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Mission- Real Food For Real Kids

Hello there,

It has been months!! I have been working with a company called Real Food For Real Kids.

Real Food for Real Kids® is a dynamic company that has been catering to childcare centres for almost 2 years (please see attached testimonials and article). All of our food is made with 100% natural ingredients and we place a strong emphasis on using as much local and organic content as possible.

Kid's oyster shucking championship!!!!

Despite the damp and chilly weather, the kids activities at the International Shellfish Festival were enjoyed by about 35 children and their families. As usual, I was amongst the individuals having the most fun.

Check out kiddykitchen.com for pictures of last Sunday.

What were the highlights? When I work with children, planning a day of events/activities, I wonder how they will surprise me. They always do!

What does " The world is your oyster" mean to you?

We started the activities with a few songs and the story of an oyster. Robert and I asked them questions about shellfish to find out how much they knew. There were a few children that had parents who were in the industry and I was amazed at how some of the children had really caught on to what went on in the oyster industry (more than me) and a few of the siblings just had no interest. Different personalities and interests I realize....but in particular there was one girl who had absorbed all the information like a sponge.

She moved on to impress me further when she expertly popped open a few bivalves with no assistance. I could see a few bystanders gasp with concern as she wielded the oyster knife with confidence, finding the hinge, raising her elbow and twisting the knife until BINGO....it was open.
A couple of children piped up "Hey, why can't we have a kids oyster shucking competition next year?" Imagine? Why not?

For the 'Faces behind the food' activity various chefs, oyster growers and shuckers visited our activities for a Q/A period. We asked them why they had become involved in the food/shellfish industry. Several of the children prompted them to talk about things that adults would not feel comfortable to ask. Then we all worked together to concoct a seafood stew of CHOWDER proportions. I could see the children and adults light up as they realized how easy it was to make a great chowder soup. "It is like making a mudpie" , one of boys squealed. As we added the ingredients, Robert talked about the background of chowders and simple pleasures of making and eating soup. I could see the children feel the passion in his eyes. Children always respond well to authentic emotions. He urged them to taste each ingredient, savoring the flavor and allowing them to really use their senses

We invited as many people as possible to taste our soup. I know that many of the chefs were impressed by the simplicity of the flavors. Although, the children were my greatest test.....they loved it. Some of them gobbled up 3 bowls full!!

At 3:00 we all geared up to go into the tent to watch the oyster shucking championship. After hours of shellfish fun, the kids were ready to see the shuckers perform. We dressed ourselves in costumes, hauled the giant oyster (which we had all signed as a prize for the champion) and ran to the tent.

The children and I made our way to the front of the tent en masse. I could feel their excitement. They were part of something. We stopped along the way to get people to sign the shell, take pictures and give people 'FREE HUGS'. It was such a great way to bring children into the festivities...and vice versa. I am sure that the organizers finally saw how important it was to include children in this special event.

It was a fantastic day. I met some wonderful people. Some were under 9 years old. Given the right circumstances, children display their endless enthusiasm and openness. For them, anything is a possibility.
It does not have to be so different for adults. There is so much wonder and opportunity out there.
REMEMBER.....
THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER

The World is Your Oyster - Free Children's Shellfish Activities

I attended the PEI International Shellfish Festival last year. As I stepped into the first tent I focused on my two main interests: the food being served and children. My report on the food would have to be that it was simple and relatively cheap. It was not the highlight as much as the situation with the children . I was amazed at all of the children running around in the tent. They were milling around the booths searching for something exciting to do. I looked around for kid's activities or a booth geared towards families. There was nothing!!!! What a waste of a great opportunity to promote shellfish to a younger audience.

So, this year Robert and I appealed to the imaginations of the Shellfish Committee. We strained our childlike imaginations and came up with an afternoon of interactive and educational activities for children ages 3- 80.
I gather that our enthusiasm and spirit came across because the Committee agreed to our proposal.

It is going to be an incredible weekend for all ages. If you have children or want to behave like one join us for some fun and interactive foodie activites on Sunday Sept 19.

Check out the details on the festival website www.peishellfish.com or kiddykitchen.com.

SEE YOU THERE!!!!

Weblogging in English Schools

I was not surprised at my KidChef's http://kiddykitchen.com/enthusiasm for having the opportunity to start their own weblog. They were amazed at how easy it was. As I stood and watched them follow Will and Jarrod's directions http://www.goodbasic.com/ their eyes brightened; this was not just a tool for adults. I could see their imaginations whirr......all of the things they could discuss, links that they could share with other children and a chance to actually PUBLISH something of their very own!!

I was sent a link to an article from the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3804773.stm
that discussed the progress of a particular school that had started encouraging children to use weblogs. John Mills at Hangleton Junior School in Hove, Sussex, has set up an after-school weblogging club for children.

"This club has become so popular that nearly half the school shows up for the meetings.
The aim was to introduce children to using weblogs in their spare time to learn more about things that interest them, but as a result their performance in class has improved"

Weblogs are helping children to become more comfortable with technology, develop their own voice and create a sense of community within their peer-groups.

John has been amazed at their progress, "They are really involved. They know it's different, they now have something that lets them speak with their own voice. Adults tend to tell children what to think; weblogs give them a chance to voice their own thoughts.

"There's a degree of trust involved. They know that if they post anything they shouldn't, their weblog will be taken away from them."

I will be including a weblogging element to my kiddy kitchen summer camp session. Not only will the children have a chance to share their feelings and thoughts on food on our communal kiddykitchen weblog, but they will also have the chance to create their own weblog that they can continue throughout the year.

I believe that children are incredibly capable. Given the right tools, children are able to develop their inquisitive nature on their own without being controlled or having to follow a decisive formula. Too often education forces open minded children to curb their enthusiasm and initiative. I am convinced that weglogging is a useful tool that can give them the step up to shape some of their own ideas and direction.

I only wish that I had been given the chance to have my own weblog at age 8!!!!

Going on a 'Grocery Store Safari'

*Join Hopey in the kitchen for this unique opportunity!!!!*

Where: Charlottetown, Atlantic Superstore
When: June 19 @ 2-4pm
How much? $5 per child!!!!

_Grocery store Safari_
A visit to the grocery store can be a real educational experience. The children will be given a tour of the store where they will have an opportunity to meet the produce manager, bakers, meat and dairy managers.......kids always like to see what goes on behind the scenes.!!!!!

This activity is an incredible way to connect children to the grocery store, food knowledge and create an important awareness around making healthy choices.

**** The Kid Chefs, using delicious ingredients that they collect on their adventure, will then take part in a lunch box workshop.
Menu: Scrumptious sandwiches, super-snacks, taste tests galore!!!!!*****

SIGN UP AT THE SUPERSTORE CUSTOMER DESK or.... CONTACT HOPEY at 902 940 2146!!
Check out kiddykitchen.com for more details.
See you there!!

This is not just a tool for kids!!!

As I was searching for kid-friendly websites for my kiddykitchen.com LINKS page, I stumbled across this incredible tool.

This is not just for kids!! It is definitely a tool that would help many adults to build their own websites.

http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/kids/

The more I teach children cooking, the more I simplify my own techniques in the kitchen; which results in food prepared with more love and attention.

This website is a brilliant and simple tool that de-geeks a lot of the computer jargon that puts off many people from building their own websites!
As they put it...."Ready to make your own Web site and send your weird ideas out into the world? Then you're in the right place. The Basics and Learning HTML will help you get started, explaining how the Web works and how to go about creating your first Web page. Once you've got that mastered, learn how to spice things up with Graphics and Gizmos, and arrange everything just how you like it in Layout"
Why can't we approach all things in this way?? It makes so much more sense!

Healthy Vending Machines!!!

One of my many dreams has been to help launch 'Healthy Vending Machines' in schools across PEI. I mentioned this wacky idea to a couple of my friends at the Charlottetown Farmer's Market a few weeks ago. They laughed at my notion to introduce a line of tasty and healthy snacks in schools on PEI. If we made it appealing and fun, I am sure that kids would try out soy treats, organic fruit leather, grrrreat homemade granola bars, organic yogurt and other more nutritious snack ideas.

"Hope, how would you get that sort of thing organized on PEI?"

Well, I have started the ball rolling with my fruit leather crusade http://kiddykitchen.com/recipes. Kid's seem to like my homemade alternative even more than the junky fruit roll ups. Plus...they can make them at home with their parents!!

What about seasoned soy nuts? With all of the peanut allergies at schools, this healthy nut is definitely a delicious, kidfriendly, alternative!!

So, when Jevon emailed me this awesome link to a company http://www.stonyfield.com/weblog/ I was astounded to find out that they have actually launched 'Healthy Vending Machines' in schools across the U.S!!! http://www.stonyfield.com/MenuForChange/ParentActionKit/HealthyVendingPilotProgram.cfm

The Dandelion Festival

Well, it was another rainy day (where did that sun go?); but nevertheless we all congregated in the Charlottetown Fire Hall. The Dandelion Festival was a relaxed community gathering. There was music, food, face painting and various speakers who shared their passion and knowledge for organic foods and the wonderful properties of dandelions.

Tony Redden was among the musicians that put on a show!

We had a taste test station that encouraged the children to differentiate between organic and non-organic foods. They guessed correctly every time.

Face painting is always entertaining....especially when we have artists like Hillary!!!

Taylor wanted a dolphin painted on her cheek. I wanted to see her incredible smile..wow, what a face!!!

I met some amazing children. They never cease to impress me. When I give them questions they challenge me with more.

I made Fruit Leather which was a huge hit!.

RECIPE:

APPLE FRUIT LEATHER

-Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
-Spread a thin layer of apple sauce (homemade or store bought- or a different fruit) on a greased cookie sheet.
-Turn oven down to 200 degrees and put apple sauce into oven.
- Bake for 3 hrs.
-Take out, cool and cut into fun shapes!!!!!

I encouraged the children to personalize their tasty, healthy treat. They each made a label for their fruit leather shape and put it in a bag to take home.

Kiddy Kitchen Website

Thanks to Jarrod http://www.goodbasic.com/ I have designed a kid's website/weblog. My aim is for http://kiddykitchen.com/ kiddykitchen.com to become a meeting place for kids interested in food, connecting with each other and learning about their local community.

As this website is for children I want them to help to design it, and contribute to it as much as possible. I believe that weblogging is an ideal tool for children to develop a voice and express their personalities. So, Jarrod, Will and I will be giving kids the opportunity to create their own blog; either directly connected to kiddykitchen.com -Kid Authors section http://kiddykitchen.com/authors, or to help them set up their own independent blog.

We are holding our first kid's blog party on Monday at the Hopetoun Barn http://smartpei.typepad.com/hopetoun_archives/2003/10/how_to_find_us.html at 5pm.
Will and Jarrod will lead the kids' in a hands-on session in blogging. They have been dedicated to de-geeking and de-mystifying the wonderful world and tools of blogging. Although, I think that the children might teach them a thing or two!!!
Since we will be building a website about kids and food, I felt that we had to get them into the kitchen. Melissa, one of the chefs at 42nd Street (Charlottetown) will be giving a special cooking lesson for those interested. If you know any children that would be interested in helping to build a kids' website or creating one of their own COME ON DOWN!!! It is free and will be a lot of fun!

Children always ground me. They are honest and direct. Therefore I feel that it is vital to expose them to tools and facilities that will help them develop their imagination and initiative. I always remember my brother when he discovered the computer at age 7. It just made sense to him. He had found that adults, school and 'grown up' circumstances did not always seem logical. "Why?" He would ask. "Just because I said so" was often the response.
I fit right into the system and plodded along happily accepting the way things were; that was my personality. For James, computers offered a world that he could contribute to regardless of his age, size and vocabulary.
James still spends a great deal of time on the computer. His work primarily comes from his imagination and wonderful sense of humor. He actually gets paid to do what he adores!!!!
Check out his website http://presstube.com/

The magical expressions of Princess Taylor

WOW! At two years old Taylor is poised, confident and so funny!!!

"Taylor lets see your........"

SAD FACE

EXCITED FACE

SLEEPY FACE

LOOK AT THOSE EYES!!