{splatter} let your kids cook!

My daughter goes over to a friends house this week. Their plan ... to cook dinner. Shrimp scampi and a creamy orzo on the menu. Sue, my very good friend, is sooooo good at letting her daughter get in the kitchen. She lets her daughter find a menu, plan, and cook the entire meal. At age 13 - 14 that is wonderful! Those girls, with very little help, executed a beautiful dinner for their family. What a treat.... what a lesson... wonderful!

I think kids are a little more interested in getting in the kitchen than we give them credit for. They see the shows, "Chopped", "America's Next Food Star," "Cup Cake Wars" and lets not forget "Jamie's Food Revolution." Actually my kids would rather watch one of these types of cooking show that American Idol. I like that these shows inspire and intrigue!

A Dad I know, even staged his own episode of Chopped. He gave each of the kid teams in his kitchen some random ingredients from their pantry and asked them to make an "edible" creation. I mean how fun is that for kids. Brilliant I say!

So what does it take?????

Some letting go of the control (this might be the hardest for me)

some patience (this can be challenging too!)

a trip to the store ... not much more!

Now -What's the return?

kids gaining confidence with food

reinforcing that fresh, good food is the best

and also the real kicker ... they learn what it takes to put on a meal at night...

possibly they might understand why you ask (loudly) that everyone get to the table while the meal it hot.

They understand that time, love and patience goes into every meal

and that YOU are AWESOME.

(ok that might be a little Pollyannaish but I can dream!)

So now I will climb down from my soap box and simply say ... I love and want my kids in my kitchen, creating with me. And I need to do it more often!

happy cooking kids!

{food talk} FIsh for life

Ok gang. Check out this video from the Ted conference on fishing practices. An eye opener and so inspirational. enjoy!

Check out jamie oliver at the TED conference too. He was great!

{food talk} Thank you Shelton

This Saturday I was invited to speak to a group of 45 or so wonderful women about easy family meals.I had a fabulous time. This group was from the wonderful Shelton School in Dallas. These women took time away from busy schedules, kids and obligations to have fun with each other. I loved that they made time for just themselves!!! We all need to do a little more of that.

The key note speaker was Kathleen Kent, who is a New York Times best selling author, for her book, The Heretic's Daughter. Kathleen is a beautiful woman, an outstanding mother and now an accomplished and masterful story teller. If you haven't read it - go now and get it - you won't be disappointed. She has a new book that will be released in the fall and I am so looking forward to reading that as well.

I must say, I was a little rusty, speaking to this group. But they took pity on me and hopefully I left them with some tools to use and some quick meals to prepare. I spoke about the importance of sitting together as a family for meals and how to make that happen. I will post more on my {talk} soon. Maybe there will be a tip or two for you.

Thank you again Shelton moms - you are the best!

{food talk} eating strategy & roasted veggies with polenta

Tis the season and all that. One thing on my mind is how I can navigate all the food spendors of this season without packing on a quick 10 lbs. As you know by now I love food and the holidays are brimming with opportunities to rediscover food memories and taste new and exciting combos. So depriving myself the entire season, in my opinion, is neither necessary or an option. But I am realistic. The season can have its price ... So here is my strategy for the season.

1. Eat healthy when I can. Basically every chance I have to eat well balanced and nutrionally sound I should.
2. Determine what I want to splurge on and plan for it. ( Going out, cookies at home, artichoke dip at the neighbors open house) I am going to be strategic and "bank up" (meaning cut back a few days before so the splurge doesn't hurt so much)
3. Beef up the exercise. Walk, run, play basketball with the kids. Take the opportunities that present themselves. (The girls I run with and I are mixing it up this season and taking a 6 week boot camp class - fun!)

Ok those are my 3 basic strategies ... what are yours?

roasted veggies and polenta by ann west

this is a great way to have plenty of flavor and feel great about what you are eating. enjoy.

veggies of all types work so pick your favorite: asparagus, leeks, onions, beets, carrots, califlower etc... etc... etc..

toss with olive oil and red pepper flakes and roast in the oven at 375 for 30 minutes. You can roast your polenta too or just pan sear it with some pam. Sprinkle with just a bit of cheese and salt and pepper.

Thanks to amy for posting some great {shredding lbs} recipes on her blog i am celiac and keeping me in focus!!!