Hey Cuties,
It is the last day in February, we are entering the last month of Quarter 1 of 2018. How are you doing with your goals and resolutions? In one regard I feel like I’m doing good, in another, I feel like I’m failing successfully. When it comes to family I am doing better than ever.
Last month Babe had the idea for us to cook dinner together at least once a week. At first, we were shooting for Thursday to be our cook day. That is cool and all, but the way our life is set up that doesn’t always work out. We now pick the least busy day of the week and cook on that day. We spent some time finding the Best Cookware Sets, got some recipes planned out, and now we’re making time and actually enjoying it!
Manchild reviewing the recipe and getting the music together.
We pre-plan what we are cooking for the week and I get all the ingredients in advance. This is probably the most important part. We use the Tasty app a lot but I also check my Pinterest Food board for ideas as well.
Teaching LittleCuteLips how to properly season chicken.
This week that was Tuesday for us, LittleCuteLips had martial arts class and the Manchild did homework while we were there. After we settled in at home we washed out hands and headed to the kitchen. On the menu was Zesty Lime Chicken Black Bean and Rice. Our one rule is it has be something everyone can eat. Both of the kids have food allergies so we keep that in mind.
Everyone has to participate, Babe took on the job of cutting the onions. He didn’t drop a single tear during the cutting process. He made sure we knew it too.
I was greasing the pan with Olive Oil. LittleCuteLips was grinding up Himalayan salt and Babe was still chopping onions. She was more excited about the grinding process than anything else.
I don’t know why Babe is looking at me like this. I was putting the chicken thighs into the grease.
SN: As you see this is the “I woke up like this look.” The minute I get home my street clothes come off and my lounge wear is put on. I’m addicted to robes so I almost always have one on.
The chicken was looking good, we should have doubled or tripled the recipe. We are all skinny people but we can put some food down.
The Manchild was stirring up the onions in the olive oil. He was so gentle, I think he was worried about being popped by the grease.
After we teased him a bit, Babe got in there and showed him how to do it. They added in the remaining ingredients and then you put the chicken back into the pan. The chicken had to simmer for 30 minutes. So we let the boys finish it off and put LittleCuteLips in the shower. I had to maximize our time so she could still get to bed on time. Once she finished in the shower dinner was ready.
SN: As you see I didn’t even move the mail and magazines off of the counter. This is what everyday living looks like. No staging took place as you can see.
All done!
The boys poured the black bean juice in with the beans so it made the rice a bit darker. However, it was delicious and we all enjoyed it. It was my second favorite thing we made together. Thus far we’ve made Fully Loaded Stromboli, Creamy Lemon Chicken, Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry and now this Zest Lime Chicken.
Cooking together makes for good family bonding time. It forces us to put our devices down, come out of our rooms and do something together. Funny enough we look forward to it now, the kids even have ideas on what we should cook next.
We have fun, we turn up the music and dance around the kitchen. Our son was the DJ this week, but we take turns. The goal is to just have fun. It is as if time stops because we have shut out the world for a couple of hours.
The kids learn to really cook, the Manchild is 13 and although I taught him to cook some basic things. This gives us an opportunity to really teach him how to cook from scratch. The measuring requires a little bit of math especially because we usually increase the recipe.
We eat together at least once a week. Generally, the kids eat together and we eat afterward. Now we eat together at least once a week.
Do you have any cooking traditions? Chat with me in the comments below or FB, IG, and Twitter.
LISTEN! I didn’t need to read (and see pictures) this early today. My stomach is now growling lol. I love this idea! Any activity that has the whole family involved is one I’m dinner for. It will only strengthen your bond. ❤️❤️❤️
Sheena, I had never thought of such a thing, which is crazy. I’m so glad Babe thought of it. If nothing else I know we check in once a week with one another. We chat, we dance, it is just good. At first both of the kids weren’t all the way in, now they are.
Cooking together as a family is so important. It helps to create lasting memories.
It does Ola, I have so many memories of my family in the kitchen as a kid. I am honored to create those moments for my children. That is another reason why I snap pictures to capture the moment.
Very cute and it looks like a good time was had by all. I love family cooking and am glad we don’t do it often. ?
We really do, I’m so glad we decided to stick with the idea.
I absolutely love cooking in the kitchen with my kids. It’s a tradition that I’m more than happy to pass down to them. It’s also helped a lot with conquering their picky eater tendencies because they actually get to see first hand what goes in the food and have a hand in preparing it.
That is a great way to do it. Thankfully my kids are really good eaters.
Yum..my daughter and I cooked tonight.On the menu, cran stuffed portabello mushrooms. It started off good and we were having fun until she was playing too much and I had to send her to her room to play with dolls. Lol!
Leslie, I am cracking up laughing. At least it started out well.
I had my children in the kitchen helping standing on chair to reach the counter. It is wonderful to have the kids in the kitchen teaching them. Seems like they eat better when they help make the meal.
I love that Candy, I remember doing that as a kid as well. They certainly eat better when they are involved. They are proud of the delicious meal that they created.
Cooking together as a family is a great way to bond and also a great way to teach kids life skills. I’m impressed that your husband didn’t drop a single tear while chopping those onions. I love that your family cooks together once a week.
Yes to life skills, this is a great way for them to learn. He runs the onions under the water so he doesn’t tear up.
Yum, this looks tasty! I think it is important to cook as a family. We should do it more often, but I imagine there would be bickering. “He’s too close to me!” “She smells funny!”
Amber hahahaha with kids that never goes away. We just make sure each of them have a chance to take on a task.
I struggle with the kids helping me in the kitchen. Lol. If we’re baking that’s fine, but cooking meals gives me anxiety. I don’t like a lot of people in the kitchen with me. I know, I have issues. Lolol. That rice and black beans dish looks yummy!
I’m OCD, so I totally get it. I am a control freak, so I had to put that to the side a bit for it to work. They don’t do things the way I do, but it is for the greater experience.
Love cooking with my kids. There are even a couple of dishes they can prepare all by their lonesomes. Cooking together is a perfect family activity in which everyone can get involved in. Looks like your family had a great time preparing this delicious meal.
I love that Tomi, I’m looking forward to when the kids can cook on their own.
Getting the entire family involved in cooking is not only great so that you can share responsibilities, but it is also a great way to make memories as a family. Lastly, it is a great way to get picky eaters to try new things.
Yes, it is the one week where I don’t have to do everything. Yes, it forces all of us to try something new.
I sincerely love this idea. Cooking with the family, not only brings your family closer together it teaches the young ones how to cook. I think I’m going to implement this in my family.
Yay, go for it Jeanette.
I do enjoy a nice family meal together, we almost never get to have one as we’re all on different schedules. We couldn’t all be in the kitchen cooking in my house as there’s not enough room but it’s a neat idea.
Maybe you guys can come together for another activity.
That looks way tasty. And I love robes, too, but mostly wear them in the winter because my husband likes to freeze my ass out. LOL . When I come home, I immediately take a shower and get into PJs
It was so freaking delicious. Babe freezes my ass all year long, I even wear my robe in the summer.
I love to have my kids in the kitchen when I cook family meals, this teaches them so many different skills and everything is hands-on and ready-to-go after the meal is prepared with love!
Yes, lots and lots of love.
I think it is great that everyone gets involved in cooking! I agree that planning ahead for meals is the best solution, weeknights can get so hectic.
In our family Emily our weeknights are incredibly hectic. Both of the kids have homework and sports.
It’s so wonderful to cook together as a family. My kids are young so they do basic things like help me mix the batter or spread icing on cookies. I love when they join me in the kitchen.
That is so cute, that is a great way to start them out. My 6-year-old frequently complains about being too small to do anything. This allows her to feel like a big girl.
We love cooking together as family! My kids love learning how to cook new things and often help with dinner!
My kids enjoy it now, I don’t think they would be as excited if we had gone about it in a different way.
Looks like a tasty dinner. We like to cook as a family. If nothing else it is great quality time.
Exactly!
This is such a great idea! Family fun time and learning how to cook different meals at a younger age is a win win!
Right, I can’t wait until we let them take over the kitchen and we just watch.
We really cooking as a family. It makes for the best Friday nights in our house. It’s a great way to keep our girls talking about what is happening in their life.
Yes, Jennq. That is one of the best factors for sure. They open up while we cook.
They look like they are fun to cook with. I love cooking with my family.
They are a very silly bunch. Sometimes I post Instastories of them dancing while we cook.
This is a great way to bond as a family. It’s great that you made it work and find the least busiest to cook as a family.
Yes, I had no idea we would enjoy it so much. Something so simple.
It’s really sweet that you all cook together. I am doing this with my kids and they love it.
Yay, I love that. Plus your chats with your kids are freaking hilarious.
You have the cutest family and cooking together is good bonding time. I love you have your son and husband in the kitchen together because it will show your son at a young age men can cook too – snd his future wife will be grateful.
You always say that, thanks. Yes, I believe in my son learning how to do all the things. He does his own laundry, irons his own clothes and everything. No baby boys in this house.
I really loved this concept of teaching the kids to cook. It not only equips them with a life skill but the activity makes for some nice bonding too. Regularizing it for a particular day of the week too ensures that the activity is sustained.
Yes, we make sure that we do it once a week no matter what.
Ohhh, this is such a good idea. Such a win win for everyone. You get to learn how to cook plus have some bonding and quality time with the family.
It really is, we didn’t even think about all the great things that could come from it at first. It was just something to do together.
What a maravilloso idea! Family time, bonding, and building life skills. EXCELENTE!! Of course, you had BB with the black beans and rice. ; ) BB2U
=)
My parents weren’t big cooks so we rarely, if ever, cooked as a family. To this day I don’t like cooking so I hope whoever I marry is a chef hahaha
That is hilarious, Ashleigh, cooking isn’t a love of mine. The real problem is that food is.
I miss cooking with my family now that I live on my own! It was so therapeutic, so I’m glad you all do it. Beautiful family! #BLMGirl
Thanks, you need to go pop up with groceries and make a meal for old time sake.