Doctors say: “Let Kids Eat Cake!”

Physician-Parents Make the Case for Snacking Smart in the New Normal 

TORONTO, NOVEMBER 9, 2021 – For most parents, achieving a balance between what children want and nurturing healthy choices is challenging, but since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, stability can feel downright impossible. Whilst the knock-on effects are vast beyond gift-giving, it’s been especially difficult to manage indulging treats. It may then be surprising to hear that for some healthcare professionals, the solution came in the form of pastry – delicious news that comes via Canada’s Baking Box (http://www.canadasbakingbox.ca) a subscription service designed to develop home-baking techniques, and the first baking subscription box in Canada to offer monthly demonstrations taught by a professional pastry chef.

Whilst in the holiday run-up, the Nintendo Switch remains one of the most coveted gifts for 2021 (in no small way thanks to the Animal Crossing: New Horizons 2.0 update due early November), according to Good Housekeeping’s Tween-tested gift guide* released this month, the top trends for the age group (9-12) largely relate to self care, the latest tech and personal growth – with an emphasis on expressing individuality and exploring new hobbies from fitness and photography to beadwork and baking. 

 For 41-year old physician Naomi Bothwell, from Lindsay, Ontario, staying on-trend to give relevant gifts that instil healthy habits in her 11 year old daughter Raeghan isn’t easy – but it’s essential, and often part of discussions with colleague and friend Meileen, mum of Hazel, 12.

With both girls expressing a keen interest in baking, Naomi proposed a novel idea for Christmas 2020: nurturing their passion with monthly lessons from a professional pastry chef. Naomi says; 

“Raeghan’s always had a sweet tooth and enjoys baking – so when I found Canada’s Baking Box, I thought it would be a way to celebrate her interests. Meileen and I agreed it would be a great activity for the girls to do together, so we ordered them each a 3-month subscription for Christmas. 

As parents, we’re always looking for something interactive where the kids aren’t just passively staring at a screen, and we knew baking together would be more tactile, important and memorable than something like video games.”

The girls were thrilled and eagerly awaited a chance to bake together – but no one could have anticipated the pandemic’s progress, or that we’d have to miss out on so much time with our loved ones. 

With Canadians across the nation continuing to negotiate unprecedented times, that, in 2020/21 brought school closures, working from home and the ‘new normal’ of life in lockdowns, it was valuable to Naomi to be able to offer Raeghan some respite from the gloom. She continues; 

“The announcement of a second lockdown was really tough on everyone. Meileen and I share an office, so we’d still see each other every day, but it was harder for the kids not to be in touch, especially after going back to school only to have their routines disrupted again. 

We’d originally planned for the girls to bake together in-person, but instead, we set up computers in our kitchens, so they could try the recipes together. It allowed them to have some much-needed social time, and we were all thrilled with their delicious results.”

Guiding children toward routine is challenging in the best of times, but parenting during lockdown upped the ante, leaving many parents feeling they had to pick their battles. Naomi and her husband strategized to find compromises that would empower their children while nudging them in the direction of making healthy choices. She explains; 

“No one’s perfect, but parents are always finding new ways of incorporating and improving on the healthy habits we teach our kids. 

Enjoying food and enjoying life are important, and kids also need to learn how to incorporate balance – I want to let Raeghan enjoy her love of sweet treats, but also eat her vegetables. 

I’d love to eat chocolate-covered almonds every day, but I shouldn’t do that and shouldn’t teach my daughter that either – a healthy relationship to food, and to balance, is something that lasts a lifetime.

My husband and I have sought to encourage healthy habits for the whole family, for example, making sure we prioritize eating dinner together, with no screens allowed at the dinner table – in fact, we have to ask the kids’ permission to look at our phones during dinner. We used to only have dessert on the weekends, but when the pandemic hit, every day felt like the weekend – that’s when we implemented a new rule: Rae was allowed to enjoy the sweets she baked herself.”

The strategic compromise had a fantastic outcome for the whole family: as Raeghan put her energy into enjoying time in the kitchen with her best friend on Zoom, her skills evolved dramatically. 

 The girls also attended the CBB baking camp for kids, which was organized through sister company Baking Party, the company’s response to the demand for socially-distant gatherings to create unforgettable, one-of-a-kind memories. Naomi continues;

“Raeghan was already quite adventurous and creative with flavour combinations, and since starting the subscription, her confidence in the kitchen has grown along with her expertise.

While of course we’ve always got an eye on them to supervise, Meileen and I definitely take a backseat – it’s about the two of them, and they’ve learned to make pastries, French palmiers and macarons, and all sorts of delicious things that the whole family get to enjoy.” 

Gift-giving can be fraught and often expensive – and as any parent knows, with Tweens’ rapidly changing tastes, determining which presents will prove a long-term success isn’t easy, but Naomi and her husband have been pleasantly surprised with Raeghan embracing Canada’s Baking Box. Naomi says; 

“It’s wonderful that they’ve been able to learn so much, and make such delicious, professional-looking treats all on their own – and I really like that not only are they chatting with each other and exchanging ideas but also developing incredible skills and techniques. 

On top of that, Raeghan is learning about the value of the best ingredients; for example, one of the boxes included real vanilla bean paste – it was incredible, and so much better than anything I’ve ever experienced or would think to buy. Raeghan’s even learning about using different types of flour for different kinds of results – myself, I only ever thought to use the one yellow bag for everything!”

The baking box has been the most successful activity that the kids have done, and it’s really rewarding to give your child a gift and realise ‘this is a hit!’ I keep waiting for her to lose interest the way every kid does, eventually, and it just doesn’t happen. When the baking camp finished last week, she actually asked if I can enroll her again for next year, and reminded me not to let the monthly subscription lapse!” 

Canada’s Baking Box and Baking Party are available nationwide, on a one-off, or monthly subscription basis.

* https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/gift-ideas/g4742/gifts-for-tween-girls/

ENDS

About Canada’s Baking Box

Canadas Baking Box is a subscription baking box that delivers delicious new recipes and a live demonstration with a professional baker monthly. Visit http://www.canadasbakingbox.ca for more information, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @CanadasBakingBox

Baking Party is a virtual baking event hosted by, and featuring live demonstration from, Toronto’s celebrated Baker of Bathurst. Whether celebrating socially-distant gatherings or guiding corporate team-building exercises, Baking Party unites group bookings for unforgettable (and delicious) events.  

For more information on Canada’s Baking Box or Baking Party, contact Nikki Milovanović of Sophisticated Comms hello@sophisticatedcomms.com