Shake It!

"Mommy, can I lick the beaters?" This must be the question that comes out of the mouth of every child who has ever helped bake anything sweet in the kitchen.

Recently, the Second Little Nguyen played sous chef in my kitchen. We made Whoopie Pies(a highly recommended, completely unhealthy playdate snack) from the recent Everyday Food issue. Two words, readers: Yum Yum. Of course, being my child, he asked to lick the beaters. I know what you're all thinking....that batter has raw eggs in it! Well, I gave in, and I realize that it was completely irresponsible of me given that my chocolate-loving child could have become seriously ill due to the consumption of raw eggs. But I really feel strongly that every child should lick a beater from time to time. I did it when I was a child. I'm still alive. It's an important childhood experience, and I will not be guilty of depriving my child of it! Well, I am embarassed to admit that one beater became two and, well....it just went dowhill after that. Before long, the beaters were licked sparkling clean, his face was glazed with chocolate and the Second Little Nguyen began dipping his finger into the batter bowl when he thought I wasn't looking.
The sugar kicked in pretty quickly. The first batch wasn't even in the oven when First Little Nguyen suddenly broke into the chorus of Metro Station's "Shake It" (I swear....) while using two bottles of Halloween non-pareils as maracas. The child likes rhythym instruments...what can I say?

There are many experts who conclude that the level of sugar consumption has no effect on a young child's activity level. If one has spent even ten minutes in an elementary school classroom, or in my kitchen, on any given day near Halloween, one knows this conclusion is completely unsubstantiated!