Skip to main content

Let's Get Cooking

Henry has started to take a more active role in the kitchen. We started by asking him to help set the table, but I wanted him to be able to participate in making our food too. 
Henry tests out his new Learning Tower.
In order to do help out in the kitchen Henry really needs to be able to reach the counter and the sink, so I started looking into stepping stools that might work for us. A basic 2-step stool does not bring him high enough. I've heard that some people use dining chairs as a makeshift platform for their kiddos, but we have a dinette with benches that cannot move around the kitchen easily. Instead, I have been eying the Learning Tower. The price for a new one was out of our range, so Daddy thought he might build one for Christmas. Then last month, I found a great deal on a used Learning Tower so we jumped at the opportunity to buy it.
Henry helps Grandma make applesauce.
The Learning Tower does take up a fair bit of real estate in our compact kitchen, but I think it has been worth the investment so far. Now Henry can easily reach the counter tops and the kitchen sink. As he gets taller, we can adjust the standing platform to his height. For now, we lift Henry in and out of the tower, but there is a built-in ladder on the side that he can use when he gets older to go up and down. It is a very sturdy and stable piece of furniture that will last for many years, and one that we will likely be able to resell when Henry no longer needs it. 
Henry help measure ingredients for his first batch of homemade cookies.
It's a little messy, but Henry is excited to help in the kitchen.
We got off to a slow start using the Learning Tower for the first few weeks, but this month we been using it frequently. Henry has helped to make applesauce, cookies, and a few batches of oatmeal. He has even started asking to be lifted up in the tower when I forget to include him in meal preparation.
Labels:

Comments

  1. JoyOctober 17, 2013 at 6:26 AM

    Very fun! I've been looking at those too and they are so expensive. It's awesome that you found a used one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownOctober 18, 2013 at 10:15 AM

      Keep an eye on your local craigslist, Facebook swap boards, or kids consignment sales. You might be surprised at what you can find!

      Delete
  2. sanchesginger@gmail.comJune 22, 2016 at 10:04 PM

    It's so cute that your son helps to you with kitchen work, because it's a rare activity. By the way, the Learning Tower and write my paper increase his productivity a bit. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Baby-Led Weaning Cookbook

UPDATE (10/2/12): Unfortunately, I did not hear back from our original winner. Congratulations to our alternate winner for "The Baby-Led Weaning Cookbook" -- Robin Pfefer. UPDATE (9/29/12): I am happy to announce that Kashia Clopper is the winner of "The Baby-Led Weaning Cookbook". When I was first thinking about using the Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) model for Henry, I was unsure about whether it would really work. I was excited about BLW’s claims of less stressful meals that the whole family could share together. Plus, I was all for encouraging Henry to gain new skills by learning about the shapes, textures, colors, smells and flavors of food. This sounded ideal in theory, but would it work in practice? After some fun but ineffective attempts at letting Henry feed himself, I went in search of resources to learn more about BLW. I needed to learn how to prepare meals for our family in which Henry could participate. That’s when I found “ The Baby-Led ...
16 comments
Read more

Five-Spice Salmon with Zucchini Spears (Serves 2 + baby)

As I mentioned yesterday, fish can be an outstanding choice for babies. It is a very healthy option. Plus, it melts into small pieces that are easy for Henry to chew and swallow. This recipe is Henry-approved. I've heard some people are intimidated by cooking fish, but there's no reason to be anxious. Grilling fish gives it a smoky flavor. Just be sure to oil the barbecue so the fish doesn't stick to the grate. The fish is ready when it easily flakes apart with a fork. This is likely to be our last grilling recipe for a while, since the weather is cooling down for autumn. Five-spice salmon and zucchini on the grill Ingredients 1 Tablespoon sesame oil 1 Tablespoon soy sauce 1 Tablespoon Chinese five-spice 1/3 cup orange or pineapple juice 1 clove garlic, crushed or minced 1 10-ounce salmon fillet 1 medium zucchini Henry enjoying a salmon dinner. Directions Whisk together the first five ingredients in a small bowl to create the ma...
4 comments
Read more

Tuesday Tip for Picky Eaters: Set a good example

This week’s Tuesday Tip for Picky Eaters: Set a good example. As parents, we are the first role models for Henry. He will learn from our example, so Daddy and I need to eat our fruits and vegetables too. I am not a big fan of mango, but I let Henry watch me eat it with a smile on my face. Then he wants to try some mango too. Henry is more likely to eat fruits and vegetables when he sees Mommy and Daddy eat them too. A recent study confirmed that when parents lead by example their children have a more nutritious diet. The best way to inspire healthy eating habits is to demonstrate them first-hand to your children. Another study found that when parents ate an extra serving of fruit or vegetables each day, their child ate an additional half serving. Yes, it is important to talk with kids about food. But don’t just tell your child to eat their vegetables, let them see you eating a balanced meal that includes plenty of fruits and veggies. It may not always seem like it,...
3 comments
Read more