“From the Feedbag” will be a weekly Grace Before Meals e- Blast that answers questions or responds to comments subscribers send to us. As our movement continues to grow, we want to make sure you have a voice. We will sincerely try to answer every question or respond to every comment, even if it may take a little time. Thank you for your past contributions. We value your input and ideas. So keep sending us your questions, sharing your comments, and being blessings to our movement. E-mail at assistant@gracebeforemeals.com.

On Easter Sunday, I officially launched a Twitter Profile @Cooking_Priest. Click below to follow me!

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On the Food Watch!

(Me with some Dominican Sisters in Guam.  Check out the high-tech Sister to my right, sneaking a phone pic!)

In this e-mail Blast, I want to share some e-mails from our subscribed members.  This month, I’m concentrating these questions and comments around dietary food concerns.  Food is so interconnected to our psychology, biology, and even theology.  Yes, God has something to say about food, and perhaps in these questions and my responses, we can learn more about God’s dietary plan for each of us!  At the same time I’ll be peppering this Blast with just a bunch of random pictures, especially since I have such cache of them.  Eventually I’ll have time to put them all together in some sort of album for all to see, but for now enjoy the responses and the photos.

(A deconstructed “meatless” meatloaf in NYC’s all natural vegetarian restaurant, “Zen,” located in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan.  This was a recent Lenten friendly meal, but it was hardly penitential!)

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Dear Fr. Leo,

I teach special needs sacramental prep.  Have a young girl with multiple health issues including celiac’s disease.  She has been hospitalized most of her young life.  I hear there is an Abby that makes hosts that are celiac friendly.  She and her family want to receive First Eucharist under both species.  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.  My pastor says he would like another opinion before granting this alternative.  God bless.

Signed,

In a quandary!

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(Members of the Wayne Family of Harrisburg Pa., sporting their Mickey Mouse themed dishes.  The dad – a kid at heart – has glasses, plates, and even silverware with Disney’s iconic character.  If it helped them teach their kids to eat healthy, I’m all for it!)

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Dear Quandary,

First, congratulations to this family for taking serious the preparations for First Holy Communion!  Here’s a great blog from a good friend who offers a mother’s reflection about raising kids and a recent First Holy Communion.

The issue of celiac disease is growing quite rampantly.  I’m not sure why, but I suspect it could have to do with more and more hormones being present in our processed foods.  In countries where the population eats more naturally, and with less preservatives and hormone additives, I know people suffer from celiac’s far less.  Having said that, I‘m not going to go on a rampage against major processed foods, as these do serve a need, especially because they are often more affordable – even if they do tend to be “less healthy.”

(A Grace Before Meals Family Event in Texas!  Mom gave each of the kids a homemade apron for Christmas, knowing that cooking with kids can help make them healthy kids.)

In the spiritual/theological response, I am very familiar with giving a special host prepared for those with celiac disease.  These low gluten altar hosts are available from:

The Congregation of Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Altar Breads Department

31970 State Highway P, Clyde, MO 64432

Phone:  1-800-223-2772

This issue has grown among our Catholic communities, as it raises questions regarding the proper form of communion hosts.  These questions include whether we can use rice flour or other grain substitutes (other than wheat that is), substantial bread, and also whether  or not we can replace alcoholic wine with grape juice as used in many protestant communities.  This subject touches the heart of sacramental theology regarding the Eucharist, and it would be good for all Catholics to learn more about why we use unleavened bread and wine, as opposed to other types of artisanal breads and fruit juice.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:  On a related topic, we only have a few spots left for the Napa Valley Retreat.  To reserve your spot for this spectacular opportunity, contact Corporate Travel at 1-800-727-1999, extension 180.   People have been asking if I’m going to have this retreat again?  The most honest answer is, I can’t guarantee it. Because our itinerary is so specifically catered with exclusive world class opportunities, this could be a once in a lifetime event at this incredible price!  Call NOW!)

Hopefully my response, my invitation to the Napa Valley Trip, and the link to learn more about the Eucharistic Requirements will be used to better understand why the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic Faith.  Jesus tells us that FOOD IS LOVE, and He proves it by turning the bread and wine into His Body and Blood to feed us.  Now that’s worth learning about!

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Hello Fr. Leo,

My name is Carlos, and I am a middle school religion teacher at a Catholic school In Hollywood, CA.  I want to say thank you for the example that you give and the way that you have used your gifts to serve God and His people.

Over the past couple of years, I have shown some of your videos to my 6th through 8th graders as a way to show that they must use their gifts to serve God and that being a priest doesn’t mean living a boring life.  I love when they say that priests can also have a good time and that holy doesn’t mean boring.  This really gives me hope for their future discernment and strength in mine.

May the Holy Spirit continue to guide you in your ministry.

Thanks,

Mr. Carlos

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Dear Mr. Carlos,

First, that’s my dad’s and my brother’s name, and so I feel like we’re family already.  I appreciate your encouraging words and how you are able to apply our apostolate to your classroom education.

(Some assistant chefs during an event in Bismark, ND.  They helped cook for more than 300 families and friends who came on a cold, snowy night to learn more about the classroom of the kitchen table.)

The fact is Jesus used the dinner table as the most important “desk table.”  Without going into too much theological depth in this short “thank you” message, I want to encourage you to go further and to inspire your children to speak with their parents about the importance of family meals.

For that reason, I want to make you an offer by providing you some copies of my first edition books to each of your students.  One of our representatives will be in touch with you to coordinate how we can deliver these books to your students.  Hopefully you’ll be able to encourage a “chapter” of Grace Before Meals at your school, with teachers eating with children in the classroom, and fostering a sense of family identity by having your children take these books to share with their parents.

(Me and Food Network Stars, Jamie and Bobby Deen!  They learned to cook from their superstar mamma!)

Thanks for being such a dedicated member of our family!

We hope this little “thank you” gift will become homework that parents can use to help teach their children – a lesson your students will savor!

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Hello Fr. Leo,

I was reading a recent email blast about portion control.  My question to you:  how do you get extended family members (like in-laws) to recognize their unhealthy eating habits (eating too much at meals, and also not eating the right things) in a charitable way?  It seems they would want to change their bad habits since health wise they are not doing good.  But then they do nothing to change themselves.

Thanks for your wonderful ministry!  I hope you continue to change lives with what you do.

Regards,

Concerned In-Law

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Dear Concerned,

Good for you!  Thanks for taking to heart the balanced approach necessary for encouraging people to eat more healthily, but not in an accusatory way.  One problem I have with the “healthy eating” mentality is that it becomes a bit of a religion and devotees can sometimes be very legalistic in their approach to eating.  Some can take it so far as to make people feel guilty if they eat something with a higher fat content.  They make eating meals a sacrifice than a celebration.

(These young high school chefs will represent a local Maryland school in a national cooking competition this weekend.  Pray for them as they have all the right stuff – skill, drive, talent, and maturing taste buds to put out some winning dishes!)

In order to approach this in a balanced way, I suggest you do the following: (1) pray about your motivation, especially since relationships with in-laws can be sensitive.  Be sure that you want to help them improve their health rather than just be “right” and prove they are “wrong.” (2) Learn how to cook something super delicious, but also super healthy, so that you can gently introduce this dish to them. (3) Speak with your spouse about this in a prayerful way, so he can “intercede” and present your message to his family. (4) Demonstrate the joy of eating healthy, proper proportions and a balanced diet that doesn’t scoff at celebration foods, but instead makes healthy choices to practice the virtue of moderation. (5) And finally, always remember to pray for conversion of hearts, minds, and decisions.  Even if your in-laws won’t eat the healthiest of foods, be sure you pray that they will receive the True Food that will bring them to everlasting life!

(Eucharist Congress Mount 2000 in February 2011 drew over 1,200 kids to pray before the Eucharist and to learn about the Faith.  Be sure to join us next year on Valentine’s Weekend.  Go to Mount2000.com for details.)

How did I do with this advice?  Do you have suggestions for these members – our Grace Before Meals family?  Your comments and questions help encourage our movement, so please post your comments below.

(Join me and Msgr. Nalty – my good friend who assisted in grilling my flank steaks on the Throwdown! with Bobby Flay – as we explore the theology of Transubstantiation of the Eucharist and the transformation of our culture.)

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