Tag Archives: cooking with kids

Event Planning

Kid Friendly Favorites from the Air Fryer

Air fryers are a healthy alternative to frying foods in oil or baking in the oven. They’re especially beneficial as they can reduce the number of calories by up to 80 percent. There are dozens of foods that can be prepared in an air fryer that are also kid favorites. One of the benefits is that foods cook faster – even frozen items – making it possible to quickly prepare foods from the freezer to the air fryer. It can be difficult to get youngsters to eat some foods, but air frying opens up new horizons. The following are just some kid favorite foods to cook in an air fryer. Corn Dogs There’s something about a hotdog surrounded by a cornbread coating that kids love and part of the attraction is that the food is on a stick. Chicken Tenders/Nuggets Whether it’s chicken tenders or nuggets, it’s a healthy alternative to chicken fried in oil or even baked chicken. Tater Tots/French Fries One of the benefits of an air fryer is that cooks can get the desired crispiness for fries and tots without the need to deep fry them. The same is true if a child is a fan of sweet potato or zucchini chips or onion rings. Pizza Rolls/Pockets A finger food with the flavor of pizza – it’s no wonder that they’re a kid favorite – and they can easily be prepared for an after-school snack or for the lunchbox. Use pita bread rounds to make personalized mini pizzas. French Toast When the breakfast food is prepared in an air fryer it typically comes out extra crispy, providing a perfect base for syrup or fruit toppings. French toast can also be cut into “fingers” for dipping. Mozzarella Sticks Just pop frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer for a quick and healthy snack. Pair the cheese sticks with any type of dipping sauce the child likes best. Pigs in a Blanket The tasty smokies wrapped in a crescent roll aren’t just hors d’oeuvres for adult parties. Kids love them too and they make a delicious finger food snack.

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Challenging Your Picky Eater

Few things are as frustrating to parents as dealing with a determinedly picky eater. The situation can be exacerbated during quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic as many supermarkets are still experiencing shortages of some items and limiting others. The following are some tips that will introduce youngsters to new foods and make them more well-rounded eaters.
  1. Calling a child a picky eater can actually make the situation worse and lead to other undesirable food-time behaviors. Similar phrases such as “He won’t eat that” or “She only likes pasta” serves to reinforce the behavior and gives tacit approval of what children are doing.
  2. It may sound harsh, but you buy the groceries and children need to eat what you purchase. Stock the pantry and fridge with a variety of healthy foods that you want them to eat. Stop buying cookies, beverages and other foods that cater to their pickiness. The transition won’t be easy – stand firm.
  3. Don’t turn the dinner table into a battlefield. Simply serve the meal and let children eat as much or as little as they want. Eliminate phrases such as “Just try a bite.” Kids are more astute than you think and those types of phrases open the door for children to try to negotiate terms for the return of their picky favorites.
  4. Remember that food isn’t a reward – it’s the fuel the body needs to live, work, and play.
  5. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with serving breakfast foods for lunch or dinner. Mix up the selection and try not to always serve the same dishes for the same meals.
  6. Youngsters want to feel as if they have some control and you can provide that while still getting them to eat healthy. Letting them choose blueberries or strawberries, carrots or cauliflower, or a bagel versus cereal will make them more agreeable about their mealtime selections.
  7. It can be helpful to involve children in the meal preparation and you’ll also be teaching them some valuable life skills.
  8. Keep trying, no matter how long it takes. Youngsters can be extremely resistant to change, just like their adult counterparts. They may try staging “hunger strikes” or throw a tantrum. Stay neutral and don’t give in to manipulative behavior.

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Fun Summertime Dessert Recipes

It doesn’t matter whether kids are home for a normal summer or cooped up due to the pandemic. Kids of all ages love out of the ordinary treats. The following are some summertime dessert recipes that everyone will love and for adventurous parents, they can even have the kids help prepare them. The recipes use few ingredients, are very easy to create, and kids will love the “fancy” desserts made just for them. Just don’t forget to save some for the adults!

Ice Cream Magic

The treat is known by many names and really easy to make. Lightly sprinkle nuts or candy sprinkles in the bottom of a disposable cup. Add a scoop of ice cream and drizzle chocolate syrup that forms a hard coating over the ice cream. Skewer the scoop with a craft stick and place in the freezer. Cut away the cup and the treats are ready to eat.

Tropical Pops

These can be made with yogurt and a fruit of choice or a premade smoothie mix available at supermarkets. Blend the yogurt and fruit until creamy, then pour into ice pop molds and freeze. If a smoothie mix is used, simply pour into the molds and freeze – you can also add fruit slices to the smoothie mix.

Frozen Banana Bites

Cut the desired number of bananas into 1 or 2-inch chunks. Place the chunks on a craft stick and slather on some peanut butter before rolling them in nuts, candy sprinkles or any other topping desired. Place on a tray with waxed paper and put them in the freezer until frozen.

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

This can be made with any flavor yogurt and fruit. Place a portion of yogurt in the bottom of a glass. Place a layer of crushed graham crackers on top of the yogurt. Then place a layer of fruit on top of the graham crackers. Repeat the layers until the glass if full.

Glazed Doughnut Strawberry Shortcake

There are numerous versions of this. One of the most simple utilizes premade glazed doughnuts, fresh strawberries that have been hulled and sliced, and a choice of either whipped cream or cream cheese. Cut the glazed doughnut sideways so there’s a top and a bottom. Place one half on a plate, spread on whipped cream or cream cheese, then add a layer of strawberries. Place the other half of the doughnut on top. Put a dollop of whipped cream or cream cheese on top.

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Teach Your Kids Useful Skills

Daily Skillset Every Child Should Learn Before you know it, your kids will be grown and on their own. But, you need to teach your child essential life skills making their daily routines a higher quality of life. No grown-up should be without the knowledge of these useful skills. Teach Your Kids How to Cook Cooking is one skillset everyone should have. Because eating is a part of life, it’s important to know food preparation and how to follow a balanced diet. Start teaching your kids to cook even when they are toddlers. You can help them to learn how to make logical decisions when it comes to nutrition. Many people achieve healthy choices by introducing raw diet or giving them alternatives to high sugar, flour or fat. Introduce veggies early and don’t frown when it’s time to enjoy them as a family. Teach Your Kids How to Deal with Emergencies Next, teach your kids to dial the phone and how to get to emergency numbers quickly. A recent article that hit the ABC News describes an asthmatic mom being rescued because her seven-year-old knew to call dispatch. Children are smart, and because this boy’s parents ensured him how to call for help, the mother lived to tell the story. It’s important to teach our kids how to act during tough situations. But, it’s also necessary. Teach Your Kids Self-Defense Also, teach your kids how to defend themselves adequately. While we don’t always want to think of dangerous scenarios, we do want to know our kids will do the right thing if an attack is present. Enroll your kids in martial arts or sign them up for self-defense classes. These skills are imperative for kids to survive and can be used as adults. Teach Your Kids How to Manage Time Time management skills are often terrible for adults much fewer children. However, as parents who learn punctuality, you can pass that down to your kids. In fact, if they see you are late picking them up or dropping them off at soccer practice, school, etc., they will learn this is okay behavior. However, don’t kid yourself, with that “Do as I Say, Not as I Do” mentality. Kids learn from their parents, give them valuable skills, and they’ll never have to embarrass themselves again. Teach Your Kids About Money We can all use some extra money at the end of the month, right? You need to teach your kids to have excellent money management skills to ensure they live with financial freedom. Some child psychologists may argue what age is appropriate for kids to learn about money. Regardless, you can start making your kids aware of things like waiting on buying toys or how to use an ATM at a very young age. These are just a few of life’s lessons that you can do to teach your kids these critical daily skillsets they will use forever. Best of luck!

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For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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