Family fun in the kitchen

Keeping children's attention in the kitchen can be a difficult task, especially when the task doesn't include licking the spoon, whisk and bowl for a tasty, sugary break in the midst of it. Here are some recipes that children can have fun with, while staying on the healthy side and hanging out in the kitchen.

This one is great for young kids and especially for the hot summer days. It’s also extremely easy for kids with very short attention spans or few culinary skills—adults, too—and cheap!

What you need:

• Fresh fruit of your choice

• Skewers (I've seen them at the dollar store many times.)

What you do:

All you need to do is collect your fruits and skewers and arrange them however you like for a great summer treat. They’re great for pool parties and playdates, too.

This one is pretty easy for kids and adults of all ages and skill levels. It requires some shopping and some putting together but no cooking time.

What you need:

• plain yogurt

• granola

• fresh berries

• tall glass or small bowl

What you do:

Pour a layer of yogurt into your glass or bowl. Then add in some granola and berries on top of it. Next, layer more yogurt, granola and berries until your glass/bowl is full to your liking. Refrigerate until you wish to enjoy it.

This recipe requires minimal cooking skills, as well, and is a whole lot of fun. I made these omelets many times with my mom and sisters in our kitchen when I was growing up. I’m not sure what it is about cooking in a plastic bag, but it sure makes it more exciting, especially for children.

What you need:

• Egg whites (as many as desired)

• Low fat shredded cheese

• Diced, fresh vegetables of your choice (in season)

• Milk or water

• One sealable quart-size plastic bag

• Large pot

What you do:

First, crack your eggs and separate your egg whites out. Next, add all ingredients together into plastic bag. (Add milk or water as desired for your omelet.) Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rapid boil. Place bag with ingredients into the pot and boil for 12 minutes or until mix pulls easily away from sides of bag. Open the bag, place on your plate and enjoy.

This recipe is a creation from my boyfriend’s mother, Tammy Sunderland. It takes a little more cooking than the previous recipes, but it’s worth the work.

What you need:

• Package of lean ground turkey

• Package of hot Italian link turkey sausage

• Two medium onions diced

• Five tablespoons of minced garlic

• 49.5-ounce can of fat free chicken broth

• three to four teaspoons of cumin

• three teaspoons of oregano

• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

• one large sweet potato diced

• two cups of chopped carrots

• one can of corn

• one can of olives sliced

• two cans of diced tomatoes

• three cans of cannellini beans

• two seven-ounce cans of chopped green chilies

• corn starch

• low fat shredded cheese

• light sour cream

• tortilla strips

What you do:

In a large pot, sauté onions, carrots and sweet potatoes for a few minutes. Remove the sausage from the casing and add it and the ground turkey to the mix. Cook until it’s no longer pink. Add all the remaining ingredients, excluding the sour cream and tortilla strips. Then add the cornstarch as desired for thickness. It’s ready to go when the sweet potatoes and carrots are tender. Finish with a sprinkle of cheese, a dollop of sour cream and a few tortilla strips, as desired.