Kids Cooking and Cookbook Blog

Here is a book for the homeschool curriculum. Attention Homeschool Moms – and Dads::

The book I’ve been showcasing, Cooking Around the Country With Kids by Amy Houts, is not only a cookbook, but a treasure trove of historical facts and food history. It is a recommended book for the homeschool curriculum.

Along with recipes, Houts has included food facts, historical notes, and fun activities. For example, “When was ice cream “invented”? What are hush puppies and how did they get their name?  What are funnel cakes? Why doesn’t all corn “pop”?”

It is now well into January and many have almost forgotten their resolutions. Mine often follow the same pattern every year  – eat healthy, exercise more, make time for family and friends, and continue working to make our books important resources for parents and educators. This year I decided to focus on priorities to reach goals faster.

In forming priorities, there is a hierarchy. Some priorities are more important than others. One has to decide which jobs or activities must be done before others.

I like to use the quote by Dallin H. Oaks to outline this further: Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions.”

Who is the decision-maker when it comes to food choices? Is it the school? government? family? children?

Ground rules for this go something like this:

Parents should have the final word about what foods are bought and used for meals and snacks. It’s the parents who need to make healthy choices about foods for themselves and their family. This is for foods eaten at home or outside the home. It’s important to choose nutritious foods so that the goal for healthy food is met each day.

It’s important that children not only learn to appreciate food, but also learn to cook for themselves. Even preschool children can learn how to help with meals and prepare or help cook simple foods.

Teaching children to cook is probably the best way to get kids to eat right and respect food. The whole point of getting them in the kitchen and involved is to get them to feel and taste the food. Let them use their sense of smell, taste, and touch. Children need to be exposed to different foods several times before they will taste it. Preparing it themselves increases their interest and desire to try it.

Image via Wikipedia

January is almost over and I haven’t said anything about one of the most challenging resolutions: losing weight. Every year we say this, perhaps, but will this be THE YEAR? This might be a goal to consider not only for adults but for children, too.

If you as an adult set your goal very high, it may not be very realistic. Make it reasonable. Think how much better any amount of weight loss will make you feel.

What are some of the simple ways to do this? Here is a start: