So, the Gen-X newlywed asked us moms, "What is your favorite recipe? I like to ask women what they love to cook because it's all so new to me," she said. She was perky. There was silence. More silence. Three of us Baby Boomer moms started to giggle. "Microwave nachos are a big hit," one mom offered. Pop! The balloon burst for this hopeful newlywed. She had expected mentoring in the kitchen. She had hoped we "more experienced" moms would teach her our culinary tricks. I remember being naive like that.
Early on, I had every good intention to feed my husband and kids healthy, balanced meals. But then, I regained consciousness. Why did I put myself through the torture? It would have been easier to prepare supper and then, rather than putting the food on the table for fifteen minutes while the kids picked at it–and then threw the food away, I could have just skipped the "table step" and thrown the food away right after I made it.
But no, I played the game. You all know the game. Food Threat. "You have to eat what is on your plate or else you will not be able to have a snack; you will go to bed early; you will never eat ice cream again in your entire life; and you will be grounded until you get married." Somehow when my child asked, "How many more bites do I have to eat?" and then goes into the gag reflex–it's a lost cause.
I know I am not alone. Lots of Baby Boomers I know did not learn to cook. Sure, we can make the famous, "Chicken Broccoli Divan Casserole," but can you call that cooking? Do you put your name on that when you bring it to the potluck?
Maybe you were one of the lucky ones and your mother taught you how to cook. I was not so fortunate. I was a newlywed and excited about my new Crock-Pot. "How easy," I thought, "just cut stuff up and put it in the Crock-Pot." For some reason, I believed that the longer in the Crock-Pot, the better. It was at that time that I made my first radioactive, toxic chemical … the recipe book called it: Seafood Chowder. Who would have guessed that 15 hours in the Crock-Pot could rearrange the molecular structure?
So, our perky little newlywed? Interesting, last time I saw her she was buying a Little Caesars pizza. Be free girls … .
Yours for Fruity Pebbles,
Beth
"He has satisfied the hungry with good things…" (Luke 1:53, NLT)
