Kitchen Christianity: More Than Enough

When I was growing up, we didn’t have an overabundance of treats. Desserts were divided evenly, and candy was counted. “How many each?” was a common question.

Special Animal Cracker Treats from our Auntie

My sister and I shared our treats, but only in the strictest sense of the word!

Since sharing is such an important skill, I think it’s worth practicing. And why not make practice fun and easy?

Say: Do you want to help me make some treats today?

We’re counting on an excited “Yes!” response.

Say: I’ve got an idea... Let’s make a mountain of treats so that we have more than enough to share!

A “mountain” of treats should grab their attention, and when there’s more than enough, it’s easy to share!

Here are two treat ideas to choose from:

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  Fruit Kabobs

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  Dipped Bananas

Both options are healthy, cost-effective, easy for young kids to help with, and they look fantastic!

Fruit Kabobs 

It’s my invention – but probably other people have thought of it too. It’s also my daughter’s favourite thing to bring to a summer picnic potluck.

The grown-ups’ job: Using sturdy scissors, cut the kabob sticks in half and cut off the pointy tips.

Note: I have used full-length sticks, which look amazing, but are hard to manage for little hands.

Everyone’s job: Wash and prepare 4 or 5 different kinds of fruit. The grown-ups can cut the tricky fruit, like cantaloupe, but kids can cut strawberries in half, and even little kids can pull grapes off stems!

Now put the fruit pieces on the sticks, because everyone knows it’s much more fun and fancy to eat fruit off a stick!

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  Fresh fruit, washed and separated into different containers.

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  Picture of finished fruit kabobs with tupperwares of fruit washed and separated.

If you put the fruit on the sticks in the same order and pile them on a pretty plate, they really “pop!”

Bang-Bang Bananas 

Growing up, my sister and I had lots of fun using this kids’ cookbook. This recipe is one of many that we tried. 

Everyone can help peel bananas. 

Cut each banana into 2 or 3 pieces.

Note: Shorter pieces are easier for little hands.

Gently push a popsicle stick into one end of each banana piece.

Note: If the bananas are slightly green, be careful. They split easily.

Line a tray with wax paper (or parchment paper) and place the bananas on it. Put the tray in the freezer for two hours.

Now it gets a little messy. 

Older people get to spread peanut butter (or a non-peanut option like Wowbutter) on each banana piece and younger people get to roll the pieces in chopped nuts or coconut or sprinkles.

Note: I know kids love sprinkles, but the coconut was the most fun to roll and tasted the best (in my opinion).

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Note: I thought the recipe said to do all this before freezing the bananas. When I re-read the original recipe, I decided to try it both ways. 

It’s definitely best to freeze the bananas first! If the peanut butter is frozen, the coatings fall off in chunks when you bite it. 

Time to practice sharing!

Take a trip around the neighbourhood and see how many treats you can give away. Or visit your local fire station or police station and surprise some community helpers!

Special treats bring smiles. As you count how many treats you share, you can also count how many smiles are shared with you!