3/10/09

Food is Love!


I am guest posting at The Inspired Room today! Come pay me a visit, over at Melissa's beautiful site.

MEET MY GUEST:
Andrea from
Sgt and Mrs Hubs

Food is my love language.


That sounds funny, doesn't it? But, it's true. I can not throw just any food at my children or my husband and call it good. It goes against my nature. When I make a meal, it is with my whole heart. I invest myself in the food I prepare. One of the greatest joys of my life is making big, glorious, healthful meals that we, as a family, can share together. It's my way I saying: you, Eve; you, Judah; you, Eliza; you, Daniel... You are important to me and I love you.


This way of showing love can extend far beyond the nuclear family.

I took an idea that Sandy had talked about on her blog awhile back, the idea of bringing a meal to her child's teacher once a week (Sandy shared the responsibility with friends), and ran with it. I have been delivering a meal to my daughter Eve's kindergarten teacher once a week, each week of this school year. Because I love her. And I want her to know she is deeply appreciated.

Such a simple act, yet it conveys love and care.


Yesterday I found out my neighbor was sick.

Her husband is TDY and she has four kids. That evening I walked down to her house and delivered some homemade yogurt, homemade granola, a few peanut butter balls, some probiotics, and a "feel better" brownie. Just a simple way of investing in her life and letting her know I want to help carry the load.


Have you noticed that food has a way of connecting us in a way that not much else can?

I have had more wonderful times sitting around a friend's table than I can count. I have memories of big family meals, bursting with jokes and laughter. My little family's tradition of Dessert For Dinner during the summer months will be a treasure my kids can reminisce over when they are all grown up.

Daniel and I have invested in single airmen, soldiers, and college students especially remember the international students) lives by bringing them into our home to share in our Thanksgiving meal and festivities. How impactful for young children to see this simple act of reaching out! Bridge the gap... Bring food to a friend, a new neighbor, your child's classroom, a lonely shut-in. Don't worry about being fancy and there doesn't need to be a special reason, either.

Sometimes the "just because..." times mean the most.


I want my food to nurture and bring health.

It's interesting to me that viewing food as a means of showing love has also changed the value I place on what we eat. Thinking of food in this way causes me to stop and contemplate what it is we are actually eating. Where did this food come from? What is it made up of? What is the purpose? How will eating this affect my body?


What I am asking you to do today is broaden your view.

Think more deeply about food and how it can be used to invest, show love, convey care, and unite. I mean, after all, everyone has to eat! We might as well put the extra effort in to make it meaningful and to have purpose. And if you don't eat meals together as a family, achieving this should become a priority. Start out small, with one meal a day. I think you will be pleasantly surprised to see the radical change in the way your family relates.

And, just because I have an insatiable curiosity... please tell me two things.

What is your love language?

Do you eat your meals together as a family?


Andrea is a very happy Active Duty Air Force wife to Daniel and stay at home mom to Eve, Judah, and Eliza. She loves Jesus, photography, cooking, and chocolate pudding. She hates spiders, having a stuffed up nose, and stepping on prickers.

Andrea overuses commas on a daily basis at Sgt and Mrs Hub. But I don't care, because I think she is one talented mama who shares a lot of love. So head on over and pay her a visit!

PHOTO CREDITS: Andrea!

29 comments:

Shell in your Pocket said...

I totally agree! Yes, we do eat as a family sometimes with sports we can't but we REALLY try!

I think it is so important!

sandy toe

p.s. what is that flatbread with the cheese????recipe???hint~hint :)

Christy said...

Another great post Sandy and I love the beautiful pictures. I have been out of the loop the last month in the blogging world so it is so nice to make a visit to see you this morning:)

My love language is acts of service/gift giving. I am with you on cooking/baking as a way to show my family how much I love them. I have learned that it is not about what I am cooking (although I do enjoy making their recipes) but it is about the time spent together over a meal. Our family meals aren't as often as they used to be but it is still something that is very important to us.

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

Food and fellowship always seem to go together in the same sentence. I love to prepare healthy meals for my family and really do enjoy the process!
Blessings to you. Great post! And mouth watering pictures!
Kim

Sarah said...

Food is my way of showing love also, I cook on the weekends for either guests or my blog. If no guests are here (and after my family has what they want)I divide things up (mostly the desserts)and bring them to the neighbors! I really love the fact that I can brighten someone elses day. The idea of meals for the teachers, I actuall did that for our beloved kindergarden teacher. Both with my daughter and my son. It was very rewarding, teachers our so under appreciated!

MOMSWEB said...

Acts of Service and Quality Time are my love languages. This was a great post and now I'm hungry; your pictures come to life! Family meal time is important in our family also. Great post!

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Food is not my love language, but I really get inspired when I hear of or see people who share love by preparing a meal!

Thanks for the ideas!! Love the idea of providing a meal once a week for a teacher or anyone you want to share love with!

Melissa

Kim said...

Great ideas on how to share with those around us, especially in our community!

ellen b. said...

I think food is definately my love language combined with service. My mother expressed her love to me and my 7 siblings with food and it kind of rubbed off :0)
When we are together as a family we do plan sit down meals.
Enjoyed your post!!

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

My husband and I sit at our dining room table for dinner usually 5 nights a week. The other two he goes to the gym after work and we are on our own. However, the table is set properly and most important is we always say grace before our meal.

I just visited a new single mom who moved in this week and brought her cookies. Another family just moved in up the street that I plan on visiting. Perhaps muffins will be nice.

Raquel said...

this was a great post i needed to hear! we usually eat together about 6 nights a week it is the most important thing we do at home as a family!

my love language is gifts and service.

LuLu said...

Lovely Post! wonderful guest blogger so nice to visit her blog.
eating together is so important. when my husband is not late at work we eat dinner together, but the children and I always do.Because he has such a demanding schedule he makes the children breakfast every morning before work. and makes me tea. We have 1/2 hour at 6:15 AM but it's his time to be with us.
LuLu

Chablis said...

Wow!!! This has been my motto for several years and it feels so good to have it sprawled out in detail!!!! This is such a fantastic post!

In fact, my dear friends husband is deploying tomorrow and you know what I'm doing??? Bringing her dinner. Nothing like a good dinner that you don't have to prepare to lighten the load.

Thanks again!:)

Nadine said...

We speak the same language and our family always eat together.

Muthering Heights said...

You're completely correct....food is such a strong way to connect with other people,whether family, or new acquaintances!

Unknown said...

Great post Andie! A real clear view of what I've read from your blog/your heart over the last 18 months. :)

My love language is words of affirmation. That works really well with cooking a good meal for the family. And yes, we eat as a family. It's getting to be more fun to eat as a family because Oceana (3) can finally join in on the conversation to some extent.

Unknown said...

Food is my love language and I learned this from my Grandma. Her tradition of ALWAYS cooking a meal of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, etc. was how she showed her love to us. After Jack and I were married we never left her house without food in hand. My children have learned this as well.
Sadly, MaMa isn't here with us anymore, and my mom just doesn't have the desire to cook. So, while I am expecting my first grandbaby tomorrow, I am eagerly looking forward to being able to feed Riley her first bite of mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. Homemade, of course!

Teresa said...

Just read your post at Melissa's -
Thanks for sharing loved it. You have a very lovely blog.
I will be returning-

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your post! My love language is TRAVEL! LOL
~Kim

G. said...

Great post Andrea! I would say that food could very easily be my top love language. Especially when your mom would make it. How I miss the little food deliveries from her. :) I can see where you get it from! I can relate to what you are saying in the way that I show love through my cooking as well. If I don't know what to do for someone or how to help, I bring them food. :)

Our Complete Family said...

What a great post! Food is so important in our family as well! We like to make things to share with others and we always eat dinner together. It's our time to give the ups/downs of the days and just to reconnect. So glad so many others are doing the same thing~ that is so encouraging to see/hear!
Happy day wishes~ Les

Kirstin said...

Awesome post Andrea...my love language is touch...I can't remember the second qustion now (C: Okay...we often eat together, though not always formally around the table. We love to sit on our couches with trays and eat together.

A few weeks ago we had 3 bachelors to our home and they so appreciated a wondeful home cooked meal. More than I realized! we often have young adults in our home for dinner or to hang out. I truly love cooking for people.

Heather said...

My love language would have to be wrapping/baking goodies for friends and family! Nothing brings me greater joy than to deliver something homemade and wrapped up really pretty!

we eat as a family every night and than we share the scriptures with each other and play a game called Chit Chat that I bought for my husband at Christmastime. It is such a great game and it lets the children in on glimpses of our memories and childhood experiences! They love it and we really look forward to it every night!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

We eat as a family and spend a couple of hours each night talking and watching Jeopardy afterwards. I loved the post and the photos were EXCELLENT! Thanks!

Dawn said...

My love language is gifts... so food easily falls into that category.

We make a real effort to eat together every night. It's gotten harder with teens, but so far we've managed to make sure it happens at least 5 nights out of 7.

Blessings!

Unknown said...

Sandy,

What a great post. I agree completely and have shared my gifts of baking and cooking with many that I love.

You are always an inspiration!!

Cynthia

These Are The Days said...

Thanks for this great post. It's hard with 3 little ones, I know with time it will get easier but that's no excuse...I could do a lot better. Thanks for inspiring me to put more thought into food and what I'm serving my most family. I also love the idea of taking a meal to the teacher...I'm the teacher for now, but if they ever go back to p.s. I'll try it. What a loving idea. I also hadn't thought of reaching out to those who are international students. Thanks again.

momof3girls said...

I am so enjoy your blog!! You are such a precious lady!
You are right we do connect over food! I have so many, many memories with family,friends etc.. eating together, having coffee, or someone bringing food over to bless us in tough times. Thank you for opening my eyes how I can bless others with food not just in tough times. Thanks for your inspiration !

Anonymous said...

Delicioso , como todo lo que tu haces.

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