Family Food Traditions

Research shows that both older adults and children benefit from time spent together. If a child does not have a relationship with a safe older person, volunteering at a nearby retirement village or nursing home or taking part in an intergenerational program can give chances for "ongoing exchanges of resources and learning among older and younger generations."

Studies have shown that such activities increase adults' self-esteem, improve well-being, increase social contact, decrease distress, and gratification for their contribution to the community, while children develop positive attitudes towards the elderly, and understanding of the aging process.

Activities with food, or sharing food traditions are a way for elders to pass along essential skills to the next generation, including young children. A family food tradition might be rising before the sun and making frybread or tamales together for hundreds of others, or simply eating a special food or beverage together over conversation. Food connects us, and its preparation and consumption are activities that can bridge members of multiple generations.

Below is a recipe for Pfeffernusse, or German for "pepper nuts" belonging to the author's grandmother. Pfeffernusse was her childhood favorite and Laura is enjoying sharing the recipe with her children. The gingerbread-spiced dough is easy for children to form into bite-sized nuggets for baking and rolling in powdered sugar. Like a fun-sized gingerbread biscotti, these treats are easy for young children to munch on, or for grown children to eat with after-meal coffee or tea.