Yep, it’s another rerun, but we’re ending our summer filled with reruns with Aliens, Alien Treats that is

Enjoy the show and be ready for the new episodes…they are coming…we promise!

I think that Alex and Soph do know why–I mean, they should, because we talk about it all the time, but once in a while they tend not to pay attention. I’m one of those parents that tries really hard to always give a reason for the answers I provide, not just ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ I really want them to understand the why’s behind the decisions I hand down. I think this is because as a child, when I was told something was the way it was, ‘because I said so’…well that just wasn’t an answer in my book. Now as a parent, I get it. There are many times when I’d like to say, ‘because I said so,’ and occasionally I do, but when it comes to food choices I always have a reason behind my ‘yes’ or ‘no. ;D

There are two primary ‘reasons’ I try to focus on when explaining the why’s of food with the kids. The are:

1. Balance – All foods should be eaten in a fashion appropriate to the nutritional needs of the eater. For the kids, I explain this be letting them know that all foods (even the ‘bad’ ones) are taken into consideration in this balance. If you get too much of even a ‘good’ food, it can be problematic.

   I also use balance to their benefit when it comes to candy and sweets. If Alex or Soph want say, cake for lunch after only eating 2 bites of a sandwich, well that doesn’t work. If they want the cake, they have to eat the healthy, balanced equivalent first. This strategy fills up their bellies with nutritious food so they eat less cake, and that is a very good (and balanced) thing.

2. Benefits – All foods serve a nutritional purpose. I remember when the kids were little, if they didn’t drink their milk I would tell them their bones were crying. And, when they would eat all of their carrots at dinner, I’d tell them I needed sunglasses to look at ‘em because their eyes where so bright. Now that they’re older, the plea from their crying bones is less of an influence, but they do know that milk helps make their bones stronger. And, they know that fruits and vegetable are essential if they want to be healthy and strong.

I know that none of my teaching necessarily means that my kids will always make healthy food choices and eat balanced diets, BUT, knowledge is power. And I’m seeing my constant reiterations, rules and teachings about balance and trying foods start to pay off with Alex. He’s starting to like food he used to ‘hate’. He’s also starting to want to try foods, and then once he does, liking them. I hope the same will be true of Sophie as she gets older. She’s already a bit more daring then her brother with food, but there are things she doesn’t like and there really is no logical reason for her aversion.  I guess that all I can do as the Mom is set the rules on the “what’s”, teach the “why’s” and hope they both sink-in.

Happy Family Cooking,

Kelly (the Mom)

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This week we’re rerunning one of our Thanksgiving episodes–Turkey Meatballs. Meatballs are not only easy to make with kids, but they’re fun too. All that squishing of meat and forming into balls–need I say more.

Enjoy the show!

Alex, Soph and Mom

P.S. The Two Kids Cooking Shop has just the tools your kids need to foster their inner-chef–check it out!

Alex and Soph LOVE shrimp. We eat a lot of it and their favorite way to cook it is with Lemon Garlic Sauce. As we shared when this episode originally ran in January 2010, this recipe is kind of like a shrimp scampi, but it replaces all that butter with a reduced broth. It’s really tasty and it’s actually kinda healthy.

We hope you enjoy the show!

Alex, Soph and Mom

P.S. Get the tools you need to enhance your child’s inner-chef at our new Two Kids Cooking Shop!

As I mentioned earlier this week, we’re on a little haitus…BUT, that doesn’t mean you won’t hear from us. We’re going to share a few of our favorite shows in reruns. We figure that since those TV shows do it, we can too, right?

Anyway, Pickley Tuna sandwiches are one of Alex’s favorites. In this episode, one of our very earliest, he demonstrates just how we make ‘em.

Enjoy the show!

Alex, Soph and Mom

P.S. Have you checked out our new Two Kids Cooking Shop yet?

When the kids and I cook together, there are many times when we like to use fresh herbs. Since it’s planting time here in good ‘ole Minnesota, We’re planting our annual patio herb garden. Each year, at the end of the season, I try to bring my herb garden indoors, but my thumb is not so green, apparently, so we usually have to start over each spring.

This year, we’re planting:
-basil
-cilantro
-sage
-thyme
-rosemary
-lemon mint
-lavendar
-chives
-and a tomato plant
-oh, and I can’t forget Sophia’s begonia

Hopefully, they’ll survive and you’ll see us using them in future episodes.

Enjoy the show and Happy Memorial Weekend everyone!

Alex, Sophia and Mom

P.S. Don’t forget to stop by and check out our new Two Kids Cooking Shop, with great tools to bring out every kid’s inner-chef!

Walleye is the official state fish of Minnesota. It is also super tasty. So today Alex, Soph & I are sharing one way we Minnesotans like to eat our state fish–Pan Fried.

Fishing itself is a fun way to spend the day together as a family. Now, you don’t always catch walleye, but this recipe would work with any panfish – sunnies, crappies, perch, etc. Then, after catching your limit, hop of the lake and come on in for some family cooking fun–this is another one of our easy to cook with kids recipes. We’ll show you just how easy in this weeks show.

Enjoy!

Alex, Soph & Mom

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Since this is Soph’s birthday week, we’re sharing a recipe for one of her favorite vegetables. Soph and Alex both love beets. We usually don’t do anything too fancy with them, but for the show we’re showing everyone how we make our Glazed Beets. All you need is a little orange marmalade and some cider vinegar and you’re all set!

We hope you enjoy the show. But, make sure you stop back next week when we share some Fish recipe’s in honor of Minnesota’s fishing opener, which is actually today.

Happy fishing everyone,

Mom, Alex and Soph

P.S. Happy 7th Birthday Soph!

In honor of Mother’s Day, this week the kids and I demonstrate just how we make my favorite Tabouli recipe. And, as mentioned in the Recipe of the Week that featured Tabouli, the kid’s do not eat it. BUT, that doesn’t matter, cuz, remember…it’s Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s day everyone. Enjoy the show!

Alex, Soph and Mom

I admit it, I like aliens. If you were to ask Alex and Sophia if they know anyone who likes aliens, they’d answer without any hesitation, ‘Mom.’ Despite my fascination with visitors from outer space, I did not come up with this other-worldly delicious treat or its name. I hate to admit it, but it was actually the kids dad who invented this easy to cook with kids recipe.

As you watch this episode, you’ll see just how quick and easy this healthy snack is to whip together. And the kids, and parents, will eat them right up!

We hope you find this week’s episode out-of-this-world time! (I’ll stop now).

Alex, Soph and Mom

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