A Christmas Story

Right here in Mechanicsville, VA read about this Christmas miracle: richmondtimesdispatch/news/columist/Dec.18 written by Bill Lohmann whom I got to know as he came to my home to do the article in February on my years in a cooking co-op. Read the entire story of 300-400 people all coming together in 1 week for a grass-roots extreme makeover while 10-year-old Alyssa Doane(who has cystic fibrosis) and her family were sent to Disney World in Florida by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This is a must read! As we drove home last night at 1 am from Dulles airport bringing back our daughter who has been studying in Scotland for almost 4 months, she shared with us how people in a" socialist "country are not very giving- they don't give tips and don't seem concerned for the welfare of others. This Christmas story highlights a family saddled with large medical bills and yet the community cares enough to give this family a "new" home and a block party upon their return with police directing traffic of the 100's of well-wishers and the local band playing in their driveway. This is how our country is different- we are a giving people. Several years ago missionaries to Scotland shared how few families there eat meals together. Perhaps if parents can't selflessly give of their time for meals together, the children learn also not to give. As you enjoy your Christmas dinner, remember the importance and joy of giving special meals every week to your family. Christmas blessings to you and those you love!

The Costs of Not Cooking are Escalating

A friend was shocked- one small, healthier dinner to go= $8.00( this from a "semi-fast-food" restaurant). Count on it- food costs will continue to rise! Why? People in the emerging nations are building roads, bridges and are getting money to buy more food than just 2 bowls of rice a day- more demand- higher costs. Then I read that Richmond may revive the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Community of Caring to curb the costs associated with teen pregnancies. In the 1980's this program helped reduce teen pregnancies at one high school from 12 to 0. What do they help teach? Here's the list: citizenship education, parenting, ethical instruction, moral development, quality of life, and social values. Recent comments from teachers: "Ginny, high school kids today eat sandwiches- I don't think anybody knows how to plan and cook a balanced, hot meal anymore." "My worst students do not eat any meals together with their family- one does not eat and one orders pizza(this from 5th grade teacher)." What about "The Blind Side" wave? Get involved - help our families and schools understand the need and way to reduce financial and social costs now by reviving the family meal!

Remember Pearl Harbor

In our paper today is an article about a WW2 veteran who survived those events. The great thing about having time set aside for dinner is the opportunity to discuss events in history that shaped

our country. The Richmond vet describes 354 planes flying over Pearl Harbor shooting at the men below and dropping bombs. See if everybody at the table knows where Pearl Harbor is and what would they do to seek safety. If parents are interested in history, their children will be interested also. Susan Dosier and Julua Rutland in their Discover Dinnertime cook book discuss how good conversation shapes the future of out country: "It's happended to more than one president. The Kennedy children were expected by their parents to come to the table every night and report on one current event. Teddy Roosevelt grew up listening to lively dinner discussions at his family's mealtime. Those conversations reportedly developed his passions for public affairs." I keep this quote on my wall at work: " I know of no way to know the future but by the past." - Patrick Henry. Give your family a crystal ball to the future by knowing the past.

"Cocooning"

At least one money manager is looking to invest in companies benefiting from "cocooning"- families spending more time in their homes. That was what was so special about Thanksgiving vacation. My daughter working in NYC made it home Tuesday night - so we sit around the table as she eats her bowl of Brunswick stew and catch up. Then Thursday, stoking up the hearth of the home- the kitchen- as we all pitched in to get our Thanksgiving meal and table setting ready. Afterwards, sitting around the gas fireplace and talking, laughing, then talking long distance to our daughter studying in Scotland. Friday night all of huddled around our 1 working TV(other TV went on the blink Weds. night) watching Bolt- all of us laughing out loud at Rhino- the hampster. Saturday puttering around putting up Christmas decorations then coming back from the Hanover High School football district win to have another bowl of Brunswick stew. Keep Thanksgiving going throughout the year with special dinners created by you or your cooking co-op. Theirs no place like home- enjoy it with family and food!

Stress Light

WSJ in an article "Are We Too Stressed To Reduce Our Stress" bring out the fact that overall stress levels in America are high and we are not doing enough about it due to a lack of time. I am a senior VP at a national brokerage firm, my husband works, I have 1 daughter working in NYC, 1 daughter at UVA and a 14 yr. old son who just finished football and today starts practice for basketball. My husband is a minister and we are very involved in church activities. Plus I am a die-hard USTA tennis player. We have a lot of balls up in the air, but we find time for a family dinner time on a regular basis. If you can cook every night and still enjoy that special time to celebrate the day with your family- perfect! But I need help cooking, planning, recipe searching etc. so for 22 years I have and still am a cooking co-op(supper swap) evangelist. If it's Tuesday, it's my night to cook, but if it's Wednesday, it's my night for a tennis clinic. Cooking co-op saves approx. 2 hours/week- read this web site. The best way to reduce stress is to get going and think of others- your family and cook extra for a family in need. As you sit at your Thanksgiving dinner, become determined to stress less, cook more and enjoy life more!

Cooking Co-Op and Courage

Last week I read this: "Commit to acts of compassion that will alleviate distress and inspire courage, spirit, and hope." I zeroed in on the word courage and that word kept coming up. I saw part of "The Wizard of Oz". I always loved the cowardly lion singing "If I were King of the Forest." It turned out that all the lion really needed was a medal of honor. Then this morning I read in Becky Tirabassi's newsletter about "...courage to change the areas of our lives that are stagnant...the need for something to excite us...start doing something that is healthy." So here is the definition for courage: That quality of mind or spirit enabling one to meet danger or opposition with fearlessness, calmness, and firmness." There is a great deal of distress and stagnation centered around the dinner hour. And it takes COURAGE to try cooking co-op and face the internal fears of cooking in quantity, the fear of putting your cooking to the taste test, facing the opposition of ads saying let us cook for you, and the calmness and firmness to deal with the inevitable mishaps(firetruck arrives at my home after trying a new recipe). Joy is the medal you receive for cooking dinner-an outstanding act of service for your family!

Discover Dinnertime

I had the opportunity last week to go to Charlotte, NC and meet Susan Dosier, a former Southern Living Executive Food Editor. I came away with a gem of a cook book she and Julia Dowling Rutland(currently the Food and Entertaining Editor, Coastal Living) created as a guide to building family time around the table. Included with some unbelievably good-looking recipes are 8 good reasons to eat dinner with your family. 1) Your child will read better. 2) Good conversation shapes the future of our country. 3) Shared mealtimes give your family a unique identity. 4)Eating together may reduce children's behavioral problems. 5) Table time gives your children a regular time to talk to you-and you to them. 6) You're likely to eat more nutritious meals when you eat with someone else. 7) Preparing meals together teaches your kids to cook...and clean up. 8) There's no better time or place to teach good manners. At selective stores, I am packaging this cook book and my DVD with a green ribbon around it for Christmas gifts. Recipes Susan highlighted I can not wait to try with my co-op- Creamy Pecan Chicken and Slow Cooker Picante Pot Roast served with Quick Cheese Grits.