Riley’s Rainforest: Family Feast
“Send down ... from the clouds of Thy mercy the rains of Thy healing ...” — Bahá’u’lláh
I love trying new food. So when my friend Pip invited me over to his nest for dinner, I was super stoked. Pip used to live in Japan, and his parents made a traditional dish called okonomiyaki. It’s like a savory pancake that can be made from all kinds of seafood and veggies. It was amazing!
Being with Pip and his parents was really fun, too. They told awesome stories! Pip said his family always has dinner together. Eating meals as a family is a great way to stay connected. It can help you eat healthier and feel happier, too. Pip said kids have more self-esteem and even get better grades if they have a lot of family meals. I had no idea!
My family usually has dinner together too. But we’ve been busy lately, so we haven’t perched at the table for long. I eat super fast because I want to go fly with my friends. It can be hard for everyone to juggle schedules and make time to eat together. But now I want to do it more often.
When I asked my parents about it, they agreed. We’re going to have pepper pizza at the table tomorrow night, and I’ll stay until everyone is done. We’re also going to try these ideas Pip and I came up with for fun family mealtimes. I hope they help you dig in to delicious moments with your fam!
Explore & Soar: Stay Healthy
Check out these appetizing ideas for happy family meals.
- Create a new tradition at mealtime, like playing a guessing game or answering a silly question.
- Find a new recipe that the whole family can help prepare.
- Choose theme nights, like Japanese, Mexican, or build your own pizza.
- Think of fun topics to talk about, like dream vacations or funniest moments of the day.
- Plan a meal around a favorite book, movie, or place you’ve visited.
- Ask everyone to pick a person or fictional character they’d invite to dinner. What would you serve them? What would you talk about?
Curiosity Canopy
Food is a satisfying way to explore cultures! Trying recipes from around the world can give you a taste of another way of life. Make a dish from another country, or ask a friend from that culture to show you how. You’ll add new flavor to your meal and your friendship!
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Riley’s Rainforest38 Riley101 Food60 Characters466 Health65 Activities37 Cultures128 Families76