baby steps for tackling a growing problem…. & why parents need to cook...

Image - livefromBelgrade

I feel this post is going to be preaching to the converted.

If you are a reader of my Blog then I assume you have a vague affinity with food.

But I can’t help it. 

I need to say it…

There is a trend at the moment. Other blogs, in the media – just a feeling I get.

It seems to be the thing for some women to declare themselves unable or unwilling to cook.  Rather like a badge of honour.

A little feminist take. 

Along the lines of “I am too busy, too dis-interested, it’s not my role – to cook”.

·         I understand when you are living alone – the task of preparing a meal for one is daunting, boring, hard to manage.

·         I recognise that when you work and return home at an hour when you want to collapse; your appetite has all but fallen asleep anyway.

·         I am absolutely in the firing line of prepping lunch boxes to have them return untouched.  I see the look in The Boy’s eyes when the meal I have prepared does not meet their approval (as an aside, TheHusband for all his faults is eternally grateful for any meal, he cooks too sometimes).

But a parent who WON’T cook?

(before anyone gets all high-horsey please note I did not make this entirely a female centric comment).

If you can read you can cook.

If you have children – you should cook.

This of course does not mean you want too.

But can’t is different from won’t – is it not?

TheUrbanMum xoxo

Someone is preparing food somewhere…

Possibly you are outsourcing - living life like a celebrity - a Real Housewife perhaps?

I'm not knocking that option, horses for courses - and so on...just not how the majority of us live.

Our lucky country loves our Masterchefs and our Cookbooks.

Organic is the buzz, as is buy local.  But are we really following through?

Australia is getting fatter folks.

My theory is this: 

In the olden days – when I was a slip of a girl – you ate fresh basic food.

There were fewer options given. 
 
I knew Monday’s were casserole and Friday’s were fish (good Catholic family that we were).

I may not have liked everything my mother served, but I ate it.  In fact the jam and butter sandwiches on homemade bread were repulsive, thank goodness they were probably the worst of it. 

Later, Mum worked and employed the services of a Crock Pot (the ‘80’s term for a Slow Cooker). We also ate LOTS of roast chicken (to the point that it took many years when I left home to even look another roast chook).

There were days when Mum couldn’t be stuffed thinking of a meal – so we had BBQ’s and salad.

She baked when we were little and she didn’t work.  Later we (my sisters and I) baked our own if we fancied a treat.

When you have a family you need to pass on a healthy appreciation of food.
I don’t care if it bores you.  You must do it.

This doesn’t mean hours in the grocery store or kitchen.

Image - picturebook

Think basic and as few packaged foods as possible. 

Get organised.

I'm not suggesting you need to be the domestic slave.

Better still, teach your kids early and they can do it for you.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have a sister for whom food was simply something you consumed to stay alive.  She had years in the wilderness of eating only white foods (I know the wilderness is usually green, just work with me here).  When she studied she existed on 2 minute noodles, cheese toasties and Twisties.  Maybe an apple to offer a bite of good nutrition.  She became a Corporate Wonderwoman – ate out and grabbed food on the go.  It wasn’t a priority for her.

Fair enough.

Then she had babies – and acquired a gourmand husband.  So she gave cooking a go. 

Then she learnt to enjoy a greater variety of foods.  Then it got easier – she has developed her repertoire.  She loves some of my Slack Tart Shortcuts – because there are still things she would rather be doing in her day than thinking about, preparing, cooking food.

There are some Recipes she would never attempt.  There are dishes I would never attempt.

In fact unless you are a professional or have a lot of time on your hands why would you even bother?

The point I am making?  Set the example. 
But take the pressure off yourself.  Stop telling yourself you can’t or won’t or don’t. 

Just get the basics down pat. 
You have to when you have dependants – well, depending on you.

Shame on you if you are blasé and nonchalant about such an important topic.

Oh I could go on.  But I won’t.

Instead some Slack Tart Shortcuts.
If you don’t need them, pass them on to someone who could do with the hand.

Deliver it carefully, no-one likes to be criticised.

That is not what this post is about.

Just a gentle kick in the pants.

I’m passing the baton (or wooden spoon).  The challenge to just give it a go.   

Baby steps for tackling a growing problem.

SLACK TART SHORTCUTS;

• Annabel Langbein has a great book Assemble– easy meal ideas.

• Default plan can be a BBQ.  So quick.
• Don't complicate the preparation; just grill a protein (steak, chicken, fish, vegie patties) chop some vegies (cooked/salad) & steam/boil a carb (potato, rice, pasta).
• Kids don’t eat vegetables?  Well they might eat vegies on a skewer in between the bits of protein.  They might eat a blended soup, with grated cheese.
• Or do a deal – get them to choose just ONE vegie and stick to that.  Remember my sister; well now she eats salad and vegies with every meal.
• Buy a slow cooker – reviews on the different brands.

• Find some good apps on your iPad/Computer – with easy meal ideas.

• Desert equals – yoghurts & fruits.  Or a simple scoop of vanilla ice-cream & chocolate topping - for a treat.