I am off doing the lunch delivery for the whole week but it also means that there are no revenues as well. I wanted to relax in the morning but I don't want to put off until tomorrow what can be done today. I am making more of Nate's food for the whole week. Like I've mentioned previously, it's easier to roast them than to steam. I can roast different vegetables at the same time taking them out from the oven as they cook. I don't need to blanch them. I take them out when they're almost done and just leave them as they continue to cook and become tender in the pan.
A few people asked me if I have given congee or porridge. I know it's the least allergenic food and it is easy to digest and maybe keeps the baby fuller longer. It's bland and it can be used as a template for other first foods. Yes, I have given congee but not everyday. There are other grains to try such as brown rice or quinoa, and steel-cut oats for breakfast.
As a cook and a holistic nutritionist, I want them to try different foods with different flavors and textures, even if they are pureed. I want variety and I believe they need it too. It is easy for them to adapt to eat congee and eventually rice in the future. I plan to give meat in the next few days but not as much as vegetables. I don't want to convert my baby into a first-class carnivore. They need the iron from the meat but just like rice, it is easy for them to love it once they've tasted it.
When I took pictures of Nate holding a tomato, a green bean, a kale leaf or measuring spoons, it doesn't mean that I'm training him to become a chef. It may look like it but I have something different in mind. Totally different from what people are thinking. I'm not training him to become a chef but I want to teach him how to become a good cook instead. When I let him hold those ingredients at four months of age, I gave it for the purpose of playing because I know that if I give him toys he will not appreciate it. When you teach your child how to cook, you are teaching him life skills that he will use in his lifetime. (And I'm also learning everyday). Here are just a few.
Math. They will learn a lot of about numbers from counting to calculating, portioning food and weighing things both at the grocery store and at home from start to finish.
Science and Chemistry. They will learn why certain ingredients act the way they do. From why do cakes rise to glossy white peaks from egg whites.
History and Culture. Food and cooking itself is rich in history and culture. There are many classic recipes from ancient times that are still being used today and it has been passed on from one generation to another. The ingredients that we are using right now and the practices that were done before are still evident at the present times. Just think about salt, chocolate and pasta, for instance. Each has its own origin and it has shaped civilization. The might also understand why certain ingredients are expensive.
Agriculture. Although farm to table projects are not incorporated in the elementary curriculum here in the Philippines, a visit to the farm will be a great exposure for the kids to appreciate where food comes from and how are they grown. Just like Rome wasn't build in a day, it takes time to grow food. They will learn a lot in the field. There's respect, responsibility and patience towards food. respect for the people who are growing our food. We don't pay much attention that someone has to harvest before we could get hold of those ingredients, or someone has to butcher the chicken before we could buy them already dressed. They will be more responsible towards their environment most especially if you allow them to be involved in growing. Healthy food takes time to grow with a lot of effort and it doesn't come in a form of fast food. Everything comes in an instant most especially today where almost is just touch screen away. We need to learn to slow down.
Nutrition. Health and cooking are inseparable. When you teach them how to cook, you are also teaching them about whole food ingredients that are healthy for their body. When they understand the different food groups and their function, they will choose healthier choices in the future.
Responsibility and Patience. When you give them a task to help out in the family meal most especially when they request for a dish that they like, it teaches them to be more responsible. They will learn that not all food comes out hot and ready in less than 5 minutes.
Respect. Respect not only for the food they're preparing but also to the farmers who are growing their food, the dishwashers who are washing the dirty pots and pans at the restaurant, and to every person that he will meet in the future.
Thankfulness. Not everyone is blessed to have three meals a day. The work that has been put on to have food on the table is something that we should all be thankful for. The toast might be burned or the pasta may be too salty but at the end of the day, even if the dish doesn't turn out the way we want it, we are still one of the people in this world who are truly blessed just because we have something to eat.
There are still many benefits and lessons when you teach your kids how to cook. What else can you add to the list?