Posted by rfathers on August 28, 2009
Help yourself to a free copy of the book that my two sons and I wrote some years ago, Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons: Recipes and Activities for Bonding and Mentoring.
You will enjoy the two sections of the book: recipes and activities. Everything is centered around a meal and creates the opportunity for fathers to bond with and to mentor their children.
To get a free copy of this e-book just sign-up right here:
Here’s the
Table of Contents for the
Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons:
Introduction
Article: The Importance of Bonding and Mentoring
Cooking and Eating Utensils
Fun Meals Recipes
Breakfast Recipes
RailRoad Eggs
Eggs and Cheese on Toast
Grilled Cornbread Muffins and Syrup
Waffles and Bacon Sandwich
Chicken and Waffles
Bacon, Tator Tots and Ketchup
French Toast
Lunch Recipes
Daddy Dogs
Chili Cheese Dogs
Egg Salad and Cheez-Its
Tuna and Crackers
Hot Dogs, Crackers and Cheese
Leftover Turkey and Crackers
Netfa?s Platter
Pretzels and Soup
The Hero
Turkey, Lettuce, Cheese and Potato Chip Sandwich
The Twists
Dinner Recipes
Mess ?em Up Jax
Fried Chicken Sandwich
Asiedu?s Finger Foods
Buffalo Wings
Lumpy Burgers
Chicken Wings
Uncle Siasa?s Grilled Chicken Sandwich – with Pickles
Mexican Tacos
HomeMake Pizza
Pizza Dogs
Outdoor Dishes
Grilled Hamburgers
Yellow Chicken
Roasted Marshmallows
Hanger HotDogs
Drinks
AGC Fizz
OJ and 7-Up
HomeMade Lemonade
Fruit Punch and Lemonade
Grape Juice and Orange Juice
Chocolate Explosion
Bread and Potatoes
Garlic and Cheese Bread
Cheese Toast
Bacon and Cheese Bread
Tator Tots
Silver Dollar French Fries
Boiled Potatoes Creations
Salads
Fruit Salad
Busy Salad
Desserts and Snacks
Kid Pops
Popcorn and Orange Juice
Cookies and Ice Cream
RootBeer Float
Strawberry ShortCake
Brownies and Whipped Cream
Fun Meals Activities
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Picnic at Work
Deck Sandwich
Back Yard Dinner
Midnight Snack
Rubber Target
Fast Food
Slow Food
PanCakes
I Scream, You Scream
Pizza, Pizza
Bike Ride
Tour Boat Lunch
Have Lunch, Will Travel
Park It Here
Mountain High
Take a Hike
Tent City
Fish Sandwich
At the Mall
No Talking in the Library
Sky King
Live Chicken Dinner
Breakfast at the Beach
Let?s Go to the Movie
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Get a copy of the paperback version of
Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons for only $2.95.
Posted by rfathers on December 22, 2008
Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons:
Recipes and Activities for Bonding & Mentoring
by Akili Kumasi (with Asiedu & Netfa Heywot-Kumasi)
ISBN #: 0-9626035-0-3 – ISBN-13: 978-0-9626035-1-8
- Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons has two sections: Recipes and Activities.
- Both sections provide recipes for fun, adventure and excitement that helps in the bonding process for boys and their fathers.
- All the recipes are very simple and easy to make.
- All of the activities are centered around a meal but can be done with your own creativity.
- Your children will look forward to them.
- See Table of Contents below.
Purchase a copy of
Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons
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Table of Contents – Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons
Introduction
The Importance of Bonding and Mentoring
Cooking and Eating Utensils
Fun Meals Recipes
Breakfast Recipes
RailRoad Eggs
Eggs and Cheese on Toast
Grilled Cornbread Muffins and Syrup
Waffles and Bacon Sandwich
Chicken and Waffles
Bacon, Tator Tots and Ketchup
French Toast
Lunch Recipes
Daddy Dogs
Chili Cheese Dogs
Egg Salad and Cheez-Its
Tuna and Crackers
Hot Dogs, Crackers and Cheese
Leftover Turkey and Crackers
Netfa?s Platter
Pretzels and Soup
The Hero
Turkey, Lettuce, Cheese and Potato Chip Sandwich
The Twists
Dinner Recipes
Mess ?em Up Jax
Fried Chicken Sandwich
Asiedu?s Finger Foods
Buffalo Wings
Lumpy Burgers
Chicken Wings
Uncle Siasa?s Grilled Chicken Sandwich – with Pickles
Mexican Tacos
HomeMake Pizza
Pizza Dogs
Outdoor Dishes
Grilled Hamburgers
Yellow Chicken
Roasted Marshmallows
Hanger HotDogs
Drinks
AGC Fizz
OJ and 7-Up
HomeMade Lemonade
Fruit Punch and Lemonade
Grape Juice and Orange Juice
Chocolate Explosion
Bread and Potatoes
Garlic and Cheese Bread
Cheese Toast
Bacon and Cheese Bread
Tator Tots
Silver Dollar French Fries
Boiled Potatoes Creations
Salads
Fruit Salad
Busy Salad
Desserts and Snacks
Kid Pops
Popcorn and Orange Juice
Cookies and Ice Cream
RootBeer Float
Strawberry ShortCake
Brownies and Whipped Cream
Fun Meals Activities
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Picnic at Work
Deck Sandwich
Back Yard Dinner
Midnight Snack
Rubber Target
Fast Food
Slow Food
PanCakes
I Scream, You Scream
Pizza, Pizza
Bike Ride
Tour Boat Lunch
Have Lunch, Will Travel
Park It Here
Mountain High
Take a Hike
Tent City
Fish Sandwich
At the Mall
No Talking in the Library
Sky King
Live Chicken Dinner
Breakfast at the Beach
Let?s Go to the Movie
Purchase a copy of
Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons
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Posted by rfathers on December 17, 2008
Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons evolved from a very special moment in our kitchen into a full blown recipe for male bonding and mentoring. One day my sons and I were in the kitchen talking. I was cooking and they were drawing and enjoying our time together. We were talking about all the special meals that I make for them. Next we started making a list and the book idea naturally flowed from there. I dictated the recipes to Asiedu and Netfa started typing them on the computer.
As we wrote down the recipes we realized that our meals are not just ?things? to eat. They are ?experiences? to have. We designed the recipes and activities with both fathers and sons in mind. The idea is to get everyone involved as much as possible in all aspects of the meals thus creating an atmosphere for sharing and learning. There?s another point here as well – and that is to just have fun – enjoying each other.
This book is intended to help the bonding process between boys and their fathers which is so important in this day and age. Helping men to be involved in their sons? lives, providing direction, being a role model, and just sharing positive male energy is our goal. There is no slight intended to daughters and mothers as all of the meals and activities can be done by – and with – mothers and daughters. But, I do have a particular interest in help fathers help their sons to also become good men. The recipes and activities in this book are also good for grandfathers, uncles, step-fathers and older brothers to bond with younger males.
All the recipes are very simple and easy to make. You don?t have to be a gourmet chef to prepare these meals. In fact, you might already know how to make some of these meals, but the point here is not always to give you something that you do not already know. We want to – in a time of need – give you some food for thought ? (sorry about the pun) – that could help you create a special activity.
Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons has two sections: the first section is a series of recipes for meals and the second is a series of activities that are centered around meals. Both sections provide recipes for fun, adventure and excitement that helps in the bonding process for boys and their fathers.
Recipes for Fathers and Sons
We suggest that the children be as involved as possible in all stages of the meal. Many recipes provide suggestions for how to get the children involved in different aspects:
- Plan the meal together (when possible). Sometimes making it a surprise is also a winner. Use the following questions as guides for planning a meal. What are you going to have? How is it going to be prepared or cooked? Who is going to do what?
- Shopping. What items are you going to need from the store? Make a list together. Go together to get the items on the list. This is a great opportunity for lessons in economics.
- Preparation and Cooking. You can get the children involved in ways that are not dangerous – especially for young children. Doing it together can bring a special level of satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
- Eat the meals together. With some meals we have a special way of eating or serving the meal. Create your own fun ? and traditions.
- Clean-Up. This is always a joint effort!
Activities for Fathers and Sons
The activities section of the book is also very exciting. There are suggestions for numerous activities. Most of the meals are for away from home. Some are for at the home. All of them are centered around a meal but can be done with your own creativity. We do a lot of these activities as we are always making something special out of something ordinary. These activities can become your special activities and your children will look forward to them.
My sons and I worked on this book off-and-on for almost five years. We continued to add artwork, recipes and activities to our collection. We find that as we do things over and over – we change them. This is the best way to benefit from this book. Use your own ideas and creativity when trying our recipes and activities.
Your children can also learn a lot about cooking through this experience. When they get out on their own they can actually cook for themselves instead of relying on nonnutritional fast foods.
We know that many of you have your own ideas about fun meals that you already do and many of you will create new ideas as you try our recipes and activities. Send us your recipes and activities. We will publish the most unique ones in the second volume of Fun Meals. See the back section of this book for details.
Creating Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons has been quite an experience. We certainly hope you enjoy it!
Akili Kumasi, 2004
Posted by rfathers on
?For years we have known that youth learn to have good interpersonal relationships from their encounters at the dinner table in their homes. The dinner hour is one of the most important hours in a child?s life. It?s the hour that is made for listening, as well as sharing the hurts, pains, victories, and blessings of the day. It is a time for learning to communicate.?
These words of wisdom from Dr. Ed Cole?s Maximized Manhood(1) embody the spirit of this book. Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons expands on this concept and takes meals to another level.
With the meals and activities in Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons dining becomes an adventure. In the process, relationships can be built and maintained.
The primary objective of being a father is the raising of your children and helping them to secure a promising future free from the entrapments that plague our society today. Your role as the male parent in their life is crucial.
The higher the level of Manhood we demand from ourselves means the higher the level of standards we impress on our sons.
The Bible says in Proverb 22:6 (NIV), ?Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.? Most parents know this principle without having to quote it. However, some of us have difficulty reaching our children. Others, who may not be having difficulty, don?t want to get to the point where they do have difficulties reaching their children.
This is why bonding and mentoring is so important. In today?s society we need to be close to our sons in a positive way so we don?t lose them to all the non-sense that?s pulling at their attention.
The activities and meals in Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons can help to create the atmosphere for continuous bonding that helps insure that we will always be close to our children. With these meals and activities my sons and I have already created ?traditions? we each look forward to. We have etched good memories that can never be replaced. We?ve shared ourselves with each other in a way that lends itself to open communication.
Bonding is ever so important to the communication process. And communication is one of the most important elements in any relationship. By bonding with my sons over some silly meals I am able to tell them stories and get them in a mood where they hear me completely – and they respond with their own thoughts, feelings, insights and questions. They?ve even told me – more than once – that I should write a book about some of the things I have taught them about life.
It?s important to hug your children and laugh with them – and it?s a lot easier to do with a mouth full of roasted marshmallows or while your child is intently working at the stove over a pot of ground meat and taco mix.
There is great satisfaction when one of my sons creates a meal he wants; we design it; we shop together for the ingredients and then we fix it. The result: I?ve got a satisfied young man on my hands. He feels heard, loved and fulfilled. He has a sense of accomplishment – and so do I. Now he?s open to talk with me and listen to me because I?ve shown trust in him. Now he can trust me. I can begin mentoring on a serious level – expounding principles and ideas to his young mind. I can talk about the rigors, responsibilities and rewards of being a man. This type of Manhood Training is most effective on an informal basis – when it?s heartfelt and spontaneous.
Let?s face it – we have fathers out there that don?t have a clue and need help. We also have fathers who are doing a good job and have something they can share with others. We also have fathers who are trying their hardest and are having a very rough time. We come in all spectrums, sizes, shapes and colors. But we are all in this together because it is our sons who will be running this country in just a few short decades. What we do for them now will help determine whether they are making a positive contribution to society, living a happy life or struggling to make ends meet or stay out of jail.
Whatever your situation, most of us want our children to have better than what we had. We want to give them the benefit of our knowledge and experience. It is our job to make sure we have the type of relationship with our sons (and daughters) that affords us the opportunity to hear from them what is going on in their young lives, to know their feelings, trials, tribulations and successes – and to impart our experiential knowledge and wisdom. Having fun and food together helps in building these kinds of relationship.
This book is also a great tool for the divorced or separated father who does not live with his children. Do you know how important it is to your child that you come to pick them up, spend time with them, tell them and show them that they are special to you. Your children may not show you, or tell you, but believe me it matters a great deal. You must be consistent – and on time. How you treat your children who are separated from you is critical to the development of their self-esteem – which in turn has great impact on their lives and the decisions they make throughout their lives. Having special meals that you and your children can create together at your house is a winner for your children. It gives them something to look forward to. It can also get you off the hook if you aren?t sure what to do with them. It?s cheaper than amusement parks and means a whole lot more in the long run and the short-term.
Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons lends itself to your own creativity as well. It?s a starting point if you are not sure what to do. Get them involved. This books provides a lot of ?food for thought? (there?s that pun again) about how to get something going with them on a Saturday when you know you should be spending time with them but you don?t know what to do. Get busy. Create your own meals and your own traditions.
And fathers, after you?ve created some new memories, send us a note telling us about your successes with the meals and the moments. My sons and I will test your recipes and publish them in a new book – Volume Two of Fun Meals. Please see the announcement at the back of this book.
Show your sons (and daughters) some love openly. Give them a hug. Kiss them on the top of their head – whatever works. It?s probably no problem for you to scold them or correct them in public. Try public praise and private discipline. The more you show them love the more they will show you love. Break down that facade of machoism. Have a Fun Meal and get the ball rolling!
Akili Kumasi, 2004
_____________________________
1 Edwin Louis Cole, Maximized Manhood: A Guide to Family Survival, (Springdale, PA: Whitaker House, 1982) p. 140-41.
Posted by rfathers on December 14, 2008
Breakfast Recipes
Here are the breakfast recipes from Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons: Recipes & Activities for Bonding and Mentoring
Rail Road Eggs
Railroad Eggs is a full and fancy breakfast that I learned when I was about 7 years old from my baby-sitter’s husband. He was a cook on the railroad in his youth and he had a host of uniquely creative dishes. The name Railroad Eggs comes from how the bacon looks on the fried eggs. It resembles a set of railroad tracks. The bacon is right in the eggs.
Ingredients
Directions
First, cook the bacon in long crisp stripes in a skillet. Next – after the bacon is cooked and strained on paper towels – the eggs will be fried (its okay if the yoke breaks). Warm up the oil in the frying pan to cook the eggs. Crack open two eggs into the center of the frying pan and immediately place two stripes of bacon parallel on top of the eggs.
When its time to turn the eggs over the bacon should stay right on the eggs. When finished, turn the eggs back over and you have railroad tracks of bacon on your eggs.
Serve with toast, potatoes, juice and love.
Return to Breakfast Recipes List
Eggs and Cheese on Toast
Eggs and Cheese on Toast in an excellent meal when you are on the run. It goes well in the car on the way to the camping trip or a day out at the beach, park or museum. Simply make the sandwich, wrap it in foil and be on your way.
If you’re not on the run it can provide a good opportunity to teach your young one how to cook by letting them crack open and then scramble the eggs. When they are old enough and tall enough they can actually cook the eggs on the stove. Either way, they surely can put the bread in the toaster and butter it when it comes out of the toaster.
Ingredients
- eggs
- cheese
- bread
- butter
- cooking oil
This sandwich can also be made with meat. Add bacon, ham or sausage. For those of us who don’t eat pork – you can get turkey or beef bacon, turkey ham, turkey sausage or even vegetable sausage.
Directions
First you get everything ready – then you cook.
Crack open the eggs into a bowl. Scramble the eggs in the bowl, season with pepper. Get the bread out for all the sandwiches. Slice or separate the sliced cheese. Heat (not to high) the frying pan with a little oil (one tablespoon per two eggs).
Start the toast – butter immediately after it comes out of toaster. Cook the eggs in the frying pan – continuously scramble them once they start to cook.
When eggs are finished put the eggs and cheese on the toast. Wrap in foil if you are traveling or just put them on plates and serve.
Another option, if you are staying home, is to put all the finished ingredients on each person’s plate and let them construct their own sandwich.
Return to Breakfast Recipes List
Grilled CornBread Muffins and Syrup
Grilled Cornbread Muffins and Syrup is one of those breakfasts that was created out of necessity. It went over with a big bang.
There I was one morning without breakfast supplies but with some leftover muffins from the previous night’s dinner. Enter a knife, a little butter and there you have it: Grilled Cornbread Muffins. It was so good that I started buying cornbread muffins just to grill for breakfast.
Ingredients
- cornbread muffins
- butter or margarine
- syrup, honey or jelly
Directions
Remember: the children can do a lot of the prep work and you do the cooking if they are not old enough. Safety first!
Cut the CornBread Muffins in half. Spread a little butter on each half of the cornbread muffin. Heat frying pan on medium fire. Place buttered muffins (buttered side down) in the frying pan. Let them brown for about 5-6 minutes; turn over as desired.
Serve with syrup, honey or jelly as a topping. Goes great with scrambled eggs.
Return to Breakfast Recipes List
Waffles and Bacon Sandwich
A Waffles and Bacon Sandwich is a breakfast delight. It is similar to Pigs in blanket. Let the children make the sandwiches for themselves.
Ingredients
- waffles
- bacon, ham or sausage
Directions
Cook the bacon, ham or sausage.
Cook the waffles. You can cook waffles from scratch or use frozen waffles. With the frozen waffles all you have to do is pop them in the toaster, microwave oven or warm them on a cookie sheet in the oven.
After cooked, butter the waffles.
Place the bacon, ham or sausage between two waffles, cut them, pour syrup and eat.
Return to Breakfast Recipes List
Chicken and Waffles
Chicken and Waffles is one of the tastiest and most satisfying breakfasts a child and father can have. You can also have this for lunch or dinner if you want. It can all be made from scratch or frozen pre-fab foods. The chicken can even be gotten from your favorite take-out restaurant. Either way its a king’s delight. This meal is great for a Sunday morning feast, late breakfast or brunch in front of the T.V. for football, cartoons or classic kid’s movie.
Ingredients
- chicken
- waffles
- syrup
- butter
Directions
This meal is described in its simplest form. If you want to make everything from scratch go right ahead – you’ll spend more time in the kitchen and less time in the feast. (If you choose to make everything see the directions for the fried chicken in the dinner section of this book.)
On the night before, child and father should take a trip to the grocery store with the list in hand. From the frozen section you want to pick up the fried chicken and waffles. Make sure you get enough for seconds, thirds and for anyone else who might just happen to join in with you.
Season the chicken with a little garlic powder, paprika and pepper – if desired, pop it into the oven or microwave according to the directions on the box. Next: cook the waffles according to the directions on the box in the toaster, oven or microwave. Keep in mind that these directions are usually simple enough for a school age child to read them to the father.
The best place to feast on this meal is on the coffee table or portable trays in front of the T.V. while watching a fantasy or adventure movie.
While the food is cooking, prepare the space where you will eat with all the necessities like utensils, drinks, syrup etc.
Have some popcorn ready for near the end of the movie. See Popcorn and OJ in the snacks section of this book.
Return to Breakfast Recipes List
Bacon, Tator Tots and Ketchup
Bacon, Tator Tots and Ketchup is easy and fun. It?s a little different from a traditional breakfast – but an easy one to get the children involved in.
Ingredients
- 4 strips of bacon for each person (turkey, beef or pork)
- 12-15 tator tots each
Directions
Bacon:
While the tator tots are cooking lay the bacon strips in a skillet. Cook until done. Place cooked bacon on paper towels to strain.
Tator Tots:
Pre-heat the oven according to the directions on the tator tots package (usually about ten minutes).
Let the children spread the tator tots on a cookie sheet – season lightly with garlic powder, paprika and pepper.
Cook for the appropriate amount of time.
This meal goes well with scrambled eggs, juice or sliced fruit.
I happen to like a little mustard mixed in with my ketchup but my boys like it with only ketchup. The general idea is to scoop up the ketchup with the tator tots and get it into your mouth before the ketchup drops off the tator tot.
Another good idea is to just use the tator tots in place of hash browns at breakfast. It works quite well.
Return to Breakfast Recipes List
French Toast
French Toast is great. Its simple and different. I really don’t know why they call it French Toast. Did it come from France or was it originally made from French bread? Somebody out there send us the answer.
You can serve French Toast with eggs and/or bacon sausage or ham, or fresh fruit such as strawberries, blue berries or apples.
Ingredients
- eggs
- milk
- cinnamon
- butter
- vanilla extract
- nutmeg
- cooking oil
- bread (prefer wheat or French)
Directions
Let the little ones make the batter for the French Toast. Start by cracking open two eggs into a bowl, add 1/4 cup of milk, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, a little cinnamon and nutmeg if you have it. Beat the eggs with the fork until it is all mixed together.
Lightly cover the bottom of the frying pan with cooking oil. When the oil is hot. Dip the bread into the batter real quickly and place it in the frying pan, 3 or 4 pieces at a time. Turn over when lightly browned on each side.
Butter the French Toast after taking from the skillet. Serve with syrup or powdered sugar, meat, eggs, and fresh fruit.
Return to Breakfast Recipes List
Purchase a copy of
Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons
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Reconciled Fathers Network
Akili Kumasi, Founder
