Former resident to talk about cooking for kids

Jenny Maggard Atkins, author of a newly released cookbook and nutritional guide, will show children how to cook healthy, kid-friendly meals at 3 p.m. Saturday during Chingawassa Days.

Atkins’ book, “Real Food by Two Moms,” contains 60 kids’ recipes made with a healthy twist.

Atkins worked in the health and fitness industry for more than 15 years, teaching people how to feel better and live healthier through diet and exercise. She developed an interest in the unique nutritional requirements of children.

A 1997 Marion High School graduate and 2002 Kansas State University graduate, she now lives in Los Angeles after living in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Dubai with her husband for seven years. That’s where she wrote her book, which is sold in stores throughout Asia and now is available on Amazon.

“Real Food By Two Moms” helps parents understand what they are feeding their children, Atkins said.

The cookbook contains simple guides and recipes along with tips for freezing and batch cooking, creative ways to reuse leftovers, tricks to get picky eaters to eat, a serving size guide, a shopping list, meal ideas, and shortcuts to make cooking easier.

Together with Atkins, Shannon Hoffer also will lead a half-hour family yoga session.