Hey Mom, I'm
Bored!
by Melody Augustson
"Hey Mom, I'm Bored!"... How may times have you heard that
statement? Today it is very easy to just turn on the TV or pop in a X-Box game
but why not teach your kids something fun in the kitchen? They will enjoy the
time spent with you while learning a valuable skill.
One of my favorite things to do is cooking with my children. We
always seem to have fun together! Between baseball practice, school functions
and my daily commitments, life around the BusyCooks household can get hectic. I
collect recipes that are quick and easy to prepare. I try to make my kids' meals
as delicious as possible and still make them healthy and nutritious.
With two very active little boys and a new baby girl I will be
the first to admit that there are days when I think a frozen pizza tossed into
the oven for 15 minutes sounds perfect.
My husband is in the military. When he is away the kids can get
to feeling down sometimes. One of the best ways I have found to spend time with
them and cheer them up is by cooking. Below are some of the recipes that I have
found that are a hit in our household.
I also use this time together to go over spelling and math! Here
are some examples I have used.
Our son Luc who is 3 years old will count out the number of eggs
we are using and spell it out "e-g-g, that spells egg mommy!". His older brother
Drew will let you know that with a dozen cupcakes we made, and his daddy ate two
of them we have 10 left.
Always supervise! Be sure your children understand the dangers
that they can encounter in the kitchen and help them to prepare recipes safely.
1 cup of your favorite tomato sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Lightly toast bagels in toaster and set face up on a cookie
sheet. Spread 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce on bagel. Sprinkle with mozzarella
cheese and top with pepperoni. Eat as is or heat in microwave until cheese
melts.
Fruit Kabobs (Fresh or Canned)
4 - 8 oz. containers of yogurt (assorted flavors)
Gather your ingredients. Empty each container of yogurt into its
own bowl and stir to soften. Put fruit on kebob skewer. Dip each piece into one
yogurt flavor.Note: I use the wooden skewers and cut the sharp point of them.
You still need to supervise as a sword fight can break out at any moment.
-
1
pound thinly sliced roast beef
2
packages (6 ounces each) soft spreadable cheese
4
flour tortillas
1
cup shredded carrots
2
cups shredded lettuce
1
cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
Spread soft cheese evenly on one side of each tortilla. Top
evenly with shredded carrots and Jack cheese. Layer lettuces add deli roast beef
evenly on cheese, leaving 1/4 inch border around edge. Roll up tightly and
serve.
yields
2 dozen
1 pkg. Fruity or Cocoa Pebbles (13 oz.)(8 1/2 cups)
Microwave butter in a 4 qt. container for 45 seconds. Add
marshmallows and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Stir. Add cereal. Mix. Press into
greased muffin pans to form cupcakes. Cool. Remove from pans and spread with
frosting.
Melody and her husband Shawn are owners of BusyCooks.com A site
dedicated to providing the busy cook with helpful recipes, tips and
tools. Visit them today at: http://www.busycooks.com