| Who’s the Chef at Your Home? Fall is another reminder that time stops for no one. If thoughts of a fresh start on your diet or exercise routines have been in your plans, let fall be your new beginning. Come fall, children are back in school and the yard that took so much attention offers a break. With luck the home schedule has become more predictable with opportunities for more nutritious home cooked family dinners. Granted, for many, coordinating a family dinner can be challenging. If home cooked meals haven’t been the norm, then try adding one additional family dinner each week. To encourage participation and make it fun, consider appointing a “Chef of the Day” on a rotating schedule with the responsibility for planning a nutritious and tasty meal. Initially some may be challenged to boil water and of course younger children need supervision. Fortunately, the kitchen offers opportunities to participate at every skill level. The key is to create positive experiences. Although the mentor may initially do almost all of the works, the “Chef of the Day” can still be honored for any achievement no matter how small. With children, ‘hands on helping’ is the best way to learn. The kitchen offers an amazing laboratory for discovery with opportunities to learn about following a recipe, measuring, chopping, mixing, etc. Of course, no ‘Kitchen 101’ course would be complete without demonstrations of baking, frying, toasting, simmering and sautéing by a more skilled chef. For children of all ages there are plenty of opportunities for fun in the kitchen. Should you need inspiration, try the YouTube channel, Kids Culinary Arts. It’s an educational organization with a fresh approach for addressing how to get kids in the kitchen and teach them that nutritious food can be delicious. Being involved with food preparation makes every bite special. When it comes time to sit together, expect a bit of pride to beam from the “Chef of the Day.” Requiring electronics to be turned off during the meal is wise but better to win one battle at a time. Learning to use wholesome ingredients in a nutritious dish is quite enough for the first step. Making it fun is sure to make the experience a fond memory. People learn more and remember more of what they learned when it happens in a moments of enjoyment. Keep the kitchen an uplifting experience and your biggest problem could become more cooks than you need. If you are an empty nester or living alone, create opportunities for social cooking. With rare exception, people like social food occasions. While some may be surprised to receive an invitation to your cooking party, the opportunity for fun with friends is usually a compelling idea. Really, who doesn’t love the smell of delicious meals being prepared, the anticipation of being served, and the first bite. Whether with family or friends, cooking is a bonding experience. Sharing the experience with others creates lasting bonds and memories that can span generations. The opportunity to learn cooking skills is a tradition lost in many homes. If generational knowledge has been falling by the way side then perhaps it’s time to recover a few of the “secret recipes” and tricks of the seasoned kitchen chefs. Much has changed over the years but a carrot is still a carrot. Despite thousands of processed foods lining the grocery store aisles, whole foods remain largely unchanged as sources of dependable nutrition. They only await our creativity and love for turning them into health and happiness. If your kitchen doesn’t have a friendly feel then find a way to reclaim it as the favorite family socializing place. It’s all about good vibes. Perhaps the kitchen needs a comfy chair. Music can help improve the atmosphere. To help assure your chefs return, let the kitchen be a place where new ideas are encouraged and mistakes are accepted for their value in encouraging creativity. Technology has provided many nice time saving kitchen gadgets but has not replaced the human touch and human creativity. The ability to prepare a nutritious meal from whole food ingredients is a skill that still needs us. Turning whole foods into nutritious meals for people you care for is a rewarding experience. If it’s a skill you have, then pass it on. If not, then partner with a family member or friend that can guide you. Good food is good medicine for both our physical and mental wellbeing and a remarkable experience that brings people closer together. At its best, cooking is an act of love you share with friends and family. Few other activities provide the life extending and life enhancing opportunities of a nutritious home cooked meal. For more creative strategies for enhancing the food preparation experience, follow the links below. • 11 Ways Cooking Brings the Family Together • 7 Strategies to Start a Revolution and Make Cooking Fun! • How to Make Cooking Fun and Easy • 13 Ways to Make Cooking More Fun • 21 Ways to Make Cooking With Kids More Fun • Twelve Ways to Make Cooking Fun and Easy To top off the “Chef of the Days” wonderful meal, take a walk. It’s a healthy move, especially after eating. Nancy Neighbors, MD Huntsville, Alabama |