Kids Can Cook

Cooking together with your family is one of the most important factors to healthy eating. Making the change from cooking for your kids to cooking with your kids can feel like a leap but it's all about taking one small step at a time. Gradually your kids will be more proficient, independent, their confidence will grow and you will reap the rewards of building a stronger family connection and eating more healthily just by cooking together. Of course, it's easier and less messy if you just do it yourself, but if you allow your children to take part in some of the preparations, you will give them a sense of ownership and pride in the final results. And it can be a superb way to motivate fussy eaters to try new tastes and gain confidence with a variety of foods. Preparing meals can be educational; children quickly pick up new skills when they're having fun- they'll learn about weighing, measuring, mixing, spreading, pouring, chopping, organizing and following instructions, as well as finding out how ingredients work together. This translates to everyday life- trying a new recipe is not unlike learning math or problem-solving skills. It takes persistence, resilience, patience and creative thinking- life lessons that is worthy of a messy kitchen!

For summer '18, I hosted a TDSB Summer Culinary Program with Nigerian refugee youths and also a Neighbourhood Table family culinary program (with kids ages 6-12 and their parents) in partnerships with St.Philip's Lutheran Church and the Arab Community of Toronto.

Summer Culinary Program for Refugees

For more on the Summer Neighbourhood Table Kids Cooking Program

Feb 14/18-  Announcement: I've taken on the role of Culinary Consultant at Toronto District School Board TDSB's Welcoming Communities for Newcomer Youth and Kids. I will be supporting the newcomers' culinary program (lunch or after school) in 15 schools (and growing), facilitating cooking classes with parents & kids, and promoting the great work by our facilitator hosts and students on social media & through blogging. Unknown to many, the Welcoming Communities division at TDSB is dedicated to ease the transition of both newcomer adults and youth & kids to Canada (within five years of arrival), and to foster a sense of belonging through various programs-- and what better way than to connect and unite over food with cooking classes? :) To read more and see the students in action see: 

http://susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2018/02/tdsbs-welcoming-communities-for.html

May 21/17: Food Revolution Kids Can Cook Brunch:

http://susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2017/05/food-revolution-kids-can-cook-brunch.html

Sept 13/16: Cook With Your Kids On A Regular Basis (Go and let them use a knife):
http://susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2016/09/cook-with-your-kids-on-regular-basis.html

April 20/16: My Son's Grilled Tofu Pita Sandwich:
http://www.susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2016/04/grilled-tofu-pita-sandwiches.html

March 11/16: Spreading the Love with Amish Friendship Bread:
http://www.susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2016/03/amish-friendship-bread-contd-bake-day.html

Feb 24/16: Baking Mini Banana Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins
http://susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2016/02/mini-buttermilk-banana-blueberry-muffins.html

Dec 8/15:  Featured as a Guest Blog-- Kids In the Kitchen Series: Orange Kitchens 
http://susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2015/12/kids-in-kitchen-susans-savour-it.html

Oct. 29/15: Healthier Happier Halloween:

http://susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2015/10/healthier-happier-halloween.html

Food Revolution Community Event-- Plan It! Pack It! Eat It! How to Pack Awesome Lunches
http://susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2015/10/food-revolution-to-community-cooking.html

Packed Lunch Series-- Challenge #3: Creative Leftovers:

http://susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2015/09/packed-lunch-series-challenge-3.html

Kid's Can Cook and Want to Given the Chance:
http://susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2015/04/kids-can-cook-and-want-to-given-chance.html

Host Your Own Kid's Cooking Class:
http://susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2015/03/march-break-kids-cooking-class.html

Handy Helpers-- Engage Your Kids In The Kitchen:
http://susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2014/07/handy-helpers-engage-your-kids-in-food.html

It's Never Too Early to Immerse Your Kids in The Kitchen:
http://www.susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2014/04/the-case-for-its-never-too-early-to.html

Food Revolution Family Fun Cooking Event at Sobeys:

http://susanssavourit.blogspot.ca/2014/11/food-revolution-family-fun-cooking.html