Cherished Family Recipes Keep Us CONNECTED

Written by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation staff

Food is one of those items that tell the story of human existence. Think of the times you’ve watched a show about ancient civilizations. One of the first things anthropologists know about a people is their diet. Food also connects us. Research from the University of Oxford indicates the more people share meals with others, the more likely they are to feel happy and satisfied with their lives.

Very few things in this world have the ability to bring people together or trigger memories like food. Even simple lines from pop culture – ‘There was never such a goose; Chestnuts roasting on an open fire; Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack;’ can transport someone to a time and place where they enjoyed a good meal or eating experience with friends or family.

The simple act of sharing a meal is more than sharing food. It’s someone taking time out of their life to prepare something that connects to fond memories of family and friends. It’s going to a church hall or apple orchard to support a worthy cause. It’s someone willing to share a taste or food they find worth sharing with people who might not be familiar with that particular meal. It’s sharing culture.

Our family has gotten in the habit of creating binders full of family recipes. While many of the recipes in those binders are everyday recipes, the heart and soul of those books are recipes used for special occasions. Grandma’s pasta sauce and meatballs, Dad’s meat sauce used at fundraisers, homemade pierogi, and countless Christmas cookie recipes are preserved to help tell our stories to future generations we will dine with us in spirit only.

The tricky part of sharing that culture is once it’s gone from our lives it can be gone for good. A cherished family recipe can die off with the cook if they don’t share the experience. Service clubs responsible for fish frys or pancake breakfasts won’t be around much longer if people don’t step up to take the place of members and volunteers unable to continue their service. Make some time to put on an apron, stand next to our parents or grandparents, and learn how to preserve and present the story of us.

These mocktails are refreshing, delicious, loaded with vitamin C, and without the added calories of alcohol.

Written by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation staff