Looking to add a dash of fun to your kitchen?  We’ve cooked up the perfect plan for your clan.  Start by designating a special time for “kids’ cuisine.”  Then sit down with your child and create the day’s menu—designing menus using construction paper and markers or a computer is a fun activity that will keep little chefs occupied while their culinary creations are cooking. 

l">Getting Started
After selecting your menu, place all of the ingredients on a countertop or table and talk about the importance of measuring ingredients and following a recipe very carefully. Use this time to teach your child about nutrition, too. You might say, “Now I’m going to add a cup of milk.  Where does milk come from? Milk comes from cows and has lots of calcium, which builds bones and helps you grow big and strong.” This might be a good time for lots of moo-ing around the kitchen, too.

l">Be sure to let your child help with basic tasks, such as measuring ingredients and whisking eggs. After all, kids are much more likely to try new foods if they had a hand in making them, says the American Dietetic Association.

l">To get you started, here are 5 easy-to-make, delicious dishes that your child will love—really!

l">Breakfast    Lunch     Snack     Dinner     Dessert

l">1.  Breakfast is Served
Your kids will go ape for this delicious “Banana Bonanza Shake.”  Best of all, it’s high in calcium (great for young bones and teeth) and easy to make (great for you).

l">Banana Bonanza Shake (makes one eight-ounce serving)
Ingredients
4 ice cubes
1 ¼ cup low-fat chocolate milk
1 banana, peeled and cut into chunks
1 teaspoon wheat germ

l">Directions
Place the ice cubes, chocolate milk, banana chunks and wheat germ into a blender. Blend together on medium speed until smooth (about 20 seconds). Pour into a tall glass, and enjoy!

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