Looking for a fun way to connect with your tween? Crack open a cookbook and get cooking! Preparing food together is not only a great way to spend time with your tween, but also a perfect way to teach them about healthy eating. Here are three ways to share recipes and special time together.
Connecting with tweens can be difficult at times. Food is a common denominator in our lives, and what better way to tempt your tween to hang out with you? Learning healthy eating habits is more fun when you prepare food together in your own kitchen. Michelle Stern, author of The Whole Family Cookbook, says, “When I taught high school, my students yearned for independence, but often lacked confidence and experience. Now, when we work together in the kitchen, they get to apply their curiosity and enthusiasm in a productive way. Not only do they learn life-long skills, they gain the confidence they will need to branch out and try new foods, recipes and cooking techniques.” Here are some fun ways to experiment.
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Smoothie taste-test
Who doesn’t love a delicious smoothie drink? Gather up several new smoothie recipes you haven’t tried before and put them to the test. Using Pinterest, web-based recipe sites and your own cookbooks, challenge each other to find interesting blends. Your tween might even want to invite friends for a blind taste-test! See how many ingredients the testers can recognise from simply tasting the drinks. Smoothies are a great way to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet, and easy for tweens to make on their own.
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Around the world
Choose one night a week when you will serve food from a different part of the world. Your tween can choose the menu, while you offer to be her assistant. Find some fun facts about the food you are preparing, and how it is served in the country of origin. Learning about food from other countries is a great way to learn about other cultures and learn different cooking techniques.
Snack shack
Healthier snacks aren’t always boring! Once tweens see how easy it is to prepare tasty snacks they will often experiment with their own ideas. Round up some fun new recipes – think roasted chickpeas, fruit kabobs or kale chips – and have a snack party one afternoon. Find alternatives for not-so-healthy snack favourites and compare ingredients to see why the new choice is a better choice.
Want to see what’s cooking with your tween? Open your cookbook and see.
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