I am going to steal a little space to share with you why I am so late with my update again. On March 6 of this year, my SodaStream exploded. The bottle contained the water that was going to be carbonated with the Co2 from the cartridge inserted in the back of the appliance. and part of the appliance as well exploded with a huge bang which shattered 4 gallon size bottles on the counter that I was leaning on however, I leaned over to retrieve something from my sink and wasn’t facing the Soda Stream and because I bent over, I missed being hit by the shattered glass and pieces of the plastic SodaStream. But I did receive 5 small lacerations on my chest. Although, I was knocked to the floor face down, and I lost my hearing in both ears for two days. I regained my hearing in my right ear, but not my left and as of today, my hearing is faint in my left ear as well as having the sound of shattering glass. I am living with it, but it has slowed me down a bit. But like everyone else WHERE AM I GOING?

My son and my daughter in law were heroes that day. I was able to crawl to the work counter and reach the phone and because I couldn’t hear and not knowing if they answered the phone, I repeated myself several times and hung up. In minutes they arrived and took complete care of everything.

I have been seeing an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist since March and the progress has been very slow and complicated, as well as being very expensive. This is probably more information than was needed, but I always like to be accountable for my actions, which sometimes can be annoying to my family and peers. Unfortunately, that is the way I roll.

All About The Kids-yes this is going to be exactly that, a showing of photos of some of the kid friendly activities that my grandchildren prepared for their children while being “SHELTERED IN PLACE” during the pandemic. I am sure many of you have some wonderful ideas to share as well. I welcome you to share your ideas with us by emailing them to May@healthycookingfortoday.com.

I am so proud of my grandchildren an certainly was amazed at the wonderful job that they all did to take the time and the effort to make life as normal as possible during this unfortunate time. I personally view their facebook posts, videos and messages often. There is one in particular that should have been sent to the television show about funny videos. Honestly, whenever I think about it, I cannot stop laughing and that is a good thing. But we will hear all about that in a future update.

I will share a photo with a description of what the activity is and go on to another. I also will share a few Kid Friendly recipes that kids-with a little help from mom or dad-can handle. Hey, with my own 4 kids and my ten grandkids and great grandbaby number 13 born in July, I certainly had many opportunities to discover that both girls and boys love to be in the kitchen and take pride in their self made food. Warning! There probably will be a mess for mom or dad to clean up after them!

GRANDSON GREG AND WIFE KARA

A SPECIAL SPOT SET UP FOR BIG SISTER TO CONCENTRATE DURING HER VIRTUAL CLASS WORK.

BIG SISTER TEACHING THE ROPES OF LEARNING IN A VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TO LITTLE SISTER.

CELEABRATING MOMMIES BIRTHDAY AND SURPRISING HER WITH A SPECIAL BEAUTIFUL CAKE MADE BY HER FAVORITE BAKERY!

PICKING THE PERFECT PUMPKIN AT THE PUMPKIN PATCH AT A LOCAL FARM THAT IS VERY POPULAR DURING THE FALL!

VIRTUAL ART SCHOOL PRIZE WINNING DRAWING!

GRANDDAUGHTER NICOLE AND HUSBAND MAURIZIO

NICOLE AND MAURIZIO'S HOME IS BLESSED WITH THREE ADORABLE VERY ACTIVE BOYS.

ALTHOUGH THEY ARE RUNNING, JUMPING AND CLIMBING MUCH OF THE TIME, THEY ALSO LIKE TO BE CREATIVE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A PLAY DOUGH BAKERY, BUT I COULD BE WRONG!

HAVING A GREAT DAY FISHING! lOOKS LIKE THE YOUNGER BOYS ARE MORE INTERESTED AT THE MOMENT WONDERING WHAT BIG BROTHER MIGHT HAVE ON HIS HOOK! THEY HAD A GREAT DAY.

A HIKE IN THE WOODS, SEEING AND LEARNING ABOUT NATURE-I BOUGHT EACH FAMILY A WONDERFUL BOOK FROM AMASON ABOUT NATURE THAT INCLUDED SOME NATURE CRAFTS THAT THE CHILDREN COULD MAKE AFTER THEIR HIKES.

TAKING A BREAK IN THEIR PERSONALLY DESIGNED CARS AT DRIVE IN MOVIE NIGHT WITH ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT FRESHLY POPPED KETTLE CORN!

A FAMILY DOWN ON THE RANCH THEMED BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR THE YOUNGEST!

GRANDSON BRYAN AND WIFE CAITLIN

ONE OF THEIR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IS TO GO FOR A NATURE WALK AND GATHER SAMPLES OF MOTHER NATURES HANDYWORK.

AWAYS HAVING A GOOD TIME WHEN THEY ARE BEING CREATIVE, AND THEY LOVE TO PAINT!

THERE IS NEVER A DULL MOMENT IN THIS FAMILY WITH THESE TWO DARLINGS, THEY ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING UP THEIR SLEEVE, AS THE SAYING GOES. DINNER IS READY MOM AND DAD!

TONIGHT IS PIZZA NIGHT, ONE OF THEIR FAVORITE OFFERINGS!

LOOKING VERY SERIOUS READING THE NEW BOOK ABOUT THE NEW BABY MOMMY IS BRINGING HOME.

YOU CAN SEE IT IN THEIR EYES, THE GREAT LOVE THEY HAVE FOR THIS LITTLE GUY.

GRANDDAUGHTER ALYSSA AND HUSBAND MICHAEL

HAVING A GREAT TIME HELPING DAD WASH THE CAR! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, KIDS LOVE TO HELP AND YOU WILL BE HELPING THEM IN THE LONG RUN TEACHING THEM RESPONSIBILITY!

HAVING THE TIME TO LEARN HOW TO RIDE HER TWO WHEEL BIKE, WITH MOM AND DADS HELP OF COURSE!

HAVING A FUN DAY SLEDDING IN THE WOODS!

WANNABE SCIENTIST WORKING ON A CURE!

VISITING THE BEACH ON A COLD DAY TAKING IN SOME FRESH AIR, WHILE GATHERING SHELLS FOR THEIR COLLECTION. THEY ARE BUSY, BUSY, BUSY ALL THE TIME!

GRANDSON JUSTIN AND WIFE SUZIE

HAVING AN AFTERNOON TEA PARTY WITH MOMMY, WITH ALL THESE GOODIES. MOMMY SPENT HER WORK AT HOME LUNCH BREAK AT THE TEA PARTY!

DAD WORKS FROM HOME TOO, AND TAKES TIME EVERY DAY FOR HIS DANCE WITH PRINCESS BELL OR CINDERELLA!

DADDY THANKING HIS DAUGHTER FOR THE BEAUTIFUL CARD SHE AND MOMMY MADE FOR FATHER'S DAY!

KIEEPING IN SHAPE WITH HER DAILY WALK WITH DADDY!

ANY DAY IS A GREAT DAY AT THE BEACH!

GETTING TO KNOW HER BABY BTOTHER!

GRANDSON TYLER AND WIFE NANCY

In February they became parents to a beautiful baby girl. Both returned to work a few weeks ago and are missing their Bundle of Joy! They keep me posted on facetime and messenger.

GRANDSON JUSTIN’S FRIEND BILL AND WIFE AMY

I just could not resist sharing my grandson's friend Bill’s take on amusing his oldest daughter during the pandemic. He called his precious time with his child “ DADDY'S DAY CARE” and each day used the letter of the alphabet to name the activity. My gosh. It was priceless! I believe this day is the letter B.

Now it is my time to contribute to this update with a few recipes and ideas that I hope can help you as well. A few of the recipes will need Mom or Dad’s help, but hopefully the children will be able to prepare the recipes without much help .

We all know that kids love cookies so what could be better than a BASIC COOKIE MIX that is always on hand and one that by adding their favorite add-ins, can create a variety of delicious cookies.; Also they can create a healthier cookie by trying healthier ingredients. I also will share a few of my suggestions. It is easy to become a creative cookie baker no matter how old you are. It begins by making the basic cookie mix that will be the base for all your creative cookies. The rest is easy and exciting and as simple as using various add-ins, your own ideas or by creating ideas from magazines and cookbooks. Honestly you will be amazed. However because the mix makes dozens and dozens of cookies, combining all the ingredients would be difficult for a child to manage. Sorry mom and dad, you are not off the hook yet. Not only will you get some good arm exercise with the mixing, but now you will have a mix that will be ready when you or the kids want to bake cookies, simply by storing your mix in a large jar with a wide opening in your refrigerator, or for longer periods in the freezer.

The kids (actually, I wondered if it would be proper to call them children, but kids sounded friendlier) will need an 1 ½ inch ice cream scoop, cookie sheet and parchment paper to cover it. Also you can leave the parchment paper on the sheet to reuse it.

The photo of my cookie tray below, contains all the various cookies that were created using the cooking mix. Let the kids be creative using whatever add-ins they want. For your use mom or dad be creative or as I previously suggested, check your cookbooks and magazines for ideas. You will have a lot of fun with this recipe and like my great granddaughter shouted out at a family gathering last week “Nana Nana makes the best cookies”, that statement will be directed at you. I guarantee that you will love it and use it often. I will be looking forward to using your photos of your ideas in my Creative Corner.

By the way, my cookies took approximately an hour and a half from start to finish. However if my mix was in the fridge and ready to go, it would have probably taken me a little over an hour.

BASIC COOKIE MIX

8 cups flour*

4 cups sugar*

4 tsp baking soda

3 tsp salt

2 ⅔ cups shortening*

Makes approximately 16 cups and each recipe, depending on add-ins, makes 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies: THAT’S A LOT OF COOKIES!

*flour- you can use All Purpose Flour, White Whole Wheat Flour or half white and half White Whole Wheat or Whole Wheat Flour or half White Whole Wheat ,unfortunately, I have not worked with gluten free recipes, but for you that have, I am certain that some adjustments can be made to the recipe for a gluten free cookie.

*sugar-you can use regular white sugar or Organic Florida Crystals Raw Cane Sugar which is grown and harvested in the USA or ½ brown sugar and ½ white or organic-I do not use artificial sweeteners, but if you do, that is fine too!

*shortening-Butter Flavored Crisco or regular Crisco or ½ butter and ½ Crisco or ½ Smart Balance soft Spread margarine or margarine sticks or ½ margarine and ½ Crisco or butter.

Note: Crisco has been around for a very long time, since 1911 I believe. It was the first shortening cooking product to use plant oil and seeds. My mom was a fantastic cook and alway used Crisco, especially when she was baking. Unlike butter and because it is plant based, Crisco does not have cholesterol. Yes, there may be some questionable ingredients used for processing. However if you think you may be sensitive to one, do as I do “WHEN IN DOUBT, CHECK IT OUT”

WHAT I AM TRYING TO EXPRESS, IS TO USE WHAT YOU HAVE!

MAKING COOKIES

2 ½ cups Homemade Cookie Mix

½ cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg beaten with fork, lightly

3 tbsp Milk added to egg

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract added to egg milk mixture

1 cup Add-ins, or if making oatmeal cookies add one cup of oatmeal and if using chips add one scant cup of chips-meaning a little less than a full cup. Actually when you make them, you or the kids be the judge.

I use the above recipe for most of my simple add-in cookies such as M&M's, various chips and for oatmeal raisin-simply include a cup of oatmeal and the raisins for the add-in.

Heat oven to 375 degrees

Combine Homemade Cookie Mix and brown sugar in a large bowl and mix well to blend. Add egg, milk and vanilla in a bowl and mix until combined and add to mix. Stir in add-ins. Drop by tablespoons or a 2 inch ice cream scoop on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and press lightly to flatten-a small drinking glass works fine. I know that kids love sprinkles, so feel free to sprinkle the cookies before baking. I also use jelly in my Thumbprint cookies-I will be sharing cooking recipes in my future updates. Also you can use the same sheet of parchment paper over and over. Cook for 10 minutes and check the cookies in the oven, if not lightly brown continue for 12 minutes. Remember, all ovens are calibrated differently and some cookies with different add-ins may need more time. So check the oven often and keep a log containing baking time for various cookies.

Cool on the tray for 5 minutes, remove and place on a wire rack to cool completely. This step is very important whenever you are baking cookies-the sheet will remain hot and the cookies will continue to cook, which will change the texture of the cookie.

Additions and changes to be made to basic mix when making chocolate cookies.

2 tbsps extra sugar

3 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tbsps vegetable oil

⅓ cup milk in place of the 3 tbsps of milk

Combine Homemade Cookie Mix, sugar and cocoa in a large mixing bowl until blended. Add oil, egg and milk. Beat with a wooden spoon or a hand mixer until completely combined. Stir in add-ins. Follow the procedure above with the parchment paper on the cookie sheet and I like to check the cookies at 8 minutes because they seem to cook faster because of the oil. I have made the chocolate cookies so many ways by adding different flavored chips or pressing a chocolate Hershey kiss in the center when I take them out of the oven. I am sure the kids will have some great ideas for making their cookies.

Additions and changes to be made to the basic mix when making peanut butter cookies.

1 ½ cups Homemade Cookie Mix

½ cup creamy peanut butter

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 tbsp water

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup finely chopped peanuts if you want the cookies rolled in peanuts - I did not use them for the cookies on the tray because a few members of my family suffer from nut allergies.

Please Note: I believe the original basic cookie mix recipe was created by Crisco, however I have seen many changes in cook books and magazines over the years. I also have made changes to suit my personal nutritional needs.

1 cup Quick Cooking Oats

1 cup Cheerios

1 cup sugar free dried fruit-all I had was cranberries

½ cup nuts-whatever kind or add a mixture

2 tbsp ground flax seed

2 tbsp maple syrup

2 tbsp honey

½ tsp vanilla

⅛ tsp salt

¼ cup natural Skippy Peanut Butter

I would have added Chia seeds, but unfortunately I was out of them as well as shelled pumpkin seeds. Do your thing and add whatever cereal or seeds or nuts that you have.

I simply pulsed everything, in my processor for a few times, with the exception of the Peanut Butter, However a blender or a Magic Bullet will work as well. When blended together, add peanut butter and pulse a few times to incorporate the peanut butter. Dampen hands and roll mixture in hands to the size of a walnut. The peanut butter is the glue that will shape the mix. I do suggest that you add a small amount at a time. The mixture should be able to be formed into a compact ball aproximately 1 1/2 inchs in diameter. Place on a wax paper covered tray in the refrigerator covered with additional wax paper. for at least 30 minutes.

Note: You may chop the nuts instead of adding them to the processor, which adds a little crunch to the ENERGY BITE.

FOR MY OWN SAFETY, I PLACE THEM IN THE FREEZER. YES, THAT IS HOW HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS THEY ARE! YOU KNOW THE OLD SAYING, OUT OF SITE OUT OF MIND.
This is optional but is what makes them pop-melt a cup or more of 60 percent CHIRARDELLI chocolate chips or a 70 percent chocolate bar with a teaspoon or two of butter or Smart Balance using the microwave or stove top. Pierce the Energy bite on the top with a toothpick and dip in the melted chocolate to cover. Place on wax paper, remove the toothpick and place in the refrigerator to harden. Not only are the Energy Bites stacked with plant based protein, but also the chocolate is great for your heart! Yes, the kids will need help with this using the processor.

If you think that your children would enjoy a FOR KIDS ONLY SEGMENT let me know by emailing me at MAY@healthycookingfortoday.com

I do apologize for asking, but because it has been awhile since I have posted a new update and because I discontinued my Newletter a few months ago and there is no need to sign up, I have lost some of my readers. I would appreciate it if you would share my site with you friends and family. Of course, if you think it is worth sharing!!!!! Oh by the way, HealthyCookingForToday was 24 years old on August 8-11 years on our local newspaper and 13 years on the internet.

Please note that this is a special posting and my blog usually features health information, random seasonal photos, recipes with a photo, a Creative Corner-sharing photos of readers recipes and ideas. also a segment called This and That.

GOD BLESS AND STAY SAFE

DISCLAIMER - HealthyCookingForToday.com is intended to supply my readers with timely researched medical information and healthier food choices and recipes and is not intended to give personal medical advice, which should be obtained by your physician.

All About the Kids