By Gwin Grogran Grimes
McClatchy Newspapers

Help your kids build some culinary muscle this spring by learning to make a few family-friendly favorites at home.

Cooking with fresh ingredients is often more healthful than dining out, especially if the latter means value meals and drive-through windows. When you cook at home, you know exactly what is going into the food. You can adapt recipes to personal tastes, decrease fat and sugar and/or increase the fiber, vegetables or fruits. And, when you’re not rushed to get dinner on the table, cooking with kids can be fun.

I’ve gathered a few recipes that I’ll call my all-time greatest hits and adapted them so that families can prepare them together.

Even on spring break, parents should look for “teachable moments” while cooking: math, science, reading -- even bioethics -- can come into play and be discussed in the kitchen. But, above all, have fun.

HONEY-WHEAT PIZZA CRUST

Adapted from chef Wolfgang Puck’s recipe, I’ve added whole wheat for more fiber. Pizza is the ultimate customizable meal - and a great way to include more vegetables in any diet. Smothered in tomato sauce and low-fat mozzarella cheese, even broccoli tastes good!

Makes 4 individual-size pizza crusts
1 package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup warm water (105 degrees to 115 degrees)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
Toppings of your choice

Directions using a stand mixer:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and honey in 6¼ cup of the warm water and set aside.

2. In a mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour and the salt. Add the oil, yeast-honey-water mixture, and the remaining 6¾ cup of water and mix on low until the dough comes cleanly away from the sides of the bowl and clusters around the dough hook, about 5 minutes. If it doesn’t, add more flour, about a tablespoon at a time, until it does.

Directions using a food processor:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and honey in 6¼ cup of the warm water and set aside.

2. Combine the flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse once or twice, add the remaining ingredients and process until the dough begins to form a ball. If it seems too wet and gooey, add flour a tablespoon at a time and pulse.

Directions for both methods:

3. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and knead for 2 or 3 minutes. Simply press on the dough ball with the heel of your hand, fold the dough in half and turn it a quarter-turn and press again. Repeat until the dough is smooth and firm.

4. Cover the dough with a clean, damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about 30 minutes. You will be able to tell the dough is ready when you stick a (clean) finger into the dough up to the knuckle and the dough doesn’t spring back. If your finger mark leaves a big hole, it’s ready.

5. Divide the dough into four pieces and form into balls. Work each ball by pulling down the sides and tucking under the bottom of the ball and pinching it tightly. Repeat 4 or 5 times. Then on a smooth, unfloured surface, roll the ball under the palm of your hand until the top of the dough is smooth and firm, about 1 minute. Cover the dough with a damp towel and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. (At this point, the balls can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 2 days.)

6. Place a pizza stone, if available, on the middle rack of the oven and preheat the oven to 500 degrees.

7. To prepare each pizza, dip the ball of dough into flour, shake off the excess flour, place the dough on a clean, lightly floured surface, and start to stretch the dough. Press down on the center, spreading the dough into an 8-inch circle, with outer border a little thicker than the inner circle. If you find this difficult to do, use a small rolling pin to roll out the dough. Lightly brush the inner circle of the dough with oil and arrange the toppings of your choice over the inner circle

8. Using a rimless flat baking pan, slide the pizza onto the baking stone or the wire rack and bake until the pizza crust is nicely browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Remember that the oven is very hot and be careful as you place the pizza into and take it out of the oven. Transfer the pizza to a firm surface and let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is set. Cut into slices and serve immediately.

Adapted from www.wolfgangpuck.com

Nutritional analysis per pizza crust: 399 calories, 8 grams fat, 72 grams carbohydrates, 11 grams protein, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 474 milligrams sodium, 6 grams dietary fiber, 18 percent of calories from fat.

EASY BISCUITS

I have often used this recipe when teaching kids’ classes. To make a savory biscuit, simply add some grated cheese and a pinch of dried herbs or spices (granulated garlic is good).

Makes about 8 medium-size biscuits

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus extra for the counter
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder (check the expiration date on the can to make sure it is fresh)
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups heavy (or whipping) cream

1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or coat with nonstick spray.

2. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Stir in the cream with a wooden spoon until dough forms, about 30 seconds.

3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter and gather into a ball. Pat out into a circle about ¾-inch thick. Be careful not to overwork the dough; it could make the biscuits tough.

4. Cut out biscuits with a cookie or biscuit cutter. Do not twist the cutter in order to allow the biscuits to rise as high as possible. (Twisting the cutter can seal the edges.) Place cut-out biscuits onto the prepared baking pan. (The baking sheet can be wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 2 hours.)

5. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking.

Nutritional analysis per biscuit: 272 calories, 17 grams fat, 26 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams protein, 61 milligrams cholesterol, 273 milligrams sodium, 1 gram dietary fiber, 55 percent of calories from fat.

Peanut butter cup cookie bars

When the weather turns warm, the last thing I want to do is heat up my kitchen with the oven. So, a no-bake sweet is the perfect treat! For those with peanut allergies, substitute almond or cashew butter.

Makes 24 squares

1½ sticks unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
2 cups peanut butter, divided into two portions: 1¼ cups and ¾ cup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar, divided into two 1-cup portions
3 cups graham cracker crumbs (crush whole graham crackers in a plastic bag with a rolling pin or buy the pre-crushed crumbs in a box)
2 cups miniature chocolate chips, divided into two portions: ½ cup and 1½ cups

1. Coat a 13-inch-by-9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, 1-¼ cups peanut butter and vanilla with an electric mixer set on medium-high speed until the mixture is creamy and mixed well.

3. Turn mixer to low and gradually add in 1 cup of the powdered sugar. With a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon, add in the remaining 1 cup powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs and ½ cup of the chocolate chips. Press this mixture into the prepared pan. (A piece of parchment or wax paper can make this step less messy.)

4. In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining ¾ cup peanut butter and 1-½ cups chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth. Spread over the graham cracker crust in the pan.

5. Chill the pan for at least 1 hour or until the chocolate is set. Cut into bars and serve.

Adapted from “No-Bake Cookies” by Camilla V. Saulsbury (Cumberland House Publishing, $16.95)

Nutritional analysis per square: 262 calories, 18 grams fat, 22 grams carbohydrates, 6 grams protein, 16 milligrams cholesterol, 165 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber, 58 percent of calories from fat.

TIPS TO MAKE YOUR KITCHEN ADVENTURES SUCCESSFUL

Be prepared. Shop for ingredients ahead of time. Don’t wait until the last minute to go to the store. Include your kids in the list-making and selection processes.

Set aside time to cook. Estimate how long it will take to prepare a recipe, then allow at least an extra half-hour than what you think you’ll need. Try to keep the pace relaxed.

Gather all your ingredients, equipment and tools before you begin to cook. Chefs call this “mise en place,” meaning everything in its place. It will save you time and frustration while you cook.

De-stress the kitchen as much as possible. Turn off the television, forward the phones to voice mail and focus on cooking. A little music (not too loud) can provide a nice background.

Establish some kitchen rules when cooking with kids based on each child’s developmental abilities. Some children can and should be taught to correctly use kitchen knives. The youngest kids can help pour dry ingredients, measure or stir. Children should always have adult supervision when operating kitchen appliances, handling sharp tools and preparing hot foods.

Clean as you go. (My mother, with whom I cook occasionally, made me write that.)

Posted in Cooking Parenting Smart Ideas Smart Woman

Bookmark Permalink using

Comments (0)

By Delawese Fulton
McClatchy Newspapers

Who’s your daddy?

Well, if you don’t know, Rite Aid has a test for you.

The pharmacy chain and Utah-based DNA testing firm Identigene recently rolled out a paternity-testing kit at Rite Aid stores nationwide.

The DNA Paternity Test sells for about $20.

Though the test is not legally binding, Identigene executive Doug Fogg said it is a more discreet method that lessens anxiety for those involved. It can be done in the privacy of one’s home instead of at a lab or clinic.

“This test is providing a peace of mind,” Fogg said. “And it could be a first step toward taking a legal course of action.”

The test requires swabs from inside the cheeks of the man in question and the child. The samples -- along with $119 -- are sent to Identigene, which analyzes the samples for paternity.

Once Identigene receives the samples, the results -- which have a 99.99 percent accuracy rate -- are available in three to five days via e-mail, online or through regular mail.

If the adults involved want legally binding results, they need to contact Identigene to apply for testing by a third-party lab and pay an additional $200, Fogg said

Consumers also could opt to apply through local courts.

Identigene also performs identity and forensic testing for the government, Fogg said.

After four months of piloting the at-home paternity kit in stores on the West Coast, there was so much demand for the product that Rite Aid and Identigene quickly moved to make it nationwide, Rite Aid spokeswoman Ashley Flower said.

“It was a successful product. And based on that demand, it’s now in 31 states” where Rite Aid has stores, except for New York state, which allows only court-ordered paternity tests, she said.

Though the paternity kit might be selling well, some are concerned about the ethics of having the kit on store shelves.

“In general, I view making technologies available to individuals as a good thing ... but there may be other problems looming,” said Dr. Robert Sade, director of the Institute of Human Values in Health Care at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Consumers should be careful that their genetic makeup is only examined for paternity and not to identify genes for disease, Sade said. They also should be sure to seek counseling before and after the results to stymie any emotional concerns.

Fogg said that Identigene only tests for paternity and that samples are disposed of after six months.

Columbia, S.C., resident Emily Franklin, 22, said she doesn’t see anything wrong with having paternity tests available in stores.

But “it is shining a light on a negative situation,” she said.

Also, she and friend Hank DeHart said the tests underscore distrust and relationship issues.

“It shows the effects of the ‘Maury Povich Show’ on our society,” said DeHart, a 20-year-old USC journalism student. “And I don’t think it will bode well for our children.”

Chris Orr, 45, a Columbia massage therapist, said having the test in stores makes it more accessible to men.

About six years ago, Orr ordered a paternity test online and paid about $100 for the test, which he used to determine whether a child from a past relationship was his. The child wasn’t.

Chuck Barnett, 63, who is retired and works part-time at Gentleman’s Closet in Five Points, S.C., said he is not surprised that these types of tests are now in stores.

“It’s a logical progression. The pregnancy test has been out for a long time. ... This is an advantage of technology.

“In the days I grew up, everything was a closed system - you had to go to a doctor. Now you can circumvent that and at a cheaper price,” Barnett said.

However, he said it shows a deteriorating family structure. “Every great society ... fell because of a destruction of the family.”

Posted in Babies Parenting Smart Ideas

Bookmark Permalink using

Comments (1)

The 42nd annual Smithsonian Kite Festival will be held March 29 on the grounds of the Washington Monument from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Rain date: March 30.) This free event, titled “Brush Strokes in the Sky,” features kite displays, demonstrations and handmade-kite competitions.

There will be competition awards for children, adults and master kitemakers. Kites must have been made by those participating, and will be judged on design, appearance, construction and performance. Kites must be able to fly a minimum of 100 feet in the air for at least one minute.

Visitors are wecome to fly non-competition kites throughout the day. More than 800 free kites will be given to kids on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, visit kitefestival.org or call 202-633-3030.

MAKE A KITE

What You Need:

1 kitchen-size trash bag, preferably white. (Brown wrapping paper, craft paper or Tyvek also can be used.)
2 wooden dowels
About 100 feet of kite string
Packaging tape and scissors
Colorful permanent markers

What To Do:

1. Cut the kite face from the trash bag and decorate it with markers (bright, bold colors are best).

2. Lay the kite face-down on a table, with the top farthest from you. Attach four 2-inch strips of tape to the kite face, as shown. About half of each strip should hang over the edge.

3. Lay one stick on each side, with the tips touching the corners. Fold over the tape to hold the stick ends to the kite face.

4. Cut strips from what is left of the trash bag. Tape them together and then tape to the bottom of the face.

5. Create a bridle, using a piece of string about eight feet long. Tie a knot close to each end. Lay two to three inches of each end of the string on the two bridle points and tape to the back. Find the center of the bridle, tie a knot and attach it your flying line (the rest of your string).

Let’s fly!

Posted in Parenting Playtime Smart Ideas Smart Woman

Bookmark Permalink using

Comments (0)

“I’m in love, Mama.”
Have any words struck more fear in a mother’s heart?

“Travis and I felled in love today and we’re getting married.”
Travis is an adorable kid in Emma’s pre-kindergarten room at day care. They are inseparable friends, and knowing he’s there waiting for her makes her excited to start her day. And, yes, she’s only 4 and bound to fall in love at least a dozen more times.
But I was sure I had maybe 20 more years with her before making wedding plans.
“We’re going to get married when I grow up and live at the fire station. When am I going to be grown up?”
My reply, “Too soon.”
When I had Emma four years ago, I remember staring for hours at her tiny face, her big blue eyes and perfect, pink mouth, and thinking, “I can’t wait for her to talk.” I thought for sure that once she did, I could stop imagining what was going on in that gorgeous head of hers. She would tell me.
When that first word (“Dada,” of course) came out — quickly followed by “banana,” “no” and, finally, “Mama” — I started to realize how wrong I was. Sure, she could tell me things, but I’d still never know everything.
Some things come out of nowhere, leaving me scrambling to make meaning of it. Perhaps too much meaning.
Such as when I spent the day mulling over how she told me that if she could have anything, she’d turn me into a little bird so I could be on her shoulder singing to her all day.
Oh, my heart!
I, of course, launched into how I missed her, too, during the day, and how I’m always thinking of her, and I’d make sure we’d have some special time together that night. She looked at me blankly and said she just really likes birds.
Emma also really likes dinosaurs, and doesn’t stumble over the words when telling me about how they’re extinct. She uses words such as splendid, delectable and wonderful. And she’s so, so big now, with her long hair down her back, knobby knees and sharp elbows.
An article in this issue focuses on what to do if you find a baby bird seemingly toppled out of its nest. The best approach: Back away. It's probably learning to fly. As a mother, I have to do the same — let her spread her wings — even if I really want to tuck her under my own.
But every once in awhile, such as when she says she’s 4 now but used to be “flea,” I remember that little baby of mine and wish I could hold her curled up against my chest and, this time, relish in knowing that all she really needed was love, food and patience.
Ben, at 1, still fits in my arms. His head finds a perfect pillow in the curve of my neck. His favorite word is “Mama,” and he’s learning more every day.
Soon, he’ll be moving into a big kid bed. He’ll be making jokes at the dinner table, probably one of these involving stinkers. He’ll be telling me about falling in love.
Until then, I’ll spend as much time as I can holding him, burying my nose in his fluffy hair, and just breathing him in. I’ll rock him to sleep because, as a parent in our last issue said, babies just don’t keep.

Posted in Babies Editor's Note Entertaining From this issue Parenting

Bookmark Permalink using

Comments (0)

Planning a yard sale? Holding a fund-raiser? Loved a local exhibit or museum? Recruiting members for a local group?

Tell us about it here!

Click on the comments section below to add details about your upcoming event or fund-raiser, or to tell us about a group or organizations you're involved in. We love to share with our readers!

Posted in

Bookmark Permalink using

Comments (4)

Do you ever feel like Cain and Abel are lurking in your back yard?

Even if sibling rivalry isn’t out of hand in your household, there are things you can do to help your kids get along better – while developing skills you can use elsewhere in everyday life.

A six-part program, “Siblings…Without Rivalry,” starts 9:30 to 11 a.m. or 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 16, and continues on consecutive Wednesdays, at the Jewish Community Center, 2000 Hollywood Drive, York Township. Classes led by parenting educator Jessica Brein, M.Ed.

Brein will share tips on how to deal with children’s differences and special gifts, so peace prevails in the playroom, and older kids may even head down the road to friendship.

The mother of three, Brein has worked as an early childhood and elementary school teacher and, for more than a decade, as a parenting educator. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's in education from the University of Pittsburgh.

Cost is $65 for one parent or $120 for a couple.

For details, call 843-5011. To register, send a check payable to Jewish Family Services of York to JFS, 2000 Hollywood Drive, York PA 17403. Please include your name, address, phone and e-mail, and indicate whether you want the morning or evening session.

Posted in Babies Forum Parenting Playtime Web exclusive

Bookmark Permalink using

Comments (0)

By Pat Burson
Newsday

MELVILLE, N.Y. -- If you’re a parent who’s tired of buying your kids new toys, only to see them forgotten or collecting dust in a matter of hours or days, now you can stop buying and start renting.

That’s the premise behind a new online toy rental company, BabyPlays.com. That’s right, you borrow the toys and then, when your kids have had enough of them, simply return them and receive new ones.

BabyPlays.com, which opened for business on Oct. 1, 2007, is the brainchild of Lori Pope, a Houston mother of four, including 16-month-old identical twin boys.

“I kept seeing my younger kids get bored with the stuff that they were playing with. They would nonchalantly poke their finger at them and express a lack of interest because they had outgrown them,” Pope says. “I thought, I just want to belong to some service so I can get some toys, not have to own them and add to the clutter I already have, and then send them back for more toys my children would be interested in playing with.”

After searching but not finding any such service, she started her own.

Pope orders shipments of new toys -- for newborns to 5-year-olds -- directly from major toy manufacturers. All meet U.S. and European safety standards, she says, and her company also independently tests them for lead. Most come fully assembled, and all come with batteries included.

Parents browse the inventory on her Web site to create a wish list of toys they’d like to borrow. Shipping is free, and parents can keep the toys as long as they want before sending them back in the same box (packing tape and a United Parcel Service return label are included).

“They can send back as many or as few as they want,” Pope says. “We replace what they return.” Various plans are available, ranging from $36.99 for four toys a month to $65 for 10 toys a month -- and require at least a three-month commitment. She also says she will create a custom toy package for parents of children with special needs.

When the toys are returned from borrowers, Pope says, each one is sanitized with a 100 percent natural, herbal-based nontoxic disinfectant that’s kid-safe; the toys are then shrink-wrapped and boxed before they’re shipped to renters.

To date, the company ships 50 to 100 boxes a day, each containing four to six toys, from its 7,800-square-foot warehouse in Houston.

“This is a wonderful solution for working moms as well as parents who are concerned about waste and clutter,” Pope says.

They’re also a great idea for grandparents when the little ones come for a visit and when parents take the tykes on vacation. Instead of cramming toys into the car or suitcase, she says, they can order them, have them delivered to their vacation spot and ship them back when they leave. ¶

Posted in Babies Parenting Playtime Smart Ideas Smart Woman

Bookmark Permalink using

Comments (0)

By J.M. HIRSCH
AP Food Editor

Use St. Patrick’s Day as an excuse to get the kids into the kitchen to help with this easy, hands-on recipe for sweet soda bread studded with golden raisins.

The recipe calls for baking the dough as two loaves, but it could be divided into four to accommodate multiple baker’s helpers. And be prepared for a (fun) mess; the dough is sticky.

RAISIN SODA BREAD
Start to finish: 1 hour 15 minutes (15 minutes active)

Servings: 8
2 cups white whole-wheat flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup quick oats
1 1/2 tablespoons baking soda
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups buttermilk
3 tablespoons molasses
2 cups golden raisins

GET READY: Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

STEP 1: In a large bowl, combine the flours, oats, baking soda, salt and sugar, then use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix. Form a well (or hole) in the center of the dry ingredients.

STEP 2: Into the well, pour the buttermilk and molasses. Mix until combined. Add the raisins, then use your hands to knead the dough (in the bowl or on lightly floured counter) several times to work in the raisins.

STEP 3: On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough in two, then shape each half into a round. Transfer the rounds to the prepared baking sheet. Have an adult use a knife to cut a large X in the top of each loaf.

STEP 4: Have an adult place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 325 F and bake for another 40 to 45 minutes. The loaves should be lightly browned.

STEP 5: Have an adult remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the loaves cool before eating.

Posted in Cooking Entertaining Forum Gifts Parenting Playtime Smart Ideas Web exclusive

Bookmark Permalink using

Comments (0)

By NANCY POSTER for Smart

Your sweet, innocent preschooler has suddenly started laughing uncontrollably at potty humor.

And those cute — but nonsensical — knock-knock jokes your kindergartner has taken to telling over dinner are beginning to wear on your nerves.

What has awakened in your little one that allows him to begin recognizing humor? And is this something you want to encourage?

York psychologist Julie Swope said it’s just brain development and a higher level of understanding.

That development has begun by 5 years of age, she said, but it could show up as early as 3.

“You may have run across kids at 3 and say ‘that’s a funny kid,’” she said. “A lot of comedians at a very young age knew they were funny.”

By 4, a child has started developing toilet humor. At that age, they are mimicking something they’ve seen an adult laugh at. They, in turn, use that brand of humor because they believe “this is something that will please people,” she said.

As in adults, laughter can also be used by a child to deal with unhappiness.

“Sometimes in an abusive situation that (children) have an early traumatic childhood, their sense of humor develops as a coping mechanism,” said Swope, who is the clinical director at Yorktowne Psychological and Addiction Services.

So what makes a kid laugh?

In general, “anything that has dirty words in it” tickles a kid’s funny bone, she said. Or, they may recognize humor in a cartoon that an adult may think is over the top.

“A lot of times, we look at (a cartoon) and think that’s violent,” Swope said. “But to kids, when it happens all of a sudden, they think it’s funny.”

They also laugh at the absurd, like the kind of humor they see on shows like “Sesame Street.”
“It’s educational, but the coming alive of puppets is very amusing and draws them in,” she said.
At 5 or 6 years of age, knock-knock jokes become the rage. At first, the jokes they develop themselves make no sense. As they mature, however, they begin to understand that the joke has to make sense and there has to be a connection between the “knock-knock” and the “Who’s there?”.

By 10 years of age, children begin to understand adult humor, she said.

But parents need to watch for humor being used inappropriately, such as when a child tells a joke to get a laugh and possibly escape punishment.

Swope said she believes parents should encourage joke-telling.

“I think it’s excellent to joke with kids to teach them there’s a funny side of things,” she said.
It’s especially important to joke with an intense and serious child so they can begin to appreciate the social side of humor.

Tickled pink

Q: What color is a burp?
A: Burple!

Q: Why did Tigger look inside the toilet?
A: He was looking for Pooh!

Q: Why was the nose sad?
A: Because he did not get picked!

Q: What’s the most musical bone?
A: The trom-bone!

Q: Why should bowling alleys be quiet?
A: So you can hear a pin drop!

Q: What weighs 6 tons and wears glass slippers?
A: Cinder-elephant!

Q: Why did the banana peel?
A: It didn’t have any suntan lotion on!

Q: What makes cows dance?
A: Moo-sic

Q: What did the mama tomato say to the baby tomato?
A: Ketchup!

Q: What did the baby corn say to the mama corn?
A: Where's popcorn?

Sources include kids.yahoo.com/jokes

Posted in

Bookmark Permalink using

Comments (0)