At my most recent cooking birthday party, we had to scrape the leftover noodles from the plates before they were washed.  But have no fear – those noodles would not go to the landfill.  I brought out my trusty zip-top bags, collected the remaining food…and brought it home.  For our chickens.  Yes, I said “chickens.”

See…

Perhaps the chickens think I just fed them some giant worms.

Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to share my passion of “cooking with kids” with you!  My daughter and I spent time in the kitchen today making a great new muffin recipe.  She is a hoot to cook with! She has been on a step stool, apron on waist and spoon in hand for about 3 years now – ever since she was 3.

We’ve gone from having her just be able to identify the numbers on a recipe to being able to read the whole thing and now- she’s adding her own twist to the mix. Today she wasn’t so sure about my idea of dates in the muffins, she was really stuck on raisins.

Look at that Sneaky Hand!

Of course the funniest part of cooking with her is her sneaky hand. I’m a germ freak so I try to make sure my food is “clean” but with little hands around…you’re almost always asking for some tasting involved.

Your blog has been a lot of fun to follow. I just jumped into the whole “foodie” blog scene this past summer and am having lots of fun! Any suggestions you have for me…I’d love to hear them!

Take care, Melissa McDonald

Do you have any fun stories and photos to share about cooking with YOUR kids?  I hope to share at least one reader story every week and can’t wait to hear about your adventures in the kitchen with your kids. Here is what you need to do.

p.s.  Pass it on!

p.s.  Pass it on!

People on Twitter are starting to get excited about my new What’s Cooking with YOUR Kids series, and have asked how to participate.  I thought I’d outline the easy steps here, so people can take a gander and get inspired.  Let’s try to get the word out there that it IS simple to cook with your kids AND everyone should try it.  Believe me, the results are worth it!  

Kids who cook:

• are better eaters (and complain less at mealtime!)
• eat a more varied diet
• learn important skills that they will use for their entire lives
• learn to cooperate and follow directions

Here’s how to participate in What’s Cooking with YOUR Kids…

• Call your kids into the kitchen and cook up some fun together.
• You could use one of the recipes I have included on my blog or you could pick one of your own.
• Or, you could try doing one of the food-related community service activities that I get so darned excited about
• Take a few photos, write down the funny things your kids say or jot down some notes about how well the recipe or service project worked…or didn’t
• And then send me an e-mail (michelle (at) whatscooking (dot) info) with
  * your story
  * some photos
  * and a link to your website or blog, if you want me to mention it
• Stay tuned:  I’ll post these stories on the blog – and hopefully your enthusiasm will encourage other families to cook or do service with their kids, too.

Do you have a blog?  Please tell your readers about this!  Let’s generate a lot of buzz – we will link back to everyone who participates.

As my friends on Twitter pointed out today, I have a GREAT job!  It was a nice change from the usual comments I get about teaching children how to cook.  They usually say how crazy brave I must be for cooking with kids.  Yes, it can be hectic.  And loud.  And messy.  But it is also amazing – especially when I can help shape a child’s eating habits.  And when I hear the words, “mom, can I have more broccoli?” I feel as if I have died and gone to heaven!  Today was one of those days – I taught a cooking birthday party for 20 enthusiastic first graders.  They got to play with their food, try some new flavors, and spend some quality time with their friends.  Pretty darn satisfying, if I do say so, myself.

It’s not everyday that the benefits of a cooking party can go beyond the families that participate.  But today’s celebration also helped to raise money for Homeward Bound of Marin – a local organization that helps people who are homeless and in transition.  I couldn’t have done today’s event without the help of Taylor, a local man who is lifting himself out of poverty by attending culinary school and training with several caterers.  He also works for Homeward Bound, where this party took place, and was a natural – both in the kitchen and with the children.

On the menu today:  Steamed Dumplings filled with shrimp or turkey and Asian Coconut Noodles.  I had planned to do another noodle dish, but changed the recipe at the last minute, after learning that two of the guests had food allergies.

Keep reading →

Looks good, huh?  Want to win it?

Here’s how…

Recently a mom brought me this cartoon when she stopped by to pick up her son from a play date.  She said it made her think of me.  I’ll assume that she meant it in a good way.

I love the “schedule” feature on my blog.  I can write a few posts, pick dates for them to appear, and then POOF – disappear on a fantastic holiday vacation with 14 members of our family.  You probably thought I was here.  But I wasn’t.  We were in Hawaii.  I know, life is rough.

In case you were wondering what we could possibly do to stay busy while we were there, we found some ways to work up an appetite.

Burying daddy

Getting Tumbled in the Ocean

Snorkeling and Watching the Turtles Come on Shore

With all of that activity, we were sure to maintain our girlish figures…

See how nicely the shell fits - who needs piercing?

…and still snack on delicious tropical fruits.

Rambutin

Sigh.  Life is good.  Happy New Year!