Charles loves to bake. His fascination most likely came from me, as I love to be in the kitchen and I LOVE food. My own fascination began in my mother’s kitchen, where she cooked from scratch, believed in nutritious eating, and shared her adventurous baking with us kids. Some of my warmest memories are shared moments in our kitchen with my mom, the carob queen. It is only fair to mention that the below recipe is my revised version of her original recipe….thanks, mom!
I began baking with Charles when he was 2 yrs. old. He loved the mixing, measuring and finger licking like most kids his age. We like to experiment in the kitchen and try new recipes. Like my mom, I like taking recipes for cookies, cakes and muffins and making them healthier for kids, incorporating whole grains and nutritious alternatives to ingredients that contain trans fats, hydrogenated oils, or anything artificial. Charles loves to eat our creations, but banana nut muffins is his absolute favorite recipe, which means we bake banana nut bread about once a week, even if we are traveling.
Banana Nut Bread
1/2 c unsalted butter (room temperature)
1/4 c brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c wheat flour
3/4 c all-purpose flour
1/4 oat bran
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
2-3 ripe bananas (2 large or 3 small)
1/4 cup Greek plain yogurt
1/2 c chopped walnuts
optional: Boost the health factor by adding a little flax seed and/or wheat germ. Charles likes to add cinnamon to the recipe as well.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla then mix well. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Mash bananas in a third bowl and mix in the yogurt. Fold in the dry ingredients and banana mixture into the wet ingredients. Add nuts. Be careful not to over mix. Grease the loaf pan or muffin tins. Bread should bake for 45-55 minutes (use toothpick method to be sure the center is done). Muffins should bake for 13-18 minutes. Yield: 1 loaf or 15 muffins.
It is never to late to introduce your child to the wonders of the kitchen. Bake with your child. It is fun! Encourage them to stir, add ingredients and lick the wooden spoon. Discover your own favorite recipes and your house will soon be filled with amazing aromas, smiles and mmmm’s.
household products and you can turn ordinary substances into Charles’ favorite fizzing and foaming potion. Place the glass on a tray or in the sink or bathtub. Put a spoonful of baking soda and laundry detergent into the glass. Add water to the mixture (3/4 full). Gently stir the mixture. Quickly pour the vinegar into the glass (filling glass), and watch the foamy overflowing froth of tiny bubbles. For added flair, add food coloring! In this experiment, the fizz is produced by a chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar (a base and an acid). Baking soda and vinegar react, and one of the products of the reaction is carbon dioxide gas. This gas forms bubbles that are surrounded by the liquid. The laundry detergent makes the bubbles last longer, and a foam is produced. The volume of the gas produced and trapped in the foam is much greater than the glass can hold, so some of it spills over the top of the glass.
5. Balloon Blowup. Supplies needed: Bottle of soda (I suggest sparkling water to prevent sticky messes), balloon and a rubber band. Open a bottle of soda and examine the bubbles rising to the top. Explain that this is CO2 gas. Place the balloon on the top and secure it using the rubber band. Shake the bottle of soda. What happens? The balloon captures the carbon dioxide and expands the balloon. Note: If you already have vinegar and baking soda, you can also put 1T of baking soda into the empty bottle, add 2T of vinegar and then secure the balloon to the top of the bottle. The same reaction will occur as it captures the carbon dioxide being released by the chemical reaction.
Don’t freak out! Layovers happen, even if you have paid your travel agent top dollar. The combination of layovers and children seem to increase the anxiety level for parents, but a little planning, flexibility and resourcefulness will minimize your uneasiness and, frankly, keep you sane. Keep in mind, just like dogs can smell fear, so can your kids. Little ones are very perceptive in times of stress, so remain calm, collected and be prepared. So, hunker down, be savvy, and make the layovers and unexpected delays part of your family adventure.
5. Technological Aids. Technology is your friend on travel days! Depending upon your child’s age and interests, allow your child to escape into the world of technology. The options are plentiful: ipods, DVD players, handheld video games, interactive books, computer educational and learning games. Just be sure your options have a silence button or headphones, so that your child’s entertainment doesn’t become your neighbor’s nightmare.
