Picky eaters?.... And a review of Quiche

If you are lucky, your kids eat everything, but we all know that kids are naturally picky eaters. To them, this is an area where they have most control - simply by spitting out, making faces, protesting ("what's THAT??"), tired parents often give in and decide that the kids are picky eaters as if there is nothing they can do about it.

But this a battle that is worth fighting for! As we have read all over the news, obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol have reached epidemic level. Kids are drawn to sugary, fatty fast foods because they are readily available and they are addictive.

If you have unhealthy snacks like cookies and chips in the pantry and you are not ready for dinner, guess what the kids will snack on when they get home from school? And if they fill their tummy with sugary treats, do you think they would eat a proper dinner when you finally have it all chopped and cooked?

If your routine falls into this pattern, you need to give me a call - 240.515.8983.

My kids are beautiful and healthy, but not the world's best eaters. If I let them choose, we would have mac & cheese or buttered noodles EVERY night. To diversify their dinners, here are the ways:

Serve the main dish in small portion
Offer a little taste at the stove
Invite them to have a bite over YOUR plate
Get them to help during the prep
Have them in charge of dessert
Never dessert before dinner
Serve fruits as one of the sides
Keep bananas or yogurt or granola bars handy for afternoon snack

So, using these methods, I had my kids try Quiche for the first time in their lives. (Quiche is one of the Grab&Go items we offer at the store to cover our guests' brunch needs). The quiche reheats great and is very satisfying. My growing 12 year old simply cuts a piece and pops it into the microwave, and a home-made afternoon snack is done!

So, no more excuses citing "picky eaters". Raising kids with healthy food choices is our responsibility, and it takes patience and persistence. It is a battle for you to win!

MCPS Back to School Fair.... and a Review of Chicken Marsala

What a day!

We were invited to set up a booth today at the MCPS back to school fair. There must have been thousands of people and I talked until I lost my voice. Kids were invited to play Beans for Bucks games and the winning school is.... Wheaton Woods Elementary! Congratulations! Your PTA has won a $100 gift certificate for their next silent auction. (Contact us if your PTA has fundraiser needs.)

What amazes me was the percentage of people (about 90%) who still haven't heard of the meal assembly concept. I guess we are still a long ways away from becoming a mainstream phenomenon. It is a scary thought being the business owner, but I keep reminding myself that fitness gyms probably were quite a novelty 20 years ago, but now almost everyone belongs to a gym.

In my heart I know the value of free time and the value of serving healthy, delicious family dinners. Dream Dinners makes it possible to have both on the same night. I believe it is just a matter of time before our dinners becomes a main stay in every busy family's freezer.

For example, I pulled out a packet of Chicken Marsala last night as I was busy preparing for the Back to School fair material. This dish comes with mashed potatoes so all I added was a side of fresh asparagus. The mushroom and Marsala sauce was savory and a perfect topping for the mashed potatoes. I also noticed that real food is much more filling than junk food. After half a chicken breast and three table spoons of mash, I was satisfied.

Want to stock up your freezer? Come to our Market Day sale tomorrow, Sunday, 1 - 3 pm... the ONLY Sunday when we are open!

Little Chefs Cooking Camp...and a Review of Pub-style Chicken & Twice Baked Potatoes

During this "in-between" time - vacation is done and school is not yet open - kids are often just hanging out, without organized activity. To help parents get back to work and use this time wisely, we decided to host a mini three day cooking camp.

And what a wise decision it is! We have a full camp with kids ranging 8-year-old to 14-year-old, boys and girls, from DC to Olney. The kids are fun and inquisitive, well-mannered and cooperative. A total joy to work with!

We learned about potatoes yesterday (did you know that French Fries are not from France? What McDonald's do to the left-over Fries? That the biggest potato is bigger than an average cat?)

We prepared and cooked Pub-Style Chicken, paying attention to cleaniess and temperature control, and we mashed potatoes and mixed the toppings. Then we sat down and enjoyed the fruits of our labor. Needless to say, even the pickiest kid said that chicken was "G-O-O-D!" Once again we proofed that getting kids involved in cooking helps them to be independent and open to trying new things.

Today we will be making Teriyaki Burger and learning about pineapples; and we will do a tour and treasure hunt at Safeway. Tomorrow we will be making Dream Dinners favorite Chicken Mirabella and learning about Olives and Olive Oil.

Did you miss the camp this year? On Thursday - Saturday, we will have special Back-to-School sessions where both parents and kids are welcome to come make dinners and get ready for the busy weeks to come. If time is a concern, make a few things and have us make the rest for you FREE of assembly fee. (*Must mention "Back to School" when book online. 36servings minimum and cannot be applied retroactively - sorry.)