Turn up the heat - Cooking together in February

By Tina Marie Jones

Recent Study Results - About 85% of women are responsible for cooking the family dinner, and 84% wish they didn't have to. Ok – that was the nutrition joke for the month.

Many of us, myself included, start off the new year with resolutions that include treating our bodies better. We may choose to lose weight, give up some bad habit, or increase our exercise routine. With any goal we set off to achieve, doing it with someone brings added benefits. Learning healthy eating and healthy cooking is no exception – in fact, it is much more fun with someone.

Lending Support

As we learn so we share. Picking up new habits, setting and sticking to new goals, learning new recipes – all go better with support from a friend or loved one. As you enroll like-minded support into helping you with picking meals, shopping for healthy foods and in helping in their preparation - everyone benefits

Fun in the Kitchen

Having fun in the kitchen, either with your spouse, your kids, your friends or people you drag is off the street adds to the atmosphere and positive energy of meal preparation. In fact, it has been shown that we tend to eat less and enjoy our meals more when we take time to prepare meals with others. The kitchen is the most visited and used room in the home, no wonder this is where most of our socializing takes place. When we socialize over meal preparation our endorphins flow and our digestive juices do too. And because of these chemical flows we feel great and are able to digest our foods faster and more effectively. The happier we are, while cooking or in any area of our lives, the less cortisol we produce which helps us to not retain weight around the middle. So – stay happy and get thin.

Break out the pots and pans

Leave the microwave for heating up leftovers and use the stove, oven and grill for creating your edible masterpieces. When cooking together it is more fun to have multiple things happening at once - sauce preparation, dishes cooking in the oven, veggies and pastas going on the stove top, and food gently cooking on the grill.

Divide up the jobs and have each person add their special touch to the meal. My husband is the omelet king – you name it – he knows it can go in an omelet. Kids love to stir things or prepare the table. Allow them to bring a special kid-like ambiance to the table setting. My kid’s drag all the potted plants to the kitchen, creating a jungle affect. Let friends bring over their ingredients and prepare their dishes at your place. Don’t forget to share the recipes!

Take time to enjoy

Cooking is a creative process, one that we all too often take for granted or rush through hurrying to get onto other scheduled items that fill our evenings. At least once a week, take time to enjoy your meal preparation, savor the tastes and aromas, take in the ambiance and the wonderful souls you share your life with. Add music, flowers and candles to the mix to add to the atmosphere. No special occasion necessary.

Create a Sacred Space

True blessings at mealtime include our friends and family, the rich and healthy foods we share and especially the ability to be in a space of gratitude for all that we have. I suggest that you start a practice where before you take your first bites ask each person to verbally share a moment of gratitude for someone or something. Add a prayer that sends love to the food and everyone who made the meal possible. Here is one I use:

Dear God, please bless this food and bless all the people who have brought this food to our table. Bless our friends, family and loved ones. May this meal provide the highest nutrients to our bodies so that they are strong and healthy. May our bodies take in what it requires and may all substances that the body does not require be eliminated safely and effectively from our bodies. We are deeply grateful for this time together, for this meal and for your blessings. Amen.

Don’t forget the hugs

As the end of the meal arrives, many of us may feel the urge to get busy with cleaning up or turning on the TV to see our favorite show but take pause and genuinely thank those who you share this time with. Reach out to them and hug them. This time of connection is precious and sealing it with a kiss and a hug allows our hearts to open wide, and our souls to know how much we matter to each other.

Optimal Health Consulting. All rights reserved. 2006