Instead of Grace

[RainbowFlowers]

I was brought up Christian and don't believe in God now. When eating together with my family I would still like to do some thing at the beginning of the meal instead of grace. Something to mark that everyone can start eating and/or some sign of gratitude that we have food on the table.

Does anyone do this? Or have any ideas? I love buddhism but not of the religious side of it.

Thanks!

Before eating, Japanese people say "itadakimasu," a polite phrase meaning "I receive this food." This expresses thanks to whoever worked to prepare the food in the meal.

Could everyone not just thank the chef and wait until everyone's sitting before dinner. If you just start and say "This looks lovely X thanks for cooking" you'll hopefully get a few "yep thanks x". Works for my family!

On Brownie holiday we have a number of secular 'graces' that we can use before meals. This one is sung to Pop goes the weasel
Every day about this time, we gather at the table.
But before we take a bite, we stop and say thank you.
Thanks to those who bought the food,
Thanks to those who cooked it,
And when we have said our thanks,
We tuck in and eat it.
Maybe you would like to do something similar

I’m Buddhist and there is a practice where you imagine the food is multiplied and offered to everyone in the world (and the buddhas, who are just people further along the path than us - but maybe not your thing!). This is done personally in your mind, but you could turn it into something with the kids if you wanted. We don’t do it with our kids - I hated grace as a child actually.

Just make a toast! Thank the cook, remember those who aren’t there and ‘enjoy the meal’.

I worked for the church - team lunches with the vicar were interesting - prayer before eating!