Fall or autumn, no matter what you call it, offers so many fabulous opportunities to have fun with your kids.  Going on a nature walk and collecting leaves, then returning home to create a fall work of art.  Visiting a pumpkin patch and then carving your very own Halloween Jack-O- lantern. Scooping out all of the raw pumpkin seeds and roasting them to make a delicious and nutritious snack.  Finally, at the end of a long day, cuddling up on a couch with your kids to read a book about the season.  These are just some of the things that make Fall special for me and my family.

 

Fall leaf activity:  Cherishing the colours of fall

You will need:

·         Leaves in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes

·         Craft foam sheets in fall colours – orange, red, brown or yellow

·         Contact paper*

·         Tan card stock paper

·         White school glue

·         A popsicle stick (spreader for the glue)

What to do:

1.       Go outside and collect leaves in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes.

2.       Cut a frame out of the foam sheet and put aside.

3.       Cut a piece of card stock paper to fit behind the frame (the same size) and put aside.

4.       Cut a piece of contact paper the same size as your card stock paper and put aside.

5.       Take your leaves and plan out a design on your card stock ensuring that it fits inside the frame.

6.       Using your popsicle stick, spread the glue on the back of your leaves.  Glue the leaves to the card stock. Peel away the backing of the contact paper and stick the adhesive carefully over the leaf picture.

7.       Using the popsicle stick, spread the glue over the back of the foam frame and place it over the picture (on top of the contact paper). 

8.       Allow the glue time to dry.

 

*Contact paper is a clear adhesive covering used to laminate pictures or posters and protect them from getting wet and ruined.  It can be purchased at most dollar stores.

Wall art – hanging-up your creation:  Using a hole-punch, make one hole in the top left corner and one hole in the top right corner. Then thread a fall coloured ribbon or yarn through to hang.

Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin seeds:

Pumpkins are a very important part of Halloween and the fall. Why not try out this recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds, a healthy snack to give the trick-or-treaters, before they head out in search of candy. This particular recipe caught my attention.  It uses egg whites instead of the usual butter or oil required in most roasted pumpkin recipes.  I thought it to be a healthier alternative!

You will need:

·         1 egg white

·         ¼ cup white sugar

·         ½ teaspoon fine grained sea salt

·         1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds (washed and dried)

Method:

1.       Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

2.       Spray the baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray (Parchment paper is an alternative).

3.       In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the egg white, sugar and salt.

4.       Add the pumpkin seeds and toss well. Drain off any excess egg white (using a colander) and place seeds in a single layer across prepared baking sheet.

5.       Bake for 10-12 minutes or until seeds are golden in colour.

6.       Remove from oven and allow to cool.  Seeds may be kept up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Great reads for the fall:

Here are some great fall-themed books that caught my kids’ attention at our local bookstore!

The local library is also a great place to take your children. They can pick out their own books and it is much more cost efficient!

1.       Boo! by Robert Munsch (a favourite in our house!)

2.       How Do Apples Grow?  by Betsy Maestro – find out how an apple grows from bud to flower to fruit–ready for you to pick!

3.       Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

4.       Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White

5.       The Scarecrow’s Hat by Ken Brown

6.       …and my 10 year old Sabrina’s all-time favourite Halloween book, Happy Halloween, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt

The leaves are falling yellow, orange and red,

Fall is no time to be staying in bed,

It’s time to go out and pick up a pumpkin,

Roasting the seeds will have everyone jumpin’,

 

Halloween costumes - I can’t tell you apart,

Using coloured leaves to create fall art,

After trick or treating, cuddle up with some books,

Shelley Sefton is co-author of Creative IQ^TM:  Giving Young Learners the Creative Edge in a Competitive World. Creative IQ^TM is available at www.amazon.ca, at Alpha Textbooks. Orders in the GTA can also be placed directly through Shelley Sefton at bcreativeiq@gmail.com.   

© Shelley Sefton 2012

 

 

 

A friend and I recently wrote and published a book called Creative IQ:  Giving Young Learners the Creative Edge in a Competitive World.  This book provides parents, teachers and care-givers with a multitude of educational and fun activities of which children can partake and that they can solve through creative methods.  Through the development of their exploration, critical thinking and problem solving abilities, the young learners gain confidence to pursue even more challenging issues.  In my experience, children are always more receptive to learning when it is done in a fun environment.

The book is divided into 10 chapters and they include (among others) Chocolotta, You Colour My World, Math-It All Adds Up, Surfing For Fun At The Beach and Creating a Winter Wonderland.  Each chapter contains ten or so activities, some with challenges.  Each activity is aligned to one of the “Building Blocks for Creativity� that identifies the skills being developed.

One of my favourites is Chocolate.  People tend to assume that any activity featuring chocolate is a “junk-food� activity.  This is not always the case.  First of all, did you know that chocolate (in moderation) can be quite healthy?  Second, pairing with chocolate (which is part of one of the activities in our book) is a great way to teach children to try foods they might otherwise not let you bring within five inches of their mouth.  Finally, chocolate can be used to enhance so many summer recipes, one of which I have included below.

Chocolate can be good for you!

There are many benefits to eating chocolate, in moderation.  It is high in antioxidants, it can lower blood pressure and has shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by as much as 10 percent.  Chocolate contains serotonin, a natural anti-depressant.  Chocolate also stimulates endorphin production, which creates feelings of happiness and pleasure.  It has the reputation of being one of the best cancer-fighting foods along with blueberries, garlic, and tea.  Chocolate is high in magnesium which is a mineral that helps in the regulation of digestive, neurological and cardiovascular systems. Essentially, the results of years of studies show that a moderate consumption of chocolate (mostly dark, bitter sweet or semi-sweet) can improve our over-all health.

Let’s play Chocolate Detective!  (advance preparation is required)

In this activity, children use their senses as they play chocolate detective and try to guess what is inside ten different chocolate surprises (prepared by you).  Sight, touch, smell, and taste are all required.  This activity also offers a great way to get kids to taste test foods they would be reluctant to otherwise try.

You will need:

·         8-10 small food items to cover with chocolate such as pretzels, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, dried apricots, carrots, pepper slices, grape tomatoes, olives, marshmallows, cookies, dried mango slices and cubed cheese.  Feel free to substitute any of the above with foods you wish to test.

·         8 ounces/250 grams of semi-sweet chocolate chips

·         Canola or sunflower oil

·         Parchment paper

 

Steps:

1.       Cover a baking tray with parchment paper.

2.       Melt the chocolate in a microwave or in a double boiler on the stove (Note: Watch carefully as chocolate can burn quickly).

3.       Add a tablespoon of oil to the chocolate to thin it out for dipping.

4.       Carefully dip each item into the melted chocolate and place it on the parchment paper.

5.       Once all of the food items have been covered in chocolate, place the baking tray in the refrigerator so that the chocolate will harden.

6.       After the chocolate has hardened, place the items on parchment paper or plates, putting a number beside each item.

7.       On a piece of paper, have the detectives write the number of the item and their guess after tasting it.  After trying all of the items, see which guesses are correct.

Note:  As a time saver, you may wish to visit your local grocery or bulk store to see if you can find pre-prepared chocolate covered items.

Chocolate Dipped!

You will need:

·         4 whole bananas, peeled and cut in half

·         1 cup chocolate chips or chunks

·         1 Tbsp. canola or sunflower oil

·         Sprinkles or chopped peanuts, optional

Steps:

1.       Peel bananas and place on a plate in the freezer.

2.       Place the chocolate chips and 1 Tbsp of oil in a glass bowl.

3.       Microwave for 60 seconds and then stir.

4.       Microwave for an additional 30-60 seconds until the chocolate is melted.

5.       Remove the bananas from the freezer and dip into the melted chocolate.

6.       At this point, you can then dip into the sprinkles or peanuts.

7.       Place the dipped banana halves on the plate and into the freezer until the chocolate is hardened.

8.       They can be stored in a re-sealable container in the freezer for up to a month.

Frozen bananas dipped in chocolate…Yummmm!!  We are in the heart of the summer and these refreshing treats are a great way to have your fruit and chocolate too!

 

 

 

(c) Shelley Sefton 2012  

March brings with it the promise of spring and March 2^nd is Dr. Seuss’s birthday - the guy who had plenty of SPRING in his step!  Theodor Seuss Geisel (March 2, 1904 - September 24, 1991) was a U.S. writer and cartoonist, better known under name Dr. Seuss.  Below you will find two fun and colourful activities.  In the first, you can create a piece of art, and in the second you will also create a piece of art with the added bonus that it will be EDIBLE!!

Coloured rice collage (non-edible piece of art)

Colouring rice is a unique way to be creative using a medium that kids don’t often get to play with.  The following activity has two options.

The first step, in honour of Dr.Seuss’s birthday, is to create a picture of the famous hat worn by Dr. Seuss’s beloved character, the Cat in the Hat.  Red and white rice are used to fill in the stripes.

Another option is to create a picture that personifies the season of spring.  The picture can include one or more of the following items characteristic of spring:  Flowers, birds, trees, the sun, bees and / or butterflies too!

Below you will find the instructions for “colouring� rice.  If you are doing the Dr. Seuss’s hat picture, you will only need red and white rice.  If you are creating a spring scene, it is recommended to provide a variety of colours of rice.

Instructions for dyeing rice:

You will need:

·         Any white rice (uncooked)

·         Rubbing alcohol

·         Liquid food colouring

·         Mason jars or resealable plastic bags

What to do:

1.       In a jar, add 1 cup of rice, 2 tsp of rubbing alcohol and 2 tsp of food colouring.

2.       Close the lid on the jar tightly and shake. Watch as the colour of the rice changes.

3.       Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and pour the rice onto the pan.

4.       Spread out the rice and allow it to dry. It usually takes 12-24 hrs.

5.       When it is dry, store each colour in its own mason jar and with the lid closed tightly.

NOTE: The above instructions are for one batch of coloured rice.  Repeat the above instructions for every new colour.

Dr. Seuss collage (option #1):

You will need:

·         White cardboard (any size will do)

·         A pencil

·         White school glue

·         An old paint brush

·         Red and white rice  (amount depends on how big your hat is – 2 cups of each colour  is usually sufficient)

What to do:

1.       In pencil, draw the outline of Dr. Seuss’s hat ( If you need help, you can always search for images of the Cat in the Hat on the internet)

2.       Don’t forget to draw in the lines with the pencil too!

3.       Spread glue all over the inside of the hat using the paintbrush.

4.       Using a teaspoon, slowly pour the rice to fill the inside of the drawing.  Start with one colour or rice and then move onto the next colour until the whole hat is filled.  A teaspoon is helpful, especially if your drawing has small details that can be hard to fill.

5.       Place your collage on a flat surface and allow 4-6 hours to dry. When it is dry, shake off the excess rice over a garbage can.

Springtime collage (option #2):

You will need:

·         White cardboard (any size will do)

·         A pencil

·         White school glue

·         An old paintbrush

·         A variety of coloured rice (amount depends on how big your hat is – 2 cups of each colour  is usually sufficient)

What to do:

1.       In pencil, draw a picture that best represents what spring means to you

2.       Spread glue all over the inside of the drawing, using the paintbrush.

3.       Using a teaspoon, fill the inside of the drawing with different the coloured rice, until there is no more white space showing.  A teaspoon is helpful, especially if your drawing has small details that can be hard to fill.

4.       Place your collage on a flat surface and allow 4-6 hours to dry. When it is dry, shake off the excess rice over a garbage can.

NOTE:  You can mix your food colorings to create specialty colors if you are feeling adventurous.

Puzzling cookie (as promised, this one is edible)

This is a super creative activity, which requires the use of your baking, planning and decorating skills.  And let’s not forget…eating skills!!4 stars based on 5 reviews Ths a T

Bottom of Form

You will need:

·         Ready-to-bake sugar cookie dough

·         A rectangular baking pan (10� x 14�)

·         A piece of wax paper on which you can work so you can keep your counters clean

·         Non-stick cooking spray

·         A rolling pin

·         A knife or pizza cutter

·         Cake decorating icing tubes ( in a variety of colours)

Instructions:

1.       Preheat oven to the temperature indicated on the cookie dough wrapper, spray the baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and press cookie dough into it.

2.       On a piece of wax paper, roll out the dough to a 1/4 “thickness and then fit it into the pan.

3.       Using a knife, cut the dough into about 12-15 puzzle shaped pieces. Bake according to the time specified on the wrapper.

4.       When it is done, carefully remove from the oven. Using the same knife, go over the puzzle pieces previously cut.

5.       Allow the cookie to cool.  Add your own colourful touch by using the decorating icing tubes to create your own spring picture.  This can include flowers, bees and other pictures that represent spring.

6.       When you are done and after the icing has set, remove the cookie pieces from the baking pan, and separate all of the pieces.  Now try to build your “puzzle picture� with the cookie pieces!

 

NOTE: Ready-to-bake cookie dough is usually found in the refrigerated section of the supermarket.

It is only fitting to conclude with one of my personal favourite Dr. Seuss poems.

Congratulations!

Today is your day.
You’re off to great places!

You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’re on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

Shelley Sefton is a chef, recipe developer & creator of “Yummy in my Tummy� - classes for kids that  offers them the opportunity to  experience exciting adventures in the kitchen – combining education, art,  food and most important of all FUN! Contact: (905) 597-0672 or sdsefton@rogers.com.  

(c) Shelley Sefton 2012

January (Latin word for door) is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and doorways.  It is the start to a fresh year and a time in which many people make resolutions to change.  Resolutions like eating healthier, starting to exercise or exercising more often, spending more time outdoors or spending more quality time with family and friends.

 

Interestingly, I discovered that January 19^th is Popcorn day!  Hooray!  Popcorn is one of my favourite foods.  

 

Here are some fun ways to get some exercise, be creative, spend some quality time with your friends and family, and therefore fulfill your New Year resolutions, all while enjoying some popcorn!

 

Basic popped corn

 

NOTE: Adult assistance required!

 

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups un-popped popcorn

¼ - ½ cup melted butter (optional)

Salt to taste

 

Directions;

1.       Heat oil in a large saucepan or soup pot over medium-high heat.

2.       Add popcorn and place the lid on the pan. Shake to coat kernels with oil.

3.       When the corn starts to pop, shake the pan gently and evenly until the popping stops.

4.       As soon as the popping stops, remove the pan from heat and pour popped corn into a large bowl.

5.       Optional:  Drizzle the melted butter and/or a sprinkling of salt over the corn and give it a good shake before serving.

 

Makes 12 servings

 

Popcorn relay race - Two great versions for a popular game

 

1.       Place two large empty bowls at one end of a room, garden or field.

2.       Divide the kids or family into two teams at the other end of the room and ensure each participant has a full cup of popcorn.

3.       A whistle is blown to start the game.  Each participant runs to their team’s bowl with a full cup of popcorn, empties it into the bowl and returns as fast as they can to their team.  The team that completes the relay race first, wins.

 

A second version of the same game….

1.       Each participant has two turns to run and empty their cup of popcorn into their teams bowl.

2.       This time, they have to be very careful not to spill any popcorn while they are running.

3.       After everybody has had two turns, look at the bowls and see which has more popcorn.

4.       The team with the bowl that is fuller wins because they spilled less popcorn.

 

Popcorn Maracas

 

Maracas are wonderful instruments, fun to make and event more fun to play.  Playing them is a great way to expend some energy, especially when you are cooped up inside during the cold winter months!

 

You will need:

A white paper plate

Crayons, paint or markers

A stapler

½ cup popcorn kernels

Music

 

What to do:

1.       Take a white paper plate and colour the back of it with crayons, paint or markers.

2.       Fold the plate in half, and staple it part of the way around (to create a half moon shape), leaving an opening to insert the popcorn kernels.

3.       Pour the popcorn kernels into the paper plate through the opening and staple until it is sealed.

 

Now put on some fun and energizing music and shake your maracas!

 

Popcorn Snowmen

 

I found this super recipe on http://www.candy.about.com and just had to try it out with my kids.  It was such a fun activity for all ages and a delicious one too!

NOTE:  Adult assistance required!

 

Ingredients:

7 cups popped popcorn

1 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup light corn syrup

1/3 cup hot water

Raisins, gumdrops, or other candy to decorate

Two pretzel sticks, to decorate

Ribbon, to decorate

 

Directions

1.       Place three strips of waxed paper on a table or kitchen counter, and spray them with nonstick cooking spray.  Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl and set aside.

2.       In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium-high and heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves, then insert a candy thermometer. Cook the candy until it reaches 240 degrees.

3.       Pour the sugar syrup over the popcorn in the bowl and stir gently until the popcorn is evenly coated.

4.       Spoon three mounds of popcorn onto the three strips of waxed paper. You want to make the mounds in three different sizes to represent the small head, medium torso, and large body of the snowman.

5.       Allow the popcorn to cool for 7-8 minutes. When it is cool enough to touch, but still warm, spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray, and form the mounds into balls, stacking them on top of one another in a snowman shape. Be sure to press the balls firmly so that they don’t fall apart.

6.       Press the raisins and any other candy into the snowman to form eyes, a nose, a mouth, and buttons.  Insert a pretzel stick into each side of the middle popcorn ball for the snowman’s arms.

 

This recipe makes one large snowman, or you can make multiple smaller snowmen.

 

Take some popcorn kernels and put them in a pot,
Add the oil and heat it, hear it start to pop, pop, pop.
When it is all puffy and white, then it is done,

Everyone knows popping corn is fun! 

Shelley Sefton is a chef, recipe developer & creator of “Yummy in my Tummy� - classes for kids that  offers them the opportunity to  experience exciting adventures in the kitchen – combining education, art,  food and most important of all FUN! Contact: (905) 597-0672 or sdsefton@rogers.com.  

 

(c) Shelley Sefton 2012

October may start with the letter “O�, however in my book, “A� is the most important letter of the month… “A� is the first letter of the word “Apple�.   Whether it is apple picking, eating apples, cooking or baking with apples or trying your hand at an apple-oriented craft, October is a great month for exploring the wonderful world of apples!

Apple Picking

Grab a pair of boots, a warm hat, mittens and a coat and visit a local apple farm.  Apple picking provides a great opportunity to get some fresh air and be active at the same time – simply some good old fashioned fun with nature.  Also, many of the apple farms in our area have play structures, BBQs, corn mazes, petting zoos and stores selling delicious baked goods.  Pick a variety of apples and take them home to complete the next step in this apple adventure (check-out the websites of your local apple farms to see which apples are in season).

Apple taste test

Many varieties of apples are grown in Ontario:  Cortland, Empire, Gala, McIntosh, Northern Spy, Spartan, Crispin (Mutsu), Golden Russet, Honeycrisp, Idared,  Jonagold and Red Delicious.

Try and pick up a few different varieties, either at your local apple farm or at your neighbourhood supermarket, in the produce aisle. Bring them home, label them and then taste-test them.
Each apple has its own unique taste, feel and look.  Here are some words that can be used when describing the tastes, textures and appearances unique to each type of apple:   Sweet, sour, crunchy, tart, crispy, juicy, ripe, fragrant, yellow, golden, red, green, shiny, delicious, round, small, big and bruised (hopefully not but sometimes it happens).

Apple Art

Here is a fun project that will appeal to artists of all ages!

You will need:
• Old newspaper
• 1 piece of Bristol board (white is preferable)
• Brown, yellow, red and green paint
• A paintbrush
• Bowls to hold the paint
• 2-3 apples, halved – this will require some adult assistance
 

What to do:

1. Lay newspapers over the area of the floor on which you plan to paint
2. Take a piece of Bristol board and lay it on top of the newspaper
3. Pour the paint into the bowls and cut the apples in half (horizontally or from top to bottom)
4. Using a paintbrush and brown paint, paint a long tree trunk with branches.
5. Dip the flat side of the apple into the paint and then place it on the paper over the brown painted stems to look like apples on a tree.  Repeat using different apples and paint colours.

Apple guessing game:

Below you will find some well-known apple sayings.

Write each saying down on a small piece of paper.  Fold the paper and place it in a hat (a baseball hat will do fine!).

Make two teams.  Each team will then take turns picking a piece of paper out of the hat.  They then have to act out the saying on the paper.  The aim is to guess the saying involving apples.

Apple Sayings/References:

  “A� is for Apple.
  An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
  Don’t upset the apple cart.
  One bad apple spoils the whole bunch.
  Rotten to the core.
  Adam’s Apple
  You are the apple of my eye.
  The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
  As American as apple pie.
  That’s like comparing apples and oranges.
  The “big Apple�

Take some time to head out into the fresh air, pick some apples, sample some new varieties, bake ‘em, cook ‘em or use them in the creation of a piece of art.  Either way, remember that apples taste good, are a healthy snack and are so easy to take along with you!

Shelley Sefton is a chef, recipe developer & creator of “Yummy in my Tummy� - classes for kids that  offers them the opportunity to  experience exciting adventures in the kitchen – combining education, art,  food and most important of all FUN! Contact: (905) 597-0672 or sdsefton@rogers.com.  

(c) Shelley Sefton 2011

And in with lots of the new…

“What does a New Year mean to you?�…. I asked my family this question as they sat around the breakfast table.  As expected, the two year old doesn’t quite understand the question yet.  However, she has enjoyed a lot of quality parent time over the holidays and that seems to be enough for her.  My son, who is almost 7 years old, is excited about having another birthday in the new year.  Although, he is not excited about the additional responsibilities that come with getting older!  With winter firmly setting in, my daughter, who is almost 9 years old, is excited at the promise of the spring and summer that accompany the New Year…and especially her first sleepover camp experience!  For many, a new year can also mean new friends, now jobs, new challenges and new opportunities.  When I think about New Year, I first reflect on the events of last year and then I envision all the possibilities to look forward to next year.

This month I have chosen a new recipe to share with you that uses something “old� and delicious, to create something “new� and even more delicious. I have also included a recipe for “rice mice� which provides a great way to use your “old� leftover rice to create something “new� and unique.

Recently, for my youngest daughter’s birthday, I made my usual cookie platter with 8 varieties of cookies.  At the end of the party, I took all of the leftover cookies and put them in a resealable bag.  Unfortunately, shortly afterwards, my beautiful cookies became cookie crumbs.  So I went to my computer and searched for “what to do with broken cookie crumbs�.  The following absolutely delicious recipe came up.  I tested it on our family and friends over the holidays and it was a real hit!!

Butterscotch Cookie Crumb Cookies

You will need:
1/4 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar (tightly packed)
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup milk
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup walnuts
1 cup cookie crumbs

What to do:
1. Preheat oven to 350F and spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add egg yolks and continue mixing.
3. Stir in flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon, alternating with the milk.
4. Finally fold in walnuts and cookie crumbs and drop by teaspoonfuls onto a cookie sheet.
5. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

NOTE:
• I removed the walnuts from my cookies as we have a number of visitors that have nut sensitivities…instead, I added another ½ cup cookie chunks
• This recipe can be easily doubled.
• Below is the link to the recipe I found
http://heartkeepercommonroom.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-to-do-with-cookie-crumbs.html

Rice Mice

This is a great way to use up any rice you may have left over from a holiday meal and it gives your kids the opportunity to create an adorable looking mouse.

You will need:
1 cup cream cheese
3 - 4 cups rice, cooked and cold
Licorice string (for the tail)
Black olives, sliced (for the ears)
Frozen corn and peas (nose and eyes)

What to do:
1. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the rice and cream cheese.  Add enough cream cheese so that the rice sticks together well.
2. Form mouse-shaped mounds with the rice mixture and place on waxed paper.
3. Press a piece of licorice firmly into the back, for a tail.
4. Place two slices of olives on top of the head, for ears
5. Lastly, take one pea for the nose and two corn niblets for the eyes and press firmly into the rice mouse.

Now you have your very own rice mouse!

Not all old things should be “out�, the poodle perm, maybe, but my husband’s grandmother’s sinfully delicious cheesecake will always be “in�.

Learning to appreciate the things from yesterday and at the same time embracing the things that are yet too come is what life is all about.

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday,
from my family to yours…and a peaceful 2011

Shelley Sefton is a chef, recipe developer & creator of “Yummy in my Tummy� - classes for kids that  offers them the opportunity to  experience exciting adventures in the kitchen – combining education, art,  food and most important of all FUN! Contact: (905) 597-0672 or sdsefton@rogers.com.

©Shelley Sefton 2010

Winter is the perfect season to create projects to keep you and your family busy while it is freezing cold and snowing outside. Even though playing video games and watching TV are always good ways to keep ourselves occupied, it is also good to find some activities that require using our imagination and creativity.

The benefits of working together on at home projects is that you see your hard work come to fruition, while being wonderfully creative and enjoying quality family time…something we could all have a little more of! There are no limits to using your imagination and there are no rules to limit your fun, except to be safe!

Below you will find some fabulously fun crafts and delicious recipes for the whole family from the age of 2 to 102.  In our house, these are considered activities for everyone.

Snow family puppets: This adorable snow family will provide your family with hours of puppet show entertainment!

You will need (many of the supplies below can be found at your local dollar, art supply or craft store):

 Plastic wrap
 1 white knit glove
 Hot glue gun (adult supervision required)
 5 tiny orange pom-poms for noses
 10-12 Small pom-poms for ear muffs and hats
 Chenille stems cut in 2 inch pieces (also known as pipe cleaners)
 Scrap pieces of felt for scarves
 Black acrylic paint
 Paint brush
 White felt
 Scissors

How to make it:

1. Fill fingers of glove with plastic wrap. This will keep the glove from sticking to itself from the glue and will act as a “filled finger� which allows for a good fit when done.
2. Glue chenille pieces over the top of each glove finger and the pom-poms at the end of each chenille piece for ear muffs.
3. Use a triangle shaped scrap of felt to form a simple hat. Wrap the wide end of triangle across the head of the finger puppet (at the tip of one of the fingers) and glue the point of the triangle down the back. Glue a pom-pom on top.
4. Make scarves from felt strips, fringing the ends with scissors. Glue in place.
5. The orange pom-poms can be used for noses.
6. Dip the handle end of a small paint brush into black acrylic paint. Carefully dot on eyes and mouths. (If you have tiny black pom-poms they can be used instead of paint for the eyes or you can also practice with a black marker)
7. Allow everything to dry and remove the plastic wrap from the fingers.
8. Put the family of finger puppets on your hand and create a puppet show!

Caution:

 Always use caution when using hot glue guns. An adult should supervise or handle the gun themselves while children position the materials.  White craft glue can be used instead, but takes longer to dry.

As similar project with diagrams can be found on: 
http://crafts.kaboose.com/snow_family_finger_puppets.html

Pasta snowflakes: No snowflake is the same. Allow your child to create their very own, unique snowflake

You will need:

 Re-sealable plastic bags
 White tempera paint
 A variety of pasta shapes
 Waxed paper
 White school glue
 White cardboard cut in different shapes (circles, hexagons, squares)
 White ribbon or string

What you need to do:

1. Place a variety of pasta shapes in a re-sealable plastic bag
2. Add enough paint to coat, close the bag and shake until the pasta is well coated.
3. Pour the pasta onto sheets of waxed paper and allow to dry
4. Glue the white pasta onto the cardboard shapes, making different designs
5. When it is dry, use a hole punch to make a hole and thread the ribbon through
6. Now you can hang you snowflakes anywhere you desire.

Note: These snowflakes are a great way to decorate your Christmas tree.

Soup it up! - create and customize your very own soup!

This recipe is easy to follow and gives family members the opportunity to add their own personal touch!

You will need:

 1 onion, diced
 1 TBSP olive or canola oil
 8 cups broth (chicken, beef, vegetable or water will do)
 4 cups vegetables (diced, sliced or shredded)
 salt and pepper

How to make:

1. Prepare vegetables so that they are ready when needed.
2. Take a medium sized saucepan and drizzle olive oil on the bottom.
3. Put the heat on medium heat and sauté onions for 3-5 minutes.
4. Add vegetables and sauté for another 5-10 minutes.
5. Pour in stock and cover, bringing to the boil.
6. When the soup starts to boil, reduce the temperature to low heat.
7. Cook for 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender (soft when cut into).
8. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes and then use a hand blender to puree, or if you prefer, leave the soup in a chunky consistency.

Delicious additions include: croutons, noodles, shredded cheese or crushed crackers

Caution:
 Always use caution when using an oven or stove.  An adult should supervise.

Simply sweet snow people

You will need:  
 1 toothpick
 black food coloring
 3 marshmallows
 2 pretzel sticks
 3 chocolate covered buttons
 ¼ cup white frosting

What to do:
1. Use the white frosting as glue to assemble the 3 marshmallows to make the head and body.
2. Using a toothpick and the black food colouring, dot on eyes, a nose and mouth on the top marshmallow. 3. Using frosting and “glue” three chocolate covered buttons on the shirt (middle marshmallow).
4. Stick the pretzel sticks into the middle marshmallow, on the sides for arms. 
5. Mmmm! Enjoy!

Snow Ball

I made myself a snow ball as perfect as could be
I thought I’d keep it as a pet and let it sleep with me
I made it some pajamas and a pillow for it’s head
Then, last night it ran away
But first — it wet the bed.This is one of my favourite poems written by Shel Silverstein, a well-known cartoonist, poet and songwriter.

Shelley Sefton is a chef, recipe developer & creator of “Yummy in my Tummy� - classes for kids that  offers them the opportunity to  experience exciting adventures in the kitchen – combining education, art,  food and most important of all FUN! Contact: (905) 597-0672 or sdsefton@rogers.com.

©Shelley Sefton 2010

 

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for me to remind the people that I love how much they mean to me, especially my husband Daniel and my three kids Sabrina, Max and Dalia. Because I love to be creative in the kitchen … this Valentine’s Day I plan to provide them with a days worth of delicious and nutritious surprises throughout the day. Each surprise will have a Valentine’s touch!

Breakfast for my “Beloveds�

I will begin the day by making a large batch of our family’s favourite pancakes and then using a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut them into hearts (heart-shaped cookie cutters can be found at your local dollar store). You can even use a frozen pancake or waffle, to save time! I will then top the pancakes with freshly sliced strawberries (frozen can be used too) and make a heart using a can of whipped cream.  A great way to start the day!

This is my favourite pancake recipe from my good friend Norene Gilletz’s cookbook “The Food Processor Bible�.

Buttermilk pancakes

Ingredients
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup whole wheat flour*
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 ¼ cups buttermilk**
2 tbsp canola oil or melted butter
1 egg

Method:
1. In a food processor, using the steel blade, combine all of the dry ingredients and process for 3-4 seconds
2. Add the remaining ingredients and process for 6-8 seconds, until smooth.
3. Pour onto a lightly greased griddle or skillet and cook until bubble appear on the top side. Turn over and brown on the other side. (I use a ¼ cup measuring cup for pouring each pancake)

Yield: 12-14 pancakes

*The original recipe called for 1¼ cups all-purpose flour and I have substituted a ½ cup whole wheat flour to boost the nutrition
**If you do not have buttermilk on hand you can measure 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp lemon juice or vinegar into a measuring cup and add enough milk to make 1¼ cup.

Loving lunch!

A sandwich filled with tuna salad, deli slices or cream cheese, will be cut in the shape of a heart using the same cookie cutter used for the pancakes at breakfast. (Try keep the filling in the middle to minimize the part that is cut away).

Snack: Using a smaller heart shaped cookie cutter I will be cutting slices of cheddar and mozzarella cheese into heart shapes and providing crackers to accompany them.

Fruit:  Red fruits like strawberries, raspberries, watermelon, grapes.

Treat : Throw in a few “hugs and kisses” chocolates, or any other valentine’s treat (Max loves the special valentine’s mini Smarties boxes, which are perfect as they are nut-free)

And don’t forget a special note telling them to have a wonderful day and that you love them very much! If you find some Valentine’s Day stickers, those are always a nice addition too!

Dinner for my darlings…

For the main course itself, anything goes. However, there are still a few Valentine’s touches to be added…

Valentine Napkin Rings:
Make one for each family member using craft foam or construction paper, stick-on hearts and a stapler. Toilet paper tubes wrapped in red tissue will also do the trick.

Red Jello hearts (from the http://www.dltk-kids.com website)

Ingredients: 1 package Red Jello (strawberry, raspberry or cherry)

Directions:
1.  Prepare the Jello according to the Jello Jigglers recipe on the box.
2.  Pour into shallow pans and place in the refrigerator to set.
3.. When Jello is firm use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts.
4.  Serve and enjoy!

Every day we witness things that remind us how precious life is.
I believe in living life to the fullest and in not taking anything for granted.
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and don’t’ forget to let those people close to you know how much they mean to you!

Shelley Sefton is a chef, recipe developer & creator of “Yummy in my Tummy� - classes for kids that  offers them the opportunity to  experience exciting adventures in the kitchen – combining education, art,  food and most important of all FUN! Contact: (905) 597-0672 or sdsefton@rogers.com.

©Shelley Sefton 2010

Red and yellow and pink and green
Purple and orange and blue
I can see a stained glass window,
a stained glass window,
with these colours too!

Superbly Spectacular Stained Glass cookies…

Stained glass is an art form in which colored glass is cut into shapes and placed into a frame to create a picture. The idea of combining different colours of glass, some even overlapping to create even more unique colours, is simply spectacular! What better way to recreate this effect than to make Stained glass cookies.

The idea is to use a large cookie cutter to cut a shape out of dough and then to use a smaller cookie cutter in the centre, to create an open space. This open space can then be filled with crushed coloured clear candies, baked and when it comes out of the oven… you have your very own “stained glass” cookie creation!

Stained glass cookie recipe:

Ingredients:

½ cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 ¾ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp milk or water
½ tsp vanilla
20 coloured hard candies (unwrapped!)
Resealable plastic bags
Large and small shaped cookie cutters
Non-stick spray

Method:

1. Place butter, sugar and egg into mixer and mix until creamy
2. Add flour, baking powder, milk and vanilla and continue to mix until smooth. (you can add some extra flour if dough is too sticky or wet!)
3. When dough is ready, place bowl in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes until it is firm
4. Take hard candies and put into resealable plastic bag. Use your rolling pin to crush the candies into small pieces
5. Remove dough from the refrigerator and place on a well-floured surface
6. Preheat the oven to 375F and spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray
7. Roll the dough out until it is flat and smooth (I always sprinkle a little flour on the rolling pin before starting, to prevent the dough from sticking to it)
8. Take the larger cookie cutters and cut out a variety of shapes
9. Take the smaller cookie cutters and cut out shapes in the centre of the large cookies you cut out before
10. Carefully place the cookies on the baking sheet and fill the centres with the crushed coloured candies.
11. Bake cookies in the oven for 11-14 minutes, until the edges are golden brown in colour
12. When ready, remove from the oven and allow to cool.
13. ENJOY!!!!!

Ideas/suggestions:

• You can use any variety of clear candies, I use “Jolly Ranchers” or fruit flavoured “Lifesavers”.
• You can place all of the candies in one resealable bag and - CRUSH or you can use a different bag for each colour or flavour.
• I use a wooden rolling pin to crush the candies, it does a great job and I feel MUCH better after my little release of any frustration from the day!

Enjoy an additional stained glass craft using art materials.

Stained Glass Tissue Paper “Windows”

One clear plastic sheet (I use over-head projector or transparency sheets)
A colourful variety of tissue paper, torn or cut into different shapes and sizes
A bowl of white school glue
1 paintbrush
A piece of construction paper cut into strips, both long and wide 

1. Take plastic sheet and place on a flat work surface. Brush pieces of tissue paper with glue and stick on plastic sheet.
2. You can place the pieces of tissue over each other, in a pattern or just randomly
3. After the glue on the tissue paper has dried, take four strips of construction paper, place them around your stained glass masterpiece as a frame and glue them to the plastic sheet to keep them in place. 

Ideas & suggestions

• I use black construction paper, it makes a really “fancy” frame
• Take the time to show your young “artist” what happens when different coloured tissue paper is glued together. For example, when yellow tissue is glued over red, you get orange.

In the words of Harry Chapin…

“There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower
and I see every one“

Shelley Sefton is a chef, recipe developer & creator of “Yummy in my Tummy� - classes for kids that  offers them the opportunity to  experience exciting adventures in the kitchen – combining education, art,  food and most important of all FUN! Contact: (905) 597-0672 or sdsefton@rogers.com.©Shelley Sefton 2009

 

[sung to the tune of “Food Glorious Food� form the Musical “Oliver�]

Fruit fabulous fruit, nutritious and delicious,
When you’re in the mood, top it or dip it in yogurt,
Whether it’s sprinkles or chocolate chips,
Cookie crumbs or crushed cereal,
Either way it’s a winner,… breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner,
Fruit fabulous fruit, nutritious fruit, colourful fruit…
How I love fruit!

As far as I am concerned fruit and kids need to go together… for so many reasons. Fruit has so many health benefits, it is definitely worth the hard work that is often required to get kids to eat it. Here are some ideas to make eating fruit less work and more fun!

In our household, I have a 5 year old (Max) who will only eat strawberries, a 7 year old (Sabrina) who will eat anything including litchi nuts, mango and kiwi fruit, and lastly a 7 month old (Dalia) who is just starting to develop her own sense of taste. The basic rule in our house is that the kids have to taste or smell a food before they are allowed to say they don’t like it. If they follow the rule and they still don’t like the food, we move on and try another. Generally, after smelling or tasting the fruit, they actually end up liking it, especially if it is ripe and sweet!

I have used the following recipe at home with my kids and in various cooking classes to convince kids to be a little more adventurous with fruit. The recipe is easy and all of the ingredients can be readily substituted.

May I present… fruit kebobs dipped in yogurt and coated in crushed cereal, cookie crumbs or a combination of both.

You will need:
- -bamboo skewers
- - a variety of fruit cut into chunks – whatever is in season (e.g. cantaloupe, bananas, grapes, berries, plums, peaches, apples, kiwis, etc.)
- -yogurt (you can use vanilla or another flavour – whichever is going to be more appealing to your little taster!)
- -crushed cereal (e.g. bran flakes, Life Cereal™, Shreddies™, Miniwheats™) and / or crushed cookies (e.g. Oreos™, chocolate chip cookies or shortbread)

What to do…
1. cut fruit into bite-sized chunks
2. place yogurt in a shallow pan (I use a baking pan)
3. place cereal and/or cookies in a re-sealable bag and crush
4. pour the crushed topping mixture into a shallow pan.
5. thread fruit onto skewers (always thread from the pointy side)
6. roll the skewer in the yogurt and then in the crushed topping.
7. ENJOY!!

* Tip: Try not to use watery fruit like watermelon as it will make the yogurt runny.

Another idea:
Take a variety of fruits, cut them into chunks and freeze. When they are frozen, dip them in melted chocolate and then let your kids guess which fruits they are.

The challenge is to convince them to “take a chance� and try the mystery fruit, however since it is covered in chocolate, convincing them is usually not too difficult. 

By the way, if you have never tried frozen grapes, they are must all by themselves…the coldness really accentuates the flavour.

One of my favourite childhood memories is of frozen bananas dipped in melted chocolate and topped with crushed peanuts.

Shelley Sefton is a chef, recipe developer & creator of “Yummy in my Tummy� - classes for kids that  offers them the opportunity to  experience exciting adventures in the kitchen – combining education, art,  food and most important of all FUN! Yummy in my Tummy is offering three hour classes at the end of the summer, incorporating art, educational and culinary projects. Register early for popular themes - Aug. 24th: Mediterranean Mania, Aug. 26: Choco-lotta, Aug. 28: Fruit Frenzy, Aug. 31: Choco-lotta, Sept. 2: Mediterranean mania, Sept. 4: Camp-a-licious. Each class includes a snack, lunch and dessert that the kids make themselves. The cost is $35 per child. Thornhill location. Contact: (905) 597-0672 or sdsefton@rogers.com.©Shelley Sefton 2009