Shopping with kids is what's cooking!

I know this is not an eye opening revelation to getting kids to eat healthy BUT "Healthy Week" continues with the theory that shopping with kids opens their eyes to healthy foods.

As much as I enjoy my alone time at the grocery store or Farmer's Market (FM), I can definitely see the value of taking my girls with me. Tuesday I went to the market with Tanya from expat chow. We are kind of market buddies you could say. Jess came too! I like Burkliplatz FM but the Helvitiaplatz FM has become a fast favorite. Jack not only has a list on his website of most of the markets in CH (click on the side of his page) but a list of what's in season that changes monthly. Awesome info!

As I was unpacking my three full bags I thought everything was so pretty and vibrant I had to snap a photo. I also went by Coop to get some random items for our week of food. Some of the food was not put away when the girls came home for lunch. They loved looking over my finds from the market and figuring out what we could have for dinner with our lovely array of food.

When I take my girls to the Farmer's Market or grocery store we spend a lot of time in the veggie section. They get to choose new foods or old favorites.

Miss L always wants tomatoes, artichokes and bananas

Miss M is a little more random but ALWAYS wants avocados

Usually they are getting ready to go to school when I make my list of what I need. If they are unable to shop with me that day I ask them what they need from the store or market. This not only gets their minds thinking but really makes them feel like they have a decision in what they eat and what our family eats.

My next goal is to have Miss L cook for our family once a week. She wants so desperately to do this, the question is, if I am ready to hand over the control of my kitchen to my 9 year old.

The most important part for me is to make my daughters realize what amazing foods there are and how good they are for our bodies. Even though we do not always eat the perfect meal, we are all trying and that is the most important part.

Än Guetä! - Jenna

Market Food is what's cooking!

One of the best part about living in Zürich, Switzerland is the farmer's markets. Local, Fresh food 6 days a week. In different areas of the city of course but if you are willing to walk down the hill, or hop on a tram or train, fresh food is available.

I have a friend Tanya, she has an amazing food blog called EXPAT CHOW. She is a truly an inspiring cook. She will replicate food she loved and try so many new things I would not have the patience to try. I love being one of her taste testers, she is so daring!

Tanya and I are huge fans of Laughing Lemon. We went to a What's in Season cooking class last year with Jack and Silvia and we are looking forward to another one next week. Jack was kind enough to take us on a tour of his favorite Wednesday market, Oerlikon. He not only showed us the good vendors but explained to us how to find good vendors in whatever market we are at.

These beauties, AKA sugar snap peas tasted just as fabulous as they look. They are only available for a few weeks in the spring and oh, what a treat.

Cherries are a favorite in our house. My grandparents have cherry trees in Arizona and every spring we would get a delivery from my Grandpa of a box of cherries. This little bag of cherries did not last long between 3 cherry lovers.

I am trying to branch out and try new things. ASPARAGUS! I had never made it before last week. It is so easy to make. Jack instructed me how to prepare it. It was quite a hit at our house, even 5 year old, Miss M, ate it right up! I guess it was a good thing that my husband had dinner with colleagues, we were not sharing at all.

Such a simple, yet satisfying meal.
Fresh asparagus blanched with homemade mayo, quinoa pilaf and baked sweet potatoes.

Thanks Jack for the tour and info!