Oct 9 How to eat like the irish…home cooked meals!

The "homecooked" Sunday dinner in Dublin, one meal is enough for 2 people!

​Oct 2 How to make eat like the Irish…home cooked meals!

This week I had the privilege of being in Dublin on a Sunday where the tradition of the “Sunday Roast” is a BIG deal and I love this!!  Every Sunday afternoon families and friends get together in the local pubs (even the kids) to share a meal and connect. It was so great to see this tradition being carried on. How many people do you know still get together or even make a traditional Sunday dinner? Why has this tradition seemed to be lost? 
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As the fall and winter approaches this is the perfect time to start thinking of warm and cozy comfort foods. Why not start your own tradition of feasting on comfort food that not only nurtures the body but the soul as well. 

When my girls were still at home I loved theme nights for dinners and Sunday was the one night I liked to set the theme as a traditional Sunday dinner. I would put dinner on to “roast” early in the day, the girls loved setting the table “all fancy” and getting dressed up for dinner. They loved helping with the preparation, having multiple utensils and drinking their water out of fancy goblets at the tables. Plus we stepped up the manners on Sunday night. All of the things we let slide a bit during the week and it was a great time to just be a family and  I hope my girls continue with their own families. 

I have heard feedback from clients when I suggest getting back to traditions so here are the answers to the questions that come up the most…​​

What if I live alone?

If you live alone why not invite a friend or family member to dinner and start the tradition of meeting once a week over a lovely meal you make or you use this day to go out and enjoy a meal in a restaurant? When we live alone we can get settled into our own routines but what I found in Europe is that family, friends and socializing is still a major part of their lifestyle. 

What if it’s just the two of us?

If you are a couple, why not make your Sunday a day where you go on a date once a week or cook together, set the table with candles, get dressed up a bit more than usual and enjoy each other. You could also invite another couple to join you or go out for dinner as well. 

What if I’m too busy with kids/work to do this?

If you have a family then this is more important that you realize! 

I believe the tradition of the Sunday Family Dinner is beneficial on so many levels. You can use this day to connect with your family over a lovely meal all of you prepare. This is not something where I want one of you slaving in the kitchen to prepare a huge meal. This is not the 1950’s, this is the best time to “teach” and involve the kids in the preparation of the meal. Have your family do the prep work, have them set a beautiful table and dress up for your Sunday dinner. 

I know we are super busy these days so I thought of the following Sunday meal ideas…

When I think of Sunday dinners I think of make ahead, comfort foods that have been cooking or simmering all day so that the smell permeates through the house all day

Cozy Sunday Dinner Ideas

Roast Beef - slow cooker roast beef, potatoes, roasted vegetables and gravy. It’s super easy to put a roast in the crockpot, potatoes and carrots on low for 6hrs. This is honestly one of the easiest meals to make, one of the best proteins in our iron deficient world and the best part is that you may have some delicious leftovers to make roast beef sandwiches for lunch or at least have a meal for lunch the next day.

Roast chicken is one I also use the slow cooker for but you instead of a whole chicken you can buy a big bulk package of cut up chicken, season it, put on on a sheet pan (or slow cooker) to cook and add oven roast vegetables such as potatoes, and root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, whatever is in season. 

Here are some other delicious meals and also search the internet for some recipes you may like. One of my favourite websites is Half Bake Harvest, she makes the best home cooked, easy crock pot meals so check her out!

Vegetable or Beef Chili with homemade cornbread. 
Beef stroganoff with egg noodles, another slow cooker meal that is a family favourite. 
Chicken & Dumplings - treat yourself to dumplings or home cooked buns. 
Lasagne - this is a great one for leftovers the next day or better yet, make two lasagnes and freeze one for another week. Cook once, eat twice is the best way to save time. 
Beef Stew - inexpensive cut up chuck roast, a bag of baby potatoes and cut up root vegetables all into a slow cooker takes minutes to put together.

I hope you start googling recipes and enjoying the cooking process. It's not hard to do, it just takes time and some planning but the rewards are huge!

Thank you for following my journey to writing a book series!

Stay balanced,
LeeAnna.B.Nutritionist