Inspire Your Kids To Cook

I believe everyone should know at least the basics of how to cook. We so often lose ourselves in the many daily activities we have to do that preparing food is not a priority anymore. Picking up take out is so easy now with it being offered in so many places. The introduction of one stop grocery shop and pick up an entire cooked dinner including wine is everywhere and it's okay once in a while as long as it doesn't become part of the daily grind.

Entice your kids to help in the kitchen and it will create a knew bonding experience and gives an opportunity for new conversations. I'm a big advocate on eating as a family every day and about 10 years ago I have changed my diet and have been modifying my Italian background meals to promote a healthier lifestyle for myself and my family, and although I became extremely excited as I learned new things I couldn't help myself from babbling on and on to them on what we were eating and the health benefits of certain foods but it seemed like they weren't really listening, just nodding their heads and saying yes mom just to make me happy. Well It only took a few months and suddenly it happened, their taste buds began to change and fast foods became a thing of the past. We were on a family outing and hunger struck, it was time to grab some food, we all decided to have burgers and fries. I was amazing how they all commented how salty and fatty the food tasted and then about 15 minutes when we were done we all felt bloated and tired.

Basic cooking skills and knowledge of healthy food choices and regular fitness are important for kids to learn for so many reasons and to name a few,

-When kids cook new foods themselves they will be more likely to taste/eat it.

-Eating as a family will bring everyone together giving everyone a chance to connect and engage in conversation everyday.

-It will create a healthier population for the future with less diseases and illnesses.

-Great knowledge to have when away at university, living on their own or starting their own family.

-Fitness and Healthy eating stimulates the mind and boosts energy levels to get through the entire day.

-Introduces career choices such as Nutritionist, Holistic Doctors, Fitness trainer etc. otherwise left un-noticed.

-Cooking meals at home and packing healthy lunches is always better for you and less expensive.

-There is so much fun and satisfaction to eat and share something you created yourself.

We all need to eat to survive so why not eat to live a healthier, longer, happier and fulfilled life. Invigorate your child's tastes buds today!



Funny thing happened with my youngest daughter Sabrina who is in grade 10 and is currently taking a Food and Nutrition course, she suddenly became super excited about knowing even more about her health and fitness regime. Every day she came home and with so much excitement would tell me about how they talked about the same nutritional things that I had been teaching her at home. Sabrina is doing very well in the class as she already had some knowledge of food and nutrition as well as some cooking skills. I guess she was listening all along. I guess we inspired each other because while I was inspiring her about cooking she would encourage me to go on long walks with her and we both lost a few pounds, feel better and spend more time together.


This is my 15 year old Sabrina's first attempt at making an entire meal for our family (with some supervision from me). A great job, great tasting healthy meal that we all enjoyed and look forward to the next one.

A&B Courier Southlake Run or Walk for Southlake

It sometimes seems that doing a little is not enough, but a little bit from everyone goes a long, long way. This will be my first time participating in this run and I am very excited to be able to do my part. I have been inspired by watching others do so much for this and other causes and I see how much it really does make a difference.
In the last couple of years I have come to know my team leader Marlene MacPherson and although she may not know this but I often think about all she has gone through and all I can say “BOY THAT GIRL HAS MOXIE”. Perseverance, determination and passion for her family and life are what exude from this extraordinary being.
We never know what life has in store for us but I know when and if that day will come for me there will be many people there to help out in some way and this is why I need to do this walk for myself, my family, my friends and for all the people I don’t even know. It is an honour to walk with hopes to raise money for this disease that affects so many lives.
Please join me and help by making a donation to me or join my team and walk with us.

Thank you,

Rose Arangio

copy this link and make a pledge for me or join my team Marlene MacPherson, IT'S WORTH IT!

https://www.runforsouthlake.ca/Home.aspx

Organized cupboards that inspire cooking.

I believe that organized cupboards will inspire you to prepare a meal. There is nothing more disturbing to me then to try and make a meal and you cant find the ingredients you need or they are in bags tied up with elastics and not labeled, stale spices etc. I guess because I am a professional home stager and decorator its in my blood to be organized but I also love to cook and I have always found it more rewarding to make my meals by the prep work or in French "mise on place".

I love to use mason jars or jars and smaller sized clear jars I purchased from the dollar store. wash and dry then label them. I used chalk board vinyl re positional paper that I purchased at Chapters in 9" x 12" sheets and I cut into size I needed. The chalk easily rubs off for changing contents name.

First thing to do is empty your cabinet and wipe clean. Check all expiry dates and throw out everything that's bad or you dont use. Fill up your jars and neatly organize them on shelves. Use wire racks to elevate the jars so you can easily see whats behind at a glance.

In pantry you can use original packaging but make sure you face the labels in the front so you can see everything and group like things together so its easy to pinpoint things.

You will be proud to open you cupboards an show them off. Try one and I believe it will inspire you to do them all.

Happy Spring cleaning!

Rose Arangio