In honor of a new program called The Kids Cook Monday” (by the folks who’ve brought us Meatless Monday), I thought I’d share my own experiences of cooking with my daughter, Maylee.

At KIWI, we believe that teaching kids to cook helps them learn early on about good nutrition and better-for-you choices. When a child helps to pick out fresh, all-natural ingredients and prepare a recipe, she is empowered to live healthier and greener. Here’s some things that I do with Maylee to foster her enthusiasm for cooking:

• First, we make the shopping list together. She tells me what we need and even writes the list herself (she’s old enough to do that), then we head to the market. Because she’s already so familiar with the list, it makes for a much faster and more pleasant trip. (Less “are we done yet?”).

• While shopping, I help her figure out which options are best for her and the environment. We pick out the organic pasta sauce, the eggs that are labeled “cage-free”, the Fair Trade sugar, and the cookie mix whose ingredients don’t include artificial colors or flavors. By turning shopping into a fun game, she learns to read labels and make healthier choices.

• Once we get back to the kitchen, I get Maylee involved by relating cooking to another one of her interests. For example, Maylee is an artist, so I like to show her how cooking is not only something we do every day to feed ourselves, but something many people do creatively and with passion. So we watch cooking shows on TV together like Top Chef Masters on Bravo, the Food Network challenges, and Food Wars on the Travel Channel.

• I also encourage her to have her “specialties”; her own recipes that she can feel proud of and include in her recipe box. She loves to make Pookie Pumpkin Pie at Thanksgiving; she has her own special smoothie recipe (in the April/May issue of KIWI Magazine) to serve to friends; and she has an eggs and rice recipe that she proudly prepares when her grandparents come to visit.

• I teach Maylee about healthy ingredients by keeping these items in our own refrigerator and pantry. Since she is exposed on a daily basis to foods that are organic, all-natural, fair trade, and high in omega-3/DHA, that is her frame of reference

As Maylee gets older, I know we might not see eye-to-eye on everything. However, I hope my healthy choices become her healthy choices—and that she continues to one day share this tradition with her own children!

- Maxine Wolf, Maylee’s mom and CEO & Publisher, KIWI Magazine

EACH CAMP INCLUDES: Professional cooking instruction of hands-on kid-friendly recipes in a focused, fun and safe environment. Trained culinary teachers from Whole Foods Market Bowery Culinary Center and KIWI Magazine. A limit of 12 participants, ensuring a low child-to-instructor ratio. Cooking projects, games, craft activities and creative excursions. Lunch or snack and beverages (special diets can be accommodated). Lessons on sustainability, composting, gardening, recycling and other eco-friendly ways of life. Apron, chef’s hat and a graduation goodie bag packed with cool stuff!

AUGUST DATES: TBD. CHECK BACK FOR SCHEDULE UPDATES

OR CALL THE CULINARY CENTER AT 916-488-2800

To enroll in KIWI Kids’ Camp, please register online. For general questions about the camp or to register over the phone, please contact Customer Service at Whole Foods Market Sacramento (916) 488-2800.