Let's Go Back to the Kitchen!

by Nechama Dina Smith

BS"D

Hi, everyone! Today I want to talk about luring ourselves back into our kitchens.

Nowadays we get credit for going to work, for having a degree, for bringing our kids to extracurricular activities, for volunteering to set up school or synagogue events, for giving a class, taking a class, knowing the politics, posting wise or funny articles, dressing nicely, hosting, reading books, traveling, and…..you fill in the blank.

But we can’t really brag, can we, when we made a nourishing oatmeal for breakfast? Or had chicken, brown rice and broccoli for supper? Or fresh salad for lunch with added tuna, chickpeas, and hearts of palm? Or a loaded whole-grain sourdough sandwich? Or even unloaded, just with sliced eggs and healthy mayonnaise?

These examples of nutritious dishes, and probably thousands of others, even if they're not photo-standard gorgeous, are surely gorgeous to our bodies--our digestive systems, our organs, our tissues, our blood, our teeth.

Hillel the Elder, who would spend every spare moment learning Torah, would say, when it was time to eat, “I need to feed this pauper.” He was referring to his body, and addressing it with kindness and compassion. His physical body needed to eat, and he would nourish it, as one generously provides help to a poverty-stricken person.

Hillel’s statement helps me in times when I need to prepare food for myself. When there’s a need to cook for others--for my family or someone else who needs, there is an element of glory involved, even if it's a quiet glory--then here I am, putting in energy and presenting a meal to others. But what if I am alone for the day, or for however long, am I not worthy as well?

I am! This concept is a hard one for mothers to learn, but you can catch on. Your body will appreciate it. Go ahead, spend an hour a day just for yourself in your kitchen, chopping, bubbling, sauteing, defrosting, dressing, baking, mixing, blending, and plating your breakfast, lunch, and supper. That is your hour to indulge in your conscientious nourishing and sustenance of your physical body. The rest of the day you can pursue your career, your children’s careers, all your wonderful extra-curricular activities, and most importantly, your time with your Creator, learning, praying and fulfilling good deeds.

Make this hour, or however long you spend, special. Clean your kitchen so it's enjoyable to work in, put some time weekly into keeping it organized, and add a flower vase or an eye-pleasing painting.

Put on music you like, gather all the ingredients and supplies, and go from A to B to C to D… to Z.

Take a picture if you need some acknowledgement and send it to someone who will be proud of you. One of my clients sent me a picture of her boiling lentil soup chock full of various vegetables, and together we shepped nachas from her cooking venture.

What I'm trying to veer people away from is easy, quick fixes of snacks and fast foods. There is a time and place for takeout and store-bought snacks. But maybe in the next article we can talk about making our own fast food. (You can email me your ideas to include. I would love that!)

And when you eat, put away your phone or magazine, chew each bite well, with your mouth closed, and focus on each mouthful traveling to and nurturing all the organs, tissues, and cells in your body.

You are not selfish, you are giving, and you are being kind and generous to your body. For after all, the same Hillel said, “If I am not for myself, then who is for me?”

Wishing you wonderful food choices in your day, and may your day be full of doing the right things, all day, and making the world a better place.

Fondly,

Nechama Dina Smith

P.S. Starting in September IYH I’m taking on a limited number of clients in my nutritional therapy practice. If you are interested in the three- month package I will offer, where I hold your hand to support you with all your issues (we all have issues!) and guide you to a sustainable way of life that will greatly impact your wellbeing, then email me at nechamasmith@gmail.com for more information.

Can’t wait to hear from you!