Reclaim Your Kitchen: Cook Meals that Foster Good Health For Your Family

By Joy Feldman, NC, JD

“If a woman could see the sparks of light going forth from her fingertips when she is cooking, and the substance of light that goes into the food she handles, she would be amazed to see how much of herself she charges into the meals that she prepares for her family and friends. 

It is one of the most important and least understood activities of life, that the radiation and feeling that go into the preparation of food affect everyone who partakes of it. And this activity should be unhurried, peaceful, and happy because the substance of the lifestream performing the service flows into that food and is eaten, and actually becomes part of the energy of the receiver. It would be better that an individual did not eat at all than to eat food that has been prepared under a feeling of anger, apathy, resentment, depression, or any outward pressure.” (Maha Chohan, Electrons)

There is no other way to feed kids quality foods other than rediscovering you kitchen and cooking wholesome meals. When you cook your own meals, you know what is in your food. Cooking helps to guarantee that your foods come from the earth without any unhealthy additives. Preparing and cooking real whole foods is a necessary step to improved health. Its time to slow down, get back into the kitchen and cook meals that foster good health.

Food preparation at home is an opportunity to teach children and have fun with them as well. When children feel a part of the process, they are more likely to try new foods. I often let my children thumb through cookbook recipes and have them pick out what they like.

So let’s get those young one’s cooking! In our household, everyone is included in meal preparation. I find this helpful because it exposes everyone to a variety of different types of food. Children can help create new recipes at mealtime by allowing them to participate in the process. It will also raise your awareness about their preferences. Planning meals ahead of time is essential. Hungry teenagers won’t always wait for that well-balanced meal to finish cooking. Quality protein, fats and lots of vegetable strengthen their bodies and help them grown into vibrant young adults.

Children can be notoriously picky eaters. By letting them have input in the kitchen you’re likely to have better success when dinner is on the table. Nutrient rich dishes are as essential as ever, given the physical and emotional stresses that face our children every day. Moreover, parents are competing with a perpetual onslaught of advertisements for foods that have a shockingly low nutritional value, but rate high in flashy commercial and seductive packaging. Countless snack foods advertise bogus health benefits from so called vitamin drinks to energy bars.

Let’s all consider the importance of reclaiming your kitchen. It does not mean you have to spend long hours cooking. But it does mean that you need to spend some time preparing and cooking food with wisdom, so you create the healthiest options for your family.

Mini Turkey Burgers for Lunch or Dinner: Recipe serves 4 people

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds of ground turkey

• 1 cup sautéed Vidalia onions

• ½ cup chopped dried cranberries

• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

• 1 teaspoon fresh marjoram (dry is acceptable)

• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 8 large leaves of Boston Bibb lettuce ( Other large leaf lettuces are acceptable)

• Your favorite toppings such as red onions, pickles, tomatoes…etc.

• 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese cut in half

Cooking Method:

1. Preheat grill on high for 10 minutes or grill pan on high for 2 minutes

2. In a medium mixing bowl add the top 6 ingredients and mix completely

3. Portion the meat mixture into 8 equal balls

4. Flatten each ball with the palm of your hand and place half of a slice of cheddar in the center

5. Fold the meat around the cheese then roll to form a mini hot dog

6. If the meat is too sticky to your fingers, try dipping your fingers in cold water

7. Place each stuffed turkey burger on the hot grill and cook thoroughly until they reach an internal temperature of 165˚F

8. Place each fully cooked burger at the center of a Boston Bibb lettuce leaf

9. Top with your favorite toppings

10. Roll the sides over the cooked burger and toppings, then roll downward to form a spring roll-like lettuce wrapped burger and enjoy for lunch or dinner

Joy Feldman is a writer, author and lecturer. She has an international private nutritional consulting practice and has the authored Joyful Cooking in the Pursuit of Good Health and Is Your Hair Made of Donuts? To find out more information: joyfeldman.com or isyourhairmadeofdonuts.com