From a Dietitian’s Kitchen: Cooking Class

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My oldest daughter wants to be a chef when she grows up.  So when I saw that Uptown Grocery in Edmond has a weekly cooking class for kids I knew we had to try it out.  Every Sunday a new recipe is taught.  Our instructor, Wesley, walked the young participants through hand washing, kitchen safety, prepping ingredients, and presentation.  The children were encouraged to get messy, smell and taste the ingredients and to work as a team.  I know everyone there learned something and had a good time.  Positive experiences centered around healthy food are not only entertaining but also learning opportunities.

Buy For Less grocery stores (buyforlessok.com) and Uptown Grocery (uptowngroceryco.com) also offer cooking classes on Saturdays for adults.  You can check out their websites for times, locations and featured recipes.  If you are interested in learning some cooking skills or you just need some new recipes this is the perfect opportunity.  The classes are free but they do require you to call and register in advance.  Cook, learn and enjoy!   mk

From a Dietitian’s Kitchen: Cooking with Kids

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Helping your children grow into healthy adults takes time and effort.  A child who learns to prepare and enjoy healthy foods will benefit their whole life!  Here are some tips to getting the whole family involved in preparing and enjoying healthy food.

1. Plan meals and grocery shop together– Picking a recipe that your children are excited about will make the whole process more exciting.  Trips to the grocery store can be an opportunity for kids to see new fruits and vegetables.  Let them pick a new one to try.

2. Assign everyone with an age-appropriate task–  Younger children can wash and tear lettuce leaves while older children can measure ingredients and cut soft foods with a dull table knife.  Make sure you review safety rules regarding the stove, oven, knives and other appliances. 

3. Teen chefs– If you have teenagers assign them one night a week to be responsible for dinner.  Have them practice picking a menu, checking to see what groceries are needed and then preparing it!  Be available to help but let them learn by doing!

4. Patience and practice make progress– Set aside more time to cook if children are helping.  They will need help and they will make messes.  Also don’t forget to slip in some practice with counting, measuring and fractions.  Cooking can be a great math lesson!

5. Critics corner– Not every recipe will be a hit with the whole family and that is okay.  It often takes many tries before someone likes something new.  Encourage everyone to try a few bites and rate the meal on a scale of 1 to 10.  Keeping the experience a positive one is the most important thing!

Happy Cooking! mk