{"id":19419,"date":"2014-01-13T07:45:46","date_gmt":"2014-01-13T12:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ahealthysliceoflife.com\/?p=19419"},"modified":"2021-02-13T12:13:11","modified_gmt":"2021-02-13T17:13:11","slug":"weekly-menu-food-prep-with-toddlers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ahealthysliceoflife.com\/weekly-menu-food-prep-with-toddlers\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly Menu & Food Prep with Toddlers (January)"},"content":{"rendered":"
This weekend I was honored to be ask to be on a panel of local, healthy blogging experts at the Whole Foods Health Fair.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n I had a wonderful time catching up with Lauren (who writes for Food Babe<\/a>), Lori<\/a> and Diana<\/a>. We could have talked for several hours, it happens when you get a group of us together, but I had some shopping to do!<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Being toddler-less, I took my time perusing the aisles, making for one relaxing shopping expedition.<\/p>\n Sunday<\/span>– Braised Short Ribs<\/a> with Baked Potatoes and Wilted Kale <\/a><\/p>\n I thought the meal was \u2018pretty good,\u2019 and David loved it.<\/em><\/p>\n David worked Sunday and I had a long list of tasks to accomplish, including food prep for the week.<\/p>\n My true self is incredibly focused on time management and efficiency. I have an ever-evolving list of things to get done scrolling through my head and have gotten pretty darn good at managing my days to maximize productivity. It\u2019s a trait of which I\u2019m rather proud.<\/p>\n However, a beautiful thing about motherhood is that it challenges you daily because it isn\u2019t all about you anymore. I promise I have a point\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n Sunday morning I faced a decision. I could put Hailey in another room with Mickey and her dollhouse and whiz through food prep to knock it out, or I could embrace these fleeting moments and have Hailey help me.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n This meant embracing a decent-sized mess, a longer amount of time to prep food for the week and the need to have to slow down, explain and be patient. With a deep breath for my sanity, I decided to go for it.<\/p>\n Turns out\u2026 It was awesome.<\/em><\/p>\n She was so interested in everything.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n I loved how she counted the black beans as I explained how this \u2018magical\u2019 pressure cooker would make the beans bigger, softer and edible.<\/p>\n I loved how with each item we prepped she asked to try it by holding it to her mouth and asking \u2018eat, mommy?<\/em>\u2019<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n I loved watching her little mind soak up what each food was called and seeing the focus she had on performing her given task.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n I loved how she grabbed on to my arm with both hands in anticipation of the food processor\u2019s blaring motor, then would jump and giggle when I turned it on.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n I simply loved spending this time with her and watching her engage with the things I\u2019ve fallen in love with- healthy food, cooking and the kitchen. 2 years old is an incredible age.<\/p>\n I\u2019m a believer that early exposure to healthy foods and cooking is beneficial to kids. As we, as a society, spend more time watching cooking shows on TV than actually cooking ourselves, our nation\u2019s (and world\u2019s) health is suffering.<\/p>\n I want Hailey to be comfortable with real foods and how to prepare them. I want her to know it isn\u2019t intimidating or difficult. I want her to enjoy the process. And if she chooses to not be interested in cooking later on, that\u2019s fine with me. She will at least know what kale is<\/a> and we\u2019ll both have the memories of hours spent together in the kitchen, which are memories I know I will cherish forever.<\/p>\n Sure, everything took twice as long and the kitchen looked like a warzone, but in the end, prepping food for the week still was accomplished.<\/p>\n
\nMonday<\/span>– Kale & Quinoa Pilaf<\/a> with Roasted Salmon
\nTuesday<\/span>– Black Bean Burgers<\/a> & Curly Sweet Potato Fries
\nWednesday<\/span>– Homemade Spaghetti over Spaghetti Squash
\nThursday<\/span>– Homemade Vegetable Soup & Grilled Cheese
\nFriday<\/span>– Homemade Veggie Pizza<\/strong><\/p>\n