Kitchen Secrets for the Holidays with Jason "Chop Happy" Goldstein

In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, Christopher Robbins hosts food blogger Jason Goldstein. Goldstein, known as Chop Happy, shares insights and tips for preparing stress-free holiday meals, highlighting the importance of creating a positive kitchen environment. He provides innovative kitchen hacks, including using a mason jar to peel garlic and a lint roller for cleanup. The episode also explores creative ways to handle leftovers and suggests easy, no-fuss baking ideas for people who don't enjoy baking, rounding out with ways to contact Goldstein online.

Episode Highlights 00:00:10: Christopher Robbins introduces the Helping Families Be Happy podcast along with guest Jason Goldstein. 00:01:11: Jason Goldstein is introduced as a food blogger specializing in comfort dishes and easy recipes. 00:01:57: Jason shares tips for reducing holiday stress and creating a happy kitchen atmosphere. 00:03:45: Discussion about the benefits of garlic and an innovative method for peeling using a mason jar. 00:04:37: Jason shares cleanup tips using butter spray on cheese graters and utilizing a lint roller. 00:06:25: Advice on cooking bacon, suggesting oven baking as the best method for avoiding a mess. 00:07:15: Ideas for handling leftovers, including making vegetable stock and casseroles from scraps. 00:09:28: Suggestions for gifting hosts, like bringing breakfast or prepared foods for the morning after. 00:09:58: Discusses less desirable recipes and how to make baking easier with store-bought mixes and alternatives. 00:12:32: Ways to connect with Jason Goldstein online and learn more about his work. 00:12:59: Conclusion of the podcast with a thank you to the audience and Famis for their support.

Key Takeaways

• The kitchen should be seen as a happy, nurturing environment where cooking becomes an enjoyable activity.
• Innovative cooking and cleanup tips can greatly reduce holiday meal preparation stress and save time.
• Effortlessly handling leftovers can save money and make use of the remaining ingredients creatively.
• For less enthusiastic bakers, simple substitutes and alternative baking methods can make dessert preparation hassle-free.
• Thoughtful gift ideas for hosts include preparing meals or breakfast items to offer after holiday gatherings.

Tweetable Quotes

• "Think of the kitchen as a canvas and cooking as painting, with every dish nourishing your soul." - Jason Goldstein
• "Chop Happy: Create a positive kitchen environment for a stress-free, enjoyable cooking experience." - Jason Goldstein
• "Make an extra casserole from holiday leftovers and save money while reducing food waste." -Jason Goldstein

Cooking Up French Cuisine with Your Kids Barbara Beery

In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, host Adina Oberman interviews Barbara Beery, founder of Foodie Kids Culinary Center and author of 20 cookbooks, about her newest release "Ooh La La Kids Cook French" launching November 2025. Barbara shares her passion for teaching children French cooking techniques through approachable recipes that emphasize fresh ingredients and family bonding. The conversation explores how cooking with children builds confidence, creates lasting memories, and provides valuable life skills while making sophisticated cuisine accessible to young chefs aged 10-15.

Episode Highlights 00:00:10: Host Adina Oberman introduces the Helping Families Be Happy podcast and welcomes guest, Barbara Beery, founder of Foodie Kids Culinary Center and author of 20 cookbooks. 00:01:22: Barbara expresses gratitude for being on the show. 00:01:25: Discussion begins about Barbara's new cookbook "Ooh La La Kids Cook French" and its origins. 00:01:43: Barbara shares her childhood cooking experiences with her German mother and how "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" became her first cookbook inspiration. 00:02:34: Barbara explains how children naturally learn cooking without fear of failure and discusses the target age group (10-15) for her new French cookbook. 00:03:34: Adina asks about favorite recipes and highlights from the cookbook. 00:03:49: Barbara discusses her love for crepes as a versatile and simple recipe, along with French pesto made with parsley and various desserts like cream puffs. 00:05:17: Adina praises how Barbara makes French cuisine approachable for families and mentions the fondue recipe. 00:06:23: Barbara acknowledges forgetting to mention the fondue recipe initially. 00:06:32: Discussion about Barbara's experience teaching fondue in cooking classes. 00:06:42: Barbara describes the popularity of French cooking in summer camps and the herb garden experience that amazed children. 00:08:01: Adina reflects on the importance of hands-on experiences for children and asks about recommended starter recipes. 00:09:06: Barbara suggests soup as the most forgiving recipe for beginners, along with crepes and fondue. 00:10:04: Discussion about chocolate fondue and Valentine's Day traditions. 00:10:30: Adina emphasizes how cooking creates lasting memories and family traditions. 00:11:05: Barbara shares key takeaways about empowering children through cooking and the immediate gratification it provides. 00:12:02: Adina agrees and highlights the focused quality time cooking provides between parents and children. 00:12:27: Barbara emphasizes that cooking with kids is about the journey, not the destination. 00:12:39: Adina asks about how listeners can find Barbara online. 00:12:55: Barbara provides her website (barbarabeery.com) and Instagram information 00:13:21: Information about where to purchase the cookbook when it releases in November 2025 00:13:34: Barbara thanks the host for the interview. 00:13:37: Closing remarks and credits from host Adina Oberman.

Key Takeaways

• French cooking can be made accessible to children through age-appropriate recipes that focus on fresh ingredients and simple techniques.
• Cooking with children builds confidence and provides immediate gratification, unlike activities that require years of practice to master.
• Starting with forgiving recipes like soups, crepes, and fondue helps children develop cooking skills without fear of failure.
• Hands-on experiences, such as cutting fresh herbs from a garden, create lasting memories and deepen children's appreciation for fresh ingredients.
• Cooking together provides quality family time focused on connection, learning, and creating traditions that span generations.
• The process of cooking with children is more important than the final product - it's about the journey and shared experience

Quotable Moments

• "Children can learn anything if they're taught and it's done in segments and it's something that's appropriate for their age level, they have no qualms about cooking like a lot of adults do." - Barbara Beery
• "Doesn't have to be something fancy, it needs to be fresh, and your ingredients are what your meal is about." - Barbara Beery
• "I don't think there's anything better we can do for our kids than that [providing them with something they can own and feel proud of]." - Barbara Beery
• "With cooking with kids, it's not about the destination. It really is about the journey." - Barbara Beery
• "Those are the kinds of things that people remember. You know, that's what you can pass on to your kids." -Barbara Beery