I took these photos at a mall here in Brazil on a holiday called “The Day of Children”. They had the coolest set up of a little bakery/kitchen and they held sessions throughout the day. Each session offered the chance to create a different food and the kids were given all the gear including the cutest chef hats and aprons.
We watched the children become completely mesmerized as the leader explained what they would be making. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It was such a great reminder of how much children actually like cooking and how learning those skills can affect their health and future.
I don’t have children of my own, but I know the importance of learning how to cook and bake. Why? Well, like most of us, my family taught me the basics. My mom, grandmothers and great aunt all provided me with the skills I needed. My mom had a cake shop in our house and I was able to help at an early age. I think I’ve taken this love of food and cooking to a whole new level, but that is where it started.
I love that new programs are being developed and efforts being made to get kids back into the kitchen. I just completed an article for a client about the importance of family meals and cooking together is a big part of it.
I’ll be honest. I am always completely amazed when people say they can’t cook. I guess this is because I equate cooking with making any meal. If you can throw yourself a salad together you are cooking in your own way. It is about putting together a great meal. It doesn’t mean you have to be any good at it. The failures in my kitchen overwhelm me sometimes. It just saddens me when I hear people have never learned to simply make a grilled cheese.
Cooking and baking for me goes way beyond just having food. It is a huge component of health. I realized long ago that I would never be able to maintain a healthy weight if I ate out all the time. Over the years it has become a source of peace and stress release for me as I moved from the all-in-one boxed meals during the college days to baking my own chicken as a grown up.
So tell me where your love of food and cooking comes from? Is it about health for you too?
This is a great post. Your mom had a cake shop in the house? That is so freaking cool! I agree that cooking is such an important part of maintaing your weight and health! My mom def taught me to appreciate cooking! She also taught me a lot of skills like making food lists, planning meals, the importance of eating variety and focusing on fruits and vegis (my parents eat salad with almost every meal). Thanks mom!
So wonderful!! I too agree that cooking and baking are crucial skills to have – they PROVE that eating healthy is not difficult!! And they’re fun activities 🙂
I love the pics of the kiddos. Cooking is about health for me for nourishment and for the joy and pleasure I get from doing it!
I just recently realized I love to cook and I love to cook healthy stuff. For some reason, for me it just tastes better! I love to cook for my wife and other people. My wife is definitely a fan!
I find cooking extremely relaxing. It gives me a good, warm feeling inside to sit down to a meal cooked by me or others. I love that feeling. It is also about the health aspect as well!
My mom did a great job of making sure my 3 brothers and I learned to cook. We each were assigned our own “meal night” a couple times per month once we were 7 or 8 years old. We were responsible for planning the meal, making a grocery list, and picking out ingredients at the store (all with Mom’s help, of course.) Then we were in charge of preparing the meal for the family. The first meal I planned and cooked on my own was tacos when I was six years old – I still remember my Dad’s high compliments on supper that night! To this day my brothers and I all enjoy cooking (although I have advanced a quite a bit since those first tacos!) The skills and desire necessary to enjoy being in the kitchen has been one of the greatest gifts my mother gave me! I hate it when I see people run the kids out of the kitchen to “go play!”
My love of cooking comes completely natural. I started cooking around 10 years old simply because I was interested in it. My mom wasn’t that great of a cook, so I kinda took over the kitchen and started experimenting on my own and producing much more tasty food! Cooking and eating from home certainly has SO many advantages. Unfortunatly, in this day and time, it is so often not practiced anymore due to overly busy schedules.
How cool. My love of cooking came from a roommate I had in college who could whip up frittas, quiches, and chocolate mousse without a second thought. I was so amazed that I started reading Cooking Light and trying recipes. After about four years of that, I’ve learned how to create my own dishes. 🙂
erica – Yeah, it was a separate space in our basement. Wedding cakes, b-days she’s really talented. I got the baking gene, but don’t have the talent or patience for decorating. 🙂
veggiegirl – I agree! They are a lot of fun for me too.
meg – I thought they were so cute all set up with their gear. They looked like they were having a lot of fun.
blake – I bet she loves it. My husband cooked when in college, but I think he likes it more when I take over.
lauren – I definitely agree. Even if things don’t turn out right for me there is a relaxing element to it that I enjoy.
emily – That is so great! What a plan your mom had. Now your tacos are probably evolving to pastel (do you have that there?) and feijoada. Ha, ha! 🙂
lori – How cool to hear your different experiences. I know not everyone learns from mom and was glad to see your comment. The busy schedule is such a barrier.
jenn – Cool to hear your experiences too regarding the influence of your roommate. Sounds like you may have eaten a lot better than most of us in college. Ha, ha!
how cute 🙂
Snooky doodle – Thanks so much for stopping by with your comment. Welcome!