Of Skating And Chapati: Izzy's Afterschool Adventures

Izzy can't stop talking about his friend J., so imagine his excitement when I told him that we would be skating and then dining with him and his family.

Yes, an ice rink has opened in our neighborhood and Izzy has been itching to go there since he heard about it. Not only would he get to see his friend J. but they would skate too..Izzy nirvana to be sure.

I remember skating as a kid. I tagged along with my brothers to the local duck pond which froze over (yes that used to happen here in New Jersey, way back in the 20th century). I had two-rudder skates which worked just fine on the tiny pond. All I had to worry about was sinking into a hole.

Skating here was a different story at this bright and shiny new rink. I rented a pair of silvery skates with velcro closures for Izzy and similar ones for myself. Izzy walked fine on them but when he hit the ice the real show began. Watching him plop down was like watching a slapstick comedy. He kept leaning backwards and falling on his bottom. Or, he bravely clung to the sides of the rink. When that wasn't working he would try to pull me along in such a way that I felt we would both go tumbling down. And then he became frustrated and said he had had enough of skating and his leg hurt. Turned out one of the skates had pinched him leaving an awful open wound. OUCH.. The reward for all of our skating efforts was our dinner at J's house. His mom and grandma had prepared some Indianish foods with Mexican accessories. The highlight was the chapati made by J's grandma. Izzy chewed on one along with his dinner. The kids had dessert and just as we were about to leave, Izzy announced that he was still hungry, which he has a habit of doing at home but has yet to do at someone else's house. I tried to steer him toward getting his coat on and then he whispered, "Bread" and I knew he was looking for some more chapati. I mentioned this to our hosts to let them know how much he had enjoyed it and before I knew it, J's grandma was back at the stove, preparing another batch for Izzy..
Izzy was fascinated by the preparations and I had to hold him up as he watched her knead the dough, roll it out, slap it and cook it on the stove-top. When she had finished, she gave one to Izzy which he devoured on the spot, and then presented the others in a package to take home. We left feeling very spoiled...

p.s. Izzy ate his chapati for breakfast with cream cheese on it!

Izzy Must Eat Chinese: Hysteria Averted

My friend L., who hosted the Nutcracker brunch, also happens to live near the most incredible Chinese restaurant. Since the Nutcracker ended close to dinnertime, I thought we could squeeze in a visit there, on our way home with friends H. and I.

When the ballet ended earlier than we had anticipated, H. said it was too early to eat. Given that she was not raised with a Chinese food obsession of sorts, she didn't understand the devastating effect this pronouncement would have on Izzy. When I told him the bad news he immediately burst into tears. He must have been dreaming of the food for days, since I had promised him we would go there. I must say I was pretty disappointed myself.

Eventually, H. had the presence of mind to suggest that we get take-out instead which calmed him down. When we got there we decided it was late enough to eat after all and Izzy happily scrambled out of the car.

In the past we have only eaten there with L., who knows exactly what to order. At first I wasn't sure I would remember all of the dishes we liked but I figured it out quickly enough. Izzy and I were as smitten as ever but I am not sure if H. and I. took a fancy to it. In fact H. had even said that they rarely eat Chinese food and that I. had not really eaten it that much.

I worried that I. wouldn't like it but she seemed willing to try. If nothing else, she did manage to eat a few bites of "pink fish" (shrimp shumai) and she was also inspired to try her hand with chopsticks. Who knows what the future will hold? As for Izzy and me, we were just glad to get our fix!

My Granny Cart Fell Apart... I've Got The Food Schlepping Blues

The day before Thanksgiving, my trusty blue metal granny cart, finally gave out. It was done in by the 15 lb. turkey plus at least 15 lbs. of other ingredients. I had bought it for Izzy so that he could accompany me to the supermarket but I discovered that it was perfect for sliding through subway turnstiles so I borrowed it for my weekly jaunts.

Monday's mission was to purchase a new granny cart. I wanted a cute plaid one like I used to have ages ago. So I bought the only one they had on 14th Street. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind but for twenty bucks it would do the trick. Off to the market I went, stuffing the cart to the brim. It wasn't as easy to navigate as my old one and then, as I bumped it down the Path train steps, one wheel popped off. Just what I needed, to be saddled with a cart stuffed with at least 30 lbs. of groceries and one wheel, not to mention my purse and two extraneous shopping bags. Yet somehow, some way, I dragged everything home, disgruntled all the way.

I unpacked the sad-looking cart and parked it in my vestibule, wondering as to its fate (garbage night or return?).

Today I carried it back to the shop and they were quite willing to give me a different model. I really just wanted another blue metal one but all they had to offer was a sporty model which is truly not my style. But what is a girl to do? I needed it right then and there to get my 8 lbs. of brisket and 10 lbs. of potatoes home. So I bought it. I stuffed it and guess what happened??

The Path train steps did it in as well. As I bumped it down the steps I heard a funny sound and saw a piece of cart hanging off. I am not quite sure what it is, sort of a fender. This minor mishap did not prevent me from getting everything home but I am beginning to feel granny cart cursed.

I have no idea where to get a snappy, sturdy granny cart but I do need one desperately. Any city readers have any ideas for me? I think I bought my city one at Zabar's and I just may have to get myself over there soon.

Happy Hanukkah To All

Tonight was the first night of Hanukkah and we did not make or eat latkes. Instead, Izzy lit the candles. Then we listened to some Hanukkah music while he danced around the living room. It was a relaxing evening. This after an afternoon of intense preparations.

Izzy and I have been working since Monday to prepare for our Hanukkah celebration this weekend. Today we worked on the rugelach dough and a noodle kugel to bring to Great-Grandpa tomorrow. Lots to do but I am determined to have everything under control. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Stay-tuned for menu and recipes.

Homemade Applesauce: Easier Than Pie

The only time I make applesauce is for Hanukkah. For me it is the only accompaniment to latkes. Other than that, I can definitely live without it for the rest of the year. Izzy, on the other hand, is a different story. He has had a hankering for applesauce for several weeks, brought on no doubt, by some school snack.

On Monday,I finally broke down and hauled home 7 lbs. of apples from the Greenmarket so that we could make a giant vat of it for our latkes. Until fairly recently, I thought that making applesauce was far too much effort for something I wasn't wild about eating. Then I discovered the most marvelous secret. You don't need to peel or core the apples. Simply cut them and throw them into a pot with a few other ingredients. Simmer 20 minutes and then have your under age helper mash them up for you like this:

What I think is an awful chore, he thinks is great fun. "No mama! Let me do it.!" This food mill and my ever-willing little helper do all of the work, separating the skin, pits and core from the sauce. What is left is a lovely, pink-hued sauce. You can make huge vats of it and freeze it. Or serve it to a band of hungry latke eaters..which we will be doing soon.
Applesauce ( From The Joy Of Cooking)

3 lbs. apples (2 to 3 varieties)
1/2 cup apple cider
6 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
cinnamon stick
nutmeg


Directions

1. Place apples and cider into a large pot.
2. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in honey and spices.
4. Discard cinnamon stick and pass through a food mill.

Good Taste, It Starts Early...From Pregnancy To Starting Solids

If you read my blog, you know that I revel in the fact that my son eats most everything. It is my belief that this did not happen by accident. There are many things a parent can do to help their children eat well. Current research is only beginning to support this and I hope to see further related studies.

As I have noted before, the French have already conducted research with breastfeeding mothers, showing a correlation between what they ate and their babies' preferences. The mothers who were given an anise-flavored beverage had babies who preferred this flavor. This comes as no surprise since breast milk varies in flavor, depending upon the mother's diet.

More recent research seems to indicate that a mother's diet while pregnant may also influence the child's tastes later on. I know that many have anecdotal evidence which doesn't support this theory. They claim to have children who dislike the foods they ate during pregnancy. I would love to delve a bit further into their claims.

Although I do believe that what a mother eats during pregnancy and while nursing can have a profound effect on a child's tastes, I think that shaping the palate requires more than that. It is the introduction of that food when the baby begins eating solids, which helps cement the child's relationship to it.

Often mothers will introduce a food and find that baby is not interested in it. They may try a few times and give up. Many mothers don't realize that it may take at least 12 exposures to a food before a baby is interested in eating it.

A few things to keep in mind when starting solids:

1. Start slowly: Introduce new foods one at a time. Continue to offer that food for about three days.

2. Make your own baby food if possible: It is truly more appealing that what you will find in a jar and it really helps prime your child's palate for clear, healthy flavors.

3. Be persistent: If your baby doesn't seem to like a food after a few days, give it a rest. Then reintroduce it in a few weeks, alongside something she does eat. If you are nursing, be sure to eat the food the day before offering it.

4. Eat when your baby eats. Babies are social eaters and will be more inclined to eat if they see you enjoying food.

5. Take a lighthearted approach to mealtime. Food should have positive and fun associations. Children should look forward to eating.

There are many more ways you can encourage your children to have a positive relationship with food. Sprinkled throughout this blog are ideas to help you get started. After all, eating is one of life's greatest pleasures and hopefully it will be for your children too!

The Nutcracker: A Holiday Tradition In The Making

I remember attending the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center with my grandma when I was a little girl. I don't think it was a yearly tradition but I remember it as a very special occasion. Something that could have been a great winter tradition but for one reason or another, never quite made it.

Thanks to my dear friend L., I was able to turn this fond memory into a real tradition for Izzy and me. Her daughters dance in a local performance of the Nutcracker and a mighty professional one at that. Izzy and I have been attending for the past three years. We started when he was two and half and have been going ever since.

L. has added her own twist to the tradition by preparing a hearty brunch for all of her friends and family who attend. She puts together an ample buffet, including salmon frittata, chive biscuits, french toast, yogurt with fruit and granola, and homemade sausage patties. My scones, served with clotted cream, added a sweet note to the spread.

This tradition must live on because not only is brunch my favorite meal but eating all of these rich dishes before the performance seems to keep Izzy calm and attentive throughout.

P.S. The Izzy Eats First Giveaway will be extended until Monday night. Don't forget to comment to be eligible to win an adorable tee!