Play With Your Food

True Story:
The first time my husband (then my new(ish) boyfriend) ever joined my family for a big meal, my grandfather told a story about winning the war with my aunt’s matzo balls because they were harder than cannons, and my aunt dropped a scoop of ice cream onto my sister’s lap, who, in turn, gave a shriek and threw it, hot cold potato-style, across the table onto my mother’s plate. We laughed, and my nice, civilized future husband gawked. Eventually he came to realize that we are gauche we have no class dinner at my house is often chaotic, always a laugh, and nobody ever stands on any sort of ceremony. He learned that sometimes it is ok to play with your food.

Of course, I don’t advocate food fights at every meal; I would hardly encourage us to fling pork chops at each other or blow bubbles in our soup. But I think that meal prep can easily include a couple of extra little helpers, and a little bit of fun. And it’s amazing how proud a child is of the things they create, be it a pretty picture or a tin of muffins. Not only does including your child in the cooking process turn drudgery into a fun activity, but it may also increase the likelihood of the kids actually eating the meal, as well as to help foster a strong foundation for healthy eating as they grow older (i.e. they will be more likely to cook for themselves once they are independent). And really, what could be better than spending the afternoon baking with your child and then enjoying the fruits (or cookies) of your labour?
When you think of it that way, helping your children discover the joy of cooking is simply child’s play.

The Best Playdough Recipe Out There

I’ve searched high and low for the ultimate playdough recipe, and this, my friends, is it. Not too sticky; not too crumbly, and it’ll keep in an airtight container for months. The very best way to play with your food, for sure.

- 1 cup flour
- 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 tsp. cream of tartar

- Mix all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.

- Stir constantly until a ball forms; remove from heat and knead until smooth.

- Separate into fist-size balls and add food colouring to each, if desired, or do what my kid does and layer one colour on top of the other until hands, tabletop and wooden spoon are all dyed dark blue.

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*SoundBITE*
There are lots of safe, fun ways to include children of all ages in the cooking process by giving them age and ability-appropriate tasks, including washing fruits and vegetables; stirring, pouring or measuring ingredients; cracking eggs and even adding secret ingredients of their own to the dish. And no, getting them to set the table doesn’t count.

Comments

[No Mother Earth]

When the Boy helps my parents cook, he cleans his plate. When he helps me cook, he still refuses to eat anything that is not a derivative of cheese or bread. What do they have that I don't have???