Meals With Family – An Unsung Source Of Joy

Time-travel To The Past – The Age Of Nila Soru

A huge vessel brimming with sambhar sadham sat royally on the floor, glistening with traces of ghee. The aroma of the food danced in the air as, one by one, we all sat around it forming a closely-knit circle. Walking towards the party with another bowl filled with golden-brown crispy potato curry, paati smiled at us. In no time, she made little rice balls with sambhar sadham, and fried potatoes. One by one, we stretched our hands forward, waiting eagerly for her to drop a rice ball into our palms – the rice ball that was rich in nutrition and love. There were stories, giggles, and more than anything, there was abundant happiness!

That was a nice trip down the memory lane, wasn’t it?

Welcome back to reality – The Age Of Screens

Meals in front of screens! Meals when on calls! Meals on the move! While one hustles to achieve their dreams, it’s difficult to make time for eating…let alone eating with family. But if you stop to wonder why there was so much happiness in the air back then, when the family gathered for lunch or dinner, you’d realise it was no mere coincidence!

Like many of the traditional practices of our forefathers that are timeless, eating meals as a family also has a long list of benefits that are being ignored.

Why Families Must Eat Together

We have curated a list of benefits just to lure you into getting back to the practice of good old days; to getting back to eating together! Here’s a sneak peek into the life of a family that eats together.

Anbu – A Happy Child

During dinner with family, Anbu tells them whatever happened in school that day, leaving no details. During their meals together, he also sees how his father eats his food with his mouth closed; how his mother cleans up after she’s done; how his brother keeps his phone away while he eats. Before long, Anbu has inculcated all these habits in himself! Knowing he can find solutions to everything during this time, Anbu is a happy and care-free child!

Anbu’s Mother – A worry-free woman

In the middle of a busy day at work, she feels at ease around the dining table knowing she’ll always have this time to know what her family has been up to! As her family eats under her watchful eyes, she is assured they’re getting enough nutrition! Gifted with a keen eye, she finds out in an instance if there’s anything bothering her family, while they eat. Having addressed those, she goes back to work with not a worry in her mind!

Anbu’s father – A calm man

No matter how busy his days are, his eyes and mind are blessed with a break – thanks to meal time with his family! Away from screens, he is conscious of what he’s consuming. He listens to his children talk, and understands them better. Sitting amidst all the chatter and laughter, all the stress that clouds his mind evaporates into thin air.

Anbu’s brother – A healthy teen

While a few of his friends battle obesity-related issues, owing to improper eating habits, he is a fit and healthy teen! He eats on time, and consumes tasty, nutritious home-cooked food, thus keeping his consumption of junk food at bay.

The plan for our future : Serndhu Sapiduvom, Suvaiyal Inaivom

While there are many more benefits of eating with your family, one of the most important reasons is that, it is the most delightful thing you can do! While going back to Nila Soru seems like a far-fetched idea, it certainly isn’t impossible!

Serndhu saapiduvom, Suvaiyal Inaivom!