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Search Results for: the seasoned kids

Introducing The Seasoned Kids

October 5, 2016 by Larisha Campbell

Introducing

The Seasoned Kids!

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Every week for almost the past year, we have thoroughly enjoyed getting in the kitchen to show you the recipes we make with our kids. We’ve done everything from simple popsicles, to stuffed cupcakes, to dinner casseroles, and a little bit in between. It’s been amazing and our girls love being in the kitchen with us as much as we love having them beside us.

We noticed something was missing though. We were, at times, creating recipes that were a bit too complex for our kids, where they heavily relied on us for help. We wanted to switch that up and give our kids, as well as you, our readers and your families, a chance to really get your kids into the kitchen and teach them lessons on important tips and tricks of being in the kitchen.

Our motto, “eat good, learn great” is the key. Food brings us all together. From the beginning of time, we all know how important family meals, family get togethers, breaking bread, etc., can be to each other. Thus, we created this concept that by seasoning our kids with knowledge on not only why they are doing something in the kitchen, but with the concepts of eating well, we are in turn empowering them to be a greater version of themselves.

New Series Starts 10/7/2016.

The Seasoned Kids series will start this Friday. We are insanely excited about this new journey and as always we really hope that you enjoy what we have planned. Each week on Fridays, we will give a lesson for your to teach your kids about a kitchen concept, and then we will share an original recipes around that lesson.

Some of our planned lessons include:

  • Stirring
  • Measuring
  • Cutting
  • Washing
  • Kneading
  • and Many More!

We’ll see you here Friday and as always thanks for following our family’s journey with us!

Here’s some pictures of our kids in the kitchen! Enjoy!

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Oh Yea!  It’s gonna get messy at times!

See you Fridays for The Seasoned Kids!

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Filed Under: Home Tagged With: kids cooking, the seasoned kids

Having Fun with Kids in the Kitchen + Chocolate Nutty Apple Fluff

December 23, 2016 by Larisha Campbell

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     The Seasoned Kids

Lesson 12: Having Fun with Kids in the Kitchen

Today’s lesson isn’t necessarily a lesson, but as we come to a close for the end of the year with our lessons (don’t worry, The Seasoned Kids will be back in 2017 – just without lessons) we realized we never talked about the number one tip when getting in the kitchen with your kids.

Have fun!!

That’s right. None of our previous lessons mean anything if you aren’t having fun while you are doing it. Now, full disclosure, because that’s who I am …every time you are in the kitchen isn’t going to be sunshines and rainbows. Some times you will get frustrated (hello, not paying attention kid and now I have half a cup of sugar all over my counter and floor instead of the bowl). Sometimes you might loose your cool or honestly just not feel like having help at that moment (please go sit down and get your head out from my butt, am I right!?). But you have to make time to have fun. Whether it’s giving them a simple task or trying to let them do a whole recipe with little guidance, you have to bring fun into it. Dance around, sing, be happy, and appreciate these little people that are gaining valuable life skills from you that they will use the rest of their lives.

Now, let’s go have some fun! Grab your little, get in the kitchen.

Recipe Time!

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Make this awesome chocolate nutty apple fluff recipe! It’s semi-healthy, semi-dessert, but in the end 100% yummy and the perfect snack. It also makes for a great party recipe to take with you for the holidays, picnics, and whatever else! Watch the video, then grab the full recipe below!

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Chocolate Nutty Apple Fluff
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 3.4 oz package chocolate Instant pudding
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/8 cup mini Chocolate chips
  • 1 heaping cup mini marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 4 apples sweet, chopped finely
  • 2 cups homemade whipped topping
  • Additional chopped nuts and mini chips if desired for topping
Instructions
  1. In a bowl, mix together instant pudding and milk until well combined.
  2. Add in mini chips, marshmallows, walnuts, apples, and whipped topping.
  3. Stir until combined.
  4. Let set up in the fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight.
  5. Top with additional mini chips and nuts if desired.
  6. Serve.
  7. Keep leftovers in the fridge and eat within 72 hours.

This post is a part of our “The Seasoned Kids”, kid’s cooking series. Learn more about The Seasoned Kids here.

Previous Lessons!

  • Week 1: Teaching Importance of Washing Fruits and Vegetables + Berry Parfait Recipe
  • Week 2: Learning to Stir + Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites
  • Week 3: 3 Ways to Mash + Overnight Oats Recipe 3 Ways
  • Week 4: Spreading + Peanut Butter and Jelly Spider Sandwiches
  • Week 5: Tearing + Bugs on a Log
  • Week 6: Pouring + Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Popsicles
  • Week 7: Measuring & Weighing + Holiday Pudding Cups
  • Week 8: Sifting + Snowball Bites
  • Week 9: Knife Skills + Banana Santa Snacks
  • Week 10: Whisking + Pretzels Santa Hats
  • Week 11: Cracking Eggs + Snowman Deviled Eggs

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Filed Under: Desserts, Home, Recipes Tagged With: desserts, recipes, the seasoned kids

Best of 2016

January 9, 2017 by Larisha Campbell

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What an insanely intense year for us.  We are officially back in the office and ready to put 2016 behind us. It was a tough year for many, including us.  I was diagnosed with postpartum depression and anxiety and it led to a lot of time away from working throughout the year.  It also led to our decision for me to undergo a tubal ligation with complete removal of tubes. You can read our #RoadtoTubalat30 series here. Luckily, everything is under control and we are living a much happier life.  I’ll continue throughout 2017 to share our thoughts and experiences around postpartum life.

Even though it was a really rough year, we of course have some amazing things that we are still celebrating that happened in 2016.  This was the second year of us working to monetize our site and we increased our income by 19% over 2015 (YAY!). It was also our first full year of Andrew working on the blog side by side me and we couldn’t be happier with how we’ve grown since he’s been helping. We’re also celebrating YOU! We couldn’t reach our goals without each of you reading, sharing, and commenting. I’m so incredibly grateful for each and every one of you.

Some of our magical moments from 2016 include:

  • We launched our first E-Book!
  • We attended a paid for vacation to Hersheypark (Thanks to Pepsi)
  • We were interviewed by The Today Show and featured in a segment 
  • We launched a kids YouTube channel – The Seasoned Kids

Here’s our Top 10 Best of 2016 posts:

  1. Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie Bowl
  2. Raspberry Chocolate Cake 
  3. Homemade Chicken Meatballs
  4. No Bake Lactation Protein Bars
  5. The Truth of Going from 1 to 2 Kids
  6. Baked Taco Casserole 
  7. Don’t Stress, Live Prepared Emergency Kits
  8. 3 Tips for Potty Learning
  9. Medical Professionals – Stop Ruining Breastfeeding Relationships
  10. I Don’t Want My Daughters to Loose Their Father

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Here’s to 2017 memories and excitement!  We can’t wait to continue on this incredible journey with each of you!

Filed Under: Home

Cracking Eggs + Snowman Deviled Eggs

December 17, 2016 by Larisha Campbell

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     The Seasoned Kids

Lesson 11: Cracking Eggs

The lesson that all parents roll their eyes at when thinking about it!  Kids beg to crack eggs, yet if we’re being honest, half of us suck at cracking eggs ourselves. This one definitely puts your patience to the test, so don’t do this if you don’t have time to spare! It’s also important to realize that this lesson is going to take lots and lots of practice.  It’s not something that’s going to happen perfectly the first time like stirring or spreading.

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How to Start

We aren’t talking cooking eggs here, just cracking, but we’ve still got lots of great info for you.  First, we suggest starting with hard boiled eggs, especially if you are getting your kids into the kitchen early. Our little has been cracking eggs since she was about 2 1/2, so this is definitely possible. Wait until the hard boiled eggs are completely cooled, and then have the kids work on learning how to lightly crack on a flat surface. Once cracked, teach the importance of why you can’t eat shells and you have to be extremely careful not to get shells into your food.  Once you think your little has these ideas down, then move onto cracking raw eggs.

Tips for teaching your kids how to crack eggs

  • Use a learning tower to get them stable at the counter
    • Standing on a stool or sitting on the counter, doesn’t stabilize kids as much as a tower will
  • Always teach to crack on a flat surface like a counter
  • Teach kids to lightly tap the egg onto the counter until they start to see a crack
  • Using both thumbs, push their fingers down and pull apart the sides
  • Use an extra large bowl to avoid any spillage of the eggs
  • Make them look for shells inside the bowl before using the eggs
    • If a shell gets into the bowl, use the large shell to attract the small piece inside the bowl like a magnet

Recipe Time!

These Snowman Deviled Eggs are the perfect way to start teaching about cracking eggs. Then you have your dish for holiday get togethers ready at the end. It’s a win/win! Watch the video, then grab the full recipe below!

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Cracking Eggs + Snowman Deviled Eggs
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 6 hardboiled eggs
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • black olives finely chopped
  • 1 baby carrot cut into 12 small pieces
Instructions
  1. Remove the cooked yoke from the hardboiled eggs and put inside a bowl.
  2. Mash the yolks until crumbly.
  3. Add the mayo, mustard, salt, and pepper and mix until well combined.
  4. Spoon the mixture into the eggs.
  5. Add bits of olives for the eyes and mouth.
  6. Add a carrot piece for a nose.
  7. *Tip: If assembling for a get together, Place one egg up and two eggs down. Add peppercorns for the buttons, rosemary for the arms, and a string of celery for the scarf. Place remaining snowmen deviled eggs around centerpiece.

This post is a part of our “The Seasoned Kids”, kid’s cooking series. Learn more about The Seasoned Kids here.

Previous Lessons!

  • Week 1: Teaching Importance of Washing Fruits and Vegetables + Berry Parfait Recipe
  • Week 2: Learning to Stir + Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites
  • Week 3: 3 Ways to Mash + Overnight Oats Recipe 3 Ways
  • Week 4: Spreading + Peanut Butter and Jelly Spider Sandwiches
  • Week 5: Tearing + Bugs on a Log
  • Week 6: Pouring + Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Popsicles
  • Week 7: Measuring & Weighing + Holiday Pudding Cups
  • Week 8: Sifting + Snowball Bites
  • Week 9: Knife Skills + Banana Santa Snacks
  • Week 10: Whisking + Pretzels Santa Hats

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Whisking + Pretzel Santa Hats

December 10, 2016 by Larisha Campbell

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     The Seasoned Kids

Lesson 10: Whisking

Whisking! It’s such a fun lesson. As with most of our lessons with kids in the kitchen, it can be a messy one.  Kids love to whisk really fast and see if they can make an even bigger mess, so it’s important to pay close attention here. It’s why it’s a later lesson even though it’s a super simple thing to do!

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How to Start

We always recommend starting with non-hot foods. Whisking heavy cream and eggs are the perfect things to start with.  If you want non-food ideas to start with, you can have them whisk water and a few drops of dish soap for a fun sensory activity.  You can also let them learn how to make bath bombs. Once they have these activities down packed, and you feel comfortable with heat, try things like gravy.

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Tips for teaching your kids knife skills

  • Use a learning tower to get them stable at the counter
    • Standing on a stool or sitting on the counter, doesn’t stabilize kids as much as a tower will
  • Grab child’s sized whisks
    • They are smaller and allow for them to easily hold
  • Use larger than you need bowls to avoid big messes

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Recipe Time!

These Pretzel Santa Hats are perfect for after school snacks or snacks for holiday playdates. We used our whisk to make homemade whipped cream, then made the snacks. Watch the video, then grab the full recipe below!

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Pretzel Santa Hats
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • Twist Pretzels
  • Mini Marshmallows
  • Homemade Whipped Cream Greek Yogurt can be a substitute
  • Fresh Strawberries
Instructions
  1. Dip pretzels 3/4 of the way into whipped cream.
  2. Cut tops of strawberries and then cut in half down from the pointy tip of the strawberry.
  3. Lay strawberry on top of pretzel with inside facing down.
  4. Dip flat side of marshmallow into whipped cream and place on top of pointy part of strawberry.
  5. Place pretzel santa hats on baking sheet lined with wax paper.
  6. Place in freezer for one hour.
  7. Eat immediately (pretzels will get soggy if allowed to sit out for a long time)

easy-holiday-snack-pretzel-santa-hats

This post is a part of our “The Seasoned Kids”, kid’s cooking series. Learn more about The Seasoned Kids here.

Previous Lessons!

  • Week 1: Teaching Importance of Washing Fruits and Vegetables + Berry Parfait Recipe
  • Week 2: Learning to Stir + Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites
  • Week 3: 3 Ways to Mash + Overnight Oats Recipe 3 Ways
  • Week 4: Spreading + Peanut Butter and Jelly Spider Sandwiches
  • Week 5: Tearing + Bugs on a Log
  • Week 6: Pouring + Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Popsicles
  • Week 7: Measuring & Weighing + Holiday Pudding Cups
  • Week 8: Sifting + Snowball Bites
  • Week 9: Knife Skills + Banana Santa Snacks

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Filed Under: Home, Recipes

Teaching Knife Skills + Banana Santa Snacks

December 2, 2016 by Larisha Campbell

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     The Seasoned Kids

Lesson 9: Teaching Knife Skills

Knife skills.  It’s the part of teaching kids cooking skills that make parents cringe. They always seem to go for the sharpest, biggest knife around. I’m hear to tell you that you can put all those sharp knives away because we have the perfect solution for you. Regardless of how you feel about your kid using a knife, it’s an integral part of teaching independence in the kitchen. Put your fears aside, read our tips, and get them chopping up everything.

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How to Start

To start, put the sharp knives away. Butter knives are the way to start by cutting small things. Kids can cut their sandwiches, cut bananas, or soft (warm not hot) potatoes. Unfortunately for your sanity, they will quickly want to move away from using a butter knife and they will want to use those sharp knives. But wait! There are kid friendly options in between using a butter knife and those sharp knives (see tips below). When moving on from butter knives, keep cutting to single slices before you move onto chopping skills. Once you get more comfortable, there’s nothing you can’t let them do!  Just continuously remind them of safety.

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Tips for teaching your kids knife skills

  • Use a learning tower to get them stable at the counter
    • Standing on a stool or sitting on the counter, doesn’t stabilize kids as much as a tower will
  • Ergonomically designed nylon knives, cutting gloves, and finger guards are options for in between the butter knife and sharp knife stages.
  • Teach them how to hold the knife with one hand, hold object with other hand, and slowly move the holding hand as you as cutting
  • You are more than likely to cut fingers with a dull knife rather than a sharp one so avoid giving them a dull knife
  • If you want to start teaching knife skills but this makes you nervous, use the nylon knives to cut clay or play-doh before working with food!

Recipe Time!

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santa-banana-snacks

These Banana Santa Snacks are perfect for after school snacks or snacks for holiday playdates. Watch the video, then grab the full recipe below!

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Teaching Knife Skills + Banana Santa Snacks
Servings: 2 banana santa snacks
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 1 banana
  • 1 large marshmallow
  • 2 mini marshmallows
  • 2 fresh cranberries
  • 2 fresh strawberries
  • 4 chocolate chips
  • 4 chocolate sprinkles
  • coconut flakes
  • optional: 2 pretzel sticks
Instructions
  1. Peel banana.
  2. Cut it in half.
  3. Push cranberry into center of each banana piece.
  4. Add two chocolate chips for eyes and two sprinkles for eyebrows above the cranberry on each banana.
  5. Tear big marshmallow in half. Using a skewer or toothpick, push one half onto the top of the banana.
  6. Cut top of strawberries and add one strawberry, skinny side up, to the top of the marshmallow.
  7. Top with a mini marshmallow.
  8. Push on a small handful of coconut flakes for the beard.
  9. If desired, push a pretzel stick into the bottom of the bottom for a stick.
  10. Enjoy!

This post is a part of our “The Seasoned Kids”, kid’s cooking series. Learn more about The Seasoned Kids here.

Previous Lessons!

  • Week 1: Teaching Importance of Washing Fruits and Vegetables + Berry Parfait Recipe
  • Week 2: Learning to Stir + Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites
  • Week 3: 3 Ways to Mash + Overnight Oats Recipe 3 Ways
  • Week 4: Spreading + Peanut Butter and Jelly Spider Sandwiches
  • Week 5: Tearing + Bugs on a Log
  • Week 6: Pouring + Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Popsicles
  • Week 7: Measuring & Weighing + Holiday Pudding Cups
  • Week 8: Sifting + Snowball Bites

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Filed Under: Home, Recipes Tagged With: christmas, holidays, kids snacks, snacks, the seasoned kids

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Kid Chefs

December 1, 2016 by Larisha Campbell

*Disclosure: All links in our Ultimate Gift Guide for Kid Chefs goes to Amazon. You shop like normal, but we receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting our family. Prices are as of publishing date and subject to change. We have not used all of products in our list. gift-guide-for-kid-chefs

Being in the kitchen not only brings us joy, but it makes our girls’ eyes sparkle with delight. Their series, The Seasoned Kids has been one of our absolutely favorite things we’ve done to date. So much so that our 4 year old has even asked for some cooking and our baking things on her wishlist. Add to that, our friends asking for recommendations for kid’s cooking products and we were bound to create the Ultimate Gift Guide for Kid Chefs.

There’s no toys, no products you can’t actually cook with, just real products, designed with kids in mind. Food brings families together, so check out these products and grab some for your kiddos this year to teach them invaluable life skills that will stay with their for the rest of their lives!

*Gift ideas in order by price high to low.613ljjobaml-_sl1500_

1- Guidecraft Learning Tower – Helps kids safely and easily stand at counter level to help in the kitchen. Made from wood, no assembly required, 3 heigh adjustments, and folds for storage. Price $109.99

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2- The Curious Chef 30-piece Caddy Collection – Dishwasher safe, BPA free products including rolling pin, pizza cutter, whisk, measuring cups, spoons, knife and more!  Price $69.99

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3- 11 piece Magic Bullet Blender Set – Chop, mix, blend, and more. Top shelf dishwasher safe. Includes Recipe Book. Price $31.49

 

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4 – Handstand Kid’s Stars and Planets Chef Kit – Includes Apron, Mitt, and Chef’s Hat. 100% Cotton and Machine Washable. Price $29.93

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5- Cuisinart Mini Food Processor. 21-ounce work bowl with 2 speeds. Some parts are dishwasher safe. Recipe book included. Price $29.71

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6- Handstand Kids Milk & Cookies Kid’s Apron with Matching 18″ Doll Apron Set. 100% Cotton and Machine Washable. Price $24.89. Matching Chefs hat and oven mitt also available for purchase.

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7- 37 piece Ultimate Baking Starter Set comes with all the tools, mixes, frosting, and decorations to make cupcakes. Some fun tools include no spill bowls with unique suction-lock to make for easy mixing and the easy Egg cracker to let kids crack eggs without a mess! Price $19.99

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8 – OXO 7-Piece Mini Measuring Beaker Set. Set includes 1-cup, 2/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/4 cup, 1/8 cup, 1 tbsp, and 1 tsp beakers. Top rack dishwasher safe. Price $19.99.

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9- The Curious Chef 17-piece Measure and Prep Kit is Dishwasher Safe and BPA Free and includes 6 piece measuring spoons and cups set, large poly spoon, a kitchen timer, 3 piece prep bowl, and more. Price $17.50

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10 – Zoku’s Ice Pop Molds. Classic Shape. Make 6 pops at a time. BPA Free. Dishwasher safe. Price $15.38. Additional shapes available for additional cost.

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11- Silicone Gorilla Grip Set of 2 Oven Mitts – Soft and Flexible set of oven mits with 100% cotton lining and 100% polyester fill. Resists heat up to 446 degrees. Made with 100% FDA Approved food safe silicone. Comes with a 10 year guarantee.  Comes in choice of red, blue, green, gray, or black. Price $14.99

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12- Green Toys Indoor Gardening Kit – comes with three pots, a tray holder, trowel, three soil discs, and three packs of organic seeds.Made from recycled milk containers.  Price $14.03

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13- Curious Chef Decorating Kit – Dishwasher Safe, easy to clean. Includes 6 different decorating tips to create designs on cookies, cakes, and more. Price $12.45. A different 9 piece set also available.

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14 – Scientific Explorer Tasty Science Kit – Learn about food science like why soda fizzes and why cakes rise. Set includes baking soda, citric acid, fruit flavorings, food coloring, sprinkles, vials, test tubes, and more. Price $11.46

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15 – Silicone Kitchen Baking Bundle. Kit contains 12 muffin pan, 12 cupcake holders, 2 molds, and more. Price $9.99

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16- Curious Chef 3 piece Nylon Knife Set includes 1 small, 1 medium, and 1 large nylon knife with serrated cutting edges and ergonomic handles.  Dishwasher safe and won’t cut your littles. Price $8.86

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17- 5-pack flexible plastic cutting boards. Each board is 15×11″ and come in Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, and White. Price $7.64

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18- Set of 24 Reusable Silicone Non-Stick Baking Cups. Comes in Fun assorted colors and perfect for baking cupcakes, breakfast cups, or lasagna cups. Can also be used as prep ramekins. Price $7.49

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19- 5-piece Measuring Spoon Set. Sizes include 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/2 tbsp, and 1 tbsp. Dishwasher safe. Price $5.25

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20- 8-Tray Silicone Animal Mold – Use food ice cubes, chocolate, gummies, and more. The possibilities are endless. Dishwasher Safe. Price $3.00

We hope you enjoyed our Ultimate Gift Guide for Kid Chefs!  Did we forget something?  Let us know!

Make sure you our following our kid’s cooking show YouTube channel here.

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Filed Under: Home Tagged With: christmas, gift guide, gifts, kids cooking, presents, the seasoned kids

Sifting + Snowball Bites

November 25, 2016 by Larisha Campbell

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     The Seasoned Kids

Lesson 8: Sifting

I have to admit, growing up one of my favorite things to do was to sift, sieve, or strain anything that I was allowed too. It’s such a fun activity as a child to watch. As our girl is getting older, we have been letting her do these things as well and she has the same excitement as I did. Watching things separate when straining is a great lesson for science activities with kids too!

How to Start

This lesson should definitely be reserved for a slightly older child simply because sifting = mess and straining typically involves pouring from heavier containers. Our Snowball Bites aka Peanut Butter Balls recipe below is definitely the perfect starting recipe.

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Tips for teaching your kids to sift, sieve, or strain

  • Use a learning tower to get them stable at the counter
    • Standing on a stool or sitting on the counter, doesn’t stabilize kids as much as a tower will
  • Use large measuring cups to strain things instead of pots or crockpots that an adult would pour from
  • Use smaller strainers (like this) or larger sifters (like this or this) instead to help with small hands
  • In the beginning, only do cold or room temperature foods, no hot liquids. Flour or powdered sugar, while messier, are easier to start with.

Recipe Time!

snowball-bites-peanut-butter-balls

These Snowball Bites (also called Peanut Butter Balls to some) are perfect to get your kids involved in helping with seasonal cookie trays that you may be giving out. Let them help! Watch the video, then grab the full recipe below!

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Sifting + Snowball Bites
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar + more for sifting
Instructions
  1. Mix the peanut butter and butter together.
  2. Add the vanilla and stir until combined.
  3. Add the powdered sugar and mix until no powder remains.
  4. Roll into balls. (*Tip: Should make 2 dozen 1 inch balls or you can make less, but larger ones)
  5. Roll balls in or sift powdered sugar over the balls.
  6. Let sit in fridge for an hour.
  7. Eat! Nom Nom!

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This post is a part of our “The Seasoned Kids”, kid’s cooking series. Learn more about The Seasoned Kids here.

Previous Lessons!

  • Week 1: Teaching Importance of Washing Fruits and Vegetables + Berry Parfait Recipe
  • Week 2: Learning to Stir + Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites
  • Week 3: 3 Ways to Mash + Overnight Oats Recipe 3 Ways
  • Week 4: Spreading + Peanut Butter and Jelly Spider Sandwiches
  • Week 5: Tearing + Bugs on a Log
  • Week 6: Pouring + Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Popsicles
  • Week 7: Measuring & Weighing + Holiday Pudding Cups

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snowball-bites-aka-peanut-butter-balls

Filed Under: Home, Recipes Tagged With: christmas, holidays, recipes, snacks, the seasoned kids

Measuring, Weighing, and Holiday Pudding Cups

November 18, 2016 by Larisha Campbell

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   The Seasoned Kids

Lesson 7: Measuring & Weighing

Teaching kids about measuring and weighing is one of the most educational lessons in the kitchen.  While everything that we’ve been doing is educational and has real life lessons attached, this lesson can easily translate into a ton of mathematical lessons as well. Teaching addition, multiplication, fractions, and so much more, will have your kids learning and not even realizing it. This is always a win, win for a parent.

How to Start

I’m not going to lie. This is definitely a lesson where messes are bound to happen. But it’s one of the most important lessons that you can teach your kids in the kitchen.  Learning to measure and swap measurements (tablespoons for cups) will continue to help them for the rest of their life.

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With smaller kids we recommend by starting to learn to measure by spooning ingredients into a measuring cup.  Once they learn how to do this and learn what it means to fill a measuring cup up to the top, then you can move onto actually using the measuring cups and spoons to grab the ingredients from directly. Alternatively, you can hold their hand while they learn as well.

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Weighing things is also a great lesson for kids, especially when teaching math.  Teaching them how many ounces equals a pound and converting that into metric units for kilograms are all fun tasks for kids to do in the kitchen. It’s always great to have a basic scale in the kitchen!

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Tips for teaching your kids to measure and weigh

  • Use a learning tower to get them stable at the counter
    • Standing on a stool or sitting on the counter, doesn’t stabilize kids as much as a tower will
  • Use large measuring cups (see in picture below) with measuring lines on them in the beginning.
    • If your child knows their numbers, this is even easier, because you can tell them to keep filling until they get the the number 2 line for 2 cups.
  • When ready to move onto regular measure cups, use cups that are ergonomically easier for kids to hold (we like these)
  • In the beginning, only do cold or room temperature foods, no hot liquids.
  • Also in the beginning, start with solids before allowing to do liquids.
    • Trust me, this will save your sanity for a bit longer

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Recipe Time!

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These Holiday Pudding Cups are uber cute for the holiday season and our girl loved making them! We have a Turkey Pudding Cup, as well as a Reindeer Pudding Cup! Watch her make it then grab the recipe below!

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Measuring, Weighing, and Holiday Pudding Cups
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • Box of no cook chocolate pudding
  • 2 cups milk
  • Large Marshmallows
  • Red Gum Drops
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Red Grapes
  • Green Grapes
  • Blueberries
  • Mini Candy Canes
  • Clear 9oz plastic cups
Instructions
  1. Make chocolate pudding with milk according to box directions.
  2. Tear one large marshmallow in half
  3. On each of the sticky sides, place a chocolate chip in the middle of the marshmallow
  4. Stick each marshmallow onto the side of the cup
  5. Cut tip off of red gum drops
  6. Stick sticky side of gum drop underneath the eyes on the cup.
  7. Spoon pudding into cups
  8. *Note: A small box of pudding will make 2 9oz cups. If you wish to make more at once, put marshmallows into cup to fill it up and spoon pudding around it.
  9. If making turkey cups - use wooden skewers or toothpicks to put grapes and blueberries on and then stick in the back for feathers.
  10. If making reindeer cups - use two mini candy canes facing opposite directions for antlers.

**Note about recipe: These should not be made ahead of time as the pudding will ruin the marshmallows and gum drops. 

This post is a part of our “The Seasoned Kids”, kid’s cooking series. Learn more about The Seasoned Kids here.

Previous Lessons!

  • Week 1: Teaching Importance of Washing Fruits and Vegetables + Berry Parfait Recipe
  • Week 2: Learning to Stir + Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites
  • Week 3: 3 Ways to Mash + Overnight Oats Recipe 3 Ways
  • Week 4: Spreading + Peanut Butter and Jelly Spider Sandwiches
  • Week 5: Tearing + Bugs on a Log
  • Week 6: Pouring + Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Popsicles

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Filed Under: Desserts, Home, Recipes Tagged With: kids, pudding, recipes, snacks, the seasoned kids

Teaching to Pour + Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Pops

November 11, 2016 by Larisha Campbell

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   The Seasoned Kids

Lesson 6: Teaching to Pour

Pouring is one of those kitchen activities that makes us as parents want to gouge our eyes out. It’s cringeworthy. We want to let them have independence but standing there trying not to help them while seeing the huge potential of a disastrous mess is enough to make us reach for the anxiety meds. Am I right?

But I digress.

It’s one of the most important lessons they’ll learn while being in the kitchen.  Just take my advice and go ahead and order extra paper towels to have on hand. You may even contemplate buying stock. 

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How to Start

If you think about it, there’s not many recipes that you make in the kitchen that don’t require you to pour at least one thing while you are making it. We suggest you start teaching by helping them in the beginning. Letting them hold onto the milk container or pour their own juice, for example. We also started by letting our girl pour from measuring cups with our aid into larger bowls. She’s now about to be 4 and she does a really good job with minimal mess about 90% of the time. You’ll see in the video below that there’s typically always a little mess. But hey, we’re learning here folks!  Messes can get cleaned up!

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Tips for teaching your kids to pour

  • Use a learning tower to get them stable at the counter
    • Standing on a stool or sitting on the counter, doesn’t stabilize kids as much as a tower will
  • Use containers with spouts on them.
  • For pouring into small openings, try using a funnel with them.
  • In the beginning, only do cold or room temperature foods, no hot liquids.
  • Always try to use lightweight containers until they have mastered the concept of pouring
  • We recommend having them pour into larger bowls in the beginning, instead of smaller ones.
    • The larger surface area reduces the risk of a mess

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One thing we found super interesting from watching our older girl was that while we as adults typically pour above a container (below), it is easier for her to rest the container she’s pouring on whatever she is pouring into for added stability.

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Recipe Time!

We’re so excited to share these super delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Pops! Watch her make it then grab the recipe below!

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**Note: This recipe is based on our popsicle molds that we have on hand. You may need to make more or have some mixture left over depending on the molds that you have. 

This post is a part of our “The Seasoned Kids”, kid’s cooking series. Learn more about The Seasoned Kids here.

Previous Lessons!

Week 1: Teaching Importance of Washing Fruits and Vegetables + Berry Parfait Recipe

Week 2: Learning to Stir + Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites

Week 3: 3 Ways to Mash + Overnight Oats Recipe 3 Ways

Week 4: Spreading + Peanut Butter and Jelly Spider Sandwiches

Week 5: Tearing + Bugs on a Log

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Funny Blooper Time! 

Each week, we’ll share at least one funny blooper that happened during our shoot!  The funniest thing that happened this week was when our girl accidentally put the popsicle sticks in upside down.  You can see that by watching the video above if you haven’t already!

 

Filed Under: Home, Recipes Tagged With: popsicles, the seasoned kids, yogurt

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