As I walked past a local pizza parlor just the other day, I noticed 4 or 5 kids peering into the parlor window as a pizza maker tossed pizza dough into the air preparing another pizza pie. Their faces were literally pressed against the window. They seemed totally mesmerized by that spinning, flat disk of pizza dough. A couple of kids were grinning form ear-to-ear and pointing at the pizza maker. It dawned on me that this was one of "life's little moments". It forced me to crack a smile.
It was as if they were spell bound. They were pointing at the pizza maker and loudly debating the topic of the moment. What's the "perfect toppings"?
There's no doubt about it. There is one special food that kids have loved throughout the ages. Yes, it's that famous and all too familiar pie that we never seem to out grow.
As a matter of fact, a study done by a U.S. Department of Agriculture statistician and home economist found that in a three-day survey period, 42% of children between the ages of 6 and 11 have eaten pizza. (Source: Smithsonian Magazine.).
In addition, according to a recent Gallup Poll, 82 percent of children ages 3 and 11 prefer "pizza" over chicken nuggets, hot dogs, macaroni & cheese, and hamburgers. As far as kids and food is concerned, that's some pretty stiff competition.
Yes, it's undeniable: pizza is for sure, one of the most loved foods of the little ones. Even the youngest of kids seem to be able to utter the word "pizza" at a very early age. Kids as young as 3 years old will point to a slice.
It's obvious that kids like the taste of pizza. But I can't help but think that the actual shape of the pie and the triangular shape of a single slice is critical to their fondness for this champion among foods. Pizza looks totally different than just about any food that kids like to eat.
Kids typically don't care if it's a small, medium or large. They simply want to make sure they get their little hands on the slice (or slices) that's coming their way.
Want to see several kids disappear from your kitchen? Hand them a couple of slices of their favorite pie and it's like magic. The talking stops and so does the laughing. They grab their slice, turn away, and before you know it they're out of there! Quietly they refuel on those flavorful slices. You'll see them again only when they return for more.
It's not surprising that there are almost 62,000 pizza parlors in America. There's alot of kids out there that appreciate that statistic. The little ones are just waiting to pull the next slice from a piping hot delicious pie!
It was as if they were spell bound. They were pointing at the pizza maker and loudly debating the topic of the moment. What's the "perfect toppings"?
There's no doubt about it. There is one special food that kids have loved throughout the ages. Yes, it's that famous and all too familiar pie that we never seem to out grow.
As a matter of fact, a study done by a U.S. Department of Agriculture statistician and home economist found that in a three-day survey period, 42% of children between the ages of 6 and 11 have eaten pizza. (Source: Smithsonian Magazine.).
In addition, according to a recent Gallup Poll, 82 percent of children ages 3 and 11 prefer "pizza" over chicken nuggets, hot dogs, macaroni & cheese, and hamburgers. As far as kids and food is concerned, that's some pretty stiff competition.
Yes, it's undeniable: pizza is for sure, one of the most loved foods of the little ones. Even the youngest of kids seem to be able to utter the word "pizza" at a very early age. Kids as young as 3 years old will point to a slice.
It's obvious that kids like the taste of pizza. But I can't help but think that the actual shape of the pie and the triangular shape of a single slice is critical to their fondness for this champion among foods. Pizza looks totally different than just about any food that kids like to eat.
Kids typically don't care if it's a small, medium or large. They simply want to make sure they get their little hands on the slice (or slices) that's coming their way.
Want to see several kids disappear from your kitchen? Hand them a couple of slices of their favorite pie and it's like magic. The talking stops and so does the laughing. They grab their slice, turn away, and before you know it they're out of there! Quietly they refuel on those flavorful slices. You'll see them again only when they return for more.
It's not surprising that there are almost 62,000 pizza parlors in America. There's alot of kids out there that appreciate that statistic. The little ones are just waiting to pull the next slice from a piping hot delicious pie!
William Lockhart is Founder of www.HomePizzaChef.com. He is also a self-proclaimed pizza lover. HomePizzaChef.com delivers pizza recipes to subscribers' email box. The slogan on the web site reads, "They'll Get Down On Their Knees And Beg You For Your Pizza Making Secrets". Visit William at HomePizzaChef.com