According to meteorologist Tom Skilling, the seasonal change occurs on the first of the month that the calendar lists it as. On the calendar, summer is designated on the summer solstice (the longest day), winter is marked on the winter solstice (the longest night), and fall and spring are marked on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes (the days that sunlight equals nighttime). But the real change in the season occurs several weeks earlier. So summer is here and I'm sticking with that story!
A little over a month ago, I attended the YMCA Healthy Kids Fair at the Fry Family YMCA in Naperville, IL. What a great bunch of people I met! I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I sampled a "super secret ingredient chocolate mousse" for all to taste and it was interesting to see everyone's reaction, especially the kids. Their tastes varied widely. Some tasted the avocado, some thought it was not very sweet and a few thought it was too sweet. I had promised them the recipe and here it is. This is a wonderful treat for summer and a great way to use those avocados.
Super Secret Ingredient Chocolate Mousse
3 avocados
1/2 - 3/4 cup raw cacao (or cocoa)
1/2 - 1 cup maple syrup (or honey)
In a blender, add all ingredients. Process until smooth. Add sweetener to taste. Easy!
When I made it for the fair, I didn't have a blender at the time, so I mashed it a bit with a whip and then whipped the chunks out of it ~ not an easy feat. The blender is the better option. But you can see, you don't need fancy equipment to make great food!
To help change your children's palates, I suggest adjusting the ingredients. If the avocado taste is too strong for your child, add more cacao. If it is not sweet enough, add more sweetener.
As your child (or you or your spouse) adjusts to the taste, scale back on the sweetener the next time you make it. Do it gradually. If their diet still includes a lot of processed sugar, they may not like the decrease in sweetness. Eliminate as much sugar in their diets as you are able. It is tough, but they will adjust.
Keep track of any changes you make to the recipe. That way, the next time you make it, you'll know what you did last and if you want to adjust it. I always suggest keeping a kitchen notebook in the kitchen to write down recipes, adjustments, spontaneous creations, etc. When **_Real Food Kitchen Transition_** comes out, in there I suggest making a designated kitchen notebook or binder. This helps greatly with kitchen management.
What are your favorite summer recipes? What would you like to see here this summer ~ Recipes? Summer survival? Natural first aid remedies? Kids cooking? Post in the comments below!
A little over a month ago, I attended the YMCA Healthy Kids Fair at the Fry Family YMCA in Naperville, IL. What a great bunch of people I met! I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I sampled a "super secret ingredient chocolate mousse" for all to taste and it was interesting to see everyone's reaction, especially the kids. Their tastes varied widely. Some tasted the avocado, some thought it was not very sweet and a few thought it was too sweet. I had promised them the recipe and here it is. This is a wonderful treat for summer and a great way to use those avocados.
Super Secret Ingredient Chocolate Mousse
3 avocados
1/2 - 3/4 cup raw cacao (or cocoa)
1/2 - 1 cup maple syrup (or honey)
In a blender, add all ingredients. Process until smooth. Add sweetener to taste. Easy!
When I made it for the fair, I didn't have a blender at the time, so I mashed it a bit with a whip and then whipped the chunks out of it ~ not an easy feat. The blender is the better option. But you can see, you don't need fancy equipment to make great food!
To help change your children's palates, I suggest adjusting the ingredients. If the avocado taste is too strong for your child, add more cacao. If it is not sweet enough, add more sweetener.
As your child (or you or your spouse) adjusts to the taste, scale back on the sweetener the next time you make it. Do it gradually. If their diet still includes a lot of processed sugar, they may not like the decrease in sweetness. Eliminate as much sugar in their diets as you are able. It is tough, but they will adjust.
Keep track of any changes you make to the recipe. That way, the next time you make it, you'll know what you did last and if you want to adjust it. I always suggest keeping a kitchen notebook in the kitchen to write down recipes, adjustments, spontaneous creations, etc. When **_Real Food Kitchen Transition_** comes out, in there I suggest making a designated kitchen notebook or binder. This helps greatly with kitchen management.
What are your favorite summer recipes? What would you like to see here this summer ~ Recipes? Summer survival? Natural first aid remedies? Kids cooking? Post in the comments below!
