Just as there is a trend towards high tech today, there is another trend towards high touch – homemade and wholesome.
–Meryl Gardner
I grew up at a time when convenience ruled the day. We were looking for cheap food served quickly. Fast food restaurants and bags of frozen food rendered brown on a baking sheet in the oven. As a kid, I just didn’t know any better. We had all of the food groups covered. Potatoes and ketchup were vegetables, chicken nuggets were meat covered with starch, and our glass of milk served as our dairy. We had it good!
If only we knew then what we know now. We know that those convenience foods had way more than just the obvious ingredients and that potatoes count as a starch, not as a vegetable. Moreover, we know that there is something special about taking fresh ingredients and making good food out of them. We realize that what we put into our bodies and into our kids’ bodies matters.
I’m not saying that there isn’t a place for convenience foods. We certainly use them from time to time and I don’t know that a childhood is complete without an occasional trip to a fast food restaurant. With three kids, there are just days when convenience trumps homemade. There is a balance to be had. If I’m making three dinner items from scratch, but grab a convenience item to round things out, I’m ok with that. If possible, we try to take them time to preserve items, freezing or canning for later use. This just makes these fresh items into “convenience” items that we can use throughout the year. Homemade pickles, fresh pumpkin, applesauce made right here at home. It’s not quick, but the extra time is worth it knowing that we are saving money and putting wholesome food on the table. The kids can tell the difference and it’s clear that they appreciate the effort.
Throughout November, I’ll be posting about those things for which I am most thankful this year. Look for more of my Giving Thanks series all month long.
What are you giving thanks for this year? Leave a comment and share your story!
Leave a Reply