Today's Lesson- Cook with Your Kids

Today I had a very special day.  I went, for the guise of work, to a charity event hosted by Cehf George Stella (As seen on the Food Network, The Insider, and so much more) regarding childhood obesity.  It was the most fun I have had at work in a long time!  Kids came in to create fruit kebabs, "spider" sandwiches, and dress up like chefs, complete with the coat and hat, and take pictures in front of a professional kitchen setting.  Then, there was an "Iron Kids Chef Contest" where teams competed, making smoothies and pancakes, lob carb but just as tasty. 

I never really thought about it, but today it was crystal clear, childhood obesity is at an all time high, and it is not the children's fault! If your child is clinically obeise, you are the reason.  But you can also be the solution!  Thanks to Chef Stella, there are so many easy changes you can make to cut back on carbs, fat, sugar, and anything else unhealthy.  Here are some of my take-aways today;

~ Make pancakes with with ground flax-seed- you don't taste it in there but it adds a great healthy touch to the 'cake.
~ Substitute typical, sugar-laden syrup with honey! It's still sticky and delicious, but full of anti-oxidents and natural sugars actually good for you
~ Freeze your fruits and use non-fat yogurt to make smoothies.  There is no need to add more sugar- the fruit and yogurt makes this smoothie sweet and delicious.
~ Use sugar-free EVERYTHING! From soda (if you have to have it), whip cream, and anything else you can think of.
~ It's all about presentation.  No matter what you are doing, make it fun and look good, and kids will eat it and have fun too.   The kids today did not care that they were eating healthy all afternoon- they had a blast playing with their food, making it fun, and being part of it all.
~ Which brings me to the last point- involve your kids in cooking.  By making them feel included and part of the process they will appreciate the food more, and it will be less about what they are eating but rather how they felt while they were making it.

So, please, I am begging you all, be the solution for your children.  These little babies are counting on US, no one else, to get them started right in life.  It starts the minute you decide to become a parent and never ends.  They rely on your nutrition in the womb, they watch everything you eat and do in the kitchen while they grow, they make choices based on your training in high school and college, and will begin their own training one day- let's make all that influence worth something.  Why wouldn't you want to look back on your kids, grandkids, and hopefully if you're eating right, your great-grand kids with pride and know it was your choices that has enabled you all to be together and be healthy.

Just simple changes and substiutions and we Mom's can make the difference.  Let's do it!