Little Chef Ashley : Cooking With Kids

As some of you may have read, I do not have children of my own but I have 6 nieces and nephews....number 7 is due in January!!

I love to get them in the kitchen and share my love of cooking with them.

By having them in the kitchen, I have learned that they are very willing to eat something that they help create. It makes them feel very 'Grown Up'.

I also feel that this is an amazing start to making sure the children you love are on the right track to healthy, homemade meals.

Here are some Positive reasons to bring your kid/kids to the Kitchen:

Clean Hands!! - Having them wash up before getting hands on is a great way to show them about sanitation & hygiene.

Hot Hot Hot!! - The Kitchen is a great place to teach kids about sharp items and hot surfaces. Have them turn on the oven or stove and explain to them why it gets hot and why you need to be Very, Very careful in the area.

Early Development of Their Palate - Start as soon as possible with different flavors and textures. Kids have almost double the amount of taste buds as adults. So get those taste buds going with tons of different ingredients!! Im not saying they have to like it all, but do your best to get at least one taste!

Home Cooking Habits - Im a firm believer that food related habits stick with young kids their whole life. If they grow up around home cooked food, there is a good chance they will cook the same way for their kids someday. But if they grow up thinking that dinner comes from a take out box or drive thru window......that might be a hard habit to break.

Quality Time - Great family memories happen in the kitchen and around the dining room table. The smell of Roast or Chicken Soup takes me back to my childhood in a matter of seconds. Take the time to enjoy the magic that happens in the kitchen..together!

Food Knowledge - Your child might not ever use calculus or remember half the things they will learn during the long hours of the school days....but they will use ingredients, terms, techniques, & skills that they are taught in the kitchen for the rest of their life.

The LOVE of Food - I think everyone has heard the saying "the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach." I feel that it works both ways! Preparing food for those you care about is such a great way to show your love, respect and support. When someones is sick, you make them soup. When its a special occasion, you make their favorite meal. Pies to welcome new neighbors, casserole for those going through a hard time. Cakes to celebrate with & special breakfast on your birthday. Its all about the Love....& the Love of Food!

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Please Share....What is your favorite meal to make with your child or loved one??

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Say Hello to Ashlyn! She is almost 5 yrs old and is my go to helper in the kitchen. This little girl can crack an egg better then my husband. :)

Here we are, all hands on deck for homemade meatballs!

She enjoyed about 3 of these huge meatballs once they were simmered in a house made tomato sauce with pepper and onions. Along with homemade gnocchi and pepperoni/onion pizza.