eat some of them. Here are some ideas for making gradual changes.
- Pick the least healthy food that you serve. If it’s processed and expensive, even better. Then stop buying it. You can’t control what your kids eat, but you can control what food is available.
