Beko

<p><img alt="front view of a woman and two children in a traditional kitchen. The woman is demonstrating how to cut the cookie dough on the counter in front of her, as one of the girls watches and the other eats the dough!" height="640" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/k0044-cooking-with-kids.jpg?w=640" title="cooking-with-kids" width="640" /></p>
<p>with your kids, think again. It can be fun for them and for you. All you need to do is keep a few things in mind&hellip;and keep an open mind.</p>
<p>First, why even bother when you could probably cook and bake more quickly without the help from your children? Well, in addition to that fun we mentioned, cooking and baking can be educational and can introduce them to new foods or might even convince them they like foods they previously hated. And, let them know that cooking and baking as both art and science.</p>
<p>Talk with them about the versatility of foods and let them sample the same food in various ways, such as carrots served raw, baked, in soup and in cakes. Or, have a Month of Potatoes. Once each week feature potatoes, perhaps baked, mashed, or as hash browns or French fries.</p>
<p>Cooking and baking are great ways to teach kids math as you introduce them to measuring cups and spoons. You&rsquo;ll be surprised at how quickly they catch on to fractions when they&rsquo;re measuring. Be sure to measure dry ingredients with measuring cups and wet ingredients with glass or plastic measuring cups that have a spout and amount indications. Forget those fancy measuring cups when the kids are learning the ropes. Simple is better. And, a kitchen timer is math at work and can be watched during the countdown to finish.</p>
<p>Start with cute aprons for you and your mini chefs. The aprons add a special touch to the adventure and save that new t-shirt from chocolate smudges or the occasional tipped over bowl. Speaking of bowls, plastic bowls are a better idea than glass ones for the kitchen newbies.</p>
<p>How to choose dishes that are kid friendly and will spur their interest? Make the next trip to the grocery a participatory outing. Let them choose a few ingredients they like. Then, go online together to find easy recipes that use those ingredients. Stick with recipes that call for only a few ingredients and aren&rsquo;t terribly time consuming. Or, you could buy a kids&rsquo; cookbook that will have done that work for you.</p>
<h3>GETTING STARTED</h3>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Talk about the importance of not only taste, but also color and texture.</li>
<li>Have the kids give the fresh fruits and vegetable a water &ldquo;bath&rdquo; before using.</li>
<li>Read to them or help them read through a recipe before beginning.</li>
<li>Have all the ingredients measured and ready. (This is called mise en place, if you want to use the fancy term.)</li>
<li>Safety first. Choose small knives that fit small hands. Plastic knives may be a good option. Demonstrate how to roll your fingers under the palm of the hand that&rsquo;s not holding a knife when you&rsquo;re chopping or slicing.</li>
<li>Explain the importance of using different cutting boards for fruits and vegetables, and meats. Let them choose colorful ones in a store or online so they always use the right color. To prevent the cutting board from slipping, put a damp cloth underneath.</li>
</ul>
<h3>BAKING</h3>
<p>&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s bake&rdquo; may be the perfect way to switch kids&rsquo; interest from the television or computer, even if in the beginning they&rsquo;re more interested in the end product than in the process!</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Not all cakes are round, so why not let the kids choose round, square or even heartshaped pans?</li>
<li>Cakes and cupcakes may be as simple or as complicated as you want. Sure, there&rsquo;s always the box mix, and there&rsquo;s nothing wrong with that, especially for a novice. It still has the fun of cracking the egg (have them crack each egg separately into a small so that you can remove any tiny shells), measuring the water and oil, and, the best part---mixing everything! Lesson #1: Don&rsquo;t turn the mixer on high until some of the ingredients are blended. Otherwise, you&rsquo;ll have a countertop, wall and yourselves covered in what is to become the cake.</li>
<li>Who doesn&rsquo;t love chocolate? But your kids may not realize there are different kinds of chocolate, such as milk, semi-sweet, bittersweet, white and cocoa. Bittersweet may be a bit strong for their taste buds but it can taste complexly different to them in a recipe.</li>
<li>Ok, so you&rsquo;re graduating or maybe just leaping into making a cake from scratch. Good for you! The kids will enjoy tracing the cake pan circle on waxed paper, if you&rsquo;re using it in the pans, flouring the pans (sure, you know not all of it will stay in the pans), and spraying the pans with cooking spray.</li>
<li>It will be hard for them not to peek, but tell them not to open the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mybudgetappliance.com/catalog/ranges" title="Shop our ranges, cooktops, and ovens">oven</a>&nbsp;before the desired baking time is up. Otherwise, the cake could be a flat flop.</li>
<li>Cutting a lattice top and weaving it across the top of a pie is oodles of fun.</li>
<li>After frosting the cake, kids rarely say no to dressing it up with sprinkles, chopped candy or caramel sauce. Here&rsquo;s a hint everyone will like: mix some chopped up candy bar (Butterfingers and Nestle&rsquo;s Crunch are oh-so good) in the frosting. Yum! You can also melt chocolate in molds of various shapes (available online or at stores such as Michael&rsquo;s.) Freeze them, then flip them out and use as cake decorations.</li>
<li>Show off the new baking skills by presenting surprise gifts to family and friends.</li>
</ul>
<h3>AND, SOME EXTRAS!</h3>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Take photos or videos of the kids while they&rsquo;re cooking or baking. The messier, the better! You&rsquo;ll have sweet memories and plenty of shared laughs.</li>
<li>Keep copies of all the recipes they prepare and compile them in a one-of-a-kind cookbook. Pictures would be a delicious bonus.</li>
</ul>
<h3>MOST IMPORTANT!</h3>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Not every dish turns out perfectly, and every dish needs a few giggles, oohs and ahhs. The best result? When they say, &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s do it again!&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
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Cooking with Kids: Yes, You Can and Yes, They Can, Too!

<p><img alt="Image of pie dough being rolled out on a dark counter with pumpkins and leaf-shaped dough cutouts around the dough. The dough is flattened and the words &quot;Happy Thanksgiving&quot; are cut out of the dough" height="483" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/k0044-thanksgiving.jpg?W=640" title="thanksgiving" width="724" /></p>
<p>Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday, celebrated with heartfelt gratitude, delicious feasts, and the warmth of family and friends. It's a day to reflect on our blessings, appreciate the joys of togetherness, and create lasting memories. In this blog, we'll dive into the rich history of Thanksgiving, explore its significance, and share some delightful traditions that make this day truly special.</p>
<h3>THE HISTORICAL ROOTS OF THANKSGIVING</h3>
<p>Thanksgiving is rooted in a rich history that dates back to the early 17th century when the Pilgrims, seeking religious freedom, set sail on the Mayflower and landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts. These settlers faced many hardships, but with the help of the indigenous Wampanoag people, they learned to cultivate the land and sustain themselves.</p>
<p>The first Thanksgiving, in 1621, was a three-day feast attended by the Pilgrims and Native Americans. This celebration marked a moment of gratitude for the bountiful harvest and the friendship between the two groups. Thanksgiving, as we know it today, is a time to honor the spirit of unity and thankfulness that emerged from that first gathering.</p>
<h3>THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THANKSGIVING</h3>
<p>Thanksgiving serves as a reminder to pause and appreciate the blessings in our lives. It's a day to express gratitude for the abundance of food, shelter, and companionship. This gratitude extends beyond material possessions and includes the intangible gifts of love, health, and happiness.</p>
<p>Furthermore, Thanksgiving encourages empathy and compassion. It's a time to extend a helping hand to those in need through charity work and volunteering. By embracing the spirit of giving, we can make a difference in the lives of others and our communities.</p>
<h3>THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS</h3>
<ul>
<li>The Thanksgiving Feast: At the heart of Thanksgiving is a bountiful meal shared with loved ones. The menu typically includes roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Families often add their own favorite dishes, making each Thanksgiving meal unique.</li>
<li>Family Gatherings: Thanksgiving is synonymous with family reunions. It's a time when relatives come together from near and far to catch up, share stories, and strengthen their bonds. These gatherings create lasting memories and reinforce the importance of family.</li>
<li>Turkey Trot: In recent years, participating in a "Turkey Trot" has become a popular Thanksgiving morning tradition. This is a fun run or walk that often supports a charitable cause. It's a great way to kick off the day with some exercise and community spirit.</li>
<li>Thanksgiving Parade: Many people enjoy watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a tradition dating back to 1924. The parade features giant balloons, marching bands, and celebrity performances, making it a delightful spectacle for all ages.</li>
<li>Football: For sports enthusiasts, Thanksgiving means football. The NFL hosts special games on Thanksgiving Day, and many families gather around the TV to watch their favorite teams.</li>
<li>Expressing Gratitude: Before or during the meal, it's common for families to take a moment to express what they're thankful for. This tradition fosters an atmosphere of gratitude and reflection.</li>
<li>Thanksgiving Decorations: Many people enjoy decorating their homes with autumn-themed decor, including wreaths, cornucopias, and pumpkins. These decorations create a festive ambiance that enhances the Thanksgiving experience.</li>
</ul>
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Thanksgiving: A Time for Gratitude, Family, and Traditions.

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<p>There is growing attention to the concept of &ldquo;shopping local&rdquo; rather than patronizing a big box store. So, what&rsquo;s behind the movement and why should you care?</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s easy to think that no one individual will have much of an impact on their community&rsquo;s economics. But, the good news is that isn&rsquo;t true. Revenue from sales taxes from local businesses support the government, and are used to reinvest in schools, parks, roads and programs that directly benefit you and the community. You&rsquo;re much more of a big deal to a small business than you might imagine.</p>
<p>Buying local creates local jobs. Small businesses are the largest employers in the country. Since the 1970s, more than 65% of new jobs originated in small businesses! According to the Small Business Profiles, small businesses added 1.8 million net new jobs in a recent year. Small businesses in the United States employ 47.3% of the private workforce. Another fascinating statistic is that for every $100 spent, about $68 to $73 of it returns to spending in and supporting the local community.</p>
<p>Small businesses often play an important role in supporting community non-profits. Studies have shown that small businesses donate 250% more than large businesses to local organizations. Non-profits receive as much as 350% more money from local stores that non- locally owned businesses!</p>
<p>The lockdown was a prime example of big versus little, when so many small businesses were forced to close while the giant Amazon its income.</p>
<p>Small businesses are run by people just like you. They can be your friends, family and neighbors. They don&rsquo;t answer to a board or stockholders, but they put everything they have at stake compared to a big box store. Employees there are more likely to take a personal interest in their customers and their specific needs, which results in customers having a better understanding of what they&rsquo;re buying.</p>
<p>To a local store, purchases and positive reviews can have a greater impact on the bottom line. And, you&rsquo;re much more likely to get to know the owners and employees of a small business. If there&rsquo;s a problem with your purchase? Chances are you will be dealing with people who very much care about your satisfaction, not just an automated message response that leaves you frustrated.</p>
<p>If you don&rsquo;t like to spend much of your valuable time in customer service lines, opting for a small business versus a huge store may be just the time saver you&rsquo;re looking for.</p>
<p>Many owners of small businesses are innovators, the real essence of an entrepreneur. When they have a problem, they usually don&rsquo;t consult an impersonal manual. They figure out a solution and put it to work</p>
<p>Unlike big box stores, locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses and service providers. The result is that businesses are helping each other grow and prosper.</p>
<p>Shopping local is good for you, the business itself and your community at large. By shopping local, you are making a difference in the local employment and economy with every purchase. Plus, you will probably have a much more satisfactory shopping experience with people who care about you as the customer, not just the amount of money you&rsquo;re spending to meet their sales goals.</p>
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Shopping Local is a Big Win for Everybody!

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Cooking with Kids: Yes, You Can and Yes, They Can, Too!

Thanksgiving: A Time for Gratitude, Family, and Traditions.

Shopping Local is a Big Win for Everybody!

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