Archive for the ‘Baking With Kids’ Category
Recently, I met up with my friend who has the same kind of feelings about family mealtime that I have. We both believe that sitting down together as a family to share a nice meal not only provides nourishment, but food for the soul of the family as well.
Patti Winker, of RemarkableWrinklies.com, credits the warm and welcoming old fashioned meals of her childhood for her strong attachments to family. As a matter of fact, the memories of big meals shared around the table sparked more than just nostalgic feelings for her… it launched a cookbook!
Patti gathered together the recipes she’s been collecting and put them into a fun “remember when” cookbook called Memory Lane Meals. This cookbook is filled with the kind of food that was served in cozy kitchens during the 50s and 60s. With the subtitle “A Collection Of Recipes Celebrating Cozy Meals From Days Gone By” you get an idea of where her heart lies!
Rather than have me explain what’s in the cookbook, and how it came to be, I thought I’d let Patti tell you in her own words. I like to get to know the people behind the cookbooks, don’t you?
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Hi Peg and friends!
It’s an honor to be invited here to talk about what prompted my ebook, Memory Lane Meals. First, I’ll just tell you a little bit about where I come from. I grew up in a little town in northern Wisconsin back in the “old days” – the 50s and 60s. That makes me a Baby Boomer.
I grew up like many of us Boomers did; in a big family where my Dad worked and my Mom stayed home. We enjoyed a good life, but we were nowhere near rich, nor were we poor. In other words, we were like every other family around us. We had shelter, clothing, and food. Those were the things we kids cared about. Pretty simple.
Our life in the country was full of adventure. We were raised on a river, near a lake, among tall pines, in the maple and birch. I am fourth oldest of 11 children. A big family takes a lot of work. And a lot of food!
When I reminisce about growing up, my thoughts often, not surprisingly, turn to food. Many hours were spent around that big table, so my trips down “Memory Lane” often lead to food. As a matter of fact, when I remember my Mom, the memory usually includes an apron and food. When we got off the school bus and ran into the kitchen, we had to be careful not to disturb the bread in various stages of baking. There was dough rising, bread baking, and loaves cooling on racks everywhere.
Then there were the pots bubbling away on the top of the stove. Maybe it was a whole chicken simmering slowly for stock, or maybe it was potatoes, soup, or something else for dinner. Whatever it was, we knew it would be good, and ready when Dad got home.
Those meals were hearty, but simple. We didn’t have snacks or desserts, unless it was a special occasion. Then, my Mom went all out, especially birthdays! The funny thing is I didn’t realize you could make a cake for anything other than a birthday until I was almost in my teens!
(Yes, that’s me holding that huge birthday cake with the fluffy seven minute frosting.)
And, that leads me to my ebook, Memory Lane Meals. Remembering the kind of meals we shared as a family made me think about how families eat today. Young families are on the run so much, grabbing snacks and quick bites to eat on their way out the door, or in the car. So many of my fond memories of time spent with my family come from those times we sat down and ate together.
I started thinking how sad it is that kids today may not look back on mealtimes with the same cozy warm feelings.This is a problem. Even scientists and researchers have discovered the disconnect that occurs when families don’t sit down together for meals at least a few times each week. Well, I’m no scientist, but I know that my family shares a bond that was created over those times we spent together helping Mom in the kitchen, setting the table, and finally, sitting down together to a hearty meal.
My thought in creating the e-cookbook was to share my notion that old fashioned meals, eating together as a family, is important. Home-cooked meals should be a part of every family’s schedule; not just for the sake of nutrition and financial benefits, but for the sake of making family connections.
When you cook and eat together as a family, you and your kids will start sharing thoughts, dreams, hopes, and fears. You’ll get to know each other.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: “Food fills more than empty tummies – food and the act of feeding your family fills hearts.”
Meals together not only create family ties… meals make memories! When we reminisce about food, we remember the moments, the people, and the love. We remember our family.
I hope you’ll take time today to cook and share many meals with your family.
Patti
P.S. I think you’ll find a lot to enjoy in this ebook, Memory Lane Meals – A Collection Of Recipes Celebrating Cozy Meals From Days Gone By.
With over 400 recipes, you are bound to find a hearty dish or two to make for your family. You will even get a few more glimpses into the world growing up in the 50s and 60s.
Order your copy today and start enjoying the kind of old fashioned meals that brought generations together around the kitchen table – and maybe even create your own Memory Lane Meals.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks Nicole!
Christmas Cooking With Kids
by Nicole Dean
One of my favorite places to spend time with my kids is in the kitchen. I love to cook with my kids. Not only does it cut down on my own chores list (which is always a good thing), but it’s an easy way to spend time with my kids and learn more about their lives. Christmas season may be crazy busy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to cook with your kids. If you look at the opportunity, your kids can be helpers during this stressful time. God only knows how much I enjoy those nights when my 9 year old helps with dinner.
Here are some ideas to get you started.
Dinner Buffet
If you know you’re about to have one of “those nights”, enlist help. Have buffet ingredients on hand in your fridge for this type of emergency. With help, your children can set up a self-serve bar. Simply have the ingredients on hand and assist with anything that’s unsafe (possibly cutting or heating, depending on the age of the child).
Here’s what you may want for each type of buffet. You’ll notice that most of the ingredients are interchangeable.
Sandwich Buffet – Bread (wheat, rye, buns) or tortillas, lunch meat or tuna salad or egg salad, lettuce, cheese, pickles, peppers, cucumber, sliced tomatoes, mustard, mayo, and anything else your family loves.
Salad Bar – Lettuce, tomatoes, croutons, sunflower seeds, dressing, tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, mushroom, onion, shredded carrots, radishes, cheese cubes or shredded cheese, meat (grilled shrimp or chicken), and bacon bits.
Potato Bar – Baking potatoes, sour cream, butter, cottage cheese, sunflower seeds, cheese cubes or shredded cheese, tomatoes, peppers, onion, salsa, meat (grilled shrimp or chicken), chives and bacon bits.
Pizza Bar – Pizza crust or English Muffins, pizza sauce, meats, cheese and toppings of choice.
Taco Bar – Taco shells or tortillas, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, shredded cheese, tomatoes, jalapeños, onion, meat (taco meat, grilled shrimp or chicken), and refried beans.
Christmas Party
If you’re having a Christmas party at your home, have your child plan to make a dish. Whether it’s a salad or a dessert, the result will be something that he can say “I made it myself!” Even a 5 year old can make a simple recipe if it’s age-appropriate. Perhaps your child could make some Veggie Dip. Supervise for safety, but try to encourage your child to do most of the assembly alone.
Decorate Treats
One of the easiest ways to spark a love of cooking is to make cookies or cupcakes and decorate them. Include everything from sprinkles to gel frosting. You’ll be teaching both art and cooking in one fell swoop. Plus, you get to enjoy your treats.
These are just a few of the many ways you can encourage your little helpers to have cooking fun this Christmas season.
Nicole Dean invites you to visit http://www.showkidsthefun.com/activity-theme/christmas.php - where you’ll find Christmas crafts and activities to make memories that last a lifetime. If you like a fun way to count down the days until Christmas, please visit http://www.WaitingforXmas.com
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