This time of year there are all sorts of occasions that require “Food for Thought”, in other words, events that involve. Maybe it’s a tailgate party and you are responsible for a dessert or a neighborhood Halloween Party. This week, we have a family event that involves a dinner for a crowd. Not to worry, you can do this. Just sit down, get a paper and pencil and start planning. If you happen to be in charge, start with a number of participants, what kind of a menu you have in mind and assign who brings what. People understands the effort involved in gathering a group and are usually ready and willing to lend a hand. Be specific in your request/asks of what you want guest to bring. If you have a particular “salad” in mind, communicate that. If you have no preference, let them know that tool. Use short cuts to cut down on the work, like paper plates and disposable serving items. If kids are involved have the assist in clean up. There may be times when the group or you, if you are organizing, decides to chip in and order out. That’s ok too.
(Photo Captions-If a meal is overwhelming, invite friends over for a Happy Hour, far right and left photos. In the middle, a simple dinner menu is easy to execute. “Keep it simple” Is a good rule)
For less casual events, such as holidays and special occasions, planning in advance can mean a smoother execution and you, the host/hostess can enjoy as well. Just write out your plan far enough in advance, take on tasks far enough in advance so that the last week or two, you are just checking over your notes and doing the last minute things. Remember, each time you entertain, you will learn and get better each time you do it. This is not life and death here, it should be fun. DO NOT stress out, don’t over extend yourself and take on more than you can handle and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Even Martha Stewart has “people” who help her make it look effortless.
A dinner for neighbors & friends with a Mediterranean menu. After dinner, all of the gals helped clean up the kitchen. Your friends are always willing to help. Bottom right photo, Dr. Casey Means and her current NY Times best selling book, Good Energy.
A dinner with neighbors & friends with a Mediterranean theme. All the gals helped cleaned up and when we went to bed, the kitchen was back to normal. Your friends are always willing to help:)
My second thought on food this week is, “YOU ARE WHAT YOUE EAT, LITERALLY!” I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I am reading Dr. Casey Means book, Good Energy. Dr. Casie’s book is not the first place I have heard this thought/concept, but it just reinforces that thought with a lesson that could have been covered in a tenth grade biology class. This is paraphrased here, but remember that the food and drink you take in are the building blocks of the cells your body produces. Constantly, your body manufactures new cells. If you nourish yourself with quality food and drink, you will be ‘manufacturing’ healthy cells that will make up your body into a healthy productive body. If you eat junk food and overly processed foods, that is the quality of cells your body will produce. We all may enjoy treats here and there that get us off the wagon of eating healthy, every once in a while. Try to make those not your “go tos.” A healthy body nourished with good building blocks with help you function at your best and will help you recover from an injury or illness. Think of that with each meal you eat. In addition to quality foods, make sure you are hydrating with good clean water…
An additional thought on healthy eating. A while back I mentioned a nutritionist I have come across, from Great Britain on Instagram, Dominique Ludwig. Her short and informative videos are full of facts that give you the “why and how to eating healthy.“ Yes, we all know that we should be eating healthy, Dominique, very ‘matter of factly’ gives you the back-up info on this topic. Her recipes are easy to understand and simple. When you make your food preparations easy and part of your everyday routine, it just becomes part of your life and how you operate. I often say, I don’t need to re-invent the wheel, if there is someone out there who knows what they are doing and has good information, why wouldn’t I want to learn from them? There are many very well informed and smart people out there like Dr. Casey Means and Dominique Ludwig who we can learn from to improve our lives and those we care for.
Next week, I’ll have a few photos from our family dinner and a wrap up of how it was executed. Carry on Friends. Remember, the food is always secondary to those around your table…It’s a Great Day 🍽️
