De Ma Cuisine

Monday

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May 2013

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COMMENTS

Do Kids Who Cook Like to Eat?

Written by , Posted in Thoughts

DadRachJakeTo preface this post (I just remembered that I used to read that word as “pre” “face”… haha), I don’t have children. I’m not an expert on anything to do with kids. These are my thoughts and opinions, based on things I’ve read and heard from people who do, and having been a kid once myself.

There are many different opinions about what we should eat. We have friends and family who are raising kids and are faced with these very things. I’ve read blog posts that parents write where they talk about their experiences with kids and cooking. So I am curious, fascinated, wondering about some things…

RachCooks

Are kids who help in the kitchen, who are stirring the pancake batter, cracking the eggs, whisking the dressing more prone to eat what they’ve helped to create?

Do kids who grow up with a garden, who help choose what to plant and put the seeds into the ground themselves; who see where their food comes from… are they more willing to try new things?

RJJPeppernuts

JakeCorn

We had a garden when I was growing up. Every time I pick a green bean or a cherry tomato, still warm from the sun, and pop it into my mouth, I’m taken back to my childhood. When I was really little, I liked to pick the cherry tomatoes. My parents would tell me to pick the ripe ones. So I would go over and pick the white ones. Close, mini Rachel. So close.

I don’t really remember these moments that Mom and Dad captured. But they make my heart happy. Apparently I enjoyed being in the kitchen as a child (and was perhaps a better baker than I am now?!). I’m not sure if this means I wasn’t a picky eater though. Mom? Dad? What do you remember? 😉 I don’t think I liked peas. But really, do any kids like peas?

So here’s what I think about all this. I think that if we have kids, I’d love for them to be involved in the cooking process. I have a garden, and don’t plan to stop growing some of our own food (even though most of our produce comes from Abundant Harvest Organics). I’d even venture to say that I think it’s important to get kids connected with their food and where it comes from. I like the idea of a kid planting a seed, watering it, harvesting the fruit, cooking it, eating it, and hopefully enjoying it. It sounds ideal. But I think it also seems possible. Even if it’s just one tomato plant on the patio of our apartment. We have sunlight and places where we can buy dirt for as long as we’re without a yard. And we have juice pitchers and drinking glasses that can double as watering cans.

But then, that’s just me… This was my experience. No better or worse than any other. But, I’m sure that it played a part in shaping me into who I am today. And for this, I’m thankful.

RBakes

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