Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Weekly Challenge - Week 22 (5/28/2013)

Involve those you live with or see frequently with meal preparation.


 
I was looking for some old photos of Tom for a graduation celebration (he graduates from high school this month) and what great memories I had looking back through the photos.  I was very blessed while my boys were growing up since they had good health and were seldom sick.  We had lots of fun with no time wasted with doctor visits.  I am still blessed with good health and a healthy family.  Throughout the years, I have had many people tell me how lucky I am.  It is not luck; it is a choice.  Eating 100% God-made foods is the reason we are healthy.
 
I found this photo and it is no wonder both of my boys help in the kitchen now and are interested in having me document my recipes for them.  When they were little, on Saturday mornings, Fred would make whole grain pancakes with the boys help.  (Please use caution and be very careful with toddlers but let them help with cracking eggs, measuring out quantities, and stirring up mixtures.)  It was a special bonding time for my guys, and what a great example Fred was setting for his sons to pitch in and give Mom a break - besides teaching them invaluable kitchen skills. 
 
A friend made a very wise comment to me about five years ago.  I had told her that I was confident that my sons would continue to eat well (100% God-made meals) when they went off to college.  She asked why I thought they would do that if they weren't cooking at home while in high school.  So since we were homeschooling, we included cooking/nutrition in our Health class that year.  Both boys regularly cook or help cook meals now and thus Tom is equipped to continue a healthy diet when he leaves for college in August.  Even if you don't homeschool, summer is a great time to involve your kids in the kitchen.  Also, take them with you to the grocery store and let them help plan your meals.
 
Besides including your children in meal preparation, encourage your husband (or wife if you are a stay at home Dad) to help.  Start with a favorite meal/dish that is your spouse's specialty.  Fred's was flat green chili enchiladas.  He then began to make my chili recipe, and this past year since I have been doing this blog he has really gotten into making up delicious dinner recipes such as our Baked Spaghetti (with Spaghetti Squash) and Dudley's Calabaza Stew.  Everyone has a special area of interest - help your family members find theirs.  Fred's is dinner, Tom's is quesadillas (for any meal!), Jon's is healthy desserts, and mine is definitely breakfasts.
 
Lastly, be sure to include and encourage any elderly persons living with you or near you in meal preparations.  It is so important that elderly people eat the best quality 100% God-made foods to maintain their health (or regain their health).  Gently guide and teach them how foods have changed since they were young and the importance of finding and buying excellent quality real foods.  Best of all, you can learn so many wonderful things from them if you spend time together cooking and baking.  The wisdom and understanding that comes with age is so often overlooked and under-appreciated in today's world.
 
Is not wisdom found among the aged?  Does not long life bring understanding?  Job 12:12

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