You may have noticed that I talk a lot about food. What we had for dinner, new recipes, or baking cookies simply for fun. That’s because where I come from food is more than just what we eat…
Yes, eating to nourish our bodies is important but it’s so much more.
A plate of cookies or brownies is often a “thanks for your help” or “I was thinking of you today”. A meal is often one of the easiest things we can do to help someone going through a difficult time. Figuring out dinner is one less thing they have to think about.
Food is a comfort. A warm bowl of chicken soup when you’re sick, Grandma’s noodles, or a warm chocolate chip cookie… They remind us of simpler times and reassure us when life feels topsy-turvy. Whipping up a batch of your favorite cookies or making your favorite meal can help relieve stress. Giving you something to do that uses all your senses and for a few minutes silencing the crazy world.
When Great-Grandma died in 2012 one of the ways our family dealt with the loss was to work together making several of the foods she was known for or taught us how to make. Working together we made her famous Peanut Butter Fudge, Banana Bread, Chocolate Chip cookies, and her homemade Salami. It was a small way we could remember her and honor her legacy. She LOVED to feed people good food.
One of my favorite memories of her actually has to do with food. We were staying at her house and the rest of the family was coming over for some gathering. We were planning on having cereal for breakfast. Something quick that would be easy to clean up and not too big of a breakfast before the gathering. Great-Grandma wouldn’t have it!
She hinted and heavily suggested that we heat up some pre-cooked pancakes and sausages she had in the freezer. We kept turning her down and saying cereal would be fine…and it would’ve been. But Great-Grandma, an 80-something-year-old woman with a walker, hobbled out to the kitchen and proceeded to heat up a few plates of precooked pancakes and sausages. Just enough so we got the message. 
Food often marks some of our biggest celebrations. Birthdays, graduations, weddings, holidays, and anniversaries.
We often have conversations over food…lingering long after the meal is finished laughing, and sharing stories.
As we continue to dive into Homesteading we’re learning even more. Food not only makes us feel better from an emotional level but it can also make us feel better physically. We’ve noticed that when we eat a lot of processed food we all feel sluggish and tired and when we eat more home-cooked meals we feel more energetic.
Certain foods are good for building our immune system or improving our skin or digestive system. Some even help eliminate pain. And what’s even better is that some of these foods that are good for you actually TASTE good too! Not all food that’s good for you is dry and flavorless!
This is not meant to be medical advice, but I do encourage you to do your research. I know that our family doesn’t always eat the best. We probably have too many cookies and not enough vegetables every once in a while. It’s also worth noting that it’s important to have a good relationship with food and eat things in moderation whenever possible.
As I was making dinner last night I got to thinking about how much I share about food. Either here on the blog or on social media and I thought this might help explain why. I’m not a foodie or a food blogger just a normal girl that likes to eat. And honestly, in our family food really is more than what we eat and when. It’s a way that we strengthen relationships, share feelings, and work together for a common goal.
Even Jesus when He was on the earth often went around feeding people. He cared just as much about their physical needs as He did their Spiritual needs. The Scriptures are filled with examples of Him feeding people. He turned water into wine (John 2:1-11), fed 4,000 + people with seven loves of bread and “a few small fish” (Matthew 15:32-38), and fed 5,000 + people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Luke 9:12-17)!! And my personal favorite, He made the disciples breakfast on the beach (John 21:1:14).
I say all of this to say, don’t underestimate the power of a good meal. I truly believe that food can be a service. A way that we can serve God by serving others.
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people… I do not want to send them away hungry…”
~Matthew 15:32
Until next time,
Bailey Sue
Beautiful post, Bailey! This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately as well.
What a sweet and fun memory about your Great-Grandma and the pancakes!
Thank you! (: