The holidays are, hands down, my favorite time of year, but it’s no secret that (especially for us
foodies) it can bring with it a lot of kitchen chaos and performance anxiety. So many dishes, so many people, and so many “cherished family traditions” that must be upheld, it would be well-nigh impossible to make it through the season without at least some drama. If you come from an Italian family, like mine, well… fugget
about it! So, if we can’t avoid the chaos, let’s at least try to get a rope on it, right? Here are a few tips to help you avoid enough of the crises to actually enjoy the food and family time, which, let’s face it…is really the whole point! #10 – Don’t sweat the small
stuff! Does anyone really care if the tablecloth is ironed? Does anyone really care if their napkins are shaped like swans? Or if you’ve freshly polished Great-Grandma’s silver? No, they don’t…they want to eat, and laugh, and then eat some more! If you’re low on time (uh,
who’s not?), and that cloth is…
Good nutrition in the morning and early afternoon is vital for attention and learning, and it helps keep kids focused and alert all day. I’ve taught hundreds of youth to plan and cook for themselves, and the vast majority of them, given the opportunity, will choose healthy, nutritious foods, if
They taste good
Are offered in variety
They feel like they are allowed to choose for themselves.
Kids get bored with the same old, same old…and a variety of foods helps ensure more balanced nutrition. Here are a few of my favorite "quick & easy" tips for school lunches...
Wraps are sturdier and less messy to eat. Who wants to eat a smooshed sandwich?
Quesadillas are quick and easy to make. Ham & Cheese, Pizza, Turkey and cheddar
Vary hot and cold lunches. A thermos of their favorite soup or stew is a nice break from cold lunch, especially in winter.
A hot sandwich, wrapped in foil, will stay warm in a thermos, all day!
Pita Pockets are easy to eat, less messy, and because pita it denser than…
I’ll let you in on a little secret, but only if you promise to tell everybody… The #1 way to overcome Picky Eater Syndrome (and the parental guilt that often
accompanies it) is to teach our children how to cook. Kids a far more likely to try something new, if they prepared it themselves.It’s true! One of the things I've most enjoyed, in this grand adventure of fatherhood, is teaching my little one the joy of cooking.You see, both my father and grandfather were chefs, and though their own teaching methods were not always…stellar, I'm excited about passing this passion and enjoyment of cooking on to The Pickle, and as many other kids as I
can.
The Secret IngredientWorking closely with under-served youth, many of whom have (literally) never boiled water before, has taught me that fear and anxiety, which most of these kids are already dealing with, only increases the likelihood of an injury, mistake, and discouragement. My personal philosophy is that the younger the child, the more praise…
