My two loves in this world are creating great food and writing. There are numerous topics that I feel need to be talked about, many recipes to share, great destinations to explore, gadgets to try out, restaurants to review and kitchen ideas and tips to be shared.
With my company- The Personable Chef- I'm working towards bringing families back to their tables. A chance to re-group and connect with one another.
I hear concerns from parents that their child(ren) are picky eaters and they are not sure what to do. With this in mind I've incorporated children's cooking classes into my business. I feel that the greatest way to encourage a well rounded palate is to start cooking with your children from a very young age. I will explore this with opportunities for you to enter your kitchen and have a starting point, to ask questions, and share your ideas.
Cooking in my clients kitchens is a great pleasure for me. I may not be able to cook in everyone's home but I can certainly offer ideas and my knowledge through my other love of writing. Let's get started.....
3 comments:
Hi, I am so glad I found your blog. Way cool. I am a desperate single mom of the pickiest eater in all of Colorado State! Seriously my son is incorrigible; when it comes to everything and especially when it comes to food. First off he’s stubborn, secondly, he’s picky, and third (worst yet) he has a sweet tooth that doesn’t quit. I have stopped buying junk food and don’t keep sweets in the house anymore (though I think this makes it worse). He used to like to cook with me but now of course he says things like, “I’d rather play my video game mom!” The biggest blessing though is that he does like vegetables (broccoli and sometimes the rare carrot….greens seem to be the most popular.) So the dilemma I have is two fold; one getting him to sit down to eat, and two getting him eat things other than pizza, mac & cheese, or chicken fingers. These things are not the worst foods ever but I get worried about how much salt and sugar he gets, not to mention fats and stuff they may lead him to unhealthy eating habits later. HELP me Chef! How do I get better foods into my picky eater?
Hi Willsmom:
Thank you for your comment. Sounds like you have a great challenge on your hands. I applaud you for doing what you can and seeking help when you need it.
The first thing that comes to mind is for you to go back in your memory to when your son would cook with you and be more adventrous with food. What was your situation like then, how did you get him to try new foods and encourage the help in the kitchen. A lot of times, as our children get older,we assume the simple ways we use to spend time with our children is beyond them now or to simple. Really any quality time is a blessing. As parents we must also remember that if we want certain changes to take place we have to stick to a schedule and be consistent. So create a plan of action. Get his imput but tell him we're going to do things a bit different now and here's whats going to happen.
If you want him in the kitchen then take some time to talk to him about what he may like to do. I'm not sure how old your son is but I'm sure he has an opinion as well as some ideas. When you come to an agreemant let him no that you have some expectations too, that you'd like him to try some new types of food. In the mean time make his foods of choice at home and if he wants pizza then he has to help make it. One of my daughters favorie recipes is using a pita bread for the pizza crust. Then you just add whatever favorite toppings you like. This is a great chance to get those veggies he likes in. The same with the mac n cheese and chicken fingers. When he has to help you make the home made recipes you are re-introducing him into the kitchen. It's more time consuming for you but you need to be commited and in it for the long hall if you want change. I would just tell him, if you want these foods they need to be healthier so if this is what you want you must help make them.
Chicken fingers are easy to create and quick cooking when you use the chicken tenderloin coated with some bread crumbs. Mac n cheese is also an easy home made meal, add some broccoli and he has a veggie too.
His sweet cravings can also be an incentive for you to get him in the kitchen. Just be calm, organized and loving.
The more processed food we feed our children the more their taste buds become accustomed to the high sodium content found in these products. It's like an addiction that I'm trying hard to fight against. There will always be times when we opt for the quick and easy but now-a-days we are more fortunate to have many more choices at the market. So I encourge you to read labels and compare a few brands before deciding what to buy. As consumers we have a lot of power where we spend our money.
Dinner time is the most important time of the day. This is when we get to re-connect. It's important to keep this time as consistant as possible. It may be challenging at first but I promise you that when you've been consistant it will all pay off in the end. Cheers:)
Chef Lynn
Hi Chef Lynn, Thank you so much for your suggestions. I especially like the one about getting my son back in the kitchen to make his favorite foods from scratch...and then of course adding a few new things to the menu. Sounds great! I will try this and let you know how it goes.
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