Today’s recipe:  Citrus Smoothie Bowls

As a parent, I’ve realized that it’s all in how you deliver information. Every child/person has a different way of getting motivated to do something. In my house growing up, my mom never really had to nudge me to work in the kitchen. I was always there. I wanted to be a part of it…from the grocery shopping, licking the beaters, setting the table, and dish drying. I loved the pulse of the kitchen. It was/is my science lab.  Now that I think about it, perhaps I loved it because it was a place in the house where my brothers stayed away.

Cooper and I were loafing on the couch a few weeks ago, eating popcorn and watching the kid’s version of Chopped on the Food Network. He’s not really into cooking as I was when I was young, but something told me that if he saw kids doing things that I do in the kitchen, he might feel more empowered/curious.  He soaked it all up like a sponge.

The next day when he asked for a snack, I suggested he fix himself one. Five minutes later I came into the kitchen and saw him standing there with a turkey sandwich (bread grilled on the panini press!) cut in half with lettuce tucked inside and a few drizzles of mustard.  Eureka. This was the way to deliver the information. Kids competition cooking shows. At least, that’s how my son is wired.

This Citrus Smoothie Bowl was one of our concoctions. I added some oats to thicken it up a bit. I usually avoid smoothies because they never fill me up, but this one does. The oranges, honey, yogurt, and frozen bananas are blended together for a smoothie (bowl) that tastes like an orange creamsicle.

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