One week from today, on February 5th, I'll be launching my new diverse children's book, The Big Buna Bash.  ​I can't wait for you to meet Almaz!

Kids notice differences.  As the world becomes increasingly small, it is essential to show children that it feels good to value the things that make a person different.
 
I once heard of an extremely creative activity that a 1st grade teacher did with her class.  She asked parents to send a tiny piece of hair from each of her students.  The teacher pasted each one on an index card and put them in a box.  Then the kids drew them out, one by one, and discussed the differences. What color was it?  Was it straight or curly?  Coarse or fine?
 
That little exercise speaks loudly…. "It's fun to explore differences!"
 
Research shows that after age 9, racial attitudes tend to stay the same unless there is a life-changing experience.  The more awareness of different groups of people leads to greater acceptance, and prevents ethnic stereotypes.
 
We need to allow children to see outside of their own little worlds! 
 
Here's a few ideas to help open up new worlds for your child and start a great discussion:

 1.     Learn about traditional celebrations from other cultures
 2.    Listen/sing/dance to music of a different culture
 3.    Read a story or see a movie from another country
 4.    Eat food from other cultures
 5.    Visit a cultural museum
 6.    Look at the atlas
 7.    Create art using techniques from another culture
 8.    Visit a place of worship that is different from yours
 
These activities can help kids visualize how other people live, cultivating cultural understanding.  Don't forget to talk about what was experienced and how they felt afterwards!
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If you can't decide between coffee or tea...…
Yuenyeung is your answer! 

Originating in Hong Kong, this drink was originally a mixture of three parts coffee and seven parts milk tea!  Here is the version that I tried:

Bring 3 cups water to a boil and add 5 black tea bags (I used flavored tea)

Simmer 3 minutes and stir in a 12 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk (I used regular milk and added Splenda)

Simmer another 3 minutes and stir in 3 cups strong coffee

​Add sugar to taste……..serve hot or cold!

chī hǎo hē hǎo” 吃好喝好       Drink up!


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Coffee drinking is a universal pastime!

In my next few posts I'm going to share some interesting coffee recipes from around the world.....starting with an extravagant Swedish combination of coffee and cheese called Kaffeost.  The Swedes love their coffee breaks, and are surpassed only by Finland and the Netherlands in coffee consumption. 

One of my grandmothers was Swedish, so this amazing country is close to my heart.  I have been fortunate to visit Sweden twice! 

Kaffeost
The name of this unique coffee means 'coffee and cheese'.  It is often prepared in Northern Sweden and Finland, originating from the Swedish Laplands. 
 
Simply pour hot black coffee over cheese cubes, or dip the cheese cubes into the hot coffee with a spoon. 

The cheese used in Sweden is  leipäjuusto,  also called “bread cheese” or Finnish squeaky cheese. It is made mainly from cow’s milk, but in some cases also from sheep’s milk or reindeer’s milk. It's taste is neutral and delicate.

Kaffeost  is served in birch wood cups as a sign of hospitality.​
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Välkommen !