This weekend I was honored to be ask to be on a panel of local, healthy blogging experts at the Whole Foods Health Fair.
I had a wonderful time catching up with Lauren (who writes for Food Babe), Lori and Diana. We could have talked for several hours, it happens when you get a group of us together, but I had some shopping to do!
Being toddler-less, I took my time perusing the aisles, making for one relaxing shopping expedition.
Sunday– Braised Short Ribs with Baked Potatoes and Wilted Kale
Monday– Kale & Quinoa Pilaf with Roasted Salmon
Tuesday– Black Bean Burgers & Curly Sweet Potato Fries
Wednesday– Homemade Spaghetti over Spaghetti Squash
Thursday– Homemade Vegetable Soup & Grilled Cheese
Friday– Homemade Veggie Pizza
I thought the meal was ‘pretty good,’ and David loved it.
David worked Sunday and I had a long list of tasks to accomplish, including food prep for the week.
My true self is incredibly focused on time management and efficiency. I have an ever-evolving list of things to get done scrolling through my head and have gotten pretty darn good at managing my days to maximize productivity. It’s a trait of which I’m rather proud.
However, a beautiful thing about motherhood is that it challenges you daily because it isn’t all about you anymore. I promise I have a point…
Sunday morning I faced a decision. I could put Hailey in another room with Mickey and her dollhouse and whiz through food prep to knock it out, or I could embrace these fleeting moments and have Hailey help me.
This meant embracing a decent-sized mess, a longer amount of time to prep food for the week and the need to have to slow down, explain and be patient. With a deep breath for my sanity, I decided to go for it.
Turns out… It was awesome.
She was so interested in everything.
I loved how she counted the black beans as I explained how this ‘magical’ pressure cooker would make the beans bigger, softer and edible.
I loved how with each item we prepped she asked to try it by holding it to her mouth and asking ‘eat, mommy?’
I loved watching her little mind soak up what each food was called and seeing the focus she had on performing her given task.
I loved how she grabbed on to my arm with both hands in anticipation of the food processor’s blaring motor, then would jump and giggle when I turned it on.
I simply loved spending this time with her and watching her engage with the things I’ve fallen in love with- healthy food, cooking and the kitchen. 2 years old is an incredible age.
I’m a believer that early exposure to healthy foods and cooking is beneficial to kids. As we, as a society, spend more time watching cooking shows on TV than actually cooking ourselves, our nation’s (and world’s) health is suffering.
I want Hailey to be comfortable with real foods and how to prepare them. I want her to know it isn’t intimidating or difficult. I want her to enjoy the process. And if she chooses to not be interested in cooking later on, that’s fine with me. She will at least know what kale is and we’ll both have the memories of hours spent together in the kitchen, which are memories I know I will cherish forever.
Sure, everything took twice as long and the kitchen looked like a warzone, but in the end, prepping food for the week still was accomplished.
Washed & Dried Kale, LaraBalls, Hydrated Black Beans, Fresh Whole Wheat Bread
Did you help in the kitchen growing up?
Do you cook with your kids?
My mom is a great cook and made delicious dinners most nights when I was growing up. I wish I would have gone in there with her more because I would have learned a lot. I usually stuck to setting the table or clearing it afterwards. My loss! Trying to play catch up now 
Danica @ It's Progression says
I absolutely love this, Brittany. I was not raised in a family that showed any interest in health. Now that, as an adult, I’ve learned so much about wholesome foods and the importance (and fun) in home cooking, I certainly want to have my kids some day join in on that as well!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
Good choice letting her help! I love your safety tower. I’ve always wanted one of those. My oldest, Meghan used to love to help me in the kitchen. At 5, she’s sort of lost interest and would rather do a number of other things. My youngest is 2, though, and he’s so interested in whatever I’m doing in the kitchen. 🙂 My parents gave me special nights where I prepared entire meals for the family at a young age and I’ll always remember that. When my kiddos get older, I hope to do the same.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh wow, you prepared meals for your whole family? That sounds amazing! I’d love to do the same thing with something easy- maybe like pizza?
I wish David had extra time to write a tutorial on how me made Hailey’s kitchen stand because we use it everyday!
Elizabeth @ My Neon Running Shoes says
Love that you embraced your two year old and let her help! I might try this with Noah soon 🙂 Thank you!!!
Marjorie says
I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with my mom, and she always let me “help.” Canon loves to see what I am up to in the kitchen as well. He loves to immitate sizzle noises and the sound of the pressure cooker. It is so cute! I explain to him what I am doing, and he just seems to take it all in.
Brittany Dixon says
That’s adorable that he imitates the noises- I love that!
Lauren S says
What recipe do you use for your whole wheat bread, it looks delicious!
Brittany Dixon says
I cheat and use the bread maker that my parents gave us for Christmas! It’s about 2/3 whole wheat and 1/3 bread flour. I can send you the recipe if you’d like?
Lauren says
I would love the recipe. I have a bread maker too but the few times I’ve used it it’s been a disappointment. Thanks.
Brittany Dixon says
No problem! I’ll email it to you by tonight 🙂
Vanessa says
This is a great post! My son is 5 and I can still get him to help in the kitchen. Has Hailey ever made her own pizza? You will have shredded cheese all over but they love it!
Brittany Dixon says
So funny you mention that because I almost posted the pictures from last week of her making pizza. I let her roll out her dough with flour and you’re right- SUCH a mess, haha! She loved it though. I’ll bet 5 is a great age, too!
Sarah [My Full Home] says
What a wonderful and patient mother you are! I have a 22 month old and I try to get her interested in cooking as well. Sometimes she just sits at my feet and “cooks” with her pots and pans we keep in the kitchen in her own special cabinet. My mother was always cooking and as a kid she would get us involved by asking us to grate cheese or wash the vegetables. By the time I was in high school I would sometimes cook dinner for the family!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh, thank you, but don’t give me too much credit! Patience isn’t always my forte 😉
I LOVE that you could cook your whole family a meal by high school.That is impressive!
Paige says
This made my heart melt 🙂
Lauren B. says
Kudos to you for taking the time to teach her, and clean up after her! I can’t wait until Jackson is mature enough (maybe around 2?) to be interested in cooking with me. As of now, he loves to help me “stir” and clean up, so I guess that’s a start! Love this post!
Kristen@Change of Pace says
I actually battle that in my head every time I food prep. In the end I usually do it by myself. I have two little ones and it’s always such a mess and takes me twice as long to do it. Plus they end up fighting over who does what. Maybe I need a better attitude about it! They do love to help me cook in the kitchen and they really enjoy watching.
Brittany Dixon says
Talk to me when I have two and see if I’m as chipper 😉
And trust me, there are days when I just want to tell everyone to GET OUT so I can get it all done myself. I’m working on trying to slow down and enjoy the messy moments. It’s a work in progress.
Kristen@Change of Pace says
I really need to do the same! That is a new years goal for me… Just slow down and enjoy those moments.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I have a feeling that Hailey is going to be quite the cook when she gets older. She is so lucky to have such a patient mom to teach her!
Jen says
First off, you look great! Second, I love that Hailey wants to help you in the kitchen — that’s amazing. We’re definitely not there yet. Wyatt still isn’t too into eating food so it doesn’t surprise me that he doesn’t have the patience to help me cook. I’m hoping we get there one day though!
Ashlee@HisnHers says
Your little one looks so big in this post!!
Do you have a spiralizer for your curly sp fries? Or are they frozen?? I love curly fries!
Brittany Dixon says
Yes, a spiralizer! I used it for the first time last week and want to work on perfecting them. It’s so much fun 🙂
Maria says
I loved cooking in the kitchen growing up. In fact, I was apart of the whole process: picking vegetables from the garden, cleaning them, helping can them, and then of course cooking them. My mom always got us involved and even though we were never on the super healthy side of things (the women kept a container of lard in the fridge for fried chicken), we learned the importance of family meals, which were always shared together at 5:30 on the dot.
I definitely plan to cook with my kids one day, but I really need to give up the control I have over the kitchen right now, which I sadly will admit to. I barely let my husband get in there with me (though, to be fair, there’s really no room!) 🙂 That’s why our next house will hopefully have an island!
Brittany Dixon says
It’s sounds like you grew up on Little House on the Prairie and I mean that in the most amazing way- what an awesome experience! I’d have loved to know how to garden and can foods growing up.
PS- I’m a control freak in the kitchen, too. I always picture these cute date nights where David and I both play around in the kitchen. In reality it turns into me dictating tasks and cleaning up behind him. I’m trying to learn to CHILL out 😉
Brenda says
This is an example of why you are a great mom. Seriously. Keep up the good work!
I enjoy cooking with my son who is two. It’s fun to have him help measure ingredients and pour them into a bowl. He helps me make curried carrot soup twice a week, and I think him ‘helping’ me is what got him interested in trying it. This kid will guzzle it down like it’s juice, but it’s mostly puréed carrots! After he does that I think, “Score- he got in a serving of veggies for the day!”
Brittany Dixon says
Yes, that is such a great point! H is much more interested in trying something she helped make, too. And curried carrot soup sounds so delicious, by the way!
Tiff @ Love Sweat & Beers says
Good for you. Actually, good for BOTH of you!! 🙂 She’s just too cute.
Ali says
That’s so much fun that she helped you. I could have learned a lot from my mom growing up too, but I wasn’t really interested then. I’m with you – catching up now.
Dominique @ Eat, Pray, Lift says
As a fellow schedule-lover and organization-geek, I can appreciate how much work it took to “let go” and invite a little to join you in food prep. 🙂 So glad that it was a great experience for you both, and that Hailey is just the cutest munchkin ever.
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome says
What a great post! I do cook with my son but often just allow him to play by himself while I do the cooking. Mainly because of the mess you mentioned and how much longer it takes. I need to start encouraging him to join as he LOVES to help me in the kitchen!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
A friend forwarded an article to me the other day about how when kids are involved in the food prep process, they are more giving as adults. Looks like Hailey is on her way! Love this post!
Matt @ Runner Savvy says
I love cooking for just me 🙂
Alicia says
Enjoying those fleeting moments are amazing. I’m learning that as a brand new momma. I’m not cooking with my daughter yet, but I’m trying to soak in every moment I can. I know that soon enough I won’t be able to hold her in my arms and rock with her in the rocking chair. So I’m trying to let those moments sink in, because honestly what more important things are there than enjoying our kids??
Kris says
I grew up helping my mom, and probably by the time I was 13 or 14 I was responsible for making at least one meal during the week (my mom worked full time with three kids). I’ve always enjoyed time in the kitchen; it’s usually pretty fun and relaxing for me, and I really enjoy entertaining.
Is your food processor a Hamilton Beach? Do you like it? I was looking at them today, needing to replace my workhorse Hamilton Beach food processor that is at least 30 years old. I like a pretty basic machine, so really don’t want to invest in a Cuisinart if a basic machine will do. Thanks!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
So this post is like my perfect dream wold of having a kid. haha.
Over Christmas we were at my parents cabin with my cousin and his two kids. His daughter is 8, but she’s so into cooking, and I loved her help and teaching her new things. She was so up for doing anything to help. Including grating a ton of cheese (which I hate doing!) with a huge smile. It made me so excited to do everything you talked about in this post.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
I agree- exposing kids early is huge! My mom sounds a lot like yours. She cooked every night from scratch, and we ate out of our big garden all summer. I had no interest in learning how to cook then which she often teases me about… as soon as I was out of the house, I loved cooking!
Chantal says
I’m starting to include Penny in some of my food prep. She’s not as fascinated by it yet… though she does like helping me put food in the juicer!
jodie says
I just read an article about this, how we, as Americans, need to include the children more in food prep. It was on mindbodygreen.
char eats greens says
I can’t wait to get Nia involved in the kitchen (and using knives – that might sound wrong haha!). I totally agree with your train of thought!! I hope Nia does enjoy it though. I’ll just pretend that burning things in the oven is “all part of the learning process” if it happens when she’s older and understands haha
char eats greens says
PS – I really need a pressure cooker!! Would make bean prep SO easy!!
Sarah says
I love the step stool that you have for Hailey. It looks so safe. Where did you get it??
Brittany Dixon says
David actually built it! I showed him the learning tower (http://www.amazon.com/Little-Partners-Learning-Tower-Natural/dp/B001ECHXVC) and he said he could build it for much cheaper. I only wish I would have done a step by step how to. Maybe I will get him to build another and write a post on it!