Gingerbread Dreams this past weekend

Friday the 27th at 5 & 7pm and Saturday the 28th at 12:30pm was the Gingerbread Dreams workshops at What's Cookin' in Erin. There was alot of icing and tons of sweet decorations flowing and the houses were decorated beautifully . Everyone had tons of sweet fun and the Saturday group got to finish up and see the Santa Claus parade go by. Above are a couple of pictures of some of the great participants. Thanks to all the parents who stayed and had fun creating memories with their children!
Last chance to participate and do a house of your own is Sunday December 6th @ 3pm at Noinkee's in Orangeville and Saturday December 12th at Alder Rec Centre in Orangeville @ 1pm.
Call to reserve your spot 519-940-1131

Yours in sweet health,
Lori
Little Chefs
www.thelittlechefs.ca

Cookies, cookies everywhere!

This past weekend I hosted a young girls birthday cookie making party. What a blast it was. All the girls were very happy to get right into creaming the butter, adding the sugar,egg, and dry ingredients! They all had loads of fun mixing, rolling, pressing and decorating some yummy sugar cookies. The girls ranged in age from 3-6 years of age. The children didn't go home with just their cookies to share but with inspiration to get in the kitchen to help mom or dad!
If you are interested in booking your child's cooking or baking party please contact me as I am already booking for into the New Year! Little Chefs holds parties and classes for kids aged 3 and up!
We still have some spots available for the Gingerbread Dreams classes being held in December in Orangeville. Spots are filling up so contact us today to reserve your spot.
info@thelittlechefs.ca or 519-940-1131

Tis the Season to increase your Antioxidants

Fresh cranberries are now in season between October and December, just in time for the holidays!

One serving of fresh cranberries (1/2 cup) is low in calories and full of vitamin C and fiber and also a good source of vitamin K.
Cranberries have a great deal of health benefits:
• helps protect the urinary tract from infections
• fights viral infections
• increases the good cholesterol
• improves vascular function high antioxidant properties help fight cancer

Now that you know how great cranberries are for your family’s diet, here is some guidelines on buying fresh cranberries:
• Choose firm, ripe cranberries
• Look for cranberries that are deep red color
• Remember, fresh has more antioxidants than the dried cranberries or bottled cranberry drinks
• Fresh cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator for several months. Before storing, discard any soft, discolored, pitted or shriveled fruits.
• Once frozen, cranberries may be kept for several years. To freeze, spread fresh cranberries out on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer. In a couple of hours, the fully frozen berries will be ready to transfer to a freezer bag. Don’t forget to date the bag before returning to the freezer.
• Once thawed, frozen berries will be quite soft and should be used immediately.

Enjoy some seasonally fresh cranberries as part of your holiday season!

Yours in best health,

Lori Tinella
Little Chefs

Book your Little Chefs party now and receive our 1 year Anniversary special!
Contact us for more information 519-940-1131 or info@thelittlechefs.ca
NOTE: Gingerbread decorating classes are filling up fast so book your child's spot soon. Most classes in Erin @ What's Cookin are sold out. A few spots remain for the Friday November 27th @ 7 pm.
in Erin. Some spots in the classes in Orangeville Dec 6th and 12th!

Next Holiday Celebration!

Now that Halloween is over and hopefully the candy is eaten if you allowed your kids to eat it. I asked my two girls to pick a few items from their bag and the rest was donated to school for sending away. They were quite happy to trade it in for one special item that they could pick out (non food)at a later date.
I have a series of Gingerbread Dreams classes coming up. What is Christmas without the fun of decorating your own Gingerbread House to display in your home!

Gingerbread House Decoration for Children of all ages!
Little Chefs will provide an already built house for each student to decorate. Each child will get a collection of candy to decorate his or her own house.

The children will be assisted with decorating using royal icing, trim, holiday decorations for the houses and other ideas.

This is a hands-on class. Price: $ 30.00


Friday Nov 27th 5pm SOLD OUT! 7 pm at What's Cookin' in Erin
Saturday Nov 28th 12:30pm SOLD OUT Erin

Sunday Dec 6th - Noinkee's in Orangeville @ 3:00pm
Saturday Dec 12th - Alder ST. Rec on Orangeville - 1pm & 3pm


Please register early as spots are filling up fast. 519-940-1131 or info@thelittlechefs.ca

Little Chefs – Healthier Kids One Bite At A Time!

Healthier Treat

I know in my last post I talked about alternatives to the usual sweet treats for this upcoming Halloween but I thought I would give a nice eas recipe.
A healthier version of a brownie/cake recipe that can be adapted also to cupcakes for a party if you wish.

Buried Treasure Brownies

2 cups whole wheat flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 1/2tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
½ cup canola oil
½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
¾ cup agave syrup
2 tsp pure vanilla
2 cups shredded zucchini
¼ cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 18 muffin tins with papers or can use a cake pan if desired.

In medium bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl mix agave syrup, oil, applesauce, and vanilla until well blended. Add flour mix to wet ingredients and stir until combined ( do not over mix) Fold in zucchini and chocolate chips.

Divide the batter between the liners in the muffin cups or in your greased cake pan
Bake until toothpick comes out clean for 17-22 minutes.

Icing
2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate/ chips work well
1 ½ cups of sour cream
1 tsp real vanilla

Melt chocolate over a pan of hot water, or in a bowl in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Transfer to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add the sour cream and the vanilla and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Let cool slightly until the frosting begins to thicken. Makes about 3 cups

Yours in good health,
Lori Tinella, Founder
Little Chefs

Have a Party that COOKS!
info@thelittlechefs.ca
519.940.1131

Healthier Halloween Tips

Trick or Treat what are you having at your house?

You couldn't ignore Halloween if you tried, not with the shelves of nearly every store piled high with candy. There's chocolate, candy bars, lollypops, licorice, chewy coloured candy in cute shapes, brownie and cookie packs, hard candy, gum, and more ... much more.

This overwhelming reminder of the approach of Halloween represents more than just a tradition of dressing up in costumes to celebrate the day of the dead and then showing them off to your neighbours. Today Halloween is really nothing more than an excuse to eat lots of sugary, insulin-triggering treats.

So in an age when one in four Canadian children are overweight or obese should we be rethinking our manner of celebrating this increasingly popular holiday, or simply carry on with what we've been doing?

Alternatives to Sugar Crashes
Parents and caregivers should try to change the focus of the day away from the habit of collecting and eating candy.
Try to emphasize other fun aspects of Halloween, such as creating great costumes. Some helpful ideas for parents to think about:
•Allowing children to make the rounds of houses in the neighbourhood, but then limiting the candy they are allowed to keep to a reasonable number of their favourite pieces when they return home.
•Predetermine this amount before kids go out and to keep the rule consistent for all children in the family regardless of their age.
•Implement a system of buying back most of the candy their children have collected and then removing it from the home. "Do not keep enough candy in the house for the next six months."
•Try healthier customs. Use the family pumpkin carving experience as a means to encourage healthy eating by making tasty snacks from the interior, such as muffins and baked pumpkin seeds.
•Hold a Halloween block party. Parents meet and plan the event ahead of time and organize entertaining activities such as costume contests, games and even a potluck dinner., Have fun by celebrating the occasion together rather than just gathering candy.

Plan Healthy Halloween Strategies
Rather than go out with your kids, have a Halloween party at the house and have fun watching the other kids come by in their costumes. Limit the amount of "treats" you hand out to other kids and opt for healthier choices. Offer your children Halloween toys or stickers instead of candy. Instead of going around collecting candy, have your child go around collecting loose pennies and nickels for a favourite charity UNICEF is traditionally supported, but it need not be the only one.
If your child does collect candy, have him or her trade in the candy for a new toy or activity such as going to a movie, baseball game or amusement park.

Lori Tinella
Little Chefs
Have a party that COOKS!
Contact me for our 1 year Anniversary Specials!
519-940-1131 or info@thelittlechefs.ca

Happy Halloween from Little Chefs!

Little Chefs would like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Halloween. To celebrate this fun filled day we have classes that are still open for registration at Alder St Recreation Centre this Saturday October 24th!
"Hooray for Halloween"
1pm. Ages 5 and up.

Wear your costume and get a special themed treat! Come for food, fun, crafts, prizes and more..........

You must register by Friday October 23rd at Alder St. guest services desk or call 519-940-1131 for more information on this Spooktakular event!

ABOUT US
Little Chefs is Headwaters Premier mobile cooking studio for kids!
We are a proudly mom-owned and operated business!

Little Chefs
519-940-1131
info@thelittlechefs.ca
www.thelittlechefs.ca

Cooking Healthy Food Fast........

So-called fast food is a blessing for rushed parents. Not only is it what the name implies but kids can’t get enough of it.
The trouble is that fast food does not get very good press. And rightly so because fast food still tends to be high in fat, salt, sugar and other additives.
But what if you could make the same meal at home? If it didn’t take that much longer to prepare and was so much healthier because you’re controlling what goes into it?

Burger, Fries and Tomato Salsa?
Ingredients:
1 lb organic ground beef
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon tomato ketchup
½ teaspoon ready-made mustard
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 small onion
Olive oil

For Serving:
4 whole grain buns
Iceberg lettuce
Tomato salsa (see below)
Sliced cucumber and tomato
What you do:
· Peel and crush the garlic cloves. Peel and finely dice the onion.
· Using your hands, mix everything, except the oil, together. Divide the mixture into 4 and shape into burgers. It’s a good idea to make the edge slightly thicker: that makes the burger less liable to break up.
· Put them on greaseproof paper and leave them in the fridge, covered with more greaseproof paper, for about 30 minutes before cooking.
· Using a little oil and a non-stick pan, if you have one, fry the burgers until cooked, remembering to turn them once. Alternatively you can brush them with oil and grill them.
· Serve in buns with salad and salsa, and with oven-baked wedges (see below).
· Chicken and turkey are much loved by dieticians for their low fat qualities, and lots of kids prefer white meat burgers

Spicy Turkey Burger
Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
1 clove garlic, crushed
½” fresh ginger root, grated
1 small red onion, finely diced
Handful coriander
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoons paprika
½ tablespoon ground dry mustard
½ tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chilli powder
Dash Worcestershire sauce
What you do:
Mix everything together and shape into 4 burgers. Brush lightly with oil and grill until cooked. Serve with tomato salsa and oven-baked wedges (see below).

Oven-baked wedges
Ingredients:
2 baking-sized potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons chilli or curry powder
What you do:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Scrub the potatoes and cut each potato into 8-10 wedges. Pat them dry with kitchen towel.
Place the chilli/curry powder in a plastic food bag with the oil and shake it up a bit, then add the potato wedges and give them a good shake, rubbing if necessary to make sure they’re all coated.
Spread the wedges out onto a baking tray and cook for 25-30 minutes.

Tomato Salsa
Ingredients:
2 large ripe tomatoes
½ red onion
1 green chili (optional)
Coriander or basil
Salt & pepper
A pinch of sugar
What you do:
Halve the tomatoes and scoop out the seeds. Dice the flesh.
Peel and finely dice the onion. If you’re using a chilli, remove the stalk and seeds and chop very finely. Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards and avoid touching your eyes.
Chop the coriander or basil. Mix everything together, seasoning and adding the sugar, which draws out the flavour of the tomatoes. Leave to stand for 30 minutes.
There are many variations on this recipe. Some include garlic and green peppers; others, especially in the winter, use canned tomatoes and simmer the sauce for a short or long time, depending on the desired consistency! See which is your favourite !

Yours in good health,

Lori Tinella
Little Chefs

Healthier Kids One Bite At A Time!
519-940-1131

Do You Eat Local??

I am wondering how many of us eat local? It can be hard at times , when you are shopping and you see some nice looking produce but chances are that fruit or vegetable travelled a long distance to get to your supermarket. Be aware when shopping for your fruits and vegetables next time.

Go to http://www.eatrealeatlocal.ca/ to learn more.....

Try to support local Farmer's markets, some are open all year round. Ask at your stores if not sure where the particular food is from.

Support our Ontario Farmers!!

Yours in good health,
Lori
Little Chefs
519-940-1131

Mommy Chefs................

The leaves are changes and there is a chill in the air. What's for dinner?? Do you struddle with this most nights? Are you getting back into routines now that the kids are back in school?

Last night I(Little Chefs founder/owner) hosted the First Mommy Chef Supper night! It was fantastic........women were chatting,snacking, sipping a little bit of vino and preparing some meals together to put in their home freezer to cook at a later date. How great is that!

Contact me for more information...........seems that everyone who attended wants to book in for each month........I think I may have something!!

Call or e-mail me for more information

Happy Cooking!

Lori Tinella

lori@thelittlechefs.ca
519-940-1131

Get Your Kids Cooking This Fall!

Late Summer Newsletter
What a way to end our summer with all this beautiful weather! Fall is around the corner and we are all thinking of activities to keep the kids busy when there are not in school. Why not have them try a cooking class or two with Little Chefs!

Here at Little Chefs we are excited about all the upcoming Fall cookshops in Erin and Orangeville.

Fall Cookshops coming up in September *A few spots available so please call or stop by to register and your child's name will be entered in a draw for a prize!

Fall for Veggies! @ What's Cookin in Erin 519-833-0909
Come out and explore the bounty of veggies that are available now! Sunday Sept 20, 2009. 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Healthy Afterschool Snacking! @ Alder St. Recreation Centre in Orangeville
"I'm Hungry what can I make to eat?" Saturday September 26th, 2009. 1:00pm & 3:00pm

To find out more information or about other upcoming classes or events call or e-mail me anytime.

Lori Tinella, Founder Little Chefs
Happy Cooking!


Have a Party that COOKS!
519.940.1131

info@thelittlechefs.ca

Little Chefs Fall Cooking Programs

NEW Fall Weekend Little Chefs Series at What's Cookin' in Erin & Alder Street Recreation Centre in Orangeville!!

Whats's Cookin'in Erin

Sunday September 20th- Fall for Veggies!
Sunday October 18th- Hooray for Halloween!
Sunday November15th - Delightful yet healthy baking class
Stay tuned for December Gingerbread Dreams classes! Register at What's Cookin' in Erin 519-833-0909

Alder Street Recreation Centre in Orangeville
Saturday September 26th - Fall for Veggies!
Saturday October 24th- Hooray for Halloween!
Saturday November 21st - Fun, Fabulous Fruit!
Saturday December 12th - Gingerbread Dreams! Register at Alder Recreation Centre guest services desk.

** $ 20.00 one-time registration fee for signature Little Chefs apron or t-shirt and recipe book with Fall series.

To schedule your own cooking class or party of 8 or more! Call Little Chefs @ 519-940-1131

Be sure to sign-up early for classes as class size is limited and books up fast.

Thank you again! Whether you've done an event with us in the past or this was the first time with us, Thank you! I look forward to seeing you again.
**Stay tuned for more fun in the kitchen !!


Happy Cooking,

Lori Tinella
Little Chefs
Cook Up Some Fun Today!
info@thelittlechefs.ca
519.940.1131

5-10 A Day!

Eat Berries Everyone!

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Cranberries
• Blackberries
• And other berries

Helps protect the body from chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. They block the inflammatory process that we are learning more and more about. Eating high fat foods can cause the body to have an inflammatory response.

Some components in berries fight off infections. Cranberries, for example, contain proanthocyanidins that help prevent urinary tract infections by keeping bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder.
Berries taste great and come in so many colors. The darker the better! (more health punch!)

Teach your kids at a young age about the fun of eating berries. A great family day could be going out to a local farm and letting the kids actually pick them!

Here are some Berry helpful tips (sorry, I couldn’t pass that one up)
• Look for colors. The darker the better! (more health punch!)
• Eat a variety
• Eat the whole fruit
• Eat them several times a week

Have a berryful day!!

Yours in good health,
Lori
Little Chefs
519.940.1131

Cooking With Kids

10 Reasons Why Kids Should Learn To Cook!

Cooking helps kids make Healthy Food Choices - Learning to cook helps kids to learn about nutrition and healthy eating. Growing up with fast food and junk food can be a part of the reason why child obesity is on the rise. Teaching kids to cook healthy instill skills to last them a lifetime.

Boost their Self Esteem. If your child needs a boost of self confidence, (and who doesn't!) cooking in the kitchen will do just that. They are accomplishing a task, learning something important and contributing to the family.

Helps to create Family Time and Bonding. Take time to cook with your kids and they will have memories that they, in turn, can pass on to their families. It may take a longer time to get the meal or snack done but the moments with your children will be priceless.

Kids will be more apt to eat what they make. Perhaps, it is the enthusiasm of creating something themselves, but they will be more likely to eat whatever they had a hand in making.

Kids learn real lessons in Science, Language, Math and Creativity. Cooking will help reinforce all these subjects!

What a great way to learn life skills. This can be especially helpful when kids grow up to be on their own. They won't have to rely on fast food and junk food to sustain them.

They can help contribute to the family and they can feel the importance of helping.

They are working together as a team, whether it is with a parent or with a sibling to get the job done.

Cooking teaches them planning and making choices.

Practice creativity and imagination. Kids cooking activities are a great way to express themselves and enjoy their creations.

Sign-up your child for Weekend Little Chefs classes this summer or fall!
Call for more information.

Happy Cooking,

Lori
Little Chefs
Have a Party that COOKS!

519-940-1131
www.thelittlechefs.ca

Summer Cool Treats Kids Cookshops

At Little Chefs we love cooking! We are all about getting children excited about eating, fresh healthy food and learning to cook ' real ' food using simple recipes and great ingredients!

Liitle Chefs cookshops and classes are perfect for keen cooks, fussy eaters, and creative kids!!

To kick off our summer cookshops at What's Cookin' , we are offering a fantastic deal.
Any store purchases made while your child attends the cookshop or at pick-up ares TAX-FREE!

We still have a few spots available for our July 19th cool, summer treats classes at 11:30am & 1:30pm.

Please call What's Cookin' to reserve your spot! 519-833-0909

Lori

Little Chefs

Have a Party that COOKS!

519-940-1131

Little Chefs Early Summer Newsletter

Hello Friends & Family of Little Chefs!

Early Summer Newsletter: Where is the warm weather? No worries it is always hot in the kitchen cooking up some fun with Little Chefs!

Here at Little Chefs we are all excited about all the summer cooking classes and events happening in and around town!!

We are working with Orangeville Parks and Recreation at all their five summer cooking camps. Little Chefs is making a special visit each cooking week to teach the children about healthy eating and making some yummy, healthy foods! www.orangeville.ca

Orangeville Broadway Market: This past Saturday Little Chefs was at the Orangeville Broadway Market doing some Veggie Stamping. Lots of children came out and stamped away with a great assortment of farmers market veggies! We also will be returning for the other Saturday's in July to celebrate Kids Month. www.discoverbroadway.ca for more information.

Orangeville's Annual Founder's Fair: Friday July 10th & Saturday July 11th . We will be attending this years popular family event so come out and have some fun.
We will have a special promotion, draws and a snack that the kids will enjoy making and eating! www.discoverbroadway.ca for more information.


Summer Cookshops at What's Cookin in Erin!

Cool summer Treats
Sunday July 19th 11:30am & 1:30pm

Come cool off with these yummy healthy treats!

Healthy Afterschool Snacking!
Sunday August 16th & 23rd 11:30am & 1:30pm

Come learn some healthy afterschool snacks to make at home!

Sign-up early as class size is limited and book up fast. Stop by What's Cookin' to register or call 519-833-0909

Whether you've done an event with us in the past or this was the first time with us, Thank you! I look forward to seeing you again.


Lori Tinella, Founder Little Chefs

Hope to see you in the kitchen real soon!
519.940.1131
info@thelittlechefs.ca

Kids Cooking Up Some Fun For Dad!!

This past Sunday Little Chefs Weekend Kids were cooking up some yummy foods for their Dads!
This group consisted of two boys and six girls, all ranging in ages of 5-8 years. The Little Chefs made their own healthy version of a cupcake complete with yummy icing and decorations. While the cakes were baking the pizza chefs were in full action rolling and stretching their doughs to customize it to their Dad's liking! After the pizza's were finished and cooking the kids had a break from cooking and make a placemat. (I will get these to you soon)
The picture you see was taken by a photographer friend of mine. She is an awesome photographer and gladly came out to What's Cooking' to snap lots of photos of all the Little Chefs and myself. Thanks so much Michelle, I really appreciate you coming by to take some photos of my Weekend Little Chefs! Michelle's business is called Captured Moments Photography and she can be reached at 519.938.9344 Have a look at her website to see some of her work. http://www.capturedmomentsphotography.ca/

Happy Cooking, Lori
Stay tuned for more great classes and cookshops around town!

Little Chefs
info@thelittlechefs.ca or 519.940.1131

Cooking with Big Kids...........

Recently I had the privilege to work with a group of special people. They are called "Special Friends". They told me that their group have been around for 13 years and meet at least once a week.

The reason Little Chefs was involved with this group was because of another special person, Chricket Yule. She helps run the "Special Friends" program" for this group and asked me to come and host a cooking event with her special group of people. Chricket taught both my girls at Station Road Nursery School in Erin, Ontario. She is a an amazing teacher as well!

So "Big Chef" Lori got the chance to have an event with this group and make custom pizzas! Wow, we had fun chopping and organizing all the different topping that everyone had chosen.

Everyone was very much involved and seemed very interested in what I did. I had alot of great helpers ( Allan, Steve, Alistar, Pauline. Trish, Jason etc.. sorry as I do not remember all your names ) It was enjoyable to have the group interact together to prepare for their pizza making. This was a nice change from the usual pizza making party or event with the younger chefs.

All and all I believe everyone enjoyed making their own custom pizza and eating them!! Did not see too many leftovers!! While the pizza's were cooking, fruit was then cut up for some yummy, healthy fruit kabobs with yogurt also for dipping! We had some great chats about healthy eating and snacking at home. I can't wait to get together again over the summer for some more cooking fun!

I hope everyone can have a chance to meet one of these "Special Friends" one day .

Your life will never be the same.

Happy Cooking,

Lori

Little Chefs

Cook Up Some Fun Today!

519-940-1131

http://thelittlechefs.ca/

Cooking Fun This Past Weekend!

What a blast we all had! This weekend was a Little Chefs cooking party for 9 girls and they all had a great time learning about pizza! All the girls participated in making real from scratch pizza dough. Turned out great! Then each girl rolled and flatted their own dough to create a personal pizza to eat. I must say that these girls needed little instruction as some were 10 years old or almost 10! One younger girl did amazing with prepping her dough and was ahead of the rest in the making of her pizza! Wait ago Jenna! I may call you when I need an assistant for future events!
The girls had lots of fun being more creative customizing the birthday girl's (Kendra) apron.
By the time they were done it truly was an apron which hopefully will have lots of memories to follow!

Sunday was an equally fabulous day with my first workshop held locally in Erin at What's Cookin' on main street. All the kids had a great time mixing up their own giant fruit pancakes!
We had a couple of males participating which is always great to see! Cooking is for boys, girls, young and old as long as you have some Fun! The second class was a hugh success with 12 girls ranging from age 4 to 10 years old. The whole group did amazing and I hope we can do these cookshops again soon!
I hope to post a few pictures soon.

Yours in good health,

Lori
Little Chefs
519-940-1131
info@thelittlechefs.ca

Cooking with Kids Classes

Local Events around Town with Little Chefs

Looking for a relaxing night out , enjoy a cup of coffee, paint some pottery, shop , have a mini manicure and get some easy summer tips and recipes for summer months ahead?
Come to Joppa's Coffee House in Orangeville where there is a Fun evening planned by some local businesses! Thursday May 28th 7:00-9:00pm @ Joppa's 168B Broadway Ave.

Sunday May 31st bring the kids to What's Cookin' in Erin for some cooking Fun! The kids with have the opportunity to have some hands experience in the kitchen and you do not have to clean up!! Please register at What's Cookin' 98 Main Street, Erin 519-833-0909 to reserve your spot for 1:30pm or 3:00pm.

Father's Day is fast approaching so why not let your kids get cooking! Little Chefs has partnered with Orangeville Parks and Recreation for some cooking programs and events!
Saturday June 13th form 10:00am - 12:00pm is the day and time reserved for your kids to come to Tony Rose Recreation to make something special for Dad. Registration is done at Alder St or Tony Rose or call Tracy @ 519-940-9092 X 4102 to reserve your limited spot. This is a drop off cookshop for 5-13 year olds.

Happy cooking,

Lori Tinella
Little Chefs
519-940-1131
www.thelittlechefs.ca

HAVE A PARTY THAT COOKS!

**Spring Promo Book a Little Chefs cooking party this summer and receive one free guest!**

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope that all the Mother's out there did something they enjoyed this weekend. Maybe brunch, lunch or dinner with your kid(s) or maybe some spa time??
I had my Mom up to my place for a few days and I took her and my two little girls to a local Spa for some pampering! My mother had never had a pedicure so this is what I treated her too. She loved it and so did my little girls! Both girls got their finger and toe nails painted after my mom and I had our amazing pedicure. It is nice to start off the sandel session with pretty feet!!

The Spa in Belfountain is great and Rose is amazing! I just found out that they are moving to the main street in Erin above the Kulhay Wellness clinic June 1st. Go check them out they all are great and we never can pamper ourselves enough as Moms!! www.thespa.ca is their website.

**Leave me a comment on what you did special for Mothers day and I will send one of you a coupon for $ 10.00 off a service at this Spa which is now going to be in Erin.

Please join Little Chefs this Thursday May 14th 10:30am - 12:30pm at the Lina Lounge www.linalounge.biz for some fun snack making as we enjoy The hungry caterpillar! Check out their website it is a great place for parents and kids.

Cook Up Some Fun Today with your kids!!

Book a Little Chefs cooking party for June , July or August and receive our warm weather promotion of Free loot bags with any cooking party package!

Yours in good health,

Lori

Little Chefs
519-940-1131

Spring Has Sprung So Lets Get Outside!!

Has Spring Arrived?? I ask the question as the weather has been abit weird lately. Snow last Monday but spring flowers were popping up the week before!

Well I am excited to get outside in under 15 minutes without all the winter gear and breathe in some fresh spring air. Besides I need to get my backside in gear since eating too much chocolate these past days!!

Speaking of chocolate, anyone who knows me knows that chocolate is on my list of three survival things if every desserted on a island. (The others are cheese and wine!) So this Easter weekend I decide to make a favorite of many but not made by me in a long time. Chocolate Mousse Cake!! I must say that it gots rave reviews by both families over this Easter weekend.

So I decided that this is what I plan to teach the children to make at Little Chefs Mother's Day Cookshop this coming May 9th . It is held at Tony Rose Recreation Centre in Orangeville from 10:00am -12:00pm! It is a drop off class for 5-13 years olds and sure to be a hit with all the Mothers.
Well as least the ones that live for their daily chocolate fix!!
Please register at either Tony Rose or Alder Recreation Centre today as these book up fast!
Call for more info at 519-940-1131

Yours in good health,
Lori

Little Chefs Cook Up Some Fun Today!
info@thelittlechefs.ca

Are Kids Eating Too Much Junk??

Thought that with Easter around the corner and treats galore parents should be planning ahead!

Very few of us can resist eating junk food so imagine the battle in getting your kids to stop eating it! The sad fact is that junk food is all around us - you can't get away from it! How to get kids to kick this habit can be a huge problem. You may never be rid of junk food entirely but here are some ways you can introduce "healthier foods" into your kids' diets and help them reduce those junk food cravings!

~Start by being a good role model and establish a solid foundation of healthy eating habits while your children are young. Create an environment that encourages nutritious eating for everyone, so no junking it in front of the kids! Try to prepare 3 nutritious meals and 2 healthy snacks per day. Content kids are less likely to seek fast food. Educate kids at an early age about nutrition and smart food choices.
~Take your kids grocery shopping. Teach them how to read labels and how to identify unhealthy ingredients.
~Bring healthy snacks with you on outings so you won't have to buy anything at the snack bar. ~Offer younger kids many new and different varieties of foods - this keeps things interesting so they don't get bored, always eating the same foods. If they don't like something, don't force them to eat it but do try again at a later time.
~Try switching to low-salt variety of their favourite snack chip or crackers - it's a start! Even better, opt for baked snacks instead of fried. Choose popcorn or pretzels instead of potato chips for a quick nibble. Buy lower-fat, lower-salt, sugar-free versions of your kids' favourites.
~If your kids are into sweets, try baking your own treats and reducing the amount of sugar and fats by half.
~If your kids can't live without candy or chocolate, save it for a special occasion rather than an everyday indulgence. Make it a once a week treat!
~Offer fruit juice instead of pop. For a carbonated treat, mix 1/2 cup of fruit juice with 1/2 cup of plain carbonated water or sodium-free soda water.~Instead of an ice cream, try frozen yogurt desserts or a real fruit frozen juice pop. Try a fruit smoothie instead of a milkshake.
~If you must have pizza, eliminate the high-fat toppings such as sausage, pepperoni and meatballs, and stick with vegetable toppings instead.
~As a treat, try to make "Fast-Food" at home. Tacos, burritos, fajitas, and pizza are dinners that most kids love.

Eating some junk once in awhile should be allowed but it should be the exception, not the rule, for healthier eating habits!

By Toronto4Kids

Yours in good health,

Lori

Little Chefs Healthier Kids One Bite at a Time! 519-940-1131

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Isn't it great to be Canadian eh? :) Gotta love all the snow instead of the April showers!!

We are at Lina's Lounge this Friday (Good Friday) for Easter Cupcake decorating 10:30am-12:30am, Go to www.linalounge.biz to see all the highlights for this great place for parents and kids!

Speggtacular Classes and Cookshops April/2009

Little Chefs is "In the Mix"
Spring is here and with that come April Showers, why stay cooped up at home?? Little Chefs and Orangeville Parks & Recreation are mixing up tons of fun in the kitchen for students and families. Spring on over to register for our classes and holiday cookshops fast as spaces are limited! Registration is happening at the guest services desk at both Recreation Centres.


Some spaces still available in the Following Classes:

Little Chefs Afterschool Cooking Club (drop-off class) 5-12 years
Wednesdays - Tony Rose Recreation Centre, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
April & May
Come celebrate Orangeville's first afterschool cooking club!. First learn the basics with kitchen safety and hygiene but then it is off to adventures in snack attack, breakfast for dinner, fruit fiesta, garden time and budding bakers!!
All classes include food/nutrition crafts, games and recipe book to take home.

Preschool-Parent Class (family class-one parent + child) 2-5 years
Fridays - Tony Rose Recreation Centre 10:00AM - 11:00 AM
April & May
Come share some special time with your preschooler cooking up some fun! Prepare a recipe together based on a classic story told at beginning of the class. Craft time is also included.


Spring Cookshops 5-13 years
Hoppy Easter Cookie Decorating
Saturday, April 11, 2009, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Hop on over to Tony Rose and join our fun filled Easter cookie decorating class.
These sweet treats are a great addition to any Easter feast!
Price: $25.00 **

Mothers' Day Special Gift for Mom!
Come make Mom something she will enjoy on her " Special Day "
Saturday May 9, 2009, 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Price: $25.00

Father's Day Special Gift
June 13, 2009, 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Come make a favorite for your Dad to remember!
Price: $ 25.00

**Book all three cookshop sessions and save $ 10.00 or book two cookshop sessions and save $ 5.00


We will be adding new cookshops and classes to our line up so be sure to check the website www.orangeville.ca or call 519-940-9092 X 4106

Save 10% off your next Little Chefs Cooking Party for a group of 8 or more. Not valid with any other offer or promotion. Call or e-mail to reserve your date. Mention Promo code SpringPR09
519.940.1131 or info@thelittlechefs.ca
Offer Expires: May 30, 2009

Cupcake Bake For March Break!

Little Chefs…healthier kids one bite at a time!


2009 Sessions Have Begun!
Check The New Orangeville Parks & Rec Spring/Summer Brochure*
*Delivered with The Banner March 10th


Little Chefs Presents ~ The March Break Cupcake Bake!

What child doesn't like making homemade cupcakes?
Say 'good-bye' to store bought, instant cupcakes and say 'hello!' to delicious, chocolate, carrot, and pumpkin spice cupcakes from scratch!

Kids will learn one of the above recipes from scratch, plus discover the origins of the first "cup-cake". Each child will decorate their own home-made cupcakes with an assortment of real butter-cream/cream cheese icings and colourful decorations – this is the part kid's love best!

Little Chefs is partnering with Orangeville Parks & Rec offering a bakeshop class during the camp day for children aged 5-12 on Tuesday March 17th and Thursday March 19th 12:30-2:30pm. Included is a printed copy of the cupcake recipe to take home.
What better way to spend your Spring Break! Yum !!

Contact Tracy at Orangeville Parks & Rec to reserve your spot as they are limited
519-940-9092 X 4106

Look for all New Spring Programs in the Parks and Rec brochure that came out with the Orangeville Banner March 10th. Or pick up a copy at Alder arena or Tony Rose Arena.

Yours in good health,

Lori
Little Chefs

Have a Party that COOKS!
519-940-1131

March is National Nutrition Month!

Here are some great tips!!

Grocery shopping:

★ Let the kids help put the fruit or vegetable into the grocery cart
★ Teach them how fruits and vegetables gives us clues on how ripe they are
★ Ask them “What is this banana telling us?” “Is it ready to eat yet?” “Should we pick that
bunch?”
★ Teach kids to read food labels, as a great way to learn how some foods are better for you than
other
★ Choose cereals with low or no added sugar
★ Look for whole grain cereals and breads with at least 4 gram of fiber
★ Take an outing to a local farmers market to teach kids about where their food comes from
At Home:
★ Let the kids help put away the fruits and vegetables
★ Try to arrange the fruit bowl so you have many different colors showing- make it a game,
★ As they are putting away the fruits and vegetables, guess where they came from
Cooking Tips:
★ Involve your child in cooking and preparing meals
★ Limit the amount of added sugar in your child’s diet
★ Cook with less fat—bake, roast, or poach foods instead of frying
★ Choose and prepare foods with less salt

Mealtime:

★ Make sure your child eats breakfast. Breakfast provides children with the energy
they need to listen and learn in school.
★ Eat Together As a Family for at least one meal a day
★ Set a regular time for family meals
★ Eat at the table since it is easier to talk with each other, rather than in front of the TV
★ Actually, turn off the TV at mealtime so you can talk and share the events of the day
★ Serve water, low-fat milk or 100% fruit juice more often than sugar-sweetened sodas and
fruit-flavored drinks
★ Introduce new foods, vegetables and fruits at mealtime
★ Encourage your child to put a small quantity on their plate, even if they won’t eat it
★ Don’t nag, its okay if they refuse initially, introduce the food again in a few weeks
★ Demonstrate how delicious it is to taste that food
★ Don’t get upset if they don’t like the food or meal, don’t take it personally
★ Have a contest on which plate is the most colorful (fruits and vegetables in a rainbow of
color!)
★ Try new recipes, often kids will try vegetables when mixed with other foods or special sauces
★ Keep the salt shaker off the table
★ Offer fresh fruit for dessert

Little Chefs favorite snack ideas:
• Prepare snacks in advance and have them easy to reach
• Have fruits and vegetables washed and cut up for convenience. Kids often reach for the
ready to go snack
• Try low fat dip recipes for fruits and veggies, kids love dipping!
• Fruits and nuts
• Low-fat yogurt and fresh fruit
• Peanut butter and celery
• Low-fat cheese quesadilla
• Bowl of whole grain cereal plain or with low fat milk or fat-free milk
• String cheese and crackers
• Turkey sandwich on a piece of whole wheat bread
• Cottage cheese and fruit
• Fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables or fruit served plain or with low-fat yogurt
• Rice cakes, whole-grain crackers, or whole-grain bread served with low-fat cheese, fruit
spread, peanut butter, almond butter, or soy nut butter
• Pretzels or air-popped popcorn sprinkled with salt-free seasoning mix
• Homemade fruit smoothie made with low-fat milk or yogurt and frozen or fresh fruit

Cook Up Some Fun Today!

Yours in good health,

Lori
Little Chefs

519-940-1131
littlechefs@sympatico.ca

Cooking Classes for Kids

Yahoo afterschool cooking classes are on there way!!
I have recently partnered with Orangeville Parks and Rec for some great daytime classes.
There will be class sessions afterschool on Wednesdays and daytime Parent-tot classes on Friday mornings!
Look for more information in the local Orangeville paper.....
Also forgot some great march break program additions with parks and rec programs already set-up. We will be offering a Cupcake Bake on two days of the march break program week. Making cupcakes from scratch with real icings too! Yummy!
Contact Tracey at Alder Rec Centre for more information. 519-940-9092 X 4106

Yours in good health,

Lori
Have a Party that Cooks!!!

Stay tuned upcoming Easter Event in the end of March.....lots of fun for the kids!!

Little Chefs
519-940-1131
littlechefs@sympatico.ca

Valentine's Day Kids Event

Love is in the Air…………………..

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching so why not come to a fun community event of shopping, valentine cupcake decorating and pottery painting
Bring a food item or cash donation for local food bank allowing entrance and ballots for draws
Great gift ideas and fun for kids and adults.
When: Saturday February 7th, 10-2pm
Where: Peekaboo Child Care Centre
69 Third Street, Orangeville.

Cook Up Some Fun!
519-940-1131

Still time left to book your February cooking party, some dates still available!

Coming soon March Break events ......................

Yours in good health,
Lori
Litttle Chefs
littlechefs@sympatico.ca

Do Kids Eat Too Much Sugar??

As parents, we try to encourage healthy eating and with the growing epidemic of childhood obesity, serving sweets comes with a feeling of guilt. Should sweets be limited or eliminated from our child’s diet? For the purpose of this , sweets are foods like typical cookies, chocolate bars, sweet pastries and candy. There are many differing schools of thought when it comes to feeding sweets to children. Sweets are not entirely responsible for the obesity epidemic we are facing. Fatty foods contribute much more to obesity than sugary foods because fatty foods have twice the calories of sugary foods per given amount. Sweets are however a contributing factor to dental problems in children. The following are some helpful tips when it comes to serving sweets to young children.
Outlawing sweets completely does not teach children the right lessons for later in life.
Depriving children of sweets often leads to curiosity and a fascination with that food. This will only create cravings for what they are not allowed to have and make them want it even more. The more a parent makes an issue of it, the more it becomes an unnecessary battle. Find a middle ground when it comes to sweets.
Make sweets a treat, not a reward
A treat is something that is given once in a while for a special occasion like a birthday party or celebration. You don't want to give sweets the "power" of being a reward. This power can heighten the importance of such foods.
Help them grow up with a healthy relationship with food
Talk to your children about eating sweets in moderation and explain to them why it is important to limit sweet consumption. Children who learn the importance of eating a balanced diet will be better-equipped to manage their own diet as adults.
Be a discriminating grocery shopper
Always check the label of the sweets you bring into the house. The more sweets that are available at home, the more your child will want and eat them. Avoid products that have sugar or other sweeteners high on the ingredient list. To find out if a food has added sugar, look at the ingredient list for sugar, corn syrup or sweetener, dextrose, fructose, honey, or molasses. When purchasing breakfast cereals and cookies try and ensure sugar or its other forms are not the first ingredient.
Control portioning and frequency of sweets
As parents, we determine how much and how often sweets are served to our children. Set limits to the amount of sweets they are allowed to have to ensure they are not binging. Limit deserts to once or twice a week and serve them in a smaller bowl. Make desert a special occasion instead of a routine and when eating out, share a desert as a family.
Healthy foods can be a “sweet” snack too!
There are many healthy foods that are sweet too! Serve dried fruits such as dates or raisins. Fresh fruits such as strawberries and apples are a wonderful sweet snack. Be a role modelWalk the talk! Children are like sponges and copy everything parents do. They learn eating habits from the adults in their lives. Eat the way you would like them to eat so they can learn what a good diet is.
Form good dental habits
Most importantly, ensure you insist that your child brushes their teeth after eating sweets. A sweet tooth can become a decayed tooth if good dental habits are not formed early on. The thing to remember is that eating any food in moderation is healthy. Eating too much of any food is unhealthy. It is important to limit the amount of sweets your children eat and most importantly, help them build a healthy relationship with all foods.
Last but not least get in the kitchen and cook with them!
When a child expresses their creativitity with their food they will be more likely to eat it. Let them have fun with food and develop a love for cooking. Cooking is a life skill they need once they are out in the big world!

Cook Up Some Fun!

Little Chefs Parties, events, lessons in healthy cooking for kids!

Book a cooking party for your next event! Call 519-940-1131 or littlechefs@sympatico.ca

Yours in good health,
Lori

Happy healthy eating in 2009!

I must apoligize I have not posted for almost a month. Where did the month go???
Well numerous cooking events, cooking parties, making shortbread dough-to-go, decorating house, attending Christmas concerts, Little Chefs planning for 2009............... Oh I almost forgot all the eating and drinking that has also happened over this month. Maybe that is why the delay!

I would like to wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy, New Year. This year 2009 is going to be a great one!
Little Chefs has alot of things that are in the works for the first quarter of this great new year! More details to follow..........

Another local event at the Peekaboo Child Care Centre in Orangeville is planned for Saturday February 7th.
It will be great as we have partnered with a couple of other local businesses to have a fun filled Valentine's Event! " Love is in the Air"
Please look for all the details in your inboxes in the next couple of weeks.

Yours in good health,

Lori

Little Chefs Cook Up Some Fun Today!
519-940-1131
info@thelittlechefs.ca