The scientists at Hasbro are hard at work redesigning the classic Easy-Bake Oven. In early 2012, the 100-watt incandescent light bulb will no longer be available. So Hasbro is coming out with the Easy Bake Ultimate Oven which will feature “a heating element that does not use a light bulb and offers an extensive assortment of mixes reflective of the hottest baking trends for today,” according to Hasbro’s statement.
The continuation of the Easy-Bake ensures one thing: young children, primarily girls, will learn how to quickly make nutritionally-devoid food that comes out of a box. Whether they’re whipping up an Easy Bake Party Cake or some Sweet & Savory Pretzels to entertain their guests before nap-time, there’s a recipe for every occasion. Interesting, my kids actually learn where their food comes from and value its importance in creating something tasty, as well as healthy.
The concept of “fun food” that Hasbro litters their site with is nauseating – and it scared the hell out of me when I went to their Easy-Bake page because of the theme song. I panicked for a minute before finding the mute button, fearing their music would be a jingle in my head for the next several days. It’s all about fun and good times as Easy-Bake recipes promote some of the unhealthiest ingredients know to humans today. Hydrogenated fats, processed sugars and flours, artificial flavors and preservatives, and MSG are just some of the ingredients used to satisfy Easy-Bake chefs and their diners. Their products are in tough competition with Girl Scout cookies for the worst foods you can possibly eat. Let’s settle this with a bake-off!
Having kids be actively involved in growing a vegetable garden does wonders. Digging in the earth, planting seeds, watering, watching it grow, weeding, and harvesting can all be a lot of fun.
Then even if a child doesn’t want to eat a vegetable they have helped grow, they will at least know what it is, where it comes from, and hopefully see you eating it (leading by example).
And a toaster oven is a mini oven so no need to buy a plastic light-bulb oven. Just saying….
great article. thanks. i bet the cardboard box the oven comes in offers more nutritional value than the easy bake recipes.