Nanas know stuff. They know that cooking dinner means the whole family eats together. They know how to stretch a food dollar. They know that adding just a bit of the not-so-good-for you processed cheese to an otherwise healthful casserole will guarantee no leftovers. Nanas know that slow cooking is a perfectly acceptable way of meal preparation.  After all, watching babies – while cleaning the house and cooking supper is the ultimate example of multi-tasking.

Nanas know that families who eat together raise better students than those who don’t. Children who eat with their families grow into teens capable of resisting bad influences, owed in part to a support system of parents, siblings and other relatives. Nanas know that serving ‘’whole” foods in place of convenient, processed foods results in a well balanced diet.  Nanas feel strongly about linking a substantive diet to improved quality of life. Educating her family about kitchen gadgets, cost effective meal planning and just plain having fun together is something every wise Nana can do.

Nana knows that eating is a social and communal activity. She knows that if she cooks it, they will come—meaning her family will come together to eat, making the kitchen the heart of the home.
Nana knows this and so much more, and she’s just bursting to pass this stuff down to the next generation so that they too can raise a generation of fit and happy children.

FROM NANA’S KITCHEN WITH LOVE is my new cookbook project that addresses the way in which Nana can share her knowledge with the next generation. This website will act as a clearinghouse for Nana’s heirloom family recipes, tips, advice and special activities that we share with our families.

By joining the Nana Network you can share with other Nanas your special talents and skills, as well as ask each other the “how-to” questions, like how do you reduce the liquid from a slow cooker meal into a rich, velvety gravy? Or, what fast food nibble tricks do you employ to distract your grandchild from a processed packet of snacks? What are your favorite books to read at bedtime? What things do you gather on a walk around the block? How do you say goodbye when your next visit is months away?

Nanas know stuff, and The Nana Network is here for us to share with each other. The recipes in FROM NANA’S KITCHEN WITH LOVE will be vetted by you and your fellow Nanas. So don’t be shy. Sign on today and you’ll start interacting with other like-minded Nanas. In the process, you will acquire great recipes and tips - so that when you cook and play with your family, your Nana stuff shines through!