Hi & Welcome,
As parents we hear it all the time, “Ma! What’s for dinner?” Those dreaded four words that come moments before you spend an hour at the table convincing (or bribing) your kids to eat. Well, not in my house! At least not anymore. My ears ring to a different tune. And it goes something like “Ma, let’s cook dinner!”
After the birth of my third son, Cooper in 2006, I decided there had to be a way to get my kids to eat full (and healthIER) meals. I could have stuck to the old faithfuls – chicken nuggets, spaghetti, mac-n-cheese or pulled a Jessica Seinfeld and hid the good stuff in the bad stuff. But how long could I really get away with that?
The solution was easy: cook WITH the kids instead of for them! I figured I could tell a story about each ingredient and let them choose what they wanted to eat. For example, I could have easily dropped a pizza topped with chicken and black olives on the table, but chances are, they wouldn’t eat it. But if we cooked it together and they were presented with a choice of black olives, broccoli or mushrooms, they would pick the one they least hated (or loved) and eat it! Children like choices and want to feel grown up just like mom and dad. So, eating what they pick offers a great sense of achievement.
And so it worked. Things like peppers, tomatoes, salmon, brie, pate and curry all have a place in our kid’s lives! Our kitchen is now a revolving door of flavors, cultures and experiences and delightedly, has forever changed the way my kids eat and look at food. They are curious about tasting everything!
I hope that the “Ma, What’s For Dinner” series will be an inspiration for moms, dads, and families everywhere to start cooking and bonding in their kitchens creating great food, unforgettable moments and lifelong memories. The site is filled with tons of useful information like cooking tips, conversions and great recipes themed around holidays, dietary needs and popular ingredients. There are also craft ideas each week so if its take-out night or a snow day, you are equipped with a family activity!
Thank you for letting me share and please share your success stories too; they are absolutely inspiring!
Pull up a chair at the Fitzpatrick Family table and get comfy; we’re so glad you’re here…
Love,
Alex
More About Alex Fitzpatrick
Mom of Keegan, Brady & Cooper Fitzpatrick
Before Alex was an expert mommy, she carried a few honorable titles in the entertainment world for almost a decade. She began her career as Manager of Development at Paid Our Dues Productions where she helped develop pilots before writing for Lifetime’s series, Any Day Now starring Lorraine Toussiant and Annie Potts in conjunction with Spelling Entertainment. After success with Lifetime, Alex moved to Grand Productions as Director of Development where she wrote for the hot daytime soap, Days of Our Lives. Also, while at Grand Productions Alex’s team developed three TV movies; An Unexpected Love for Lifetime, Music From the Heart for CBS and Beauty for CBS television.
Before heading out to Hollywood Alex was immersed in the sports world working for FOX Sports and New England Sports Network. She started her career in sports in college where she was the Head Manager for the Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Champions, Boston University Terriers from 1992-1996. Alex continues to be an avid hockey fan.
Keegan
Age: 6 years old
Favorite thing to eat: Pate on baguettes
#1 dessert: Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Fave thing to do in the kitchen: Make Pancakes
Fave hobby outside the kitchen: Playing Hockey
Brady
Age: 4 years old
Favorite thing to eat: Tomatoes, Blackberries, and Spinach
#1 dessert: Blueberries with whip cream
Fave thing to do in the kitchen: Stir
Fave hobby: Karate
Cooper
Age: 2 years old
Favorite thing to eat: Anything on Mommy’s Plate
#1 dessert: Chocolate
Fave thing to do in the kitchen: Eat
Fave hobby: Playing catch