Strengthen Family Connection with Healthy Cooking

Daisy and I set up this blog as a space for families to come together and enjoy the process of cooking and eating healthily. In fact, it's been Daisy who has led the way in pushing for us to set this up together.

I've found that, getting the family and the kids involved completely transforms the way in which everyone views healthy food.

I'll ask Daisy in the supermarket to turn a packet over and read the ingredients out loud to me. Just this simple task has helped her to understand that a lot of the 'food' out there, isn't even 'food.' It's been an eye opener on what has been a challenging journey at times.

It's not easy turning down the pretty packet of popcorn filled with E-Numbers, for a basic salted popcorn that has only 3 ingredients - popcorn, salt and oil. But it's now Daisy who tells me how bad it is that these companies are pretending to sell happy, healthy food on the front of the packet, when in reality on the back of the packet, the whole thing is filled with rubbish. For her, it's about honesty.

I would say the key to eating healthy as a family to get everyone involved. Make everyone passionate about eating well and understanding the benefits of good food. Get everyone on the same mission.

We spend a lot of time asking Alexa to tell us the health benefits of the food on our plates. It's a simple and silly way for the kids to hear it from 'someone' else. That way we're not the ones preaching it all the time.

Here's a few tips below for creating a space for fun healthy meals that will bring happiness to the family.

Tips for Successful Healthy Cooking

Plan Your Meals

Planning your meals is a great way to get everyone involved. Daisy loves knowing that on Fridays we have homemade banana ice-cream, Monday we have pizza and Sundays we have pancakes. These staples on the weekly meal plan add a bit of excitement and routine to the week that the kids love.

Another thing Daisy loves is a fresh watermelon juice on a Monday morning. I blend it with cardamon for added flavour, pour it in a glass filled with ice and it's the perfect way for the kids to start a new week. It adds some joy to the Monday tiredness and hydrates everyone perfectly.

Get the Kids Involved

Involve your children in the cooking process. Let them help with washing vegetables or stirring ingredients. This can make them more interested in eating healthy meals and it helps them to learn about the food on their plate. Kids are more likely to eat a meal they have prepared than not.

We tend to have left over porridge at the end of every morning, and so I started saving it and putting it in the fridge. The next day, we fry them up together after school, dowse them in peanut butter and honey, and I watch their faces with anticipation as they can't wait for it to be plated up.

Getting them involved has helped them to learn about healthy snacks, food waste and it's genuinely more fun and homely doing this together.

Experiment with Spices

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spices and herbs. They can transform a simple dish into something special. Get the kids involved with the spice rack. It can be such an exciting cupboard for them.

Keep It Simple

You don’t need to make complicated dishes to enjoy healthy meals. Simple recipes can be just as delicious and satisfying. We have a staple broccoli pasta dish that we make every week. It's my go-to 30minute meal and plates are left sparkling clean every week.

Use Seasonal Ingredients

Buying seasonal produce can enhance the excitement of your meals. We're lucky as we have a lot of enthusiastic gardeners near us who sell their produce. This can make cooking so much fun. Do you have an apple tree for a hearty apple crumble that the kids can pick from?

Seasonal ingredients brings a sense of tradition to the home which can be really magical.

Every year Daisy would be so excited for the rhubarb to be ready so could make a crumble together. But you can do this even without a garden. A kitchen work top will give you plenty of mint and lettuce which the kids will love picking.

Grow Your Own

The more I grow, the more the kids get involved! This is such a thing of joy for the whole family. Daisy has loved picking tomatoes from the garden, courgettes, peas etc. They love the food you can pull out of the ground - carrots, radishes etc. Anything they can eat straight away.

Excuse my messy garden! My son Roma above, eating a radish and both Daisy and Roma picking potatoes - it's so easy.

Grab a couple of potato bags, a few hanging basket for tomatoes or a pot for some french beans. It really is so easy and you get a real sense of accomplishment.

Picture above spiralised courgettes picked fresh from the garden.

Creating a Family-Friendly Cooking Environment

A happy kitchen is a welcoming kitchen and the heart of any home. Here are some ideas to create a family-friendly cooking environment:

Organize Your Space

Keep your kitchen organized. Make sure you have all your tools and ingredients easily accessible. This will make cooking more enjoyable for everyone.

Play Music

Playing music while you cook can create a fun atmosphere, especially for little ones.

Choose upbeat songs that everyone enjoys. You want the kitchen to be a fun space with great memories. I love dancing around the kitchen with my kids whilst I'm waiting for things to bake. It brings so much love and enjoyment to process.

Share Stories

While cooking, share stories or talk about your day. This can make mealtime more meaningful and enjoyable.

Cooking is the perfect time to open up about the worries of the day. The chats whilst you're preparing food and the conversation during the meal is when I get the most out of my children. We do something called 'Thorns and Roses' which Daisy's Godmother Lizzie introduced us to.

Each one of us can have 3 Roses and 1 Thorn. Roses are things that went well during the day and the Thorn is the thing that went wrong or didn't go as planned. It's a great way for the kids to open up.

Celebrate Cooking Together

Make cooking a family event. Celebrate your efforts by enjoying the meal together.

I always light a candle at dinner. It's a small gesture but it sets the mood as calm and homely. It helps everyone to bring the right energy to the table.

We also start each meal with a prayer. This helps us connect as a family and we give thanks for the food in front of us and think about those who are suffering. This sets a tone of gratitude and the kids are less likely to moan about what's in front of them.

Embracing a Healthier Lifestyle

Making small changes in your cooking habits, you can create a positive impact on your family’s health. Key factors that help our family;

Stay Informed

Keep learning about nutrition and healthy cooking. There are many resources available, from cookbooks to online courses.

Be Patient

Transitioning to healthier choices when cooking may take time. Be patient with yourself and your family as you explore new recipes and ingredients.

Celebrate Progress

Celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Each healthy meal you prepare is a step in the right direction.

A Wholesome Journey Ahead

As you embark on your journey towards healthier meals, remember that it is about more than just food. It is about creating memories, fostering connections, and nurturing your family’s health for generations to come.

With each meal you prepare, you are contributing to a happier, healthier family. Embrace the joy of cooking with your children and the love that comes with sharing wholesome meals.

A vibrant quinoa salad with roasted vegetables ready to serve.