Win Canadian Living's new slow cooker book
I'm excited to annouce a new contest ... read on!
One of my biggest mum dilemmas is keeping meals healthy, easy and yet not serving the same old thing week after week. Can you relate?
If you haven't used one yet, you must try a slow cooker. You can make amazing one-pot meals, get your kids involved in the prep, and ... the best part ... you don't have to worry about rushing home from work to get stuff in oven. Plus, there's no multi-dish clean up. What's not to love?
Do I sound like a slow cooker pusher? Well, I am. I'm completely sold on the concept. Once you have a slow cooker, all you need is some great recipes. That's where my contest comes in.
I am giving away two copies of the Canadian Living Slow Cooker Collection worth $22.95. This book isn't out on shelves until Oct 20th so two lucky winners will get an advance peak.
What do you have to do to win? Tell me how you get your kids and/or guy to help out in the kitchen.
Talk to you soon.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I am very lucky in that my hubby was raised by a single- working mother and she taught him early on that he would have to do things around the house. My hubby gets home first, so he starts supper and gets the kids going on homework. I clean up. On the weekends it's usually the opposite. So my kids are learning from watching. My 15 yr old son will often empty the dishwasher before he goes to school, without being asked!! Yesterday I came home and my 12 yr old dtr had vacuumed, without being asked!! When kids are little they always want to help, even if they can't really do the job well, I always took the help. Sometimes it wasn't done the way I wanted and sometimes I had to rewash dishes (out of sight, of course) but I never turn down offers of help with housework. Give them the jobs they seem interested in, even if it's just peeling carrots (most kids love to do that) because if not, it will be impossible to get them to help when they are older.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I have no problem getting my husband to help in the kitchen. We work really well together. He washes and slices the vegetables while I get the other things ready. We put on loud music, have a glass of wine, and we laugh a lot. He knows that if he assists we have more time together. And by the way we have been married 38 years.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I always convience my husband that his stew recipe is the best, only he can make it taste this good, as for the kids, reward them with tickets to a good movie or something they get excited about,for them chores should not take too long, 15-30 minutes at the most, make sure you tell them how good a job they do. Next time they might do it just to please you.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Just ask and explain that everyone has to do their part, works for the most part!
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:06 pm
My husband likes to cook meat, so usually if we have a roast or steak it is his domain
I make rice and stir fry. My kids like vegetables, especially when we have the garden in the summer they will go pick the tomatoes and cucumbers and wash or peel and put them in individual bowls for dinner... the vegetables aren't allowed to touch one another 
September 24th, 2009 at 8:06 am
My four year old is at the curious age where he's always asking to help out, so I let him. He delights in the small tasks like shuffling back and forth from the kitchen to the dining room to help set or clear the table. Or filling the sink with water to wash the produce after our weekly shopping trip. I just have to remember that he is helping me and not to get too upset when things aren't done perfectly; like when more water ends up on the floor than in the sink and he's soaked, at least he's helping! And he sets an example for his little one year old brother who idolizes him and wants to copy and also help!!!
September 24th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Ever since she was younger, my daughter loved to help out in the kitchen. However, most kids grow out of 'wanting to help' with chores. To keep it fun for her, I bought her an apron, a chef's hat and other fun kitchen gadgets. Now when preparing meals, she pretends to be the chef and I, her sous-chef! I love the time we spend together, and she's learning to cook healthy meals, which I hope, will lead to a healthy lifestyle.
September 24th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I have an 11 yr old who is very lazy (she used to me very helpful and giving, but now she usually says "I will" or "later" but then nothing ever gets done). I'm sure anyone else with a tween must be going through the same thing. Ok...shhhhhhh, this is my little trick: I really do have lower back pain; however, I play it up on days that I'd like for her to help in the kitchen. "Oh honey, can you help mommy? My back really hurts and I can't bend down to get the dishes out of the dishwasher...you do the bottom rack and I'll do the top one". It works...for now. I'm sure I'll have to get more creative when she becomes a teenager! Simply asking and explaining the need for help (as it's your part) doesn't work for me. Clearly, there's more than one way to get things done.
My new workaholic spouse, on the other hand, is a bit different. I don't generally ask for help mostly because work comes first; however, if work is not a factor, I do get help if I ask for it.
I'm the only one that cooks. I have a new slow cooker (I've used twice), and I have to admit that it is really convenient. Coming home to dinner is great, but it's just as great to take a day off to do other things...like setting the slow cooker on a Sat. morn so that you can spend family day doing stuff and not worry about what's for dinner. It would be great to check out that slow cooker book for new ideas! Canadian Living has always provided great recipes throughout the years (I've been a loyal reader since 1980) and I'm sure this book would be a great addition to anyone's cookbook library. I just made room on my bookshelf, in case I'm a winner!
September 24th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
To be honest my husband is the one that gets me to help him in the kitchen. He is undoubtedly the better cook and I just trail along after him cutting and slicing! He has gotten me much more interested in working in the kitchen because his food is delish and I want to learn how to do it too. He gets the each of our kids to choose what they want one night a week and then they help him make it. I know he would sure love this cookbook and would use it to feed us and teach us! The kids thankfully take after their Dad!!
September 24th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
As a new mom, my husband was a godsend the first few weeks after our baby was born. I could barely walk and my hubby did all of the cooking, cleaning and most of the baby care too
We just recently got a slow cooker so a recipe book to help us make use of it would be perfect! PS the little one is still too little to help out, hehe
September 24th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
My husband grew up taking on the "man of the house" role at a young age and was taught responsibility early. He often helped his mom cook and clean, so I am very blessed. He helps me in the kitchen, encourages healthy eating and he also cooks some of his homeland foods. My daughter who is 4, takes great pride in helping in the kitchen and often just wants to take over (sometimes i wish she could..hee hee). As my husband works shift work and I am the chef for the most part ...i am excited and looking forward to this new slow cooker cook book that doubles as a life saver!!!
September 24th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
My husband helps with anything and everything. He's just wonderful. His mom trained him well, ha! He's a good cook and sticks to one or 2 recipes. I like the variety and I'm the main cook, I have a menu and always looking for new recipes. My teen daughter is a budding chef and loves to cook when she can. I even ask her for tips and ideas. She's planning on taking culinary arts after she finishes her 12th grade. Well, then believe it or not my 12 year old son also loves cooking. However when we moved here, he kinda got a bit lazy. And my younger son in general doesn't like cooking and doesnt clean up much after himself. We didnt have much to do during the summer as we're learning where to go, etc and I was desperate how to keep the boys busy in a constructive manner. I talked about it with my husband, and we came up with the idea of weekly earning program. They get a dollar for cooking a meal on their own, looking up the recipe and making sure all the ingredients are there, that it has all the food groups, cleaning after themselves, and half a dollar if they help with meal prep. It worked like a charm on my 12 year old, who was looking up recipes and coming up with nice meals. The surprise was my younger son, as he really enjoyed it and found out he can actually cook. We made sure to really appreciate him and thank him. It helped him to think more of what goes into a meal. He also found out he's good at baking. While my older son was the cook, he was the baker. ha! Well, the program was a real help and it kept the kids busy positively. Even if the "pay" was not that much as per our budget, but it raised the self esteem, and that they are contributing. So all in all, it's nice to have the kids learn along about the kitchen. It's fun and brings the family together. I wanted to add that i was overseeing them during the whole process of cooking. I also benefited from their help and it showed me what they like to eat, or what dishes are the biggest hit!
September 25th, 2009 at 10:33 am
My fiance is very helpful. I get him to read things that I read that helps illustrate the point that we have to take an equal share of household responsibilities. I think the most recent one was about men that do more housework have more sex! It's true. He knows that sometimes I'm not up for cooking, or since he doesn't like the variety of foods I do, he was left to fend for himself when I made something else. Not long after, he started helping himself, and then eventually making enough for me when it's his turn! He does like helping, but I really think he's scared of spices. If I'm there to 'supervise', he will chop and peel and wash whatever needs to be done. I think what makes the most difference is I get really enthusiastic when he does something helpful or makes a meal. I don't get negative when he's charred something too much or makes small mistakes like that. He's still learning! I was with my sister when she bought a slow cooker a few months ago and I did think it was a great idea, I was just wondering what would happen if our puppy got a whiff of the simmering meat! Now that we've moved and the dog isn't locked in the kitchen while we're at work, I did get one. It really is great coming home and the work is done!
September 26th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
We are a family of 4 adults. Over the years my husband has been chief cook and bottle washer when I worked shifts. Now the girls help usually in the clean up department. I have a slow cooker at home and at the cottage. They are great!
October 1st, 2009 at 9:05 pm
How do I get my husband to help in the kitchen. He's vey obliging, I just ask him.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Hi,
What works really well in our house of 2 adults is...
1. there is the preparation
2. there is the cleanup
One of us does one and one the other. My spouse has opted for the cooking and I do the cleanup. It works well as I am no longer interested in the daily cooking!!
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:10 pm
My hubby isn't really a cook, but he has learned to make a few dishes really well. So, when it's time to make those dishes, he gets called up for duty, and praised sufficiently. My son, however, is a keen student, and is asking me for all kinds of new recipes since he moved into his new apartment, and even now wants me to show him how to make my pies.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
My mother-in-law is 94 years old. My husband is now 72. Anytime I would be away from the kitchen, moma would still make her son his meal.
My husband never cooked, never will. Moma taught him that he works on the farm, not in the kitchen.
He comes in expecting all meals on the table and his time inside to be free of any household duties. Aint't going to change him now. I'm the ssecond wife. During his time in between, moma cooked his meals and cleaning ladies were hired to clean his house and do his laundry. Some women are truly blessed to have such considerate husbands. I hope they let him know its appreciated. I Love to cook and entertain and try new recipies all the time.
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Even when my four children were pre-schoolers (they are now all adults) they helped out in the kitchen - making meals was always a family affair. They would peel vegetables, set the table, mix salad dressing, etc. We always turned up the music, and it was not unusual to catch us dancing in the kitchen. They learned important skills, and we had a lot of fun together. Now, all of my children are excellent cooks, and the girlfriends of both of my sons think they are fantastic guys because they can cook, and are not afraid to host a dinner party. We still get together regularly for meals, and we still enjoy cooking together.
October 4th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
I get my husband to help out in the kitchen by promising him dessert out. We usually go out for one banana split with two spoons. Works every time! He shares in the kitchen work and I share the banana split.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I love reading the stories from all the posts!
My husband makes Sunday morning breakfast - scones, coffee cake, pancakes and waffles. Double edged sword - he makes a huge mess and doesn't clean it up. Takes after his Mom, who is a chef.
My eldest son (15) is learning to cook. His favorite recipe is unbaked cookies (chocolate haystacks). Son #2 (9) isn't interested in food yet. But I am confident that he will want to learn, just like his big brother.
I have a slow cooker, but do not have a good recipe book for it, so it sits in the cupboard.
October 5th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I have to be the luckiest mum around. I am a single mother of a 14yr old boy, a typical teenager. 16 months ago I hurt my back. Not being able to move my son stepped up. Helping with laundry, vacuuming, but especially in the kitchen.
He first started with barbequeing, but then started to experiment with spices. today he can bbq up a storm, zuchini to souvlaki. chocolate cake to bran muffins. now we both cook, he just leaves the dishes for me........
October 8th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
We have just always shared the kitchen duties. My attitude is if you want to eat you have to help. Even the smallest of kids can hand you plastic items from the dishwasher, and help set the table. When they are a little older I have them help do things like peel carrots, tear lettuce for salads etc.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Everything is 50/50 with us when it comes to the kitchen--I do all of the cooking and he does all of the eating. Enough said.