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Saturday, March 28, 2009

Fun and Learning with Kids in the Kitchen

Fun and Learning with Kids in the Kitchen


It's fun, it's messy, and it means time with an adult -- no wonder most kids love to cook. Kitchen duty provides plenty of learning opportunities for kids too. Problem is, for many parents, the goal of cooking is getting something on the table, pronto. And that's OK -- whipping up a nutritious meal using a mix or livening up leftovers together can also be a fun learning experience.



Here's how to make the most out of cooking with a pint-size helper:



* Look for the lesson. No need to get preachy, but take advantage of the learning potential. Besides kitchen safety and cooking techniques, your child can also practice reading, basic math skills (everything from number recognition to division), and how to follow directions.



* Listen. While mixing ingredients, your child might just decide to open up about the school bully or that upcoming, worrisome test. (Somehow it's less intimidating than sitting down for a serious "talk.")



* Encourage easy creativity by stocking up on an array of spices. Try asking your kids things like: "Want to try cardamom instead of cinnamon on those apples?" and "How about adding some zip to these leftover mashed potatoes with a little garlic powder?"



* Explore other cultures. Spice blends like Indian curry and Mexican seasoning are an easy way to introduce ethnic flair -- and conversation -- to dinner.



* Choose dishes that are fun to make, nutritious, and bound to succeed. Pass down family favorites or try new recipes when time permits. Or go quick and simple with convenient mixes. Frontier Natural Products Co-op offers quality, healthful bulk mixes for soups, dips, beverages like lemonade and cocoa, salsas, soy burgers, falafel and taco filling. And its Simply Organic line has meal-size quantities of everything from baking and dip mixes to gravies, pasta sauces, taco mixes, dressings and marinades.



* Take advantage of broth powders. Just add water and you're on your way to homemade soup. Have your child toss in leftovers from the week and a few spices, and you've got yourselves a budget-friendly, healthful dinner.



* Sprout seeds. Show your child how to start a batch of sprouts and rinse them twice a day until they're ready. (It's an easier way to teach responsibility than a family pet!)



* Introduce your child to related life skills, like meal planning and nutrition, grocery shopping and budget management, table setting, and gardening. Visit the farmer's market and the food co-op together.





* Use cooking as a springboard. "Kids can learn about important topics like organics, food miles, and ethical sourcing at an early age," says Kathy Larson, vice president of Sustainability and Education at Frontier Natural Products Co-op. "You might explain that you purchase your produce from a local farmer who sells at the co-op, for example -- or that you order your coffee, tea, spices, sprouting seeds and other cooking ingredients from a company that helps the farmers who grow their products and makes business decisions with the environment in mind."



* If you find that your child is eager for more time in the kitchen, devote some of your weekend to baking a cake or making cookies from scratch. (That'll give you plenty of time to talk about why cakes rise or the concept of that Fair Trade cocoa you're using.)



Cooking side-by-side with your child means you can set the timer for quality time and make every minute count. You'll find more tips on cooking with kids -- and kid-friendly recipes -- at www.frontiercoop.com.



Courtesy of ARAcontent