| Here's what Gramma knew about dinner, that we've | | | | It's not supposed to be stressful, you just putter along |
| all forgotten in only two generations: We're supposed | | | | until it's done, no hurry. The kidlet helps with washing |
| to eat dinner together. One meal, one table, no TV, no | | | | carrots, setting the table, the mate puts Xs in the |
| radio. We have a standing date, a ritual, see you there | | | | bottoms of the brussels sprouts. |
| around 6 pm. | | | | Try to get three food groups involved (veg/fruit, meat |
| Perhaps one night a week Gramma took it easy and | | | | fish/protein, bread/pasta). Spaghetti with meat sauce |
| made eggs and bacon for supper. Sunday nights were | | | | and a plate of sliced cucumbers on the side. Roast |
| probably reserved for a roast of some kind, ham | | | | chicken with green beans and whole wheat bread. It |
| maybe. Or roast beef. Something that made good | | | | can be as simple as that. |
| leftovers for the following day. | | | | Throw in a placemat, a couple of candles, and a cloth |
| Now what do we have? You want to eat a | | | | napkin. Sip your glass of sparkly water. Now it begins: |
| "home-cooked" meal but you don't want to cook it | | | | "Tell me something good about your day?" |
| yourself. Presto, your local grocery store sells | | | | If you're on your own, you set a nice table, light the |
| pre-packaged meals at the front of the store: | | | | candles, and settle into your lovely dinner with an |
| single-serving lasagne, tuna roll-ups in dry flour tortillas, | | | | internet article you've downloaded for later reading |
| and freaky expensive scary looking salmon and rice in | | | | (hint, hint), or a magazine you've been meaning to read, |
| plastic microwaveable containers. You have to search | | | | or a great mystery book. |
| in this grocery store for an uncooked pork chop. | | | | Then what happens? Well, then it all seems possible. |
| It's nearly too much. What would Gramma say? | | | | You're making a date with dinner. Soon your |
| Gramma would say "look at the rates of childhood | | | | once-a-week date turns into a couple of nights, then |
| obesity. Look at the divorce rates. In my day we ate | | | | you're doing it regularly. |
| dinner together. One meal. No excuses. If you had | | | | So this week the challenge is for you to make a date |
| band practise that interfered with dinner, you missed | | | | with dinner. Just try it once this week. Use the real |
| the practise, not the dinner." | | | | dining room table, the medium china, two candles. Cook |
| So what are we missing two generations later? | | | | something basic. Make grilled cheese sandwiches with |
| We're missing the connection that dinner brings. We | | | | the crusts cut off and a dish of pickles (notice now |
| get to ask each other "what happened to you that | | | | Gramma always puts the pickles in a dish). Add a |
| was good today?" Everyone is seated around one | | | | tomato + feta + balsamic vinegar salad. |
| table. The TV is off. The meal doesn't have to be | | | | After you've had your date with dinner, you can reflect |
| fancy, it just has to be mostly healthy, mostly | | | | on how it felt. Was it terribly difficult? No. Was it better |
| homemade, and done with a bit of care. | | | | than takeout? Most definitely. Did you learn something |
| It's not complicated, really. Pick something you know | | | | new? What did you learn? |
| you can make without much fuss and shop at least | | | | If you need a simple, illustrated recipe for roast chicken, |
| the day before. When your dinner night arrives, start | | | | there's a pretty great one at . |
| your preparation in a clean kitchen, and construct an | | | | Bon appetit! |
| event -- the dinner event. | | | | |