Family Dinners, at home and at camp

Posted By: Tracy Tingle

As I am starting my job as office manager for Plantation Farm Camp--which happily encompases a bit more than what the job title might imply--I am contemplating what some of the things that I love about Plantation are.  Those of you in the "Plantation Family" who know me, probably know that I'm a bit of a food fanatic.  I love to eat good food.  I love to cook good food.  I believe that the choices we make about the food we eat are important and far reaching.  I am deeply concerned about the lack of access to healthy food that effect large swaths of populations in negative ways.  I think our food system needs a major overhall.  Perhaps your getting the picture.  I think a lot about food, in all it's myriad implications. 

One of the wonderful aspects of Plantation Camp is the food, and the communal, family style dinners.  The food is delicious.  All of the meat eaten at camp is raised on the farm in a sustainable manner.  The vegetable garden provides some of the tasty vegie dishes served.  There are fresh baked breads and baked goods served regularly.  Beyond the high quality of the food served, what I really love is sitting down and sharing the day with others, whether it's at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  I adore the tradition of eating together, passing the food amongst eachother, delighting in it's offerings, and enjoying each other's company, stories, and laughter.  I have long held the belief that having meals with my family is a vital aspect to our health and life together, and this belief gets extended into my mealtimes at camp.  I don't have very many days when I sit down to table with my children for breakfast, lunch, and dinner--though it does happen occasionally.  At camp, our "Plantation Family" sits together for 3 meals practically every day, the exceptions being when groups are on an all day adventure, or off with their units for a special occasion.  There is something very nourishing to the soul about sitting together and "breaking bread" so consistently.  And, I have to put in here that as a mom, I love the opportunity for kids to learn table manners and take an active role in the responsibilties around meals.  (Could you please pass the salad?  Who is going to wash dishes?  Who is going to wipe the table? And so on...)

So, now you all know a bit more about what makes me tick, and tock (and talk). Food. In light of what I've just written, I want to share a link to an article on The Huffington Post about a book whose topic is family dinners.  It may seem like a small and trivial thing to some--this idea of the importance of sitting to share a meal--but there is actually quite a bit of support and scientific research showing that family meals help people in many ways. 

Here's the link to the family dinner article:

http://tinyurl.com/2ddb9yk

I hope you enjoy reading this, and the linked article as well.  I look forward to sharing some meals over the summer!

Bon Appetit, Provecho, Ita Daki Mas!!

Tracy