As parents pay closer attention to how certain foods affect children’s behavior, it’s become increasingly clear that a well-nourished child is also a happy one. The great news is that it’s easy to make changes that will improve kids’ brain function, concentration, and outlook on life. Here are quick, delicious, and nutritious meals that will help grow a more contented, better behaved child, from an energy-boosting breakfast of blueberry and apple muffins to chicken dippers, (more…)

“I set very high standards for myself, and my daughter has set equally high standards for herself. I’m very proud of her achievements. This book is sure to have a positive impact and will be around for a long time.”
–Gary Null
Author of The Vegetarian Handbook and Good Food Good Mood.
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Rachael ray says “kids rock!” and it seems the feeling is mutual. Young people number among her biggest fans. For them she has created a fabulous collection of age-specific recipes with a high cool factor.

Customer review:
“This book provides a good foundation in cooking and healthy eating in the future. It teaches the basic methods in cooking, and introduces your child to different fresh herbs and healthy veggies, such as cilantro and arugula. In a world where many young adults don’t know how to cook, Rachael does our kids a big service by teaching them how to cook restaurant-quality meals at home”. (more…)

Apron

Help your little chef look and feel like a pro with Design Imports Child’s White Chef’s hat and Red Apron. Mom’s (and Dad’s!) little helper will be thrilled to dress the part when helping in the kitchen. DII’s chef’s hat and apron are not only fun for dress up but keep the kids clean when learning to cook. Browse all of DII’s kids kitchen sets and aprons for more colors and designs! (more…)

Ingredients needed:
One half cup of honey
(alternative sweeteners *not* recommended as the taste would vary too much)
One cup of dry milk – nonfat
One half cup of graham crackers
One half cup of peanut butter (with nuts, or without)

Cold snack preparation:
Take the assorted ingredients and stir them up in a bowl. You can use a spoon, or even a fork for this. Just make sure that everything is stirred up until it has a smooth texture. Roll them into round shapes, the size of your choosing. Then put them in the refrigerator.

Hot snack preparation:
After they have been chilling in the refrigerator for a time, take the assortment of balls and heat them at 350 degrees in the oven for no more than 5 minutes, or heat them in the microwave for no more than 1 minute. Then, enjoy!

Optinal Toppings:
You can add these in either during the stirring process or to top them.
Nuts
Assorted sprinkles
Dried chocolate milk (e.g. Nestlé’s Quick)
Sugar sprinkles
powdered sugar Raisins

The first one is scrambled eggs. To start, you will need an oven, flat pan, a bowl, a spatula, a fork, a slice of butter, two eggs, a half cup of milk, and a pinch of salt and pepper. First crack two eggs into the bowl. Next, add the salt and pepper and milk into the bowl and mix with a fork until the mixture turns into a yellow liquid. Next, heat up the pan on the oven to the middle-high setting. After a couple minutes of heating, put the slice of butter in the pan and spread it around with the spatula. After you do that, pour the egg mixture into the pan. Begin to move the spatula around the pan until the mixture becomes solid. You can add ketchup for flavor. Serves two average kids or one really hungry one.

The next one is a very simple recipe that has been made for many years; The grilled cheese. All you need is an oven, a pan, two pieces, and a piece of cheese. first, heat the pan to medium. Then make a sandwich out of the cheese and the slices of bread and put it on the pan. Keep checking to see whether the bread has turned a different color. When it does, flip it over. Continue to do this until the cheese has melted. Serves one kid and a smile.

Last but not least, the Popsicle is one kids will like especially during the summer, but enjoyable all year. All you will need is a freezer, a small cup, a Popsicle stick, and the juice of any fruit of your choice (ex: orange, apple, cranberry, etc.). First put your chosen fruit juice into the cup and put the Popsicle stick into it so that one end of the stick is out of the cup. Then put it in the freezer until frozen. After it is done freezing, simply pull on the Popsicle stick so that the whole thing comes out and you have a Popsicle. Serves one kid.

Every recipe has a step-by-step video showing children how to cook great recipes that are fun, creative and easy to make. Chef Christine teaches children that food does not magically appear on the table by showing them how to cook their own meals. She will turn the kitchen into a fun, creative learning experience, where every recipe will be shown by a different character. (more…)

One recipe that kids really enjoy to make and eat is Ants on a Log. Not only is this a very healthy treat with protein and vitamins, but there’s no cooking involved! A two year old could make Ants on a Log nearly as easily as you! All you need are the following ingredients and tools: peanut butter, clean celery ribs, raisins and a spoon. Simply scoop out a spoonful of peanut butter and smear it all along into the hollow of the celery stick. Now drop raisins on top of the celery like a trail of ants and Voila! You have Ants on a Log! Kids really get a kick out of these, and there’s absolutely no way to make them wrong.

Ice Cream Sandwiches are as much fun to make as they are to eat. You will need: vanilla (or your favorite flavor) ice cream, chocolate chip (or any other you like) cookies and an ice cream scoop. Now take two cookies and lay them flat. Place a scoop of ice cream on one cookie. Then put the other cookie on top of it. These Ice Cream Sandwiches can be enjoyed right away. To save some for later, wrap the individual sandwiches in plastic wrap. You can put these in a plastic container or freezer bag and keep them in the freezer, but I guarantee they won’t be there for long!

Cooking with kids is fun for them as well as for us. There’s nothing quite like the look on a child’s face when they’ve accomplished something they can be proud of. With the above recipes, no matter how much of it ends up on them- the results will be delicious!

Playful Chef is real cooking for kids. Help your child experience the wonderful world of food through the Playful Chef Complete Cooking kit. Playful Chef encourages children, and the adults who love them, to roll up their sleeves and engage in fun cooking adventures together. The Playful Chef is perfect for a weekend with the grandkids when multi-generation chefs share the kitchen. Playful Chef can provide hours of fun at your daughters sleep-over party. (more…)

Of course babies can’t cook yet, but they will enjoy being with you and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the kitchen.
• Talk about what you are doing as you move around the kitchen.
• When babies begin to crawl, they’re safest in a high chair in the kitchen.
• Talk about and name cooking utensils and foods.
• Talk about what they like to eat.
• Give babies a separate bowl and spoon and let them mix foods that are safe for them to eat.

Two-year-olds are learning to use the large muscles in their arms. They will enjoy these activities:
• scrubbing vegetables and fruits
• dipping vegetables and fruits
• tearing lettuce and salad greens
• breaking bread for stuffing
• snapping fresh beans
• wiping tables

Three-year-olds are learning to use their hands. Try these activities:
• pouring liquids into a batter
• mixing muffin batter
• shaking a milk drink
• spreading peanut butter on firm bread (This may be messy!)
• kneading bread dough

Four- and five-year-olds are learning to control smaller muscles in their fingers. Offer them experiences such as these:
• rolling bananas in cereal for a snack
• juicing oranges, lemons, and limes
• mashing soft fruits and vegetables
• measuring dry and liquid ingredients
• grinding cooked meat for meat spread
• beating eggs with an eggbeater