In COOKING TIME IS FAMILY TIME, Lynn Fredericks shows people
how they can improve the time they spend with kids by inviting
them into the kitchen to help prepare meals.
Included are 125 recipes emphasizing a variety of fresh, healthful ingredients and strategies
to get kids to gobble them down. Each recipe offers directions that specify which steps are
right for younger kids and which are more challenging for their older siblings.
My Thoughts on Cooking for and Feeding my Two Sons, Alex (14 years) and
Stephan (7 years) from Lynn Fredericks.
Seven years ago, when my marriage exploded and I found myself a single mom
with an infant and a seven-year-old, I was challenged to get a decent meal on
the table let alone a meal that I really put heart, soul and creativity into.
Over time, the dinnertime became the time of day I dreaded most because my
sons wanted my attention and I was 'busy cooking' -- no one was happy.
I grew up having family meals, yet there I was feeding the boys and leaving
them in the kitchen to eat alone so I could have '5 minutes peace.' This was
not my idea of a family but I was too tired to consider anything else. Then
one day my then-toddler, Stephan, was so restless I let him tear up basil and
he was so quiet and helpful, I began to see a new approach.
I was so tired of preparing the same meals, week in and week out -- now with
the boys at my side, shopping with me and cooking together, we were branching
out! Risotto with Seafood became an instant favorite, as did Tuscan Bean
Soup, all manner of raviolis (using wonton skins), homemade Tortillas with
Black Beans and Salsa Fresca another favorite and they adore my Mediterranean
Salad for a summer lunch/snack/travel food. We like foods that mix up many
ingredients with a favorite starch -- e.g. pasta, rice, etc. If anyone is
in a fussy stage, they pick out what they don't like but I know through the
broth and/or juices, they are getting ALL the nutrients.
Today, I can still be dead tired some evenings with the mere thought of
cooking making me want to run in the other direction. But, I call in the
boys, tell them I'm extra tired. Get a consensus on a meal plan, and then we
discuss how they will help me. The minute they participate, my batteries
seem instantly recharged and their company transforms my whole attitude, as
now I'm doing something with them as well as for them, sharing the mealtime
responsibility rather than shouldering the entire burden -- alone. We eat
very healthfully and I don't have to push it -- wholesome food has become a
shared value by all of us, based on how good the food tastes and how great it
makes us feel.
