So my oven broke... And this is how I found out:
Yesterday morning I got the boys all excited about helping me make cookies. They were a very random recipe that was a basic whole grain/oatmeal recipe which I really like because it has orange juice in it. But I added some honey and peanut butter and the crumbs left at the end of a box of shreddies and a box of mini-wheats. I remembered to pre-heat the oven, which was a bonus. I put the dough in a 9x13 pan to make cookie bars and save myself some hassle. Realized at this point that I forgot the orange juice, but the boys had already licked all the spoons so I figured it wasn't worth it. I opened the oven and... NO HEAT. At all. Well I called the oven repair guy and he had me take off the back to look for a reset switch. My oven doesn't have one of course, and both Jeff and I got minor flesh wounds taking the thing apart.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
How to Get Kids to Eat Myths
Myth #1: Kids will eat anything with dip (eg: ketchup, ranch dressing, tomato sauce)
Reality: If I give my kids dip, they dip their FINGERS in it and that is all they eat. Tonight we had perogies, sausages, and corn for supper. Jacob ate a pile of mustard that he squirted on the table instead.
Myth #2: Kids will eat anything if they are involved in the cooking process.
Reality: First of all, it is way more work to cook or bake with the kids involved. But I truly wouldn't mind that if this trick worked. When I bake my boys like to help take everything I need out of the cupboard, lick it and poke it, then they lose interest in the making part unless there is something else to lick. Of course, they always eat cookies or cupcakes, so this is a fun exercise. But for real healthy meal food it doesn't work the same. They don't usually ever eat soup, so last week I tested this theory. Jacob helped me get all the spices and seasonings into the crockpot, he dumped the frozen veggies in, and picked what shape of noodle he wanted. It was fun. But would he eat it. Nope. Not a chance.
Myth #3: Kids will eat anything "fun."
Reality: I posted THIS before but here is a true story: One of the big cheese companies make little snack cheese shaped like fish and dinosaurs. Seriously it is the worst tasting cheese on the planet, and the kids won't eat them just because they are fun.
Reality: If I give my kids dip, they dip their FINGERS in it and that is all they eat. Tonight we had perogies, sausages, and corn for supper. Jacob ate a pile of mustard that he squirted on the table instead.
Myth #2: Kids will eat anything if they are involved in the cooking process.
Reality: First of all, it is way more work to cook or bake with the kids involved. But I truly wouldn't mind that if this trick worked. When I bake my boys like to help take everything I need out of the cupboard, lick it and poke it, then they lose interest in the making part unless there is something else to lick. Of course, they always eat cookies or cupcakes, so this is a fun exercise. But for real healthy meal food it doesn't work the same. They don't usually ever eat soup, so last week I tested this theory. Jacob helped me get all the spices and seasonings into the crockpot, he dumped the frozen veggies in, and picked what shape of noodle he wanted. It was fun. But would he eat it. Nope. Not a chance.
Myth #3: Kids will eat anything "fun."
Reality: I posted THIS before but here is a true story: One of the big cheese companies make little snack cheese shaped like fish and dinosaurs. Seriously it is the worst tasting cheese on the planet, and the kids won't eat them just because they are fun.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
No Mess Finger Painting
At playgroup this week, there was "sticky finger painting" with syrup coloured red for valentine's day. And would you be surprised if neither of my boys were interested in this? I was a little, but they just aren't into messy art, even if it is edible apparently. So this project was suggested to me by the co-ordinator:
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| Ziplock bags with a couple blobs of paint. Taped to the table with a piece of paper underneath. |
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| Jacob was intrigued right away when I said his hands wouldn't get messy. |
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| Mixing colours... notice Daniel having a fit on the floor in the background... |
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| Big brother shows little brother how to paint. So cute. |
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| Masterpieces! |
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For...
CUPCAKES!! Seriously this was the easiest cupcake recipe ever and it tasted yummy:
3/4 cup flour
7 tbsp soft margarine
1/2 cup sugar
2 extra large eggs, lightly beaten
generous 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes. Makes 12.
Now here is where it gets Deanna-interesting.... First, here are the boys helping me make icing, which was just cocoa powder, icing sugar, and milk, totally random amounts until I was happy with the consistency and the chocolateyness.
Now, I had heard of baking cupcakes in ice cream cones and I REALLY wanted to try it and I finally did. Here is the finished product:
I mixed the batter as per the instructions, filled the cones 3/4 full and baked at 350 for about 15 minutes. Then I stuck them in the fridge to cool quickly so I could ice them. I took them to playgroup as a treat for the kids.
They were really yummy but I didn't get anymore pictures because Daniel dumped his drink all over the table right after I took this shot. Good thing he is cute.