Toddler Cafe - Jennifer Carden [9]
This list will also help you save money and space by not buying what you don’t need. How many times have you bought something—say a can of tomato paste or a packet of seasoning mix—only to find out you already have it at home? Space is a precious thing in your pantry or refrigerator, so don’t overstuff them. Challenge yourself to use what you have on your shelves; this is where you can get really creative. You can learn how to shop for the things you will use frequently and not have the rest sit on your shelf going bad.
Next, keep the kitchen from becoming a complete disaster. A messy kitchen can really make someone want to order out! Cooking in a disorganized kitchen is not relaxing or inviting. According to the Web site Flylady.net, “If the kitchen is clean, the rest of the house stays clean, too . . . (If the sink is clean you are less likely to put a dirty dish in it.)” Our kitchen is constantly in use, full of meals, recipes, and toddler cooking experiments gone very, very wrong. The truth is that I was a professional dish leaver; in the morning when I walked into the kitchen, the first thing my eyes would focus on was dirty dishes! Seeing a dirty sink can trip a switch in your brain that makes you think of all the other things that are not done, making for a grumpy mommy. Flylady suggests you get the dishes out of the sink at night and wake up to a clean, empty sink so you can start your day much happier. I know some of you knew this already, but it was news to me. So now the sink is clean and dish-free before we go to bed, and in the morning I can spend time having tea with my family. Try it!
organic vs. nonorganic
Organic foods are grown without the use of harmful synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers. For a food to be certified organic, it must have been grown on farmland that has been free of such chemicals for a minimum of three years. When foods are grown using conventional farming methods, they can be subjected to enormous quantities of harmful chemicals, many of which have not been tested for safety and some of which are established as human carcinogens. In California alone, 400 million pounds of farming chemicals are used annually. Can you believe that?
eating organic
Try to opt for as many organic foods as possible when shopping. We are surrounded by thousands of chemicals, so why put them unnecessarily into our bodies? I can only suggest this way of thinking and let you decide. You may not want to or be able to buy everything organic. Organic foods tend to be a bit more expensive, but if you can manage to work in organic milk, fruit, veggies, and meat, you are off to a good start.
America’s cupboards are bursting with food, but is it good, healthy food? Take a look in your own cupboard and see where you can begin to make a change. Read labels and you will quickly realize how much junk is in our food. Don’t be afraid to change your shopping habits; your family will eventually thank you. Buy less and eat higher-quality foods. Take one step at a time and enjoy the change. Take responsibility to make the right choices for your family—that is the beauty of living in our modern society. We get the privilege to choose what to put into our bodies.
recipe notes
In some of the recipes I do not use measurements because it is about whatever you have on hand and getting creative in a simple way. I also err on the side of mild when adding spices, to get your kids used to the flavors. The idea is to up the flavors each time you make it. If you make it too strong the first time, they will probably refuse it next time.
ingredients
sugar
I have never seen a case of sugar deficiency, have you? We all know that our kids get way too much sugar. Sugar has its place; I am a firm believer in tasting all foods in moderation. But if you can cut down on sugary treats and stop rewarding with sugary snacks, you can make all of the recipes in this book without worry.
There are two ingredients in the world of food that can make or break a recipe. Ready for this? They are sugar and salt. They enhance the