A Mom's Guide to Homemade Survival Meals for Children Embracing Independence

The hardest thing about living alone or independently is eating.
If you start eating poorly, your body will get sick and everything will fall apart.
You need to eat well to start a wonderful independent life.


There are two types of mothers in the world.
A mother who is tired of being a parent and eagerly awaits her child's independence, and a mother who misses and worries about her child every day because of the child's early declaration of independence.
For mothers who have sent their children away, whether it be the former or the latter, the ‘one meal’ of the child who has left home is a daily worry and prayer.
The same goes for the author of this book.
I wrote this book with the hope that children who have gone abroad to study at an early age will not be overwhelmed by their busy daily lives and end up stuffing their mouths with junk food, but will prepare a proper meal for themselves.
The book begins with a short but meaningful private home cooking lesson given to a child who has returned home for the holidays, and then a recipe for a home cooking menu for each occasion is placed in the child's hand as he leaves again.
After all that hard work, I received a photo of a home-cooked meal from a child who had relied solely on academics. I want to share that joy and happiness through this book.

When something is lacking or insufficient, people become restless and lose their usual pace.
When money is tight, you can become stingy, and when time is tight, you can become anxious and impatient.
Just as a lack of skill can make you feel uneasy and dishonest, a hunger can make you lose affection.
So, make sure to eat breakfast!
---From "# I'm so busy that I just wash my face in the morning"

Mom wants you to take a break while you eat this lunch box.
I wish I could open my lunchbox lid with a big smile, even if it's just for a moment.
These are tough days, but I feel strong when I move forward step by step carrying a lunch bag filled with these thoughts.
Think about it then.
I'm going to eat this lunchbox and become a little bit better adult!
---From "# Lunchbox for days when eating out is boring"

I feel like my evenings when I live alone are a time for me to practice being an adult.
I sit quietly and recharge my batteries for the day by eating a simple but healthy meal I've prepared for myself.
This is the moment when you become a real adult.

---From "# The end of the day~ An evening when I don't even have the energy to eat"

Even if it's just frozen dumplings in store-bought bone broth, eating dumpling soup brings back memories of the time when the whole family gathered together to celebrate New Year's Day, and it warms my heart.
Even if it's not necessarily New Year's Day, I hope you often remember those noisy and happy times when you ate dumpling soup and thought of your grandparents.

---「# Sometimes I make rice cake dumpling soup with store-bought ox bone soup」

When my mom wanted to eat my grandmother's apple pie, she took out the pie crust from the freezer and baked an apple tart.
And call your grandmother.
“What are you doing, Mom? I want to eat the apple pie you made.” Even though I’m over 50, Mom is still the best.

---From "# Irreplaceable Apple Tart"

The smell of kimchi stew bubbling in the kitchen makes me feel tired.
On days when you feel sluggish, sick, and tired, fill the space with the smell of kimchi stew.
After eating and getting a good night's sleep, a better tomorrow awaits you than yesterday.

---From "# Boil it first! Anchovy Kimchi Stew"

The hardest thing about living alone or independently is eating.
Independence in eating is difficult, but it's the best thing you can do.
If you start eating poorly, your body will get sick and your mind will fall apart.
If you just work a little harder, you can solve anything.
You need to eat well to start a wonderful independent life.

---From "# When you have no appetite, stir-fried red pepper paste"

There are many ways to comfort yourself.
Mom wants you to prepare the ingredients for yourself, serve a nice meal, sit down calmly at the table, take a bite of the warm food, and cheer yourself up by thinking, "Oh, it'll be okay, it'll get better, I can do it."

---From "# A day with a heavy heart"

When the kitchen starts smelling like sweet cheesecake, my mind starts to feel better.

---From "# Today's Sadness is Basque Cheesecake"