Tips on How to Teach Cooking to Kids

 Cooking is a useful habit that can literally be life-saving in so many situations. Also, one doesn’t need to be a master chef in order to prepare simple, yet nutritious meals. However, in order to be an adult who cooks, it’s important to learn those habits in childhood. Now, that doesn’t mean actual cooking skills, but more normalization of cooking, especially when it comes to boys. But, girls should also benefit from this, so if you have kids, here are some tips on how to teach them some cooking.

Let them help 

If you’re cooking regularly, then letting your kids take part might be of great help. Simply, kids enjoy doing things with adults, as they see them as role models. So if you’re cooking, chances are your kid will want and ask to help. Plus, doing this can help their motor skills, just to name some benefits. Next time, if that happens, make sure to let them give you a hand if it’s nothing that will actually do to make cooking faster or more efficient. Just enjoy the fact that your kid is interested in something, and use that experience to bond and have fun together. 

Watch cooking content together 

If your kid shows a proclivity for cooking, you can start watching some cooking content together. So it doesn’t matter if it’s a regular cooking TV show, or a YouTube video, as long as the kid is interested and wants to implement everything they’ve learned. But, keep in mind that this can only work, if you as a parent enjoy cooking, baking, and preparing foods. If that’s not your strong suit, then chances are, you won’t enjoy doing that with your kid either.  There’s nothing wrong with not liking to cook, but in that case, let someone else (like a grandparent or another relative) teach your kid how to prepare food. 

Teach your kid about various foods 

If you want your kid to learn some cooking basics, then it’s important to teach them about different foods and their healthy properties. For example, as you’re peeling a carrot, tell them about how carrots are good for eyes and eyesight. If your kid loves nuts, or you enjoy cooking with nuts, you can tell them what is the healthiest nuts to eat, so they’ll have more knowledge that they can use in the future. The same goes for different types of meat, dairy products, and eggs. You can also show them a documentary about foods and healthy nutrition. 

Go grocery shopping together 

Usually, kids love shopping, as long as you’re the boss. Meaning, no temper tantrums, and unnecessary tears. Still, going grocery shopping can teach kids, not only about different foods and cooking ingredients but also about prices and the economy. Maybe grocery shopping is something you’d rather do quickly, but if you decide to take your kid, maybe you’ll actually have fun, so feel free to consider it, but only if you’re in the mood, and when you’re not in a hurry.

Remember to be patient 

Adults tend to forget what it’s like to be a kid and learn things afresh. We often expect kids to do things exactly the way we do them, which can cause unnecessary pressure and self-esteem issues later in life. Therefore, rather than pushing them too far, make sure to be kind, considerate, and patient with them. Yes, waiting for too long might be frustrating, but if you’re teaching kids something, it’s important to do so without any negative feelings involved.

Conclusion 

Teaching kids nutrition and cooking is a big deal, as it equips them with the vital information they’ll need when they grow up. Therefore, watching cooking content, shopping and asking them to help you are all important tips that will show any kid that cooking is fun and useful skill that they’ll benefit from. 

Homemade Strawberry Syrup

Homemade strawberry syrup is a must make this summer. It captures the essence of summer in a simple syrup that compliments everything from cocktails to homemade popsicles. I even drizzled it over cake, and it was perfect!

When I was a kid, early in the summer, my grandpa would come calling, looking for some helping hands who were willing to go to the U-Pick-Em strawberry patch and fill bushel after bushel of berries. As his only grandchild, many times, I was the willing partner. We would head over, taking all of the back country roads, and spend the morning in the sun, bent over, picking the best berries. My grandpa, Popaw, would always poke through and make sure you had some berries with some green showing yet, as this added the right tartness to all of the wonderful things he would make with his haul. We would spend days cleaning, coring and slicing the berries. Some would become jam and jelly. Some were frozen for pies and shortcakes when the season had passed. Some were enjoyed on the spot naturally.

My Popaw passed away in 1999. I was 19 years old. I have missed him everyday since then. I can't pass a U-Pick-Em berry patch without stopping for at least a quart of fresh berries, with a little green showing on a few for balance. From one batch of fresh berries I made this wonderful simple syrup. It is so sweet, and it has the essence of summer just waiting to add something special to whatever you desire. 

Add a splash to lemonade for a refreshing treat, or maybe add some to your sprite like my daughter likes to do for a pretty pink strawberry soda. I like to add it to vodka in the summer while I sip the stress of the day away.

All you need is berries, sugar and water to pull this off.

Ingredients:

Water- 1 cup

Sugar- 1/2 cups

Strawberries, cored 2 cups

Directions:

Place the cored berries into a sauce pan.

Add water.

Add sugar.

Simmer on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Remove from heat, allow to cool for about 30 minutes.

Place a mesh sieve over a mason jar.

Pour the mixture into the sieve, pressing the berries with a spoon to release the juices.

Discard the berry mash left in the sieve. (I like to feed it to the birds, but do so away from your house, as it will draw bees too.)

Store with a lid, in the fridge for a month.

Add a splash into cocktails or soda.

Drizzle it on white cake for a colorful and sweet berry flavor.

Make homemade strawberry soda by adding it to club soda.

If you enjoyed this recipe, check out all of my homemade soda recipes.

Favorites include:

Cherry Orange Soda Syrup

Mulberry Lime Soda

Strawberry Peach Soda

Blueberry Lime Soda

Homemade Peach Soda

Sour Apple Margarita

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner and this Sour Apple Margarita recipe is the best cocktail for the occasion!  This recipe is easy to make and has just the right mix of booze with the perfect pucker from the sour apple schnapps. Chances are you will make this one many times as summer rolls around.

When the pandemic began, I started collecting alcohol. I have never been a big drinker, but as I age, I can certainly appreciate a good cocktail recipe. These days, an afternoon cocktail is the pick me up I need.  This sour apple margarita is a favorite for the warmer months. It is so easy to mix and hits just right.  Pair it with taco night or make it and take it outside to savor the warm weather.

I look forward to the days when we can gather with friends and serve these by the pitcher. I know they will go down fast and smooth with friends laughing in the background, telling the stories of their lives.

The vibrant green color of this cocktail makes it so appealing, especially as the world begins to come in bloom. Bring on the green after such a long and gray winter!

Ingredients

Serving size is 1 8oz glass

1. 1oz Tequila
2. 2oz Sour Apple Schnapps
3. 1/2 oz Tripel Sec
4. 1/2 oz Cointreau
5. 2oz Sweet and Sour Mix
6. 1 splash of fresh Lime juice
7. 1 lime cut for garnishing

DIRECTIONS 

1. Pour Margarita salt onto one plate and simple syrup on the other plate
2. Take your glassware and dip the rims in the simple syrup and then the margarita salt and set to the side
3. Fill your glasses with ice 3/4 of the way full
4. Add ingredients to a bartender shaker along with 3-4 pieces of ice
5. Shake to combine and strain into your glass
6. Garnish with a lime wedge

See, I told you this was an easy cocktail recipe! So easy, you almost have to try mixing it yourself! I never knew margaritas could be so easy to make without using a mix.

You can find all of my cocktail recipes here.

Reader favorites include:

Night King Cocktails

Bomb Pop Cocktails

Wild Blueberry Gin Fizzers

How Can You Make Your House Moving Fun For The Family

 Realistically speaking, there’s no surprise that moving isn’t considered as the most enjoyable undertaking you can do together with your family. That’s because of the several things that need to be done, thereby making the entire activity exhausting and chaotic. However, it doesn’t also mean that the relocation process will be miserable throughout the journey. Working with experienced movers like United Van Lines can make the whole job much easier.

Thus, if you’re moving home anytime soon, below are some ways on how you can get your family excited from start to finish:

1. Stay Positive

More than anything else, you need your family to be positive about the whole moving process. While all of you will be sad and lonely that you’re leaving behind your home that you lived for many years, it’s important to show positivity to make it exciting. 

Instead of thinking about the cons of relocation, you can focus on thinking about the new possibilities waiting for everyone in your new destination. Also, make some effort to laugh, sing, and joke around so everyone in the family will forget the sadness brought by moving. 

2. Know As Much As You Can About Your New Area

You can make your relocation much more enjoyable by finding useful information about your new. For instance, if you have school-age children, you can ask them to list down all the things they’ll discover about your new city or town and the one who lists down more information will receive a reward. 

Whether it’s about the cost of living, local rules and regulations, entertainment options, and peculiarities of the area, they can include them in their research so they can win. Moreover, in addition to the fun aspect of this activity, you’ll also be able to introduce your new place to your children, thereby letting them know about the things they can expect upon their arrival. As a result, they’ll become more excited to move and have a fresh start. 

3. Keep The Music Playing 

Well, moving doesn’t have to be a boring task. While the family is tackling the household belongings, you can turn on the music and dance with it. Generally, lively music can make a difference in your mood and efficiently. 

Thus, create your family’s playlist now and have it played everyday until the moving day. That way, you can make the process fun and at the same time a lot faster. And to ensure the fun part stays throughout the transition, you can seek help from the best moving company NYC or wherever you may be located. 

4. Turn The Difficult Aspects Of The Move Into A Game

This is another way of making your house moving fun. Instead of doing the usual tedious tasks, you can create a game out of it to make it enjoyable. For example, you can require all the family members to compete with one another for a great game such as who can get rid most of your stuff, clean the rooms the fastest, or use the boxes efficiently in packing. 

In addition, you can organize a treasure hunt or create funny riddles to keep everyone delighted while the work is going on. But, you shouldn’t also forget the most exciting part which is the awarding of winners. For instance, you can prepare some candies, chocolates, gift cards, and many more as prizes to motivate them to participate and win. 

5. Decorate The Moving Boxes

If you decide to pack all your possessions on your own, then decorating your moving boxes with your family can be another fun task to do during a relocation. With your multicolored packing tapes, markers, stickers, and other decoration materials, you and the rest of the family members can make colorful labels for each box. 

For example, you can allow your kids to draw something on the boxes or add decorative stickers to them as well. This will not only let you customize your cartons but also become more creative in making labels, making unpacking much easier and faster. 

6. Organize A Goodbye Party

If you want to make the relocation process extra fun and enjoyable, you can throw a goodbye party for everyone. For instance, if you have school-age children who more likely have made good relationships with their classmates, you can invite their friends and classmates so they can give their goodbye to them. This can really mean a lot for them and for you as well as all of you will be able to spend time with the people you’re going to leave behind because of the move. 

Moreover, to make the event more fun, you can prepare cupcakes, popsicles, or popcorn for your children and their guests, while you can have some bottles of beer and chips for adults like you. Lastly, you can also plan some activities that’ll allow everyone to interact and urge them to reminisce about happy times everyone had together. 

However, in order to do all these things, you may need the assistance of some professionals to get some things done while making the process more enjoyable for the family. Typically, most moving companies NYC or other cities nearby are available to help you with the difficult aspects of your relocation. 

The Bottom Line

Well, relocating to a new house with your family can be an enjoyable adventure as long as you follow the tips mentioned above. But more than that, you and your family should be 100% into this process so you can have fun moving. 

Fine Motor Counting Activity

This activity is perfect for small hands. It combines counting and fine motor work for a fun, hands on approach to learning. This introduction to math is perfect for preschoolers. Best of all, you can get everything you need to set this up at Dollar Tree.

Little hands love pinching, so this activity is perfect for making math fun while engaging fine motor skills! My kids both loved this early introduction to counting when they were smaller, and I often pull this activity out when we have little guests in our house who need something to do. This is the ultimate boredom buster and will always have a place in my busy bag collection.

All you need to make this is some tiny clothespins from dollar trees craft section and a few craft sticks. Mark the numbers you are using on the craft sticks and hand the kids some clothespins. Encourage your child to count the clothespins and put them on the craft stick. 

This is one of those activities you will want to supervise, to keep the pins from mouths, noses and ears. 

If you enjoyed this easy activity for kids, you will want to check out some of my other preschool projects.

Play Doh Stamping 

Itsy Bitsy Spider Craft

Rainbow Sorting Sensory Bin

 This rainbow sorting bin is so much fun for little ones. It has a variety of textures, shapes and colors for sorting on a rainy day, or anytime! This is perfect for kids who are learning colors, or just need some busy work!

My daughter loves rainbows, and she loves busy work, so this rainbow sorting bin was the perfect rainy day activity for her. We had dyed oats in our craft supplies, and with that, an idea was born to make this activity. Dying oats is so easy, and they are awesome to play with. 

I grabbed a 3 pack of mini pots at the dollar store  and painted them with Kwik Stix but you could use any type of small container, like a baby food jar, a food storage container or whatever for this bin. you just need something that your toddler or preschooler can place the beads in.

Supplies:

Dyed Oats  * instructions here*

Small containers

A plastic storage bin with a lid

Clothespins

Small spoons

Foam beads

Buttons or larger beads

After dying your oatmeal start layering it into the storage bin.

Place the pots or containers for sorting into the bin.

Add beads to the bin, or buttons. I like to offer a variety of textures in the beads. This bin has foam, wooden and standard crafting beads in it.

Add a few small spoons, clothespins and other items for sorting, pinching and measuring. Tongs and slotted spoons are great additions!

I added a clear plastic ornament to the bin too because I wanted to challenge Harper to place the items in a smaller opening.

Offer your child the bin. Ask your child to identify colors as they are picking them up. Encourage your child to sort the colors. This bin is fun to play in, and it is visually appealing too. The variety of textures is engaging. The use of clothespins and or tongs uses the small muscles of the hand. 

This bin has so many developmental benefits and it is a lot of fun too!

Harper loved this bin. She is a big fan of rainbows and busy work, so this rainbow sorting bin engaged her for a while on a rainy afternoon. When she was finished we snapped the lid on the storage bin and stashed it away for another day.

You can find more sensory play ideas here

Rainbow Disc Bag

Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin

How to choose the perfect wedding dress for warmer weather | AW Bridal

Today, the wedding industry has become so creative in tailoring breathtaking designs, that it feels almost impossible to make a choice, and we understand you! However, before you jump to the search engines and start browsing for gowns, you need to take several key things into consideration. It is never enough to like a gown, you must wear it with confidence and radiance. That is why we at AW Bridal have composed a short guide to help you navigate through the process and choose a gown that will feel right for you!

1. Budget

Let us tell you something, it is perfectly okay to spend a lot of money on a wedding dress but also perfectly okay to be limited and choose more affordable wedding dresses. The one thing that matters is the love you two share so don’t be discouraged if you find yourself restrained by finances because there is a little hack we’re about to share!
What if we tell you that the dress can be both cheap and yet have that haute-couture feel to it? We at AW Bridal have been really passionate about providing you with cheap AW wedding dresses that have both comfort and a gorgeous aesthetic! Discover our collection and feel like a modern muse with our designs.

2. Body Type

After having established a budget, it is time to take heed to your body type. This applies to any wardrobe, especially for the bridal one. After discovering your shape, and taken into consideration what you prefer outfit-wise, you should choose the wedding dress silhouette. Have in mind that the dress must be flattering to your feminine elegance. If you by any chance have some perfect imperfections that you’d rather hide for now, naturally, take that as well into consideration when choosing.

3. Comfort & Breathable Fabrics

Though we recommend this for every season, during the warmer periods of the year it is vital to focus on the comfort of your wedding dress. That means choosing a gown that is flowy and poetically swaying as you walk with breathable fabric. Those fabrics are silk, tulle, organza, chiffon, and lace.
When it comes to lightness, layered tulle is an amazing choice for both breathable comfort and also for letting air circulate and not be cooked up in your own gown. One of our absolute favorites in our collection that is light, romantic, and comfortable is the Jessie Wedding Dress. This effortlessly elegant gown is divine for both Spring and Summer weddings, and the best thing about it? It is in the category of cheap wedding dresses under $600. Bridal gowns can both look incredible and still be kind to your budget!

Wedding theme, location & style

Yes, naturally, these are also key things to consider. When choosing your dream wedding dress, it is important to choose a designer piece that will be aligned with your theme, overall aesthetic, and location. If your wedding is an outdoor celebration of love or a romantic beach ceremony; consider wearing a light and ethereally flowy gown. Just imagine, walking on the beach with a flowy dreamy gown as the waves slowly touch the ends and the sunset creates the perfect backdrop for you and your beloved. If the wedding is a formal and opulent refined celebration, then decide on timeless designs with enchanting embellishments and train, or maybe a silk seamless gown that is curated in the name of class and luxury.

We hope that we’ve shed some light on this subject, and we invite you to browse our AW Bridal collection of affordable wedding dresses that not only are aesthetically pleasing but also incredibly comfortable.

 

Hair Cutting Activity for Preschoolers

 If your kids are anything like mine, they have an interest in cutting their own hair. YIKES! To combat that urge, I created a safe alternative that will keep everyone happy. This hair cutting activity for preschoolers gives kids a chance to put their scissor skills to work while satisfying the curiosity of little ones. Plus this is the perfect use for empty toilet paper rolls.

This is such an easy activity to set up. Chances are you have everything you need to do this with your little ones. I love crafts and activities that I don't have to buy any supplies for! Even the least crafty parents can set this cutting activity up in no time.

Supplies:
Empty toilet paper rolls
Scissors

Sharpie

Directions:

Cut small strips into the top of one end of the toilet roll. Make the cuts varying in length to offer some variety on the cuts for your child.
Draw a fun face on the paper roll.

You might want to create a few of these because your kids are going to have so much fun cutting hair!

Offer your child some scissors and invite them to give their new friend a hair cut.

Observe your child doing this, for safety.

This activity is awesome for kids because it gives them a chance to work on their scissors skills while having a good dramatic play session! Harper LOVED this activity and she always asks me if I will save toilet paper rolls for her to do this again.

If you are looking for more toilet roll crafts. You might want to check out this Easy Butterfly Craft.

Pot of Gold Sensory Bin

Saint Patrick's Day is right around the corner and I have the perfect sensory bin to share with you for the occasion. This Pot of Gold Bin is easy to set up, is loads of fun to play with, and will get kids excited for the holiday!

Sensory bins are so much fun for kids. They combine fine motor work, the engagement of the senses, and imagination into one awesome invitation to play. This Pot of Gold St. Patrick's Day Bin was so easy to set up, and I got everything I needed at the dollar store. This sensory bin is easy to set up, and the kids will want to play with it many times. 

Supplies:

1. A plastic storage bin with a lid.
2. St. Patrick's Day Foam Scatter
3. 4 Leaf Clover Confetti
4. Buttons in assorted colors
5. Small black cauldrons from the party favor section of Dollar Tree

Instructions:

1. Dump the confetti, foam scatter and buttons into the storage bin.
2. Add a few of the cauldrons to the bin.
3. Offer your child tweezers, spoons, or any other tool you like for scooping.
4. Allow your child to fill the buckets with a rainbow of colors (beads) and the gold foam coins.

I encouraged my daughter to tell me what colors she would find in a rainbow and place one bead from each color in the bucket.

We also used this as a counting exercise; how many gold coins could she find? How many big clovers? And so on.

Harper also had fun just digging in the scatter and confetti. She brought a few little action figures into the mix and had a fun small world session later. 

I like to make these bins in shoe box sized plastic containers so we can snap a lid on it and revisit the activity later. The kids always want to play with the bin again!

If you like this idea you can find all of my sensory bins and bags here.
Reader favorites include:
Sensory Party in a Bag
Birthday Cake Sensory Bin
Grab some FREE St. Patick's Day Coloring Pages here
Check out these End of the Rainbow Snacks
Check out these easy 3d Shamrocks

Easy Cement Ring Holders

These easy concrete ring holders have a delicate fern implant, and a pretty gold finish for a luxe look, on a budget. Make a few for your jewelry and a few to share, because everyone is going to LOVE these pretty and functional ring holders.

I love to make things with cement. From garden stones, to garden mushrooms to functional patio coasters and lots of things in between. I wanted to find a way to bring my love of cement into the house, but was stumped on a functional way to do so. I was stumped for ideas and kind of dismissed it altogether. Then one day, the kids were eating snow cones and it was like a light bulb went off in my head. 

This is such an easy project. All you need is a few paper cones, concrete and some plant life to complete it. The paint is optional, but I think it gives a nice touch to the finished product. You can make a dozen of these for about $10, so they are perfect for gifting, and add a nice touch to the home. You could use these are ring or bracelet holders, paper weights, or a decorative accent.

I picked these plants from my yard. I have no idea what they are. They have always come up in the flower bed on one side of my house. They might be a weed, or maybe a fern of some sort? I don't know, but I think they are pretty and were a good fit for the project. Use whatever type of plant you have on hand for your ring holder.

Supplies:

Cement

Water

Paper Snow Cone Cones

Cooking SPray

Plants

Sturdy Cups to hold the paper cones during dry time

Mix the cement according to the instructions. You will not need to use a lot of cement for the this project. Start with 5 cups of cement or so.

Place the paper cones into a cup for support. 

Lightly spray the inside of the paper cups with cooking spray.

Gently lay the plants you wish to imprint in your ring holders on the side of the paper cup.

Carefully fill the paper cup with cement making sure you don't displace the plants from the sides.

Allow to dry for 24-48 hours in a warm dry place.

When the cement is completely dry peel the paper cone away. 

Brush the fern from the cement with your hands, or a toothbrush.

Paint the ring holder in your desired shade, using a good quality spray paint.

If you enjoyed this cement project you might also like

Cement Spoon Garden Markers

Grass Imprinted Garden Art

Moissanite Replacing Blood Diamonds

For you, there’s no better time to propose to your significant other than now. But you are having a tough time shopping for the ideal engagement ring. Your family and friends don’t seem to be of help in this situation. This guide helps you to navigate the world of jewels with ease. When searching for the perfect ring, you have to consider several factors, ranging from affordability to ethics. With these elements in mind, you can narrow your search and end up with the right jewel for the occasion.

Undoubtedly, most people see diamonds as the gemstone of the season. However, they are not everyone’s go-to jewels. For one, they are expensive. A 1.5-carat GIA-certified diamond may set you back over $10,000. Some of these gems exceed the $40,000 benchmark. In actuality, the Imperial State Crown cost a whopping $3.5 billion. Contrastingly, moissanite gemstones offer the same value for a fraction of a diamond’s price.

Why Should You Consider Moissanites?

Individuals who consider ethics in production may not find all diamonds endearing, due to their grisly records, especially traditionally mined diamonds. Moissanites are lab-grown. Hence, there is less need to worry about their backgrounds. The technological process implemented in manufacturing these jewels also makes them affordable. You can purchase a 1.5-carat saving you thousands of dollars

helping you with your wedding ring financing. A classic moissanite gemstone of the same category goes for less than $500.

Moissanite’s brilliance refractive index (RI) ranges from 2.65 to 2.69, which beats the diamond hands down (2.42). Its fire dispersion sits at 0.104, 0.060 more than a diamond. On the Mohs hardness scale, the moissanite gemstone doesn’t pale in comparison to its counterpart, with a rating of 9.5, 0.5 shy of the toughest mineral on earth. So, why spend $35,000 on a diamond engagement ring when you could spend less than $1,500 on a moissanite counterpart. You don’t have to break the bank or empty your life savings to give your would-be spouse the perfect treat.

Are Moissanites Fake Diamonds?

You may have come across several opinions about moissanite gemstones being fake diamonds or replicas. With the properties discussed above, it is glaring that such notions are far-fetched. Moissanites are unique jewels in their rights. They have properties that differ from that of diamonds. In terms of optical appearance, a moissanite gemstone has double-refraction properties that produce more sparkle than a diamond with single-refraction properties.

How about ethics? You may ask. Often, traditionally mined diamonds have questionable ethical manufacturing processes, compared to moissanite gemstones. Lab-grown diamonds are an alternative to the classic option. However, they are not cheap. Moissanites are budget-friendly. You could own a jewel in this category under $500. If you find one less than $300, chances are that you are dealing with a fake or knock-off.

Selecting an Ideal Moissanite Gem

Like diamonds, moissanite gemstones come in a vast variety of colours, cuts, clarities, and carat weights. Moissanite tints range from Forever One Brilliant® to K GIA colour grading scale. Cuts include Princess, Oval, Marquise, Round, and many more. Find a balance between your preference and your budget to get the ideal moissanite gemstone.