Chocolate is a classic Valentine’s gift. It’s a special decadent treat that nearly everyone loves. But there are problems with modern chocolate manufacturing: it often exploits the land and native peoples. Also, many big name companies use artifical flavorings and additives. Treat your love like a king or queen and seek out fair trade,...
Read more →When I was leading spring break camps at Franklin Park Conservatory last week, both groups of children opted to make cinnamon rolls on grains day. While not a great example of healthy grains, cinnamon rolls involve many useful cooking processes and are very doable for children with adult assistance. This recipe is one I...
Read more →During last week’s Friday Five, I revealed my delight that I found a way Lil would eat sweet potatoes and beets. My daughter is not the most adventurous eater and I was floored that she not only tried but ate almost a whole serving of root vegetables prepared in the recipe below. There are...
Read more →Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. -Hans Christian Anderson The little bit of sunshine I enjoyed yesterday has me dreaming of warmer days coming. I would love to spend some of the early spring with you at a cooking class or local food event. Classes taught...
Read more →On January 28th, I wanted to make cookies. More than the sweet treat, I wanted to be comforted by baking something delicious and familiar. Standing in my way was one impediment: we had no butter and no plans to replace it until Pantry Month was over. Because I didn’t really want to experiment with...
Read more →Stay fresh in the kitchen this winter – take a class with me at the Franklin Park Conservatory! Register by calling 614.645.5923 or download a registration form here. Delicious Dough (ages 3-5 and their favorite adult) Kids will make a moldable raw dough and a yeast-risen dough. Class participants will also create a scent-sational...
Read more →How do you open an acorn squash? Or a huge Cinderella pumpkin? I usually pull our big cleaver from the magnetic knife strip. I hold it with both hands and smack at the tough skin. The squash rolls and I try to right it. The cleaver gets stuck and I smash down further anyways....
Read more →The Franklin Park Conservatory is expanding their Food Education program with the new PreK Zone. Yours truly will be the teacher! Three to six year olds in the PreK Zone will prepare and eat simple whole foods dishes in my Kids Cook hands-on format. Classes will highlight the seasonal ingredients uniquely available in the...
Read more →Can you translate this request from Lil? “Mama, can we make a backup? Like when we went to Canada at Old McDonald’s and stay in the car and they put food in a bag?” Did you figure it out? Lil wanted to visit a fast food restaurant, probably for the toy. My heart swelled...
Read more →Today’s edition of Book Hounds is a political-video-chicken one. Why political? Well, I would have precious few books to read or recommend if not for the Columbus Metro Library. Starting today, Columbus area voters can go to the polls and cast a ballot for Issue 4, the levy to Keep Columbus Metro Library Strong....
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