Easy Ways to Create Memorable Family Meals

This is part of the series, Maytag, Messes and Meals. You can listen to this post here on Refresh Her podcast.

I have a love for anything to do with the kitchen.  I love to cook and bake.  I love to try new recipes.  However, I know not everyone is that way. It’s a struggle to:

• Cook a meal that everyone will eat.  
• To find the time to prepare.
• To clean up the mess afterwards.
• To get inspired to invite people over.

I Cor. 10:31 reminds us that our eating and whatever we do should glorify God.  That would include meal prep.  

What that doesn’t mean:

• Everything has to be made from scratch.
• Everything has to look like a Food from Network.
• That you can’t take help from quick foods.
• That you can’t ever go out to eat.
• That you have to fix a different meal for everyone in the family.

What it does mean:

1. God should be honored in your heart attitude about meal prep.  Remember Martha begrudging her work?
2. It’s more about the people we’re serving than trying to impress them. We’re filling a need.
3. Because we’re the managers, we must plan ahead so we’ll be able to prepare in advance.

Remember our mantra – We must plan our work and work our plan!  This applies maybe even greater when dealing with meals and with food preparation!

1. Prioritize eating together at the table. If you’re not doing this much at all,  why not plan on having supper as a family at least three nights a week?  Or bump up what you’re doing to 5 nights a week.
   1. Elevate the ordinary to something sacred. Quiet hearts by turning on soft music. 
      Make the table inviting.  Add placemats, a tablecloth, napkins and a table set with all three pieces of silverware.
      Put something pretty in the middle of the table.  A pitcher with flowers.  A candle.
      Add conversation starter cards to the centerpiece. 
      Make it fun – 
      Laugh at the table.  Teach manners.  Talk. Listen.  Slow down.  Sit back. Read a chapter book together. 

Memories are made around the table. Some of my favorite memories of my girls’ childhood revolve around events and conversations at the table.

This one habit can strengthen your home in so many ways.
But how do we get it done?

2. Ponder the needs – 
   1. Think about the week ahead and each family member. I don’t mean that we should consider what every person likes and make something for everyone.  I’m referring to allergies and special food issues, such as diabetes, or high cholesterol.
   2. We should also consider the needs of time, such as busy days that might require a crock pot meal instead of something grilled outside.
   3. We must also consider guests that might be visiting and the need to prepare extra food.
3. Plan the menu – Even the simplest food is a gift. But nothing grand ever just happens. 
   If we fail to plan, we’re going to be stressed when the dinner hour draws near and it’s then that we wonder what we’ll have for supper.
   Decide what you will eat each day. Keep a list of your family’s favorite meals and rotate them on your weekly menu.

It’s from this menu that you make your grocery list.  You’ll know what you need to buy and you won’t be running out to the store in the late afternoon trying to find each recipe ingredient. This is the most expensive way to cook at home!  But planning your menu by using the sales ads as your guide can help you create your menu AND cut your grocery budget.  If chicken breasts are .99 this week and beef is $6 a pound, it’s easy to know that we’ll be having bbq chicken instead of Pot roast!
If we plan it out ahead of time, we will then be able to do the next step which is 

4. Prepare ahead.  Getting a headstart will make your preparations so much easier and much less a drudgery!

• Thaw the meat the night before
• Make the salad or cut up the vegetables
• Get the crock pot started early in the morning
• Marinate the meat
• Ge the side dishes started

“Plan your work and work your plan.” Napoleon Hill

Remember that the most important part of any meal is the people – not perfection. 
I love looking at the Gospels and seeing how so many times Jesus was eating with others – with sinners, with friends, with His disciples.  Was it about the food?  No, it was about Christ being in the midst.  What would your dinnertime look like tonight if you recognized Christ in the midst of your gathering? 

Push the dishes back.  Grasp hands around the table and pray for one another.  Sing a hymn.  Read a psalm or devotional book. Listen. If your husband won’t take the lead in this, pray about it and allow the Spirit of God to move in his heart. 

Friend, you be the sweet attitude that welcomes, that loves, that serves around your table.