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I'm feeling a bit guilty as I'm writing to you outside in the sun in my flip flops and sunglasses, while I know the rest of the country is cold and colder. One good thing about being inside is really getting into the holidays. What can you do with kids when you can't go outside...cook, craft, decorate and create (a parade perhaps?). Here's some tips for getting into the spirit of Valentine's, Chinese New Year and Mardi Gras.
Keep allergies in mind when hosting celebrations and sharing food at home, at school, at playdates and even the park. Read some tips below to include food allergy sufferers in the party, and keep kids' safe.
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
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*A "Heart-y" Celebration* |
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Valentine's Day is a great time to get out the heart shape cookie cutters and make just about any food "heart-y" and festive for all ages. Here are a few suggestions:
Cookie Cut-Outs - of course sugar cookies are a natural, but you can also cut out hearts from other cookies (graham crackers in photo), cracker and scone recipes. Bar cookies such as brownies, blondies, and even rice cereal treats can be heartfelt too. (Just be sure those extra odd shapes don't go to waste. Crush and sprinkle on yogurt or ice cream. Yum!)
Heart-y Sandwiches - use a large heart to just remove crusts or mini hearts for multiple tea sandwiches. Fill with cream cheese and strawberry fruit spread for pretty red hearts or your favorite egg salad, pb&j or tuna to surprise your child in their lunchbox. You can even create heart grilled cheeses for dipping in soups or chili for a quick and fun family dinner.
Hearts for Breakfast - there's pancakes and waffles (be strategic with pouring or use a mold). As well as an egg basket - cut small heart from piece of bread. Toast bread. Place toast in non-stick skillet and crack egg into heart opening. Flip with spatula until egg is cooked.
Fruitful Hearts - slice fruit such as melons and apples and use tiny heart cutters to create pieces that can be artfully arranged on a plate or skewered for a cupid's arrow.
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*Chinese New Year* |
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My family is lucky to live near San Francisco where we have the largest Chinatown outside of Asia. This year, like the last two, my family will be celebrating the last evening of the New Year with a stroll through the streets to see fresh produce and live fish, followed by dim sum and noodles at our favorite spot, then finally, experience the sights and sounds of the parade (and avoid the firecracker and rolling smoke bombs)
Lettuce Cups is of my family's favorite dinners, during new year's and beyond. There's always excitement when the kids get to build their own meal and this has lots of options for different palates. Feel free to substitute ground chicken or tofu and add your own favorite veggies.
Click on the blog link below to see last year's festive photos and the Lettuce Cups recipe...
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*Kids with Food Allergies* |
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There are many kids with food allergies today. Whether it is your own child, your child's friend or a unfamiliar child at the playground, everyone needs to have a heart and be aware when offering, accepting and sharing food. Here's a great article to give some guidance...
What Food-Allergic Kids Want You to Know
By Gina Clowes, founder of www.allergymoms.com
1. Include. They want to be like everyone else. For parties and playdates, find a treat that everyone can share, such as popsicles or fresh fruit.
2.Reassure. Adults often discuss the life-threatening aspects of food allergies. Assuage children's fears by letting them know they'll be okay.
3. Introduce. Children want to meet other people with food allergies or hear stories of celebrities who deal with the affliction.
4. Don't tempt. Kids are taught to be polite, but can be confused when well-meaning adults offer problem foods. Ask the child's parents which foods are safe.
5. Resist a kiss. Sometimes children can get itchy spots or even hives when someone kisses them after they've eaten a food that contains an allergen.
6. Don't fuss. Kids know to eat their own safe food, but don't want to be singled out. It can be embarrassing when grown-ups ask too many questions.
7. See all of them. Food allergies are just one part of a child's life. Be sure to talk about other topics and interests.
8. Set a good example. Kids notice when their parents read the ingredients on every wrapper, every time. They'll do the same.
9. Be positive. When parents exhibit a "can-do" attitude, it helps kids cope with the challenges of living with allergies.
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*Long Live the King,Cake* |
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Get ready for Fat Tuesday, March 8th and break out the beads and make some masks for your kids' own Mardi Gras Parade. This year I'm using it as an excuse to make my first king cake. I'm so curious.
Inside every cake is a tiny baby (generally plastic now, but sometimes this baby might be made of porcelain or even gold). The tradition of having King Cake Parties has evolved through time, and the person who receives the slice of cake with the baby is asked to continue the festivities by hosting the next King Cake party.
Originally, King Cakes were a simple ring of dough with a small amount of decoration. Today's King Cakes are much more festive. After the rich Danish dough is braided and baked, the "baby" is inserted. The top of the ring or oval cake is then covered with delicious sugar toppings in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold. In researching the cake and recipes I found they come in all colors, ingredients and sizes.
If you have a recipe you'd like to share please let me know. I'm going to use the next few weeks to try recipes and blog my results and photos...
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