BACK TO BASICS! - engE pOnalum amma samayal ruchi aladithan...!

Hm!
Yes, every time I think of home, I feel this way. No matter how tasty I cook or eat out in restaurants or friend's places, nothing seems to come even close to having a meal at home, served so kindly by mom.
Why do you think this is? It it the magic touch by this wonderful person who expects nothing in return from you, your mother. Your meal has been cooked with love and only one goal in mind; that it should nourish your body. You can never get that selfless view from anyone else.

A good friend of mine from Brazil, told me this story: In her previous life she had worked in a Pizza place. She said every time she visits that restaurant now, the owner never fails to ask her to come back, even though he knows she isn't going to. This she says is because, the customers loved the pizzas she served and kept coming back. Why? She says the people who work in restaurants used to come their with stress and vent out their problems while preparing the meals, etc.,  whereas she is a "happy go lucky' type personality and will be chatting away cheerfully everytime. The food soaks up the environment; if it is prepared by cheerful people with laughter on their lips, when it is consumed by a consumer, it does only good things in his/her body. On the other hand, food prepared by sulking, sad or disgruntled people also imbibes the environment, only since this is bad, it does not do a lot of good in the consumer's stomach.

Actually, makes sense, don't you think? How many of us have eaten in a good restaurant and have had a bad sleep or stomach or bad night due to the food not agreeing with you and have wondered what could be the reason?

So this is my advice to you - cook special time tested home recipes for your kids - for when they become adults and are on their own, this will draw them home or bring loving flashbacks. They just don't get a meal, they get a meal loaded with your love and it nourishes them.

Don't try short cuts and buy ready made food thinking you are saving time. If you are really pressed for time or by other constraints, yes. But don't do this routinely. In fact, by spending a 30 min to 1 hour on your family's meal, you will be saving time for them ( by giving their bodies nourishing food that their system loves and hence they won't fall sick). So in fact you will be saving time from ill health and sickness. And in this world of a thousand quick bites food, choose healthy alternatives or have a balance when it comes to junk food; let them pass it by by offering a healthy alternative.

Eg., chocolate chip cookie can be traded for a cup of hot chocolate, but not with water, but in real milk.

or say, you can have a cookie, if you first finish the salad.

Instead of chocolates, offer fruit cups or carrots or cucumber.

If they are very hungry how about a soup and toast or veggies with  a home made dip (oh yum - recipe later!) , or  fruit pieces, and so on.

Do this diligently, every time. Sooner or later they will begin to like natural foods and will start choosing them on their own.

Good luck growing those little bubbly faces and cutie looks into wonderful people.

Let them HEAR ONLY good sounds at home; they do have a good vibration.
Let them ONLY SEE good stuff (on TV or otherwise).
Let them DO ONLY GOOD THINGS, like an artwork or craft or singing or dancing or helping somebody, volunteering.

One kid, one family at a time. You take care of yours with your life partner.
Slowly, but surely, we will be looking at a GLOWING, EXCELLENT breed of kids WHO CAN WIN THE WORLD IF THEY WANT TO; more importantly, they will be a beacon of light for so many kids out there who are not fortunate to have a home like theirs by being truly good people in their lives.
More than anything, they will be very self assured, confident people of the FUTURE! and that my friend, is a great contribution from you to the society and people living around you.

So dream big and dream for people who cannot dream for themselves, the less fortunate people of the world. And go get them and transform them into truly the wonderful person they are at the core! - for I believe every child starts as a GREAT KID! It is the circumstances and opportunities that shape them into WHO THEY BECOME!

NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THIS THOUGHT..................

Happy Cooking!!!.... Now you know what is the most important ingredient for your meal!!!
If you fall short of other ingredients, it is ok; and if you don't know what to cook, well here I am.
Ask me or email me. I will send a recipe customized to your needs and ingredients!