I began volunteering a few weeks ago for an after school program at our local middle school. The program is volunteer based and established for kids who want to be part of an after school program but maybe can't afford it, etc. So, the program is free to them. Once a week for just two hours, I volunteer my time.
For the last hour, I teach a cooking class to about 12 students. It's the most fun I've had in a while. I feel at times I'm going back to my days as a Pampered Chef consultant because I use a lot of my own products I got from those days. The kids and I have so much fun! My goal has been to teach them not only how to cook, but some basics of cooking so they can make things on their own that are practical, fun and nutritious.
The first week, I went out with a bang and decided to splurge. We made a chocolate trifle in my trifle bowl. I brought in different ingredients and they got to layer it as they wanted and with what they wanted. Of course they always get to try the end result!
Last week, I decided to bring in a bit of my cultural background and we made a batch of Zblay (fried dough with cinnamon and sugar on the top, much like an elephant ear). I preped a batch of dough and let it rise so they could have time to work with the dough and fry it and shake it with cinnamon and sugar. But I started by showing them how to make the very simple dough. It was so fun and very messy, but well worth the look on their faces and their "mmmmm's, this is sooo good!"
Today, I taught them how to make the age old comfort food favorite, homemade chicken noodle soup. I explained that it's easy and very nutritious and a great meal to enduldge in when your sick. They had a great time and the room and all the way down the hall smelled incredible!
This has been such a great experience for me. I miss teaching and this is teaching on a different level for me.
Eventually I'm suppose to start a girls club out of this group, but we're still working on the details.
3 comments:
Anna,
That sounds like an amazing time! Sometimes, it's so lonely out here when Billy is out to sea, but it's nice when my friends come over and cook with me. It's true-- ood brings people closer. :-)
It's true-- food brings people closer! lol It can be lonely when billy is out to sea, but when I'm cooking with people, it warms my heart
Anna,
That sounds like an amazing time! Sometimes, it's so lonely out here when Billy is out to sea, but it's nice when my friends come over and cook with me. It's true-- ood brings people closer. :-)
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