Daily Preparedness

Provident Living Pointer—Compassionate Cuisine

By Anne Lawver

The warm casserole, a colorful salad and a loaf of homemade bread all delivered by loving hands—do you see it in your mind’s eye? The preparation of meals for others seems to be interwoven with our role as women and as compassionate human beings. All of us have most likely either prepared or received a meal in a time of crisis, after a new baby or during a move. To do so expresses our concern for others and often fulfills an immediate need. With food and fuel prices rapidly rising, it is wise to think about how we can fulfill these warm-hearted desires in a more economical manner. To that end, I present to you “Top Ten Ways To Serve And Stay Sane”:

1. Be certain that a meal is what the family really needs. If you are asked to provide a meal by the person organizing assistance, it is safe to assume that the need has already been established. If you are the  caring friend or loving neighbor, do not hesitate to ask the family exactly what they do need. Maybe they need childcare, lawn work, someone to run an errand or a bit of laundry done instead of a meal. A new Mom might prefer someone to rock a baby or play with a toddler for a few hours so she can shower and take a nap. A family that has suffered a death might need disposable plates, cups, flatware or sodas more than a meal.

2. Ask the family if they have food allergies, intolerances or strong dislikes. Honor the answers you receive as serious health consequences often go along with ignoring such warnings. You also do not want your valuable time and resources tossed out because the family cannot eat them.

3. Be considerate of meal times. Ask the family when they would like to eat. If you can’t deliver the meal ready to eat at that time, drop off the food early with re-heating instructions. Be certain someone will be home at your delivery time.

4. Package as much of the meal as possible in disposable containers. Many caring folks keep plastic dishes, paper plates, disposable pans, plastic bags and clean containers from other foods for just this purpose. If you absolutely must use a ‘real’ dish, be certain to mark it with your name and offer to pick it up in a day or two.

5. Think it through!! Think through the family’s situation and let it guide you. A family with an intestinal illness does not need a plate of bean burritos nor does a family under stress need highly spicy foods or a ‘grease bomb’ of fried delight.

6. Keep it simple! Simple, nutritious meals are the best. This isn’t the time to surprise the unknowing with your “Eggplant Surprise” or “Secret Sauce Tuna Noodle Stuff.” Some good choices might include rice with chicken, vegetable soup, stew, sloppy joes, lasagna, pasta with red sauce, tacos, pita sandwiches, scalloped potatoes and ham, quiche, or turkey and dressing. One-dish dinners are good so long as the ingredients are recognizable and generally liked.

7. Know your limits! If you are asked to provide a meal and your budget, time or personal situation won’t allow it, gracefully decline. You might be able to offer to do just part of a meal–a plate of cookies, a salad or a dozen rolls. Do not be shy, be your own advocate and don’t let compassion (or embarrassment) keep you from maintaining your budgetary health and sanity. As demands on our budgets continue to escalate, we may be forced to continue ‘down-sizing’ and streamlining how we do things.

8. Be Super Safe! Be certain that you prepare the meal extremely carefully with the highest standards of cleanliness. Follow safe food handling rules more strictly than you would for your own family. We tend to be ‘used to’ our own germs, but those same germs can easily infect others. Those who are already ill or stressed may have weakened immune systems that will be more susceptible to food-borne illness.

9. Consider asking the family if they have a favorite recipe or a piece of meat they would like you to prepare. This is particularly helpful for long-term illnesses and ongoing needs. One summer, a neighbor was bedridden with pregnancy complications. For several months, I prepared the family dinner using the meats from their well-stocked freezer and their recipes. If I were going out for the day, I would stop by and put dinner in their crock-pot. They enjoyed eating familiar things and felt that they were not imposing as much as if I were providing all of the ingredients. If I had proposed providing all of the ingredients, this self-reliant family would never have agreed.

10. Finally, prepare yourself so that you can not only serve others, but also be self-reliant. Always have several meals in your freezer that can be easily warmed up. Think through simple menus that anyone in your family can prepare. One wise woman keeps several grocery bags in her pantry filled with the ingredients and the recipe for a ‘quick to do’ dinner. If you know you are having surgery or a new baby—PLAN AHEAD!!! Freeze, can, purchase, label and organize so that your family is as self-reliant as possible! And, be certain that all family members old enough to safely cook know how to prepare at least a simple meal.