Oral Care and Women's Health

Proper oral care is important for everyone. Having good or poor oral health can influence not just your mouth, but has been found to be linked to cardiovascular heath, mental health, and other regions in the body (Science Direct). For women oral care is influenced by our bodies differently than men. Along with being influenced by our body, oral health in women influences the body differently in return. 

 How Does a Women's Body Influence Oral Care? 

Everyone needs to take care of their oral health but for women it is even more important because female hormones can cause an increase in oral health problems. Some of these problems may include: 

• Cold sores and canker sores
• Dry mouth
• Changes in taste
• Higher risk of gum disease

Taking extra care of your mouth can prevent these added risks by flossing on a regular basis, brushing teeth, gums, and tongue. 

                                  

                                Pregnancy and Oral Care

When a woman becomes pregnant, the importance of oral care becomes even greater, as it is not just her health that she is care for, but because the influence in a person’s cardiovascular health, and connection of blood and baby, it is important that women have good oral care. Nutrients such as calcium, protein, phosphorous, and vitamins (A, C, and D) are important to the strengthening and development of teeth. It is important that these nutrients are consumed for the oral health for both mother and baby. 

  Going to the Dentist

It is important to go to the dentist before and during your pregnancy. Most dentists will not take x-rays if you are pregnant but x-rays at the beginning of the pregnancy are minimal when your baby is small (women’s health.gov). Always remember that getting dental treatment while you are pregnant is entirely safe. The best time to go is early in your pregnancy because you may feel uncomfortable in the chair towards the end of your pregnancy. 

Small Easy Steps to Better Oral Health

1.     Brush your teeth at least twice each day with fluoride toothpaste 

2.     Have a healthy lifestyle

3.     Get regular checkups 

4.     Follow your dentists advice

5.     If you have another health problem, think about how it may affect your oral health 

References: 

Google Images 

http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/oral-health.html

http://www.sciencedirect.com.byui.idm.oclc.org/science/article/pii/S0964339713000360

Strengthening Relationships

       Mother's day is coming up and it is that time of year when we start reflecting on those women whom we look up to.Wellness is made up of seven different elements two of these elements are emotional wellness and social wellness. These two elements can refer to our feelings and relationships that we have with people. The mother-daughter relationship is an important aspect in a women's life. A mother is the one who helps us learn how to take care of ourselves as we reach womanhood, she gets us through our first breakup, and loves us continually no matter what we say or do. For some of us as we get older and leave the house our relationship with our mother begins to be weakened. As we see our mother less often we begin to lose that closeness we had before when we saw her on a more frequent basis. As we get older we begin to develop our own lifestyle, ideas, and individuality that may differ from our mothers. We may have gotten into a recent disagreement that has caused us to distant ourselves from her. Whatever the reason as to why we have weakened that bond, it is important that we strengthen it whenever possible. In honor of mother's day this week, we have focused on how to strengthen your relationship with your mother or the person who plays the motherly role in your life.  

Relationships

       One thing that we need to keep in mind is that a relationship consist of two people. "Sometimes we spend so much time focusing on ourselves-our shortcomings, problems, and needs-that we overlook the ways that our lives are are affected and enhanced by others". As we get older and become adults our relationship with our mother changes. We become adults and make our own decision but we are still seen as a child by our mother. We have to learn to start a new relationship with our mother in which we are both adults but we still have that mother-daughter feeling. Below are some tips that can help with starting that relationship and how to make it stronger.

1. Make the first move.

It is important that both people are putting forth the effort although one person may have to initiate it first in order for the relationship to begin.

2. Change yourself.

Many think that the only way to improve a relationship is for the other person to change their ways. Think of it as a dance, when one person changes their steps, the dance inevitably changes.

3. Have realistic expectations.

Both moms and daughters often have idealistic expectations about their relationship. It is important that we realize it will not be perfect and the other person will not always do what you expect.   

4. Communicate.

"Lack of communication is a common challenge with moms and daughters. Because moms and daughters aren't mind readers, be clear and calmly state how you’re feeling. Also, speak your mind in a very heartfelt but gentle manner". 

5. Be an active listener.

Active listening is when you reflect back what the other person has just said. This means that when the person is done talking you repeat in your own words what the person just said. By reflecting back what they just said you’re telling her that she’s being heard and that you understand. This can also help someone rephrase what they said if you are understanding them different than what they meant. 

6. Put yourself in her shoes.

Mothers try to see how your daughter feels and how you felt when you where her age. Daughters try to understand that your mother does have experience and has the best intentions for you. 

7. Learn to forgive.

Forgiveness is key to a relationship. Being able to ask for forgiveness and knowing when you have wronged the other person as well as being able to forgive is what will build trust and confidence between you two. 

8. Balance individuality and closeness.

Dr Roni Cohen-Sandler said, "It can be challenging for daughters to build their own identities. Sometimes daughters think that in order to become their own person, they must cut off from their moms. Or, quite the opposite, they’re so fused that they’re unable to make decisions without her input, she said. Both are clearly problematic".

But daughters can find their voices and identities within the relationship. So how can you strike a balance between staying connected and still being true to yourself? It is not easy but with time you will be able to find a perfect balance. 

9. Agree to disagree.

As adults we begin to develop our own views and ideas some which may go against what our mothers believe. It is important that it is accepted that agreement will always occur and to let each other have their own opinions. 

10. Stick to the present.

"Moms and daughters tend to have an old argument that runs like a broken record in the background. It becomes their default disagreement. Instead, avoid bringing up old gripes from the past, and try to focus on the present" -Dr. Roni Cohen-Sandler

11. “Use ‘I’ statements, rather than being accusatory,”

Instead of saying you make me feel  you did this say I. By replacing "you" with "I" your conversation will be more productive and no one will feel like they need to become defensive.  

 References: 

http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/1988-16704-001

http://psychcentral.com/lib/15-insights-on-improving-mother-daughter-relationships/0007635

Roni Cohen-Sandler, Ph.D, psychologist and co-author of I’m Not Mad, I Just Hate You! A New Understanding of Mother-Daughter Conflict http://psychcentral.com/lib/15-insights-on-improving-mother-daughter-relationships/0007635

What are GMO's

You may have heard the term GMO floating around on the news or in our grocery stores. GMO’s stands for genetically modified organisms. These foods do not contain DNA from a second species, which is a common myth. These organisms usually have an existing trait modified to reduce or improve a specific phenotype. A phenotype is a characteristic that can be observed, like color or shape. The DNA of these organisms is altered in a lab and then reintroduced back into its species. The changes made to certain foods are made to either improve or reduce a specific phenotype. Some examples are vitamin A enhanced rice, herbicide resistant corn, and drought tolerance plants.

What are the benefits of Genetically Modified foods?

            Genetically modified foods have resulted in many benefits for farmers and consumers alike. They also show much promise in ensuring adequate food supply for our booming population in the next 50 years.

• Pest resistance: The most common reasons for loss of crops are pests. To prevent these losses from happening, farmers routinely use a great deal of chemical pesticides on their crops. These pesticides can pose potential health hazards to consumers if ingested from the crop or run-off into the water supply. It can also cause harm to other aspects of the environment. Growing foods that are genetically modified (GM) help remove the need for chemical pesticide use and consequentially reduce the cost of bringing the crop to market.
• Herbicide tolerance: Weeds are a common obstacle when growing crops of any sort. It is not cost effective to remove them by manual labor, so most farmers spray large amounts of different kinds of weed killers (herbicides). Which can be both time consuming and expensive. Crop plants that are resistant to a specific weed killer would allow the farmers to only need one powerful herbicide to take care of the weeds. One such crop that was created was a strain of soybeans by Monsanto that are resistant to Roundup. The crop needs only one spray, which reduces production costs and limits harmful environmental effects.  
• Nutrition: Malnutrition is a common issue for impoverished people. For example, a typical staple food of impoverished people is rice. GM rice contains additional vitamins and minerals and is used to combat blindness due to Vitamin A deficiency in third world countries. This golden rice is also being developed to have an increased iron content these people can consume vitamins and minerals that this food would normally not contain.

Are GM foods safe?

• Allergenicity: Unexpected allergic reactions in children are the main concern when it comes to GM foods. Many children have allergies to peanuts and other foods. New genes in plants may create new allergens to those that are allergen susceptible. More research is being done to prevent possible harm to consumers with food allergies.
• Unknown health effects: There have been studies which involve rats and butterflies that have shown to have harmful effects on them. Science critics however, have deemed these studies flawed as the GM foods used in the studies were never intended for human or animal consumption. Besides the possibility of allergenicity, GM foods are believed to pose no risk to human health.

According to the USDA as of 2012, 88% of corn, 94% of cotton, and 93% of soybeans are genetically modified.

How are GM foods regulated?

There are three agencies that are responsible for the regulation of genetically engineered organisms. They provide guidance relevant to experimental testing, approval, and commercial release of GMO’s. They are the following:

• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): is responsible for protecting the US agriculture from pests and diseases. Their regulations place procedures for obtaining permits and notifications before introducing crops that are regulated in the U.S. Once they have received regulation status the organism no longer requires review for movement in the U.S. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/regulations.shtml
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): They are in charge of conducting risk assessments on pesticides that could pose harm to human health or the environment. They also establish tolerance and residue levels for various pesticides that can be applied to crops while their growing and remains after being processed. They sometimes will make visits to farms and ensure compliance to the regulations. Farmers that have B.t.corn, must have a license and grow 20% unmodified corn along with it. http://www.epa.gov/
• Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The CSA states that, “Companies working to create new GM foods are not required to consult the FDA, nor are they required to follow the FDA's recommendations after the consultation.” http://www.fda.gov/

GM foods are not required to be labeled and is only done voluntarily by agribusiness industries. In the future if consumers show a preference for labeled foods might encourage labeling of GM foods.

References

Michael, W. (2007). Genetics 101. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.

USDA. (2013, 12 30). United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from Biotechnology Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&navid=AGRICULTURE&contentid=BiotechnologyFAQs.xml

Whitman, D. B. (2000, April). Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful? Retrieved from CSA Discovery Guides: www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php

Yoga and It's Benefits

              If you’re one of the few people who hasn't caught on to the yoga wave, no worries. We hope to give you a small introduction to yoga basics. To begin with, yoga focuses on the physical and spiritual improvement of the mind and body. There are “eight limbs” of yoga that help you reach enlightenment

• The way you behave (Yama): This is about encompassing and advocating the behaviors of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence and non-possessiveness.

• Your attitude towards yourself (Niyama): Being clean, content, austerity, studying sacred texts and studying yourself, and surrendering to God.

• Physical pose (Asana): Through freeing our mind and body of stress and tension you are performing asanas. They are done in preparation for meditation to relax and rejuvenate the body.

• Breath control (Pranayama): Controlling and regulating your breath helps to make the connection between your state of mind, nervous system, and level of life energy. 

• Withdrawal of the senses (Pratyahara): This is the process of being aware of yourself, undistracted from the world.

• Concentration (Dharana):  This prepares you for meditation, as you focus on your breathing and nothing else.

• Meditation (Dhyana): This is where people spend most of their time, in meditation. This is a constant, uninterrupted observation without a special focus. The goal is to increase awareness and unify oneself with the universe.

• Enlightenment (Samadhi): This is the most difficult state to achieve. It requires much experience with the eight limbs of yoga. It is said that one experiences unity with the universe, infinite peace, harmony, and awareness.

Benefits of yoga:

• Lessons chronic pain (lower back, arthritis, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Lowers blood pressure
• Reduces insomnia
• Increased flexibility
• Increased muscle strength and tone
• Improved respiration, energy and vitality
• Maintenance of balanced metabolism
• Weight reduction
• Cardio and circulatory health
• Improved athletic performance
• Protection from injury
• Stress management
• Improved mental well-being

Yoga moves for the beginner:

• Seated Forward Bend
• Seated Straddle
• Downward Dog
• Downward Dog Split
• High Lunges
• Planks
• Side Planks
• Camel Pose

http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditions-library/general-health/Pages/yoga.aspx

https://yoga.com/

5 Helpful Resources for Expecting Women, Pregnant Women, and New Mothers

          Pregnancy is an exciting time in every women’s life, but it can also be frightening. Finding the right tools and information to help you do the job correctly can be a daunting task. The CDC offers helpful information in order to assist women in staying healthy and protecting their baby from the time of conception to birth. The CDC suggests these easy to use cyber tools for pregnant women, those considering pregnancy, and even new moms. They offer tips on how to keep yourself and your baby safe and healthy.

Text4baby- A free text messaging service for pregnant women and new moms. You will receive automated texts three times a week with tips on how to have a healthy pregnancy, healthy baby, and how to care for your baby up to age one. The tips are synchronized around your expected due date or your baby’s date of birth. Text4baby Automated Messaging

Test Your Knowledge- How much do you know about your folic acid needs? About one in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect. Test yourself with this quiz to know how much folic acid you should ingest before and during your pregnancy to prevent birth defects. This quiz also helps you find different ways to get the right amount daily. Folic Acid Quiz

Take this quiz to learn about Birth Defect Prevention:

·         Preventing birth Defects

·         Getting vaccinations during pregnancy

·         Using Medication during pregnancy

·         Diabetes and pregnancy, and much more.

Before, During, and After Pregnancy

Go to the CDC’s homepage for information on healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Be the healthiest version of you so you can give your baby a healthy start in life.

CDC Pregnancy Homepage

 

Health-E-Cards

Help your friends and family by sending CDC health-e-cards to let them know about health issues affecting pregnant women, new moms, and their children. Help them to take care of their health and the babies in their lives.

 Health-E-Cards

Podcasts

Listen in on the CDC’s podcast page, and in just a few minutes, learn reliable health and safety information to help you and your baby. Browse through the pregnancy and women’s health topics.

CDC Pregnancy Podcasts
CDC Women's Health Podcasts

Sources:  http://www.cdc.gov/features/pregnancytools/
  

 



Finding Strength in Family History

 

As members of the church we are often encouraged to find our ancestors and help do work for those that have passed on. We often overlook that in doing their works, we are also lifting ourselves. By learning more about our ancestors, we can gain insights through their life experiences. We can find strength and courage through their struggles to overcome our own trials.

To some the task of finding family can be quite large. You might be the only one listed in your family tree. There’s a simple way to start, add your immediate family and then branch out from there. Soon you will have your grandparents and their children (your uncles and aunts). You can even add your cousins in from there. If you run out of relatives you’ve met in person start asking your family about other family they knew growing up. They might have stories that you will be surprised you never heard!

It’s also important to record stories that are happening today. You might get to an age where you wish you could tell the stories of your youth, but your memory may fail you. Prepare for that possibility by keeping a journal and taking photos (include a short description of what’s happening.) Photos create wonderful recollections and memories. Finding out more about your ancestors also helps you become more acquainted with your living family.  Spending quality time with your family brings peace to our homes.

 See how a grandfather influenced his granddaughters by talking about his experiences during Pearl Harbor.

 

 

To learn more about  Family History visit this site for more steps :

https://www.lds.org/topics/family-history/family-history-is-for-everyone?lang=eng

 

For more videos on Family History: http://www.lds.org/topics/family-history?lang=eng&cid=HPTU011414347&im=true#media=

Couponing

Let’s face it, couponing is becoming the “cool” thing to do these days.  Many women are doing it and you’ve probably envied them for their money saving ways.  While it takes quite a lot of time to break into the “extreme couponing” sphere, there are a lot of ways you can start saving money, without spending enormous amounts of time hiding your face in the newspaper.  You don’t have to let couponing take over your life to see it make an impact on your family’s finances.

Here are a few tips for the first-time or new couponers.

1. Get Coupons!

Before you can start couponing you first need to find your coupons.  You can get these from the newspaper, in the store, online, or from family and friends.  Multiple newspapers equal multiple coupons.  Most online coupons allow you to print them twice for more savings.

2. Focus on One Store

When beginning, don’t try to shop at Walmart, Walgreens, Albertsons and Broulims every week.  Learn the coupon policies for one store and master that store first.  Find out if they have a loyalty program and if they double/ triple coupons.

3. Plan, Plan, Plan

There are lots of ways to plan your grocery trips.  Check the weekly ads for what is on sale and plan your menu that week based on what you can get cheap.  Make a list of what you are going to buy.  Use price match!  Stores like Walmart will match any price from another store.  Just bring in the ad from the competition and they will lower their price at the register.  

4. Make a price book

Keep track of the prices of your favorite items at different stores.  This will help you know when a deal is really a deal.  After a few months, you will be able to see how the sales cycle in a specific store.

Online, you can find plenty of more detailed tips for new couponers.  There are whole websites dedicated to helping people become successful couponers.  The main thing is to not be overwhelmed with the task at hand.  Remember that couponing takes time and there will be a learning curve but sticking to it will be a blessing to you and your family as you are able to take control of your food budget and do more with less!

Sources:

Krazy Coupon Lady. (2012). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://thekrazycouponlady.com/beginners/

A beginners guide to couponing. (2009, January 6). Retrieved from http://www.couponing101.com/a-beginners-guide-to-couponing/ 

Pictures:

http://www.babble.com/home/extreme-couponing-series-premiere-top-3-couponing-tips/

http://beautifulbrowngirls.com/2012/03/01/not-so-extreme-couponing/

Tricked at the Grocery Store

The following is an example of an average trip to the grocery store.  Read through and identify ways the grocery store tries to get you to purchase more than you planned on.  Keep reading afterwards to see if you found them all.

You look in the refrigerator and there’s nothing there.  Look in your cupboards….nothing.  It’s time for a trip to the grocery store.  You just need the basics.  Bread, eggs, milk and cereal.

After perusing the parking lot for five minutes trying to find the closest spot possible, you finally settle for one ten spaces from the front.  You walk to the store front and grab a cart.  It’s one of those carts that could hold all six of your elementary age nieces and nephews.  Through the front doors you go and BAM! You’re hit with the smell of garden-fresh flowers and this morning’s freshly baked bread and bagels.  You think of all the sandwiches you could make with a loaf of bread and head that direction. 

Before getting to the bread on the side of the store you are distracted by the brightly colored fruits and vegetables.  Tomato, avocado, lettuce and onion are all good on sandwiches.  Into the cart they go.  It’s cheaper to buy a head of lettuce instead of a bag so you pick one up.  While setting it in your cart you realize how much lettuce that really is.  You’re going to need it for way more than just sandwiches.  Above the lettuce is a large assortment of salad dressing.  Perfect.  You grab some Ranch since it’s so versatile.  Then you reach a little to your right and grab a bag of garlic croutons to garnish your salad. 

Back to the bread.  As you near the bakery, your senses go crazy with that homemade smell.  You start to realize how hungry you really are.  There’s a “Store Special” for three loaves of bread for $6.00.  You get three.  Next on your list, milk.

Thankfully, the milk is on the other side of the store which gives you more time to walk around, procrastinating homework.  First you pass the deli meat you need for the sandwiches you’ll make.  Next to the deli meat is cheese.  For the sandwiches you grab some pre-sliced swiss, and then you decide to also get a block of cheddar so you can make grilled cheese sandwiches. 

You’re almost to the milk, but before you get there you see the yogurt.  There’s a special going on!  Ten cups of your favorite Greek yogurt for only $10.00.  Obviously you grab ten.  Finally you get your milk.  The eggs are right after the milk so you add a dozen to your cart...which still seems rather empty.

Before heading to the register there’s one more thing you need: cereal.  You’re just about to reach the aisle when you see a beautiful display of cake mixes on the end of an aisle.  It’s a good thing you walked past this because it’s your roommate’s birthday tomorrow and no one has volunteered to make a cake.  You grab a cake mix, can of frosting and a box of candles.

Cereal…there are so many choices!  Since you just remembered you are supposed to be on campus in five minutes you grab the name brand Frosted Flakes right in front of your face and rush over to the checkout.  The self-checkout lanes are all closed, so you hop in a regular one and anxiously await your turn.  While waiting, you grab a pack of razors (you were almost out) and a snickers bar (because you bought stuff for salads and deserve a little dessert).  The cashier rings you up and when the final price pops up you can’t believe how much you’re spending when all you needed was bread, eggs, milk and cereal. 

Answers:

Large Carts- Grocery carts are getting larger and larger.  Think WINCO.  To avoid making too many purchases, grab a basket or small cart.

Fresh Smells- Many stores put sections that give off a great smell at the front such as the bakery and floral section.  This 1) puts you in a good mood and 2) gets your salivary glands going, causing you to think you’re hungrier than you really are.  To avoid this trap, make sure not to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach.

Staples at the Back- Basic foods such as bread, milk and eggs are always at the back of the store.  In order to get them, a customer must walk past thousands of other food items they convince themselves they need.  To resist the impulse buy, go shopping with a list and stick to it.

Grouping Foods- Store will group items of food together for easy access.  Salad dressing by the salad.  Everything for a cake in one spot.  Chips and salsa.  Hamburger buns by the hamburger meat.  Chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers.  The list goes on and on.

“Deals”- Look out for what actually is a deal and what is not.  Many stores will have signs that look very similar to the SALE signs but are actually just telling you the regular price of the item.  Also beware of buying too much of something (ie bread or yogurt) just because it’s on sale.  One person will probably not go through three loaves of bread before the last one gets moldy.  Spare your money and just buy what you’ll eat.

Shelf Placement- This is most easily seen in the cereal isle.  The bulk and off-brand cereals are placed on the bottom shelf, the healthy cereals on the top shelf and the expensive, sugary, name-brand cereals are placed at eye level.  Companies actually pay for shelf space, and it costs more to have your product sitting on the middle shelves.  Stores also place items they want sold on the ends of the isle so they are more visible.

The Checkout Line- This area includes handy items such as razors and batteries as well as magazines, candy, beef jerky and gift cards.  You’ll find them all in the checkout line and more than likely, you’ll grab at least one.  Try using the self-checkout so you won’t even be tempted.

Next time you’re at the grocery store, keep in mind all the methods being used to entice you to spend money.  Try to identify ways not mentioned in this post and leave a comment when you find one.  Happy shopping!

Sources:

Lubin, G. (2011, July 26). 15 ways supermarkets trick you into spending more money. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/supermarkets-make-you-spend-money-2011-7?op=1

MSN Money Partner. (2013, March 15). 9 sneaky supermarket tricks. Retrieved from http://finances.msn.com/saving-money-ideas/11db6d6b-6270-4b27-9a78-872f2984046f

Prevention Magazine. (2013). 8 ways to avoid sneaky supermarket tricks . Retrieved from http://www.fitbie.com/eat-right/tips/8-ways-avoid-sneaky-supermarket-tricks/tip/3 

Pictures: 

http://depositphotos.com/3252296/stock-photo-Jug-with-milk-bread-and-eggs.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajbrustein/5972457650/

http://www.yourownhomestore.com/grocery-sales-cycles/

http://247moms.com/2010/01/saving-money-at-grocery-store-without/

Cooking With Kids

Cooking is so much more then dumping ingredients into a bowl and hoping a delicious dish pops out of the oven.  For your kids it’s learning math and science, it’s having fun with their mom, it’s making a mess and it’s discovering something new.  While cooking with kids can be frustrating for a parent who just wants to get the meal made and in the oven, it can be a bonding time that your children will remember forever.  So slow down and take some time to plan your kids into the meal preparation time!  Here are a few tips on how to include your children while cooking and what you can teach them during the process.

·         Involve Them in the Planning!

Let little Timmy decide what sounds good for dinner that night (you may have to help him by giving him a few options).  Then let them help you make the ingredient list, shop for the produce or find the needed ingredients in your pantry.  Whenever possible, let them make choices about the meal.

·         Create a Safe Environment

Give them their own workspace at a height that’s convenient for them.  Let them have their own spoon, children’s knife, bowl etc.  Don’t worry if their space gets messy and unorganized…just let them have fun in it!

·         Use Dirty Produce

Think we’re joking?  We’re not!  Take your kids to the farmers market and have them pick out the produce.  Let them see their food with dirt on it and teach them about how food grows, what a farmer does, how rain affects the growing process, and why we need to wash fruits and vegetables before eating them.

·         Measure Up

Get them up close and personal with the fractions used in baking and cooking.  Teach them about using one cup or one half of a cup.  For kids that are in grade school and learning fractions, this is an excellent hands-on opportunity.  For kids who are too young for fractions, have them count how many times they stir the brownie batter or how many eggs go into the mix.

·         Follow Instructions

As children learn how to read, have them read the recipe and/ or ingredient list for you.  They will increase their vocabulary and learn the importance of following directions in a specific order.

·         Introduce New Foods

Kids are more likely to try a new food if they are involved in the preparation of it and are able to handle it before it’s prepared.  If you can get them to use the food in a creative way (mushrooms, olives and pepperoni to make a face on a pizza) they are also more likely to try it.

·         Other Little Tips

o   Let them press the buttons on the blender/ food processor

o   Give them a rolling pin and have them roll part of the cookie dough alongside you

o   Cut a sandwich with a cookie cutter to give it a fun shape

o   Have them help with clean-up

o   Cook when you aren’t starving…just enjoy the process!

Sources:

PBS Parents. (n.d.). Cooking with kids. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/parents/food-and-fitness/eat-smart/cooking-with-kids/

Gastrokid. (2004, March 24). Top 10 tips for cooking with kids. Retrieved from http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/article/top-10-tips-for-cooking-with-kids

Pictures:

http://www.angellebatten.com/real-kids-get-messy-in-the-kitchen/

http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/