Spend time creating a positive culinary culture!
Many of us have a variety of wonderful memories of food. I have fond memories of our Christmas traditions with my grandparents, Easter dinners with our cousins, and when the first strawberries popped up in the garden. Today I try to create culinary traditions for my family that are a mix of my own traditions and some new ones that we create together. Good traditions create togetherness.
New trends, diets, and quick fixes are becoming increasingly popular, and with this we risk losing part of our culinary culture. Personally, I can’t help but think about the effect all these restrictive diets will have on future generations and their perceptions of food. This is why it’s important to think about the culinary culture you want to promote at home for both you and your family and to cultivate a community! Let food be something enjoyable that’s appreciated and creates togetherness. Try to have meals together as often as possible. It needn’t be dinner – it can be breakfast or lunch with family or friends. In this way, food is linked to enjoyment and socialising, which is important! Sitting down and eating a meal in peace and quiet and having a good conversation is something to really aim for – not least to teach to children. Plan a couple of fun-filled meals each week to increase their enjoyment of food. This can be crucial to a child’s relationship with food. It just takes a little extra care and needn’t be expensive or especially time-consuming. Lay the table extra nicely and choose food that smells good and can create a positive and pleasurable experience. Adults and children alike love traditions!
Try to make the kitchen a meeting place where everyone enjoys spending time. It then becomes a place for togetherness and good conversation. And you don’t need to do much to achieve this – some candles and a bunch of flowers may be all it takes. Having clear rules for the use of phones and tablets can also bring more harmony. At an event I recently attended, the host said that the best thing you can give someone is your attention. And that couldn’t be more true! Yet it can also be difficult in the digital age. Try to make mealtimes an opportunity to give each other your undivided attention. We have an important exception in my family. During the holidays, when we frequently visit restaurants, sometimes the tablet has to come out when the kids are done eating. This can help make it an enjoyable meal for everyone if we find ourselves there for some time.
My advice:
