You may know Sarah Michelle Gellar best from the big and small screens, but she’s also an author and a mother of two. Now, she’s taken on a new mission to revolutionize baking. As Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Foodstirs, she is making it easier for kids and parents to connect with each other in the kitchen. Here’s how she approaches holiday baking with her kids.
Chicago Parent: Do you and your kids bake together during the holidays? If so, what are your favorite things to make this time of year?
Sarah Michelle Gellar: For us, the holidays are all about slowing down and really spending time together, and there is no better way to connect than in the kitchen. Aside from all of the educational benefits, it’s about creating memories.
One of our favorite things to do is bake treats for all of my kids’ teachers. It’s a great way to spend time together and then show our appreciation to our teachers for all their hard work and dedication.
Luckily everyone in my house loves pumpkin, so we definitely do a lot with that ingredient this time of year. And truly, who doesn’t love gingerbread?!? And now Foodstirs has mixes for both flavors.
CP: Do the Foodstirs mixes evoke holiday memories for you?
SMG: I have always said that smell is one of the quickest ways to evoke a memory, and nothing smells better than holiday baking.
CP: Why is it important to you to have holiday traditions with your kids? And how important is it to have some help in making those traditions easier for moms?
SMG: I truly believe in the power of baking. The power to bring people together, the power to educate, and the power to feel good and inspire. At Foodstirs, our goal is to take away the pressure and make it an easy and enjoyable experience. In less than six steps and less than 25 minutes you can create the best tasting treat, and be really proud of what you accomplished. We realize all the pressures of being a parent, and hope we can make the day just a little bit easier.
CP: How much of a priority is it that Foodstirs be organic and all-natural? Why?
SMG: Food is our body’s fuel and it comes from the single earth we inhabit, and we have to be respectful of both. I have always believed that it’s important to indulge and not deny yourself treats, but they should be the best possible.
The best tasting begins with using the best ingredients and that means organic, non-gmo and with no artificial colors or flavors. But at Foodstirs, we don’t stop there, we also make sure that those ingredients are ethically sourced and fairly traded while doing no harm to our planet. (And with our sugar, it even helps to regenerate the soil.)
I want my kids to be aware of all the different aspects of food and that includes where the ingredients come from.
If you’re looking for more ideas on holiday baking, check out some great recipes here. And if you’re more of a grab-and-go kind of person, see some of the best places to buy cookies in Chicago here.
