Friday, May 6, 2011

Raising An Internationally Minded Child

Trying different foods is a great way to introduce children to other countries and cultures.
I found this neat list of dishes associated with specific countries. You can look for these at restaurants or get adventurous and google recipes. Try finding recipes you can cook together with your children!
Meat Pie

Australia

Meat Pie
A meat-filled pie that's sized to fit in your hand for easy eating. Pies can also contain potatos, onions, and mushrooms. On average, each person in Australia eats more than 10 pies a year! Harry's Cafe de Wheels is a meat-pie "truck" that's an institution in Sydney.
Feijoada

Brazil

Feijoada
A stew consisting of beans, beef, and pork. Feijoada was brought to Brazil by the Portuguese. The stew is eaten with many other side dishes including rice.
Dim Sum

China

Dim Sum
Literally translated, "dim sum" means a little part of the heart! Dim sum consists of small dishes of delicious food such as dumplings, steamed buns filled with meat or sweet pastes, meatballs, and spareribs. Going to dim sum is called "yum cha" or "drinking tea" since tea is always served at dim sum meals.
Kushari

Egypt

Kushari
Made up of rice, lentils, and macaroni topped with a sauce consisting of garlic, vinegar and tomatos.
Crêpe

France

Crêpe
A very thin pancake filled with either sweet or savory fillings and then rolled together. Sweet fillings include fruits, spreads and syrup. Savory fillings include eggs, ham, mushrooms, cheese, and various meats.
Sauerbraten

Germany

Sauerbraten
A pot roast consisting of meat (typically beef) stewed in a liquid mixture of water, vinegar and spices. Often served with potatos, red cabbage, and noodles.
Moussaka

Greece

Moussaka
A layered and baked dish that usually consists of eggplant, ground lamb, cheese and a white sauce.
Masala Dosa

India

Masala Dosa
A variation of dosa which is a thin pancake made of rice and lentils. A masala dosa is stuffed with potatos, onions, and spices. A very popular dish in South India!
Chelow Kabab

Iran

Chelow Kabab
A very popular dish consisting of steamed rice (chelow) and a variety of different types of grilled, roasted or stewed meats.
Pasta

Italy

Pasta
Need we say anything else? Many countries have developed their own versions of Italian pasta including China, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, and the Philippines!
Sushi

Japan

Sushi
Raw slices of fish placed on top of a bed of rice vinegar-flavored rice. Typically dipped in soy sauce mixed with a spicy green horseradish paste called wasabi.
Kimchi

Korea

Kimchi
A traditional Korean vegetable side dish. There are over 100 different types of kimchi available in Korean cuisine. The different types are characterized by the main vegetable (often napa cabbage), condiments, and the amount of salt and spices used.
Mole Poblano

Mexico

Mole Poblano
One of many different types of moles or sauces used in Mexican cooking. Ingredients include: chili peppers, ground nuts, spices, Mexican chocolate, and salt.
Bobotie

South Africa

Bobotie
Spicy ground meat baked with a topping made with eggs. Sometimes, bobotie can include a curry flavoring, dried fruit, and nuts.
Ms. Candice says: "I have made a vegetarian version of bobotie using soy beans, which are cheap and plentiful in Laos and Thailand."

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Helping Children Cope and Comprehend Catastrophe

Our preschoolers have very limited world views. 
When they hear news about frightening world events such as the tsunami in Japan, it is important to remind ourselves how to help our children.
 
The emotional effects of watching such a catastrophe can be tremendous.  Children and teens can feel especially helpless when they see these images of the devastation, including homeless and injured Japanese children and orphans on the news. Kids absorb worry and sadness from their parents, or from classmates who have family ties in Japan.
 
One of the difficulties experienced by parents is that they have not had adequate time to deal with their own reactions when they are called upon to deal with the impact on their children.
 
Emotional reactions vary in nature and severity from child to child. Their responses to a disaster are determined by age, previous experiences, temperament and personality, as well as the immediacy of the disaster to their own lives. 
 
If you know a child who is showing signs of stress, worry or fear that maybe related to the Japanese earthquake and its aftermath - such as stomachaches, sleeplessness, bedwetting, or moodiness - I'd like to offer some ideas about how to help kids comprehend and deal with such a catastrophe.
 
Read this Huffington Post article for:
 
*  Tips to Help a Child Cope
*  How Kids Can Help Japan Right Now
    and
*  How Kids Can Help When The Crisis Has Calmed, But Donations Are Still Needed