Kids in the Kitchen:
Lil’ Chefs Project!
I am a member of the Junior League of Columbia, which is a women’s service organization dedicated to serving the local community. Each league year, members sign up for a “placement” on a committee to focus on a different aspect of service. This is my first year as a full member, and when I saw the list of the numerous committees that I could join, I was immediately drawn to the “Kids in the Kitchen” project! I was so excited to be able to use my experience, skills, and passion to make a difference in the lives of young kids and instill healthy habits for a healthy lifetime.
One of the projects I am a part of this year is the Lil’ Chef’s program, which is sponsored by Richland County’s First Steps program and aims to empower kids to make healthy lifestyle choices by educating them on nutrition and exercise. On October 17th, my partner and I presented the “health education” part of the monthly meeting for the young children and families involved in the program.
Easy & Healthy Lunch Ideas!
The goal of our session was to involve the kids (aged 2-3 years old) and their parents in preparing and learning about healthy lunches and snacks that are both easy to make and fun to eat! As I was planning this session, the first thought that popped into my head was avocado! Avocados are actually one of the best first foods to give your child – they are soft, bland, creamy, and are FULL of nutrients that are crucial for growing babies and kids! They are also super versatile, easy to prepare, and adored by kids and adults alike!!
One of my favorite ways to enjoy an avocado is on avocado toast!! — and what 3 year old doesn’t enjoy mashing avocado with their little hands??! Mom or dad can cut open the avocado and add some lemon or lime juice, salt, and pepper – but scooping green avocado onto a little piece of toast is a perfect way to practice fine motor skills 😉
The next recipe (not surprisingly) featured my favorite food: HUMMUS! We made hummus pitas, with veggies as the art medium, to create fun smiley faces! The kiddos and parents got to try homemade versus store-bought hummus, learned about the health benefits, and the importance of eating “the rainbow” in fruits & veggies every day.
I knew we had a successful session when the kids asked for seconds!!
As they enjoyed multiple scoops of avocado, we talked about how easy these meals are to incorporate on a daily basis – and if you cut up your veggies as soon as you get home from the store, you are much more likely to grab a handful when you are hungry!!
For the parent’s version of a healthy hummus pita, we discussed making a Greek salad on the pita – using shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, and olive oil!
I am now offering cooking classes for KIDS!
If you or someone you know is interested in hosting a healthy cooking class for a group of kids, let me know!
My email is:
He*****@He****************************.com
It is never too early to invest in healthy eating habits for your kids!!
To learn more about the Junior League of Columbia, visit their website!
