Inspirational Mom Samantha Barnes of Raddish

Since my daughter has been little we have talked about the importance of eating well.  Having studied nutrition for many years I know how important it is for her to eat a balanced diet.  Having said that, she is a connoisseur of sweets.  She would be quite satisfied with eating sugary foods at any time of the day!  I do have my work cut out for me but something I appreciate are companies that help parents teach their children about healthy eating.  Raddish box, a monthly subscription package, provides carefully illustrated family friendly recipe guides, skill cards to help families learn culinary basics, creative activities, list of required groceries for the meal and an adorable Raddish patch to be ironed-on to the Raddish apron, which comes free with a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription so you can collect a new patch each month! An email with the shopping list is sent 1 week before shipping so that when the Raddish box arrives, families can cook right away.  I love how this engages your kids into making the family meals.

Raddish was founded by Samantha Barnes’  who is committed to changing the way kids and families eat.  She utilizes her experiences as a middle school teacher and mother of two. Realizing that many of her students were young foodies but lacked the knowledge and kitchen experience to make healthy lunch choices, Samantha launched her first company, Kitchen Kid, LLC, a mobile culinary cooking school in LA. Her newest venture, Raddish, is designed as a tool to get the entire family excited about cooking and eating together, no matter where you live.

Samantha wanted to provide an opportunity for children to explore in the kitchen and feels that they are much more likely to become adventurous eaters – tasks as simple as washing and peeling vegetables can empower kids and get them excited to eat wholesome foods. And countless studies prove that families who eat meals together raise healthier, safer and more successful children. Raddish is designed by teachers and each box incorporates math, science, nutrition, geography, culture and history. Raddish provides culinary instruction that cultivates a diverse palate, increases self-confidence and helps build a solid foundation for a healthy future. Raddish costs between $20 – $24 depending on the length of subscription.

The Inspiration Behind Raddish:

We had a chance to speak to Samantha about her company and how she balances being a business owner and mom.

Tell us how the idea for Raddish came about?  What were some steps you took to ensure a successful release?

Seven years ago I began Kitchen Kid, the mobile culinary school I own and operate throughout Los Angeles. Previously, I had been a middle school teacher but I was distressed by what my students were eating. I left my classroom job to empower kids to make healthy choices and discover the joy of cooking.  In 2013, we were awarded the Red Tricycle award for LA’s Totally Awesome Summer Camp and around the same time I started Raddish to provide culinary education and inspiration to kids and families beyond Los Angeles and across the country.

We initially introduced Raddish to friends and family through a successful Kickstarter campaign last fall, where we raised 125% of our goal.  We spent many months developing and creating the prototype for the first box, which finally shipped in January.  Despite our initial dedication to quality and creating excellent content, I am committed to listening to our subscribers’ needs and implementing change.  I’m constantly amazed and proud to say every month Raddish is even better than the last!

As a business owner, what are some things you do to balance out home and work life?

I struggle to maintain this balance each and every day.  For a long time, I tried to work “full-time” while meeting the demands of a “stay-at-home-mom”. In many ways, I end up being neither and both.  What I’ve learned is to monitor my expectations for what each entails. In both arenas, I’ve had to let go of some of the things I used to prioritize, like volunteering at my kids’ school or staying current on work email and monthly reports.  I’ve become more comfortable asking for help. (My daughter was 11 months before I finally hired a babysitter.) And I try (usually unsuccessfully) not to sweat the small stuff: like the thick hair of our golden retriever that coats our un-vacuumed floors, the laundry that never gets put away and the Tupperware drawer that so desperately needs to be sorted.  I really try to be present with my kids after school and during dinnertime but the tradeoff is working pretty late each night.

Why do you feel it is important to teach our kids about healthy eating at a young age?  What are some of the responses you have heard from other mothers about your product?

We believe in the power of food to bring people together.  Establishing a love and appreciation of good food, and an understanding of the role it plays in our health, is the foundation for a bright and vigorous future. Kids who cook are much more likely to eat the food they prepare – greens and grains included! Exposing kids to a variety of good-for-you foods, and teaching them about where they come from and why our bodies need them, is the simplest, most honest approach to wellness I know.

Moms are consistently surprised and delighted by the durability and quality of our recipe guides. The illustrations are easy to follow for pre-readers, yet engaging for 12-year olds, with additional tips and tidbits that educate parents. Moms love the multi-faceted approach to cooking: each box teaches a host of skills like math, science, nutrition, culture, and geography, and includes art or science projects, a culinary tool or materials, an adorable embroidered badge for the child’s Raddish apron and table talk cards. This card deck, with questions like, “what was the silliest thing that happened to you today?” is actually one of the most beloved elements for many Rad-Kids!

Any news you want to share with our lovely Dandelion Moms?

Your summer will be delicious and fun with a subscription to Raddish! Our upcoming June box, “Pack-Me-A-Picnic” features picnic-perfect recipes and super fun games to pack on all your summer adventures! Use code DANDELION at checkout to receive 25% off your first Raddish box when you subscribe!

Thank you Samantha for sharing your story with us and providing a way for parents to teach their kids about the importance of nutrition in such a fun way! 

And good news!  We have a one month subscription Raddish box + apron to hand out!  Good luck dandelion moms!  Valued at $40!

You can find out more about Raddish on their website and Facebook.

Raddish website, https://www.raddishkids.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raddishkids

Twitter: https://twitter.com/raddishkids

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/raddishkids/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/raddishkids

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