Here’s a little from my boys.

Antony

“When Mum asked me to write something for her book and website I found it hard, as I put down my thoughts I realised that the reason I found it hard was because I take so much of it for granted. From a young age we learned what went into our meals, which foods were ‘good’ and which ones were ‘bad’, and helped out with preparation. These may seem simple, but they had a significant impact on how I eat and my attitude towards food today.

When I cook I consider if I’m getting enough of what my body needs, or if I’ve had too much of something already this week. Sure, I will have days where I eat unhealthy but those are exceptions not the norm. As mentioned above, this understanding of what I should be eating, and keeping my diet balanced and healthy is often taken for granted. In this way I think it was great to be raised learning how to cook, learning what my body needed, and being able to participate in my own health – much in the way that we teach children morals and behaviour we should also be teaching them how to take care of their bodies through what they eat. “

 

Christopher

“Learning about food was a key part of my childhood. My Mother was always encouraging my brother Antony and me to enjoy and engage with what we were eating. Whether it was showing us what fruit and veggies were ripe and ready to pick, or getting us involved in whatever she was making, food makes up a key component of my childhood memories.

As I grew older and began cooking for myself, Mum always encouraged me to try new things. Far from ‘shooing’ us from the kitchen when we were inquisitive, Mum was always happy to explain why she was taking each step.

It wasn’t until I moved out of home that I realised what a difference this open and educating approach to cooking made. While others frequented takeaway outlets and used microwave meals, I was more at home rummaging through a green grocer or a supermarket, looking for what I could make that was healthy on a budget.

When people ask me ‘where did you learn to cook?’ my first answer is ‘from my Mum’. It is more than simply my Mum teaching me how to cook a recipe; my Mum taught me how to enjoy food for myself. Learning about the nutritional value of food and how to make healthy meals taste good is the most important thing I learnt from my Mother. She has a passion for health and wellbeing that is infectious. My ability to cook good food and my desire to learn more about what I eat is a direct result of how I was brought up.

Her desire to help other kids gain these skills is something I think everyone can get behind!”