Mom, You Promised Us Chicken for Lunch

Let's think for a moment, why do children need to eat lunch? The answer is: one, so they are full. Two, so they grow. Now, let's ask, what do the children expect lunch to give them? The answer is: one, that it satisfies. Two, that it is delicious. Now enter the kitchen. Are the children full? Yes. Is it tasty for them? Also yes. So, only one goal remains unfulfilled: you want them to grow, right? But how are they supposed to grow from hot dogs, burgers, and schnitzels defrosted from a bag, all placed on the plate next to instant couscous, noodles, pasta, and fries, which are also defrosted from a bag?

In the afternoon, digestion is at its best. It is the time for the main meal of the day. So how does this opportunity get missed day after day?

The answer sums up in six words: "Who - has - time - to cook - lunch?". It's clear to you that if you weren’t working, the kids would receive a balanced meal that includes carbohydrates, proteins, and vegetables. But you work. So the offspring heat up corn schnitzel in the microwave, and that’s what's responsible for their growth, so what do we do?

The Big Thursday: Even if you are really not into cooking and kitchen stuff, you'll still find yourself near the stove on Thursday because there's no avoiding cooking for Shabbat. Sure, sometimes you buy ready-made food from a catering service, but it doesn't happen every week. Even if you’re one of those who finds it hard to get into the kitchen, once you’re sucked in, it's hard to stop you. So take advantage of the opportunity and think about lunchtime meals for the whole week. Increase the quantities and variety. What will happen is that on Shabbat, the table will be loaded with an abundance of dishes, and one big plate won’t be enough to contain everything, and during the week you'll enjoy the knowledge that the children are eating homemade food. In other words: "Whoever works on Thursday eats all week." Have more time? Cook on Mondays and Thursdays, and in other words: when the Torah scrolls are taken out in the synagogue, you take out the pots.

A Pot That Has It All: You don't really have to prepare grilled chicken skewers with full grain and lentil majadra when it's accompanied by cucumber salad. Not that it's bad. On the contrary, it's great. But this article is about busy people. Therefore, you can prepare a whole meal in one pot. For example: cook a soup that contains chicken, vegetables, and whole grains. If the kids refuse to eat all this healthiness, don't argue with them, just blend the soup with an immersion blender. In the morning, before you go to work, remind them to add whole grain soup almonds or whole grain croutons to the soup. Another advantage - after the soup mixes with their growth hormone, you'll only have to wash one pot.

Kids Cooking: This is not just the name of a book. It's a suggestion for an afternoon activity with the kids. Who said that the afternoon is meant only for puzzles and masterpieces? Why not cook with the kids? For some reason, cooking with kids usually ends up with chocolate balls and a lot of mess. So this is the thing, it can be different. Decide in advance what to cook. You can prepare simple things, but if the afternoon is already dedicated to a home cooking workshop, why not prepare special things? Buy cookbooks with healthy food. There are also cookbooks for healthy food for kids, which include beautifully designed dishes. Wanted masterpieces? The kids should prepare the shopping list in advance. Buy everything in advance. Decide together on a day of the week that's cooking with kids day (preferably not Thursday, with the pressure before Shabbat). What will you get from this? Maximizing quality time, and kids who will happily eat the fruits of their creations at lunch.

Want to know more? Purchase the lesson series "Grow Healthy" by Naturopath Sarah Bar Asher, available at the Jewish Campus of Hidabroot.

Sarah Bar Asher is a naturopath and lecturer on nutrition and the food industry. Barasher@zahav.net.il