summer | VIVIAN KIRKFIELD – Writer for Children

Every blog and tweet I read seems to talk about the end of summer and the start of school. However, right now the harvest season is just getting underway. How about a GREAT recipe for COLORFUL SUMMER FRUIT CRISP…delicious, and so easy to prepare that it appears in my new book, SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING! Preschoolers love to help in the kitchen…the competence and confidence it builds contribute to a positive self-image for them.

COLORFUL SUMMER FRUIT CRISP

You will need: 5 cups mixed summer fruit, washed and then sliced if necessary (peaches, plums, apricots, strawberries, blueberries,etc.); 1/4 cup white sugar (you can substitute honey or agave), 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 tsp lemon juice, 3 Tb flour, 1/4 cup flour, 2 cups rolled oats, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 cup margarine (you can use one of the more healthy non-GMO spreads), a greased 9×13 inch pan, and 2 large bowls.

In a large bowl, gently toss fruit with white sugar, orange juice and lemon juice.
Sprinkle with 3 Tb flour, toss gently again and spread in the greased pan.
In another bowl, mix oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and the remaining flour. Then add margarine and mix till crumbly.
Sprinkle crumbly mixture over fruit in pan.
Bake 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees until fruit is tender and topping is golden brown.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Serves 12.
TIP: You can use your imagination when assembling the fruits…how many different colors will there be in this delicious and healthful dessert?

The summer may be winding down…but make the most of the healthful fruits and vegetables that are part of the season. Check out your local farmer’s markets…a great family outing!

Here in Colorado, and in most of the country, it is pretty hot.

How to stay cool, especially with young children, is the question.

Turn on the a/c (uses a lot of energy), or open windows for some cross ventilation if possible, or spend part of the day at a place like your local library or a play area at a local mall where the temperature is usually controlled for customer comfort.
Dress yourself and your children in appropriate clothing…loose, light, cotton is great. Add a sun hat for everyone when you go out and make sure you apply sunscreen.
Plan some water activities…a local pool if available, your own small kiddie pool, even a plastic bowl of water with some plastic cups and spoons can provide a refreshing hour of fun. Please use great caution with little ones and water.
Make sure everyone stays hydrated…in a previous post I suggested freezing cubes of juice to lightly flavor and add a little fun for the drinking water in your child’s cup.
Think cool with your kids…read them a children’s picture book about the wintertime…how about THE MITTEN by Alvin Tresselt or THE SNOWY DAY by Ezra Jack Keats.
Start your day with an organized plan of what you’d like to accomplish (make sure your goals are reachable…trying to do too much, especially with little ones, only increases your tension…and, as Scarlett O’Hara once said, “Tomorrow is another day”)…this makes the day less stressful, your nerves less frazzled and contributes to keeping tempers cool, even when the temperature is soaring.
Great tip for next winter: if you live in an area where it snows, collect some newly fallen snow and pack it into some plastic containers. Next summer, on a really hot day, take out the containers of snow…go outside and make snowballs or just have fun watching how quickly the snow will melt.