Memories - Cooking with Kids!

I didn't sleep at all last night.  I was remembering what it was like to be in labor with my daughter who at 12:50am turned 22 years old today. 

I had easy deliveries with both my children.  My son who will be 25 later this month arrived in just 3 hours, of course that's quick but, my daughter literally joined the human race in a mere 30 minutes.  My water broke at 12:20am on August 1st and there she was at 12:50am. 

My daughter and I last year after summiting Mt. Democrat

She's a big girl now!

Thank goodness there was no traffic getting to the hospital at that time. I told my husband to drop me off at the door and go park his car.  I ran into the hospital elevator to take it to the maternity floor and was greeted by a man who I terrified, when told I was having a baby any second.  With horror in his eyes he said, "not with me in here lady," and quickly hit the button and ran out.  I laughed!  Luckily I made it to the maternity floor just in the nick of time.  Now that was close.

What are your fondest memories?

So today as I'm sitting in 60 degree weather looking out at the Colorado mountains I'm reminiscing about the years I spent raising both kids.  I was a stay at home mom and loved every minute of it.  Living each day through the eyes of my children, playing, exploring, learning and cooking.  Lots and lots of cooking together. 

During the summer months with the kids off school, we would cook just about everything.  Not fish, they hated fish as children, now they love it. 

Homemade PlayDoh (read on for fun projects and links) was one of their favorite cooking and play activities.  We could roll with it for hours, creating new colors and shapes.  Cookies and cakes of various sizes and shapes, homemade pizzas, ice cream, spinach stuffed manicotti and ravioli lasagna (see below) their favorite - the list was endless. 

As they got older they used the computer and made trifold menus (something I had no clue how to do at the time), for their make believe restaurant - the name escapes me now.  With a list of items and photos on each page they'd have my husband and I order while they would cook.  Their favorite restaurant items were the quesadillas!  They loved those, and with a variety of tortillas, veggies and cheese they were true chefs. 

Of course my son was very enterprising and always made sure each item had a price, for which we had to pay!  The two would then cook up our dishes and serve them very carefully.  My daughter was so lady like, and still is, but so adorable when she served us, while my son was the maitre d and made certain everything was done to perfection.  He's still that way and so is she!

Why am I telling you this long story?   I suppose because it's on my mind today but also to remind you, if you're a parent, spend quality time with your children while they're still young.  They will never forget it and neither will you!  

Cooking is an incredible way to enjoy stress free hours together while they create their own culinary masterpieces and gain not only confidence but improve their math skills as well. Plus there's no bickering whatsoever, everyone just has fun.

If you're looking for some fun activities to do with your kids where they won't fight with each other, cooking is it!  If it's hot out, raining, if they're sick or just plain bored just go to the kitchen.

Here are some things you can do:

• Create your own chefs hats before starting your project
• Make sure everyone wears an apron or make a dish towel apron if you're crafty, and don't forget to wash their hands - the #1 rule for anyone that prepares food.
• Make PlayDoh - kids of all ages and adults like this too.
• Try my kids favorite childhood dish, that's easy peasy - Ravioli Lasagna.  Here's a video demonstration from Diergergs grocery store where I got the recipe many years ago. 
• Bake cookies and use cookie cutters to cut out their names or sayings and decorate them.
• Make homemade ice cream

There's an infinite number of fun kitchen activities to do with your children.  However, what's key is to spend quality time with them.  Those are memories that will last a lifetime. I'm thrilled I took the time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LITTLE GIRL! 

 I LOVE YOU!

Homemade Play-Dough for a Winters Day!

What's a mother or father to do with the kids when the weather is icy, snowy and bitterly cold outside?

When my kids were younger, they're now is their 20s, one of their favortie things to do on a cold snowy day, rainy day or even when they were home sick was to make homemade play-dough.

This simple recipe would keep them entertained for hours. Although I enjoyed sitting at the table with them while they made their creations, it gave me a little break as well.

So if you're all going stir crazy this week because of our historic weather conditions take a look in your pantry for the ingredients listed below.


Have fun with your kids while still having quiet time.

Homemade Play-Dough

Ingredients:

· 2 1/2 cups flour

· 1/2 cup salt

· 1 tablespoon Alum (can be found in the spice section at the grocery store)

· 1 3/4 cups boiling water (can use from your coffee pot)

· 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

· Lots of food coloring

Directions:

Mix flour and salt in a bowl. Mix the alum, water, oil and food coloring in a separate bowl; add to the flour-salt mixture. Knead well, adding extra flour if sticky. Now you're ready to create with your play dough, which can be stored in an airtight container or zip-lock baggie for several months with no refrigeration needed.

Note: One of our favorite tools to use while rolling out and shaping our play-dough was a garlic press. It makes the most fantastic hair for their animated creations.

Enjoy!

Creating Holiday Traditions with Your Children

St Louis Kids Magazine contacted me last week since I teach culinary classes here in town. They wanted to hear my thoughts on the benefits of cooking with children during the holidays and throughout the year. In addition, the traditions or memories holiday baking can create.

Of course, I also shared with them what I felt some of the easiest holiday treats were to make with kids and the recipes.
















I've been teaching culinary classes for 18 years for children and adults. However, my greatest and personal experience was what I learned from cooking with my own children now 21 and 24. They are memories that I'll always cherish and never forget.

You can read the article and what I had to say here. Plus don't forget to try the fun recipes that I share, with your children this holiday.