Family Food for Moms Podcast I Inspiration for Family Cooking and Dining I How to Enjoy Special Meals Together

#26 What we can Learn from the Italians about Food and Dining

 Today we're going to be talking about Italy - what we can learn from the Italians about food and dining.
I've been doing quite a few “what we can learn froms” recently, and the reason for that is that I'm also currently working on my book - the Family Food for Moms Inspiration for Food and Dining - all about what we can learn from all these amazing cultures and people, and then how to practically apply those principles.
I think it's so valuable to be inspired by what others have done, and to see the ways that people do things is really helpful and really insightful, and really helps us to figure out the way we want to do things in our families. 

#25 What we can learn about Food and Eating Habits in Biblical Times

Today I want to talk about food in biblical times, and what can inspire us from that time, what we can learn about food from the Bible.
In the Bible, eating is a sign of rejoicing and celebrating, and eating is an opportunity to share food, and fellowship through conversations - this was more special because it was done over a meal. Eating was a sign of contentment, peace, and provision. They ate what they had produced in their gardens after planting and harvesting, and it was very satisfying...
Let's talk more about this..
 

#24 What we can Learn From the Spanish about Food and School Lunches in Spain

 Last time we talked about school lunches in France, and this time we're going to talk about school lunches in Spain, which are also very interesting and rather healthy. As always, there'll be links in the show notes.
 We'll also talk a little bit about Spanish food; their fascinating culture and how they approach food and dining. Similar to the French, mealtime is very important to Spanish culture. It's important to them that they eat slowly, and that it's a social occasion, that they enjoy their food, and don’t rush through it.
If you go to familyfoodformoms.com, episode 24, then you'll be able to find the links to the websites that I mention.

#23 What French Children Eat for School Lunches plus Tips for Picky Eaters

“I walked into the dining room to see tables of four already set - silverware, silver bread basket, off white ceramic plates, cloth napkins, clear glasses, and water pitchers laid out ready for lunch. I was standing inside my children's public elementary school cafeteria, or canteen as the French call it, in our local town near Annecy, France.”
This is a quote from the website mindbodygreen.com, from an article about what French kids eat for school lunch. I find it so inspiring to see the way the French have decided to do school lunches for their younger children. They have courses, usually four courses. They have real, nourishing, freshly cooked food. They sit down to enjoy it together at beautiful tables with lots of time - they have at least half an hour to sit, and they have to enjoy their meal slowly. There are so many good principles that we can learn from this! Also, it's just so inspiring to see the actual food that they are served. It’s not easy, I can imagine, to make it all happen, but the benefits are huge.
So, today we're going to talk about what French kids eat for school lunches, and we're also going to mention a few tips for picky eaters. All the websites that I reference will be linked in the show notes on familyfoodformoms.com. This episode is number 23, and if you go to that post, you'll find a link if you want to read any of the articles that I'm referencing, or look at the photos.

#22 Easiest Things to Start with when Learning to Cook

Learning to cook starts slowly, and then you gain momentum as you get better at the basic tasks, at multitasking, and you grow in confidence and experience. Then your knowledge and skill just increases exponentially. I think it's great for kids to learn to cook before they leave home. I couldn't cook very much at all at the beginning, and we mainly ate either frozen meals made for us by my mom, or pre-packaged meals from the supermarket with a few homemade things in the middle there. I felt very intimidated by cooking and by big chunks of meat; I wouldn't know what to do with those. I was intimidated by cooking in the oven. These days we have so many amazing tools, many more than we had then, and it's so great to know how to use those. 
I think that for somebody starting out cooking, who's going to be leaving home to start out on their own, or who are getting married, both ladies and gents, I think it's so important to learn how to cook. I'm going to talk about in a couple of different episodes how to get started with learning to cook. We're going to talk about what exactly are good things to learn first. To start with, learn some mains, sides, and sauces, or just a simple meal consisting of a main and a side and maybe a sauce to add interest. 
Once you get the basics down, then you can start to use those in different ways to mix and match. Then you start to grow exponentially in your cooking skills. Let's talk about what are good things to start with when you're learning to cook. 

#21 Thanksgiving Ideas for Table Decor, Activities and Food

Today I want to talk about Thanksgiving.
For me, one of the biggest challenges for both Christmas and Thanksgiving is to not become busy during the event, but to be present, and also to not become stressed before the event, but to be relaxed, and to enjoy the time with my children, with my family, because that's basically what it's all about. It's not about making it perfect.
This is a concept that my brain doesn't easily accept, but I really do want to be present. I want to have the mindset of being present and not the mindset of finishing, or making it just right, or making it just how I want it, but rather to enjoy that process with them. It is easier now that they're a bit older - it was more challenging when I had many young children. But either way, I really want to engage with them, connect with them, and make special family memories together. 

#20 What is Donald Trump's Favorite Meal? Joe Biden's? George Washington's? A Fun Episode on what the Presidents like to eat.

Today, I thought it might be fun to talk about some US presidents and their favorite meals, with Thanksgiving coming up next week, and in honor of the elections. Let's talk about some of our recent presidents and what they liked to eat. And then I'll mention some from quite long ago, and what they enjoyed. 
I find it really fascinating seeing what someone will eat when they have a chef at their disposal, and can eat whatever they want. I think the first ladies would have had a lot to do with planning menus, and even encouraging their husbands to eat healthier things. Some of the things I'll mention are from when the presidents are just on their own, and they eat whatever they feel like, and then other things would be more what they would eat if there's a White House dinner, or a small dinner party, or if they’re simply eating with their wives, but is still cooked by the chef.

#19 Ten (plus) Utensils That I Find Really Useful for Cooking and Serving Meals

Today, we're going to be talking about kitchen utensils that I find really helpful in cooking and serving food.
I don't like having a ton of stuff, especially gimmicky things, lying around the kitchen. Good utensils have got to be simple, fit into the drawers, and really be super helpful.
There are no affiliate links with these - these are just things that I have in our home that I wouldnt want to do without. See familyfoodformoms.com for photos.
Let's chat!

#18 What we Can Learn From Masterchef about Cooking!

It's a fun one today. We're going to talk about what we can learn from Masterchef.  I'm sure you all know the show Masterchef, Masterchef USA. There's Masterchef Australia.  We like to watch Masterchef USA and Masterchef Junior.  And it's always so inspiring to me even what the young kids can cook and how  elegantly they do it and how much variety.
They seem to know how to cook all these obscure ingredients that I have never tried to eat before, let alone cook.  But it's very exciting and inspiring. So I thought I would just mention for fun 10 things that I've learnt from watching Masterchef. 

#17 How to Foster and Grow Family Closeness and Connection at Your Dinner Table

Today we're going to be talking about ways to foster and grow family closeness and connection at your dinner table, making dinner time meaningful and special. This can really transform a simple meal into a chance to be close as a family, connect with each other, reflect together on how your days' went, and to relax after the craziness of the day.
Join me as we chat about family closeness at dinner time.