Lisa Peake, RN – FLORIDA TODAY
Q: What do you do for Sunday dinner?
A: If you close your eyes and imagine a family gathered around a dinner table in America, chances are Norman Rockwell’s iconic painting springs to mind. Like that idealized image, Sunday dinners feel special. Maybe it’s the aroma of favorite foods cooking in the kitchen, the sound of generations gathered around the table, or the act of slowing down to savor the moment. Whatever the reason, Sunday dinners tend to be about much more than food.
Do you have memories connected with Sunday dinners? Perhaps it was a roast that cooked all afternoon, your grandmother’s famous casserole, homemade biscuits, or a dessert that only appeared on special occasions. Food and scent memory have a remarkable way of connecting us to people and places from our past.
As we age, making time for shared meals can provide meaningful social and emotional benefits. Sitting down with others gives us an opportunity to talk, laugh, catch up and feel connected. For someone who lives alone, an invitation to Sunday dinner can turn an ordinary day into something special. And the benefits go both ways—hosting or cooking a meal is a chance to feel valued.
Sunday dinner is the perfect time to pass along family lore. Recipes are often much more than a list of ingredients and instructions. They carry stories! Who taught you to make it? Was it a holiday favorite? Did youngsters grow up requesting it? Sharing memories keeps family history alive.
Don’t overlook the joy of cooking together. Preparing a meal with someone else can become an event in itself. Young adults may appreciate learning how to make the recipes they enjoyed from childhood, while older generations can share knowledge and experience.
Sunday dinners don’t have to be elaborate. Perhaps it’s homemade, but it could just as easily be takeout enjoyed around the table. Even a simple sandwich and salad is delicious when you’re making time for others.
So this week, consider starting—or bringing back—a Sunday dinner tradition. Make some calls. Pull out an old recipe card. Set the table. Turn off the television and enjoy the conversation.
What is your favorite Sunday dinner recipe? Is it a family recipe passed down through generations, a childhood favorite, or something new you’ve created yourself? Join me on November 13 for Senior Health Friday. Bring a copy of your favorite recipe—and the story behind it. You never know who might be inspired to bring it to their own Sunday table. RSVP online at OneSeniorPlace.com or call 321-751-6771 in Viera.
Lisa Peake is a Registered Nurse, Certified Dementia Practitioner and Certified Care Manager for One Senior Place Care Management, Viera. A member of the Aging Life Care Association, Ms. Peake hosts ‘Senior Health Friday with Nurse Lisa’ monthly. One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Submit your questions to AskOSP@OneSeniorPlace.com. For immediate help, call 321-751-6771 or visit One Senior Place, The Experts in Aging.
