Comfort Food

When we were little kids, I think we always had comfort food, but it never had that name. Now, it’s used anytime an old-fashioned dish is made. I also noticed that many of these comfort foods are also rich and high in fat and calories. Think macaroni and cheese, pancakes, and all sorts of desserts. I make a lot of things my kids always liked whenever they come to visit; I just try more and more to make them less junk food and more nutritious.

My grandie is coming soon for lunch, and I’ll give him some homemade vegetable soup – it’s also a teachable moment as I get him to name each veggie that he eats. Tonight my boys will be here for dinner and I’m preparing a beef stew. That’s a good, hearty meal on cold nights (even though it won’t be too cold here!)  They also love my chicken noodle soup, even though it’s now very low sodium. I hide their vegetables in meatloaf (I always did that and they never caught on.) I’m planning in the near future to have homemade onion soup, which I’ve also slimmed down. My pasta is now whole grain and I make less meat with it, keeping what I do serve lean. So far, there have been no complaints, and they keep coming back for more. I even give them recipes to try some things they liked.  

My daughter is another story – she’s a vegetarian. I’m always trying to find new things for her, especially now that she’s pregnant. I roast a lot of veggies, make pasta with fresh veggies, do homemade pizza, and add fruit to salads. Funny thing, though, when she’s at home, they mostly eat out or order in.

Now, lest you think I’ve turned into a strict dietician, I must add that I still make occasional ‘junky’ foods – cookies, cakes, breads along with buttery mashed potatoes, or greasy spare ribs. Those are the rarity now though, and when the ‘junk’ isn’t around, they don’t seem to miss it.   

I guess I’ll never stop being a mom when it comes to feeding my kids, but I hope I can leave them a legacy of eating healthy.

Peace,

Muff