Kids Cooking and Cookbook Blog Site

Many schools are starting out their fall semester with a heavy emphasis on demonstrating good character traits such as kindness, politeness, respect, cooperation, generosity, helpfulness, tolerance and others. Students are told that the only person in charge of their character is herself or himself.

One way you can help your student, or others, become more aware of practicing good character traits is through interactive sharing of information about character building situations. Children from ages 8-14 can really relate to the problems and situations in the book, Listening to the Mukies and Their Character Building Adventures.

This interactive approach works because, when it is read with an adult, the Mukies, as these friendly clever creatures are called, provide the basis for an easy exchange of thoughts, feelings, and ideas about values and ethical issues. Then you can discuss them and help clarify your child’s thinking about these important issues.

As Warren Buffett says, ‘An individual needs three traits to be successful on the job: intelligence, work ethic and character. The first two without the last will not cut it.’ We want students to grow up to be responsible caring individuals with a concern and respect for others.

For a limited time only, (the month of September) you can get a FREE copy of this book, Listening to the Mukies and Their Character Building Adventures. When you order one copy of the book at our website you will get the second FREE – that way both you and your child will have a book to read or give to your child’s teacher for the classroom. Click here to order and you will receive a FREE copy of the book. – two for the price of one.

Here’s to helping your child be the best he or she can be,

Lee Jackson
Family and Consumer Life Coach
Images Unlimited Books

http://www.ImagesUnlimitedPublishing.com

I promised you I would post my favorite Peach Cobbler. There is nothing like this classic blending of cobbler topping and sweet, fresh peaches for a superbly simple late summer dessert.

You will want to choose ripe yet firm peaches. These hold their shape better while baking. Like most fruit, peaches vary in their juiciness. Sometimes you almost have to stand over the sink to eat them because they are so juicy and the juice runs down your arm, and other times, their rather dry, leathery interior will cry for more juiciness.

For this recipe, you will need about 4-5 good sized peaches. You will need to peel them for the cobbler. If you are cooking with children, this is the part you need to do yourself because it is too dangerous for children to handle.

To peel fresh peaches bring a pot of water to boil. Place peaches in boiling water (enough to cover peaches) for approximately one minute (less if they are really soft). Then immediately plunge them in a bowl full of ice water. After the peaches cool off, this is when children can begin their work in helping you make

Fresh Peach Cobbler

The skins of peaches should slip right off. (If they are too hard you will have to peel them with a pairing knife.) Cut peaches in half and remove pit. Some peaches will have a dark red flesh that surrounds the pit. Take a spoon and scoop this out and discard as it can cause the peaches to have a bitter taste. Slice each half into 4 wedges. Gently toss peaches with 1/2 – 1 cup sugar in a large bowl and let stand for 30 minutes to allow juice to form. Then continue with the following:

1 stick butter
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk

Melt butter in 12 x 7 1/2 x 2 inch baking pan (2 quart) in 325 degrees F oven. While butter is melting, combine rest of ingredients in a medium size bowl and stir to blend. Drop evenly over melted butter; do not stir. Spoon peaches with their juice over the top of batter. Do not stir. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour, or until golden brown and baked throughout.

Most of the peaches will sink to the bottom where they will form a thick, rich sauce. I like to serve this cobbler warm and upside down on a plate with a scoop of ice cream.

You and your family will enjoy it. Easy, too!

Best to you,

Lee Jackson
Helping promote family well-being through knowledge and skills

http://www.ImagesUnlimitedPublishing.com

Image by I Nancy via Flickr

Since we are in mid peach season, here are a few of my favorite “peachy” sayings:

“It’s a peach of a day.”

“Everything’s peachy keen.”

“She has a ‘peaches and cream’ complexion.”

“An apple is an excellent thing — until you have tried a peach.”
George du Maurier (1834-1896)

“Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring and because it has fresh peaches in it.” Thomas Walker.

“Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.” Mark Twain.

“In Hollywood, the women are all peaches. It makes one long for an apple occasionally.” William Somerset Maugham.

“The ripest peach is highest on the tree.” James Whitcomb Riley.

Please check in tomorrow as I’ll have my favorite Peach Cobbler posted.

Best to you,

Lee Jackson
Food and Nutrition Educator
Helping promote family well-being through knowledge and skills

http://www.ImagesUnlimitedPublishing.com

When you take a look at our website  you should be able to turn the pages on our new cookbook by Amy Houts, Cooking Around the Country with Kids: USA Regional Recipes and Fun Activities. It’s fun to see it coming together and looking very good – we’re excited!  Go ahead and see what you think:  see NEW COOKBOOK.

On the page it says the author has not put in the ordering information yet – but on the website order page, you can order the book and it will be shipped as soon as it gets published.  This way you can receive one of the first signed and numbered copies.  Would love to hear from you.

Lee Jackson