Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a Sanskrit phrase found in Hindu Maha Upanishad, which means “the world or earth is my/your/our family”.
One of the key factors contributing to the world being one connected family is Food. Food is a language we all speak. Since the beginning of civilization, sharing of food has been synonymous with sharing our culture & heritage. Globally, people coming together to share a meal is the most communal and binding act.
Food is life and when we eat, it makes us feel satisfied and happy. If one wants to remain healthy, one must also know the art of cooking. Cooking traditional food is a way of preserving their culture when people travel to places.
Making food together allows people to open their hearts to each other. When a family eats together, it helps them to bond with each other as they share the stresses & hassles of day to day existence. When people of different age groups eat together, they tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, and other nutritious food. Meals are the most usual bonding time for a family when children and parents share about the days with each other.
Here are a few simple things to adopt when eating together as a family.
- No gadgets – During this time, it is best to not have any gadgets around or television programs running
- Keeping conversations positive – Avoid making the mealtime a time for lectures, angry discussions or discipline of a child. Eating together also helps kids do better in school.
- Eat Early – It is advisable to eat dinner between 6 pm and 7:30 pm. Fifty years ago people ate between 5 pm and 6:30 pm but now due to work and commuting schedules dinner times for many of us has shifted to eating later.
Every family and every culture in the world has a unique way of approaching food. It is this uniqueness that makes us curious about what the others eat and how they cook it. When combined with conversations, exploring and experiencing tastes together, unites people like no other activity does.
