Friday, April 24, 2015

Painting Sensational Brownies




My daughter, Kate, invited me to her class on Thursday. I was her VIP and she wanted me to show off my art. My children know me as an artist; that’s a part of me I forget and, to often, take for granted. I guess children remind us of who we really are…. domenica mastromatteo.

My art is personal….it’s mine….it’s for me….and so hard to give/sell away, but I remember reading somewhere, once, long ago, that it’s our duty as human beings, to share our life and experiences with others, we’re suppose to learn from each other…..I’m trying…. I’m a private person, with a blog….I’m definitely trying!

But back to my art…. I realize it’s time for me to share that too, and so glad to be sharing with my daughter’s class. So I created my slide show and briefly spoke about my two passions! Art and Human Development, specifically, Parenting & Child Development. I spoke of the beginnings of Sensational Children and my wish to empower ALL families. I spoke of the combining my two passions and creating Sensational Art.

And then came the fun!

I brought out the sensational brownies, the edible food paint and ta-da!



BEAUTIFUL!

I got them to create masterpieces and eat their fruits and vegetables!
The Sensational Brownies recipe is below along with instructions on how to make the edible paint. These brownies are delicious; even with spinach, blueberries and flax seed mixed in the batter! This mixture contains antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin C, folate, calcium and (a little bit) of iron!

But, yes, they are still dessert. They don’t replace fruit and veggies; meaning, in order to promote a healthy diet, we need to present veggies during mealtime. Children need to be exposed to many different varieties of foods. They need to smell the cooking vegetables and see them on the table. It’s our job to make nutritious foods available; it’s the child’s job to decide what and how much to eat. But you can feel better about (occasionally) allowing dessert; even after they’ve refused spinach for the hundredth time!


You should be able to increase the spinach to 1 cup and a half without any problems. These brownies really do takes great and their own, but if you’d like to re-create the art project, you’ll need to make a batch of royal icing. Spread a thin coat of icing on the brownies (crumb coat), then let rest until the icing hardens (about 30 minutes). Spread another layer of icing on top of the crumb coat (save some icing to make the paint). Cut into individual brownies. Let rest about 2 hours.




While you’re waiting, make the edible paint.



Spoon remaining icing into little containers. Add a few drops (between 5-  10 drops) of food colouring. Stir. PAINT!!


Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects at least one in twenty children. Children with SPD don't process or experience sensory information the way other typical children do; therfore, they don't behave the way other children do. They struggle to perform tasks that come easier for other children. Consequently they suffer a loss of quality in their social, personal, emotional and academic life.

The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation is dedicated to continue their research into the knowledge and treatment of SPD, so that, as Lucy Jane Miller writes in her book "Sensations Kids", "the millions of sensational children currently "muddling through" daily life will enjoy the same hope and help that research and recognition already have bestowed on coutless other conditions that once baffled science and disrupted lives."