Grocery shopping can be challenging for most of us. We find a recipe we would like to make; however we don't know how much to purchase because it contains fresh produce. How many apples makes a cup? Do I need this whole bag or just one?
Fresh produce is one of the special Food Equivalents we will be adding to the side bar as we add recipes that need those equivalents. Check back often so you can see if we have added an equivalent you need.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Menu Planning
Anyone that has been in my classes understands that I believe MENU planning is the key to a great, hassle free meal. I also believe that the family should be involved in the planning.
When we allow our children and others members of our family help plan the meal we are telling them they are important. If your children are like mine were, they did not all like the same things. How did we solve this problem? We would let them have a voice in dessert, vegetables, meat... and then we would have at least one thing that each of them liked, most of the time they agreed on what we had planned.
Here are a few other suggestions in how to get the kids involved in mealtime.
1.) Encourage the children to try everything. Keep a log on what they like or don't like. If you date it, then you can explain to them that their taste change from time to time and that just maybe they will like it now.
2.) Don't let them not try new things. Keep introducing new foods to them. I know that sometimes they don't like the texture, more than the taste. Encourage them to at least try. If they truly don't like it, don't force them to eat it. This could make them not want to ever try something new. Keep something handy that they do like and let them have it when they try.
3.) Have the children have a voice in the menu.
4.) Take the children to the grocery store to help purchase the groceries. Have them help pick out fresh fruit (if in season, otherwise use frozen or canned), some vegetables they like or would like to try.
5.) Allow them to help pick out napkins, paper plates and cups. This makes them feel they are having a voice in the table settings along with the meals. It helps them have some ownership in what they have to eat.
6.) Have the children help with meal preparations. There are many things they can do. It makes them proud of what they have done and more willing to try something new.
7.) Make a cookbook of favorite family recipes. Have them help you. When you finish it becomes their recipes. Let them choose at least one recipe a month to add to the family menu.
When we allow our children and others members of our family help plan the meal we are telling them they are important. If your children are like mine were, they did not all like the same things. How did we solve this problem? We would let them have a voice in dessert, vegetables, meat... and then we would have at least one thing that each of them liked, most of the time they agreed on what we had planned.
Here are a few other suggestions in how to get the kids involved in mealtime.
1.) Encourage the children to try everything. Keep a log on what they like or don't like. If you date it, then you can explain to them that their taste change from time to time and that just maybe they will like it now.
2.) Don't let them not try new things. Keep introducing new foods to them. I know that sometimes they don't like the texture, more than the taste. Encourage them to at least try. If they truly don't like it, don't force them to eat it. This could make them not want to ever try something new. Keep something handy that they do like and let them have it when they try.
3.) Have the children have a voice in the menu.
4.) Take the children to the grocery store to help purchase the groceries. Have them help pick out fresh fruit (if in season, otherwise use frozen or canned), some vegetables they like or would like to try.
5.) Allow them to help pick out napkins, paper plates and cups. This makes them feel they are having a voice in the table settings along with the meals. It helps them have some ownership in what they have to eat.
6.) Have the children help with meal preparations. There are many things they can do. It makes them proud of what they have done and more willing to try something new.
7.) Make a cookbook of favorite family recipes. Have them help you. When you finish it becomes their recipes. Let them choose at least one recipe a month to add to the family menu.
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