just for fun - Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day!

Friday - September 13th - is Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day, so it seems like a great day to grab the children you love and make peanut butter chocolate chip cookie with them (since it is also National Peanut Day)!

But first a few facts about the benefits of helping children learn to cook . . .

• It's an important life skill.
• In addition to helping parents to spend time with their children, cooking together fosters cooperation and communication among siblings.
• Preparing foods from scratch allows children to see for themselves the difference between real foods and processed ones. As you cook, talk about the health benefits of the wholesome foods God made. 
• Stirring, rolling, measuring, sprinkling are just a few kitchen tasks which allow young children to hone their  fine motor skills. 
• Requires following instructions.
• Cooking involves lots of math – simple counting (three tablespoons), more than/less than (add a little more), fractions (1/2 cup), and the list goes on. 
• Whether it’s making a snack for a sibling, or helping cook dinner for a friend in need, it’s important for children to see food as a tool to show loving care for others. 

You will find more benefits to helping children cook at this link.

If you decide to involve the children you love in "taking over the kitchen" on Friday, consider making cookies together - try this recipe . . . 

• One stick of softened butter
• One half cup peanut butter
• 2/3  cup brown sugar
• 2/3  cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/4 cups flour 
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cream butter and peanut butter then add sugars, salt and eggs. Beat together until light and fluffy. Add remaining ingredients. Bake at 375 for seven to eight minutes. Cool on racks and enjoy!