Ways to Get the Kids in the Kitchen
With the holidays here, chances are you're spending more time in the kitchen whipping dishes for family and friends. Judy Weitzman, aka "Diet Coach Judy," author of How to Eat When Life Gets in the Way and offers her picks and tricks on how to get the kids involved in the holiday cooking festivities:
Apple Corer
"My stepdaughter gave me this cool gadget that peels and cores the apples in no time," Judy says, which came in handy when her 3-year-old grandson Zach recently helped her make applesauce. "Zach loved turning the crank and watching the 'snake' of skin fall off the apple. This is definitely something that has to be done with an adult monitoring the situation since they could get hurt on the sharp edges."
Egg Slicer
Zach's other favorite kitchen gadget is the egg slicer (left). "He loves hard-boiled eggs and this nifty little gadget is easy and safe to use for his little hands."
Nesting Bowls & Spoons
Nesting bowls and measuring spoons are fun toys and help little ones get more familiar with kitchen utensils. "Zach's little brother, Brandon (age 10 months), loves the measuring spoons which are easy to hold and fun to bang around," Judy says. "Plus, they feel good on his gums since he is teething. By giving them kitchen gadgets as toys, when it is time to help make things, they feel comfortable using them. He also likes my metal nesting bowls because they make a lot of noise when he bangs the measuring spoons on the bowls." Wooden spoons are also a safe kitchen utensil for little ones.
WATCH: Sprinkles Cupcakes Candace Nelson Cooking With Kids -- link to the interview with me
"Kid-Friendly" Peanut Butter Cookies:
14oz. can of Eagle Brand evaporated milk
3/4 cup of peanut butter
2 cups of Jiffy mix (comes in a box by the flour)
1 tsp. vanilla
Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix evaporated milk, peanut butter (you can melt it for easier mixing), then add Jiffy and vanilla. Take 1 inch balls of dough and roll in granulated sugar; bake 6 - 8 minutes and then push kisses into center of balls.
Click here for more tips by Judy
About the Author:
Thirty years ago Judy lost 50 lbs and has kept it off. To maintain her weight, Judy stays in a 3 lb range by using little tricks that allow her to enjoy life and not add inches. Her biggest motivator is a closet full of clothes that she doesn't want to replace with a bigger size. Judy loves eating out and would prefer dessert over dinner any day of the week. One of her favorite foods is a McDonald's hamburger. Bottom line, she believes you can eat anything you want in this world as long as you limit the portion size.
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