It seems like summer just got started, but the days keep ticking by more quickly than we’d like! Even though the temperature certainly still feels like summer, the back to school ads tell a different story. Not to fear, though! There’s still plenty of time to accomplish everything you dreamed of doing this summer!

If you haven’t done everything you planned on this summer, there’s no better time than the present to get started. We’re calling all you little cooks to make the most of your time left, by creating a “bucket list” of the healthy recipes you’d like to try out before summer ends. Here’s how you can pack in plenty of summertime cooking before the first day of school rolls around.

1. Do Some Serious Day Dreaming. Spend some time perusing cookbooks, websites and blogs, and watching cooking shows. What dishes appeal to you most? Is there a new recipe or food preparation method you’d like to try? Do you have a friend or family member you’ve always wanted to cook with? Would you like to create a recipe of your own? Without the hassle of homework and other school year commitments, summer is the perfect time to give new recipes a try. You might even use this time to perfect some of your older recipes! Create a working list of all the things you’d like to try. Make note of anything and everything you find interest in, because you can always go back and shorten your list later.

2. Narrow Things Down. Now that you have a long list of ideas, it’s time to narrow your options down. There’s only so much time in a day, so decide which of these recipes you want to try out most. Consider what ingredients are in season and which are most accessible to you. Chat with your parents about which of your options are most reasonable for you to prepare. It’s also a good idea to note which recipes you would need their help with!

3. Get Started! With the first day of school as your deadline, it’s time to start marking items off your “healthy cooking bucket list.” Consider pulling out a calendar and plotting which days you can cook each dish. Most of all, remember to have fun! Make the most of your summer with fun, tasty, and healthy recipes!

Inspire other kids by sharing your healthy cooking bucket list on our Facebook page. Make sure to tag #hlcsummercookingbucketlist!