Food for thought mentoring

Food for thought mentoring A passion for baking and teaching 🖤

The Reality of Cooking with Kids (It's Messy! 🍫)This is the face of a successful, post-baking character-building session...
15/10/2025

The Reality of Cooking with Kids (It's Messy! 🍫)

This is the face of a successful, post-baking character-building session! 😂 When we decided to make some chocolate treats, let's just say, the bowl wasn't the only thing that got generously coated.

For any parents out there who stress about the mess when cooking with your children:
don't!
It truly is part of the process and, honestly, the best part for them. This level of uninhibited exploration, experimentation, and, yes, complete messiness, is vital for a few reasons:

Sensory Learning: They're engaging all their senses—touching the gooey chocolate, smelling the sweetness, and tasting their hard work.

Character Building: It fosters independence, creativity, and the confidence to dive into a task, even if it's imperfect (and covered in batter!).

The Memories! Let's be real, you'll remember the chocolate-smeared grins far longer than the spotless kitchen.

So, next time you're about to whisk, mix, or knead, embrace the chaos! A quick cleanup is a small price to pay for that much joy.

What's the messiest dish your kid has ever "helped" you make? Drop a photo below! 👇

Food for Thought: Is the 'One-Size-Fits-All' Curriculum Future-Proofing Our Kids?We owe it to all children to give them ...
15/10/2025

Food for Thought: Is the 'One-Size-Fits-All' Curriculum Future-Proofing Our Kids?

We owe it to all children to give them the best possible start. But in a rapidly changing world, the debate between mainstream school and home education isn't just about location; it's about curriculum and customization.

For many, mainstream school is the only viable, supported, and fantastic option—and we must advocate for its best possible resourcing.

But here's the thought challenge:
In mainstream settings, we often operate within a required, sometimes outdated, framework. This creates consistency, but can it truly cater to a class of 30 unique minds, paces, and passions?

In home-ed settings, parents often unlock the power of a highly personalized curriculum—diving deep into interests, learning at the child's pace, and focusing on skills like critical thinking over rote memorization.

The Question: How can we advocate for all children, regardless of where they learn, to have access to this level of individualized, interest-led, and future-ready education?

How can the strengths of both systems—the standardization of one and the flexibility of the other—be combined to ensure every child moves beyond just "outdated education" and steps into a world equipped with the skills they actually need?

I don't wish to alarm you guys but my "grow your own potatoes from shop potatoes" experiment seems to be sprouting 🌱😱I t...
15/10/2025

I don't wish to alarm you guys but my "grow your own potatoes from shop potatoes" experiment seems to be sprouting 🌱😱

I thought I'd give it a go to see if I could grow some for our Christmas dinner, I'm terrible with plants, they seem to just die in my presence 💀

But I'm really sick of relying on supermarkets who do nothing but take advantage of us.

So keep your fingers crossed for me 🤞🥔

🎃🎄 Food for Thought: Microwave Fudge - Your Holiday Secret Weapon! 🎄🎃Looking for a super easy, no-fail treat that can go...
15/10/2025

🎃🎄 Food for Thought: Microwave Fudge - Your Holiday Secret Weapon! 🎄🎃

Looking for a super easy, no-fail treat that can go from spooky to festive in a flash?

This Microwave Fudge recipe is about to become your new best friend for Halloween and Christmas!

It's so simple, even the kids can help, and the best part? No baking required! Just a few minutes in the microwave, and you're on your way to a delicious, customizable delight.

✨ The Ultimate 3-Ingredient Microwave Fudge Recipe ✨

Ingredients:

340g Chocolate Chips (or milk chocolate)

397g (1 can) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Optional: A pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.

Directions:

Melt: In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Microwave on high for 1 minute.

Stir & Melt More: Remove from microwave and stir well. If the chocolate isn't fully melted, microwave for another 30 seconds, then stir again until completely smooth and creamy. Repeat in 15-second intervals if needed, being careful not to overheat.
Flavor: Stir in the vanilla extract (and optional pinch of salt).

Pour & Chill: Pour the fudge mixture into an 8x8 inch (20x20cm) pan lined with parchment paper. Smooth the top with a spatula.

Set: Refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours, or until completely firm. Once set, lift out using the parchment paper and cut into squares.

👻 Holiday Customization Ideas! 🎅

This is where the fun begins! Once your fudge is mixed and poured into the pan (before chilling), let your creativity shine:

🧡🖤 For Halloween "Spooky Squares":

Mix-Ins: Stir in crushed Oreo cookies for "dirt, or chopped mini pretzels for a salty-sweet crunch. You can poke in sour worms and edible eyeballs and Halloween sprinkles to make it spine chilling spooky 🧟

❤️💚 For Christmas "Festive Fudge":

Mix-Ins: Stir in crushed candy canes, chopped pecans/walnuts, or dried cranberries and sprinkle with red and green sprinkles, chopped pistachios, or drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with more crushed candy canes.

The possibilities are endless, an easy, low cost, fun, tasty activity for you and the kids 🫶

What's your favorite no-bake treat to make for the holidays? Share your ideas in the comments! 👇

This is why the first rule of cooking with me is wash your hands 😂😬
14/10/2025

This is why the first rule of cooking with me is wash your hands 😂😬

🎉 Food for Thought: After-School Fun Made Easy! 🎉​Tired of the after-school snack scramble?Or looking for a simple activ...
14/10/2025

🎉 Food for Thought: After-School Fun Made Easy! 🎉

​Tired of the after-school snack scramble?

Or looking for a simple activity that creates lasting memories (and delicious treats)?

​We've found the perfect solution: No-Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars! 🥜🥣

​This super easy, low-cost recipe requires no oven and minimal supervision, making it ideal for kids to get hands-on with parents after school.

​🥣 The 4-Ingredient No-Bake Recipe (Metric Edition)

​What You'll Need (Weighing is best for accuracy!):

​130g Peanut Butter (smooth or crunchy)
​170g Honey (or corn syrup, for binding)
​57g Butter (or margarine/coconut oil)
​100g Cereal (like puffed rice, cornflakes, or whole-grain oats)

​Optional: A handful of mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or dried fruit.

​Directions (Kid-Friendly Steps!):

​Melt the Base: Have an adult safely melt the honey, peanut butter, and butter together in a microwave-safe bowl (microwave for 30-45 seconds, then stir) or on the stovetop over low heat. Stir until completely smooth.

​Add the Crunch: Pour the cereal (and any optional mix-ins!) into a large bowl. Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the cereal.

​Mix & Press: Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold and stir until the cereal is fully coated. (This is the kids' favorite part!)

​Shape It: Press the mixture firmly into a 23x23 cm (9x9 inch) pan lined with parchment paper.

​Chill Out: Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set. Once firm, cut into squares and enjoy!

​🔥 Pro Tip: Substitute sunflower seed butter or almond butter for the peanut butter if you need a nut-free option!

​Parents, what are your best tips for making after-school time fun and productive? Share your wisdom below! 👇

​

At Food For Thought Mentoring, we believe every child deserves the chance to truly thrive – and that sometimes, the most...
13/10/2025

At Food For Thought Mentoring, we believe every child deserves the chance to truly thrive – and that sometimes, the most powerful learning happens outside the traditional classroom! 💚

Neurodiverse children often have unique ways of engaging with the world, and that's something to celebrate! ✨ We've seen firsthand how cookery becomes an incredible tool for growth, offering a multi-sensory, hands-on environment where children can:

Develop essential life skills: Measuring, sequencing, following instructions.
Boost confidence: The joy of creating something delicious from scratch!

Enhance focus & sensory regulation: Engaging with different textures, smells, and tastes.

Build connection: Sharing food, working together, and communicating in a natural setting.

Learn patience & problem-solving: Adjusting recipes, waiting for things to cook.

Because we don't all learn the same way, and that's what makes us wonderfully unique!

Let's empower our children to COOK | CREATE | THRIVE.

What are your child's favorite things to make in the kitchen? Share below! 👇

🗣️‼️ PARENTS, let's have a real talk about self-care.​It's not all face masks and bubble baths (though those are great, ...
13/10/2025

🗣️‼️ PARENTS, let's have a real talk about self-care.

​It's not all face masks and bubble baths (though those are great, too!). Real, sustainable self-care is about the basics—the stuff that keeps you going, not just looking pretty.

​It looks like:

🍎 Conscious Fuel: Taking a moment to choose food that truly nourishes you, instead of just grabbing the quickest thing.

🌳 Earth Time: Scheduling even 15 minutes outside. Feeling the sun, the wind, or your feet on the grass to ground yourself.

💧 Hydration: Prioritizing that glass of water you keep forgetting.

​This week, focus on these simple, vital acts. They're not "extra credit," they're essential maintenance for the amazing parent you are!

Your well being is so important, so make sure you take a moment for yourself and you won't just thank yourself, your family will too 🖤

​What's one small, basic self-care act you'll commit to today? Let us know below! 👇

​

🍍 The Secret Autumn Cold Weapon is... Pineapple? 🍍Tired of that persistent back-to-school cough? While everyone else is ...
13/10/2025

🍍 The Secret Autumn Cold Weapon is... Pineapple? 🍍

Tired of that persistent back-to-school cough? While everyone else is reaching for pumpkin spice, we're reaching for an all-natural, summer-inspired remedy!

Yes, it's October and we're making a cough syrup with pineapple skins! The core and peels are packed with an enzyme called bromelain that helps calm coughs and thin mucus—no fancy drugstore stuff needed.

DIY 2-Minute Pineapple Syrup (with Ginger):

Clean your pineapple skin prior by scrubbing with a clean vegetable brush and either an apple cider vinegar and water mix or you can do just water, once clean you can
Boil the skin and core of 1 pineapple + a 1-inch piece of sliced fresh ginger in about 4 cups of water for 20 minutes.

Strain and let the liquid cool.

Stir in 1/2 cup of honey once it’s warm (not hot).

Bonus Tip: You can omit the ginger entirely! Just boil, strain, and stir in the honey. Store it in the fridge for up to two weeks!

Save your pumpkin patch photos for later—this weird, tropical hack is your ticket to a quiet house! 😉

If you have other autumn bugs recipes, share below 👇 🤧

We spent our Sunday afternoon chestnut hunting 😍 We have a few roasting away in the oven to season with some sweet sugar...
12/10/2025

We spent our Sunday afternoon chestnut hunting 😍

We have a few roasting away in the oven to season with some sweet sugar mix for a nice little Sunday evening snack 😋🌰

Remember sweet chestnuts are:

Low in Fat: Significantly less fat than other nuts.

High in Carbs: A great source of complex carbohydrates for energy.

Good Fiber Source: Helps with digestion and blood sugar control.

Contains Vitamin C: One of the few nuts that provides Vitamin C.

Rich in Minerals: High in Potassium, Manganese, and Copper.

Gluten-Free and naturally Cholesterol-Free.

A winner winner for after your Sunday dinner 🤭😍

A thought for Sunday 🫶
12/10/2025

A thought for Sunday 🫶

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Our Story

Asylum of cakery is the home of insane cakes.

Technically a team of one with an additional pair of eyes.

By we I mean my husband and I, I personally do design, bake, sculpt, clean, advertise and my husband helps with frame work and tweaking.

We have been around since 2013 and tend to do some pretty awesome cakes and still have so many to come! Baking was not something that came naturally to us and we have not been doing it all our lives but one day on a frosty January morning, we decided to make a cake for our mothers birthday and it was a horrific mess but it spurred on this desire to improve ... and that we did.