Gourmet Mom on the Go

Perhaps you've seen the Gourmet Mom On the Go Blog? Mandy Heaston is the mom behind this foodie blog. She fills her readers with down right fun and enjoyable recipes for the whole family to enjoy. I love that she has such great recipes and ideas kids will love to be on the receiving end as well as help prepare.

Thanks Mandy for joining our cooking interview section and taking the time to answer our questions!



What got you started in your food blog path?
I'd have people ask me for party and food ideas, so it just started as a way to share them with friends & family. I had no idea that it would take off, it’s been so much fun and a great creative outlet for me.

I have a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance and was a professional opera singer before we had kids. —I think somehow I really needed a creative, artsy outlet to do at home. I still sing, but just not full time.:)


Do you have an all time favorite recipe you've created?
That's a hard one—. Whenever I make something that the kids love or we have fun together, I feel so great! It's always fun to have a new project in the kitchen so usually whatever I'm working on is my current favorite.

Hmmm…...some of our all time favorites are:

Edible Crayons

Birthday Cakes for Foster Kids

Tinkerbell Houses

Chocolate Mousse Birds Nests 

Dinosaur Claws


I love that your recipes are fun and easy to do and something my kids will totally get into creating. Do your kids help you create and come up with new ideas in the kitchen?
They definitely do! My oldest made up Snake Pizza complete with her own video tutorial.

They love suggesting things and ideas. Some are pretty wild but it's so fun to hear what they come up with. Kids are so much more creative than adults, —they don'’t understand “impossible” and dream up all kinds of whimsical things. The girls cook with me every day, each at their own level.

The three year old can help pull out ingredients, cut things with a butter knife, and help measure. The older kids can get more involved and we all have fun.


What do you like best about being a food blogger?
Without a doubt my very favorite thing is when I get a comment or email from a reader telling me about a recipe of mine they made and how much fun they had with their kids. Or, when they share their own creative spin on one of my ideas. I definitely consider myself a food blogger.

I think I’'m in a strange niche— my husband and I love gourmet food/cooking, but I’'m also practical and realize that sometimes you just need to quickly get food on the table that the kids will eat. So, the kids may have a gourmet meal one night and chicken nugget sailboats the next night. I guess that comes with the territory of being a parent.:)


Have you always loved to cook?
Yes, my mom and dad are great cooks and encouraged us to play in the kitchen. When we were about 12 and up, we had one night a week where we planned and prepared the family meal. My dad really is the one who taught us to have fun with food.

I remember him making brown mashed potato “volcanoes” with red cheese sauce “lava” going down the sides. Also, whenever mom would make a potato salad for a church potluck, he’'d wait until she wasn't looking and would turn it purple or some other wild color. It drove her crazy but he really showed us to have fun with meals.


Do you have any tips on getting kids interested in cooking?
Kids are so adventurous, they're always up for something new and fun. You just have to be excited about it and they will, too. If they hear you saying, “bleh, what should I make for dinner? This is such a pain!”, they'll think of cooking as a chore, too.

If you tell them, “let’s have some fun in the kitchen today!”, they'’ll be excited about joining in. Make sure they all have a job that’'s relevant for their age. I also have some tips for picky eaters here.

Thanks,
Mandy
www.gourmetmomonthego.com

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