Healthy Home Style Tips

Tips from Extension Educator Kristal Draper on keeping our homes healthy and stylish!

Kitchen Time with the Kids

by Kristal Draper

One of my favorite things to do is cooking with my kids. We started cooking in the kitchen together when they were much younger, I have teenagers now who will cook for themselves. It is more than just teaching them how to cook, it was also a way I could spend time with my boys.

With our busy schedules of work, their sporting events, and their afterschool activities it has not always been easy to get time in with them in the kitchen, but we made it work because it was important to us. During the week suppertime at our house was also time with the kids in the kitchen, Saturdays and Sundays too.   

The cooking lessons started out slowly by asking them to help me make some pancakes at breakfast time or cookies on a Saturday afternoon. They became my assistants. I taught them how to crack an egg, measure ingredients with a liquid and dry measuring cups, etc. Soon they were in the kitchen with me all the time.

As they have grown their skills in the kitchen have grown as well. The boys and I have cooked many meals together, especially during the last several months.  Eating healthy meals at home can save you money and help your waistline too, I have lost 41 pounds, but that is a blog post for another day. 

I challenge you to spend time in the kitchen with your children or grandchildren. You will not regret it.  Lots of laughs and great memories can be found in a kitchen.

If you need some help getting started or you need some great kid friendly recipes, please let me know.  Here is one to get you started.

This Blueberry Blast Smoothie is a cool treat, easy to make and yummy!  It is an easy first step to get your children or grandchildren in the kitchen. Kids learn from watching you. Eat fruits and veggies and your kids will too.

Blueberry Blast Smoothies

Blueberry Smoothie

Serving size: ½ cup

Servings per recipe: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen (thawed) blueberries
• 2 cups low-fat blueberry or vanilla yogurt
• 1 ½ large bananas, peeled
• 3-4 cups ice (hint: if you use frozen fruit you do not need the ice)

Directions:

1. Blend the banana, the ice (if used), and the yogurt together until well blended.
2. Add the blueberries and blend on low speed for 30 seconds.
3. Pour into cups.
4. Serve immediately.

Prep Time: You can use any type of frozen fruit in this recipe. Try strawberries, peaches, or pineapple.

Nutrition Tip: Focus on Fruits. Eat them at meals, and at snack time too. Choose fresh, frozen, canned, or dried, and go easy on the fruit juice.

Recipe from Kid Approved Healthy Snacks cookbook