wellness
FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 • WELLNESS • THE QUEENS COURIER 33
5 tips to make family mealtimes more mindful
Th e hectic workday is over. As you
Just by transitioning into this calmer
4. Simplify your menu.
right state of mind to enjoy your food, as
pull into your driveway, you feel relief
state, you’ll set the right mood and standard
Eliminate the stress of getting weeknight
will the people around you.
because you’ve fi nally escaped the cranky
for the rest of the evening.
meals on the table, and build a list
co-workers, the deadlines and traffi c
of delicious go-to meals that you can prepare
Easy Shrimp Kabobs
jams. Now you can spend the next few
2. Give the devices a timeout.
with ease. For example, this recipe
Serves 4
hours relaxing at home with your family.
Being mindful is all about staying in the
for Easy Shrimp Kabobs will allow you to
Ingredients
What better way to enjoy this time than
present and following each action with
get the entrée ready in minutes, plus the
• 1 12-ounce package SeaPack Popcorn
with a delicious meal together?
intention and awareness. But when your
skewers and easy dips will make this a fun
Shrimp
Sometimes, the lingering stress can be
mobile device is pinging from the latest
favorite with the kids. For more ideas and
• Wooden skewers
hard to shake, especially if you’re in a rush
Facebook update, text message or news
inspiration to make the weeknight meals
• Dipping sauces, such as tartar sauce,
to get dinner on the table. You can shed
alert, that can distract us from this calm
more mindful and relaxing, visit seapak.
cocktail sauce, barbecue sauce and
your stress and make this time together
and aware state of mind. For now, while
com/recipes.
ranch dressing
more meaningful. Consciously ease into
you’re preparing and eating the meal, put
Instructions
the transition from work mode to family
the devices out of reach - or in another
5. Slow down and
Preheat oven to 450 Fahrenheit.
mode, and use these tips to make your
room, if that’s practical.
savor the food.
Place shrimp on baking sheet in a single
evening meal more relaxing and mindful.
Give yourself a few moments for mindful
layer so shrimp are not touching.
3. Include the kids.
eating. Before earnest conversation begins,
Bake 5 minutes on the middle oven
1. Take a breath.
With devices out of the way, it’s also
put your focus on the food you’ve taken the
rack, then turn shrimp over.
As soon as you get home, just take a
much easier and more pleasant to focus
time to prepare. Put down your fork, and
Bake another 5-6 minutes until shrimp
few minutes and chill out. What you’ll
on the people in the room. If your kids
pay attention to the fl avors, the textures
are hot and crispy.
want to do is shake off any lingering “fi ght
are hanging around the kitchen, take it as
and how you respond to them. No matter
Using a fork to hold the hot shrimp in
or fl ight” stress response that’s making
a sign they want to be with you, so use this
how hungry you are, don’t rush. Mindful
place, slide shrimp onto wooden skewers.
you feel tense and on edge. With deep
time to connect. A great way to do this is
eating is all about pacing yourself and staying
Serve with small sides of sauces for each
breathing techniques - the kind that get
to include kids with the meal preparation.
in the moment to experience the delicious
person. For example, use tartar sauce,
your belly moving - you’ll lower your
Th e youngest ones can rinse fruits and
meal you are eating.
cocktail sauce, barbecue sauce and ranch
heart rate and feel much calmer. Sit in
vegetables, cut soft foods with a butter
Aft er a long day, you can make the evening
dressing.
your favorite chair, soft en your gaze and
knife and tear lettuce. Older kids can help
meal more relaxing and enjoyable by
Source: Th e blog A Helicopter Mom via
start those long, drawn-out inhales and
measure ingredients, stir and whisk, and
bringing a mindful approach to dinnertime.
SeaPak.com.
exhales, counting your breath if needed.
eventually peel foods with a paring knife.
When it’s time to eat, you’ll be in the
Courtesy BPT