Make-A-Meal Mondays: Homemade Butter

Posted on March 7, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image via Wikipedia

Although it happened over fifty years ago, I still remember licking the cream off the cardboard caps that sealed the bottles of milk that the milkman had delivered to my grandmother’s house.

These days, most of us buy all of our groceries at the store, including milk and butter. And, because of the push many years ago to replace butter with “margarine” or other butter-like spreads…which more recent health studies show are probably worse for us than the natural product…many children these days have no idea what real butter tastes like.

Take this opportunity to make some real butter at home with your child!

HOMEMADE BUTTER

You will need: 1 cup heavy whipping cream, electric mixer and a large bowl.

1. Pour the cream into the bowl and beat on medium till stiff peaks form…about 1-2 minutes. This is REAL WHIPPED CREAM! Taste some for an out-of-this-world treat!

2. Continue beating…about 4-8 minutes…and soon the curds will separate from the whey. You could sing “Little Miss Muffet” with your child while you are doing this.

3. Pour off the whey and you will be left with a lump of pure butter.

4. Enjoy with crackers, bread or toast.

5. Put in a covered container and store in the fridge.

6. Instead of using an electric mixer, you could put the cream in a glass jar with a lid and shake…but this will take between 5-30 minutes and little hands might get tired.

Cooking with young children is only one of the many activities that builds self-esteem, develops pre-literacy skills and creates a life-long parent-child bond. If you are looking for more child-friendly healthful recipes or other educational fun-filled activities, grab a copy of my new book for parents and teachers of preschoolers, now on half-price sale with FREE shipping till March 9^th, at my website.

And please stop by tomorrow for Quotable Timeless Tuesdays

Follow-Me-Fridays: Where’s Miss Vivian?

Posted on March 4, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image by psiaki via Flickr

I’ve noticed that a lot of bloggers set aside a day to encourage others to “follow” their blog…sign up to receive notifications of their posts, “like” them on facebook, “follow” them on Twitter.

I’m thrilled that there are people reading my posts…actually over 3000 page views since I started this blog at the end of this past summer!

It’s not so much a vanity issue…but more that the posts that I write may be helping others…or at least putting a smile on their faces. 🙂

I had lunch yesterday with a dear friend, who is also an author. She is also a former journalist and reporter and is always giving me wonderful ideas for promoting my book.

Since the first of this year, I’ve been visiting our local District 11 schools here in Colorado Springs, implementing the SHOW ME HOW Story-time Program in the Pre-K’s and kindergartens. Every Thursday morning, I read a picture book story and then do rhythms and a craft project (from my book) with a classroom full of eager smiling children. What a blast!

I’m happy to say that the program has been really well-received…in fact, the head of the volunteer program for District 11 warned me that teachers are already putting in their reservations to have me do presentations for the new school year in August and September!

So, I thought that perhaps on Fridays, I could share my experiences in the schools. And also let everyone know where I will be the next week. My author friend suggested, “Where’s Miss Vivian?”

I had to cancel yesterday’s scheduled presentation because of a dentist appointment…but it turns out that it was a good thing I did because I wouldn’t have wanted to expose the children to my cold.

Last week, on February 24^th, I was at Columbia school. The children loved hearing about KATY AND THE BIG SNOW by Virginia Lee Burton. After giving the children a chance to discuss the story, we formed a circle and went through the motions of Katy, the crawler-tractor, as she plowed the streets of the town of Geoppolis. The craft project of creating a snow-cleared road way picture captured the enthusiasm of the children to such an extent that they wanted to stay and work on their project after the allotted time and were sad to put down their art materials because it was time for recess! Having to encourage young children to stop drawing and pasting in order to go outside to play…wow…that’s a new one!

As the children lined up, one of the little boys looked up at me and said, “Miss Vivian, I really like you!” Another child piped up, “This was the BEST time EVER!”

What was it that the children were so enthusiastic about?

When we spend time with our children, joyfully interacting with them, we build their self-esteem. They understand that we value them if we give them some of our time.

How can parents shape their children’s future?

Just 15 minutes a day…read a picture book story with your child.

Just 15 minutes a day…do a simple craft project with your child.

Just 15 minutes a day…prepare an easy recipe with your child.

Where can you find all of these activities, laid out in a simple, easy-to-use format?

Hop over to my website and grab a copy of SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING…now on sale for half-price with FREE shipping until March 9th. I guarantee it will be the best $22.50 you have ever spent…and I’m offering a 365-day money-back refund if you don’t agree!

Next week, I’ll be at Taylor school, doing two back-to-back story/craft presentations.

Image of Katy, the crawler-tractor by psiaki via flicker.

Healthy Habit Thursdays: Dealing With Colds

Posted on March 3, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image via Wikipedia

AAAAACHOOOOOOO!

How did this happen?

I have a cold!!!!

I never get a cold!

Well, I guess I should never say never. 🙂

And, I do know how this happened.

We actually have all the necessary “germs” right inside our own nose and throat, waiting for a moment of weakness when the “germs” can breach our immune system and get a foothold.

So, what can we do to improve the odds of staying healthy?

Here are a few tips:

1. Get enough sleep! Your body renews and your cells rebuild while you are asleep.

2. Stay hydrated.

3. Dress appropriately for the weather…when you feel chilled, beware! Here in Colorado, we can experience seasons in the space of 24 hours.

4. Wash your hands often.

For me, drinking LOTS of tea with honey is what helps the most when I do get a cold. It soothes my throat, clears my nose and seems to shorten the life of the cold.

I’m sure everyone has their own sure-fire remedies. Please share.

When young children are not feeling well, it is often difficult to keep them quiet and in the house…and giving them their medicine can be a tough task. There are several picture books and activities in SHOW ME HOW! that would be helpful to use when your children are sick. Visit my website to get your own copy of this wonderful resource, now on sale till March 9th for half-price. It’s filled with story summaries and lots of activities…each takes just 15 minutes…15 minutes that can shape your child’s future.