The team of The Happy Family Food Project has a most diverse background. We combine the knowledge of medicine, psychology, dentistry, global health, life coaching, eating disorder counselling, dancing (ballet), travelling, and passionate home cooking.
Our passion for a healthy lifestyle has arisen due to food allergies/intolerances some of us suffer from, and – of course – our active lives. On top of this, we are happy to have a scientific background as some of us have been researchers for years. That´s why we hope to provide you with the least biased data or information possible (we phrase it that way as even high quality scientific research quite often runs the risk of being biased – unfortunately a fact). Others of our team have simply chosen to go pescetarian, vegetarian, or vegan – for whatever reason.
All of us have lived to see that their special dietary needs do not, or did not, find consideration in their families, their circle of friends, or at their workplace. This has come along with a lot of suffering. It is absolutely human not to wish to stand out from the crowd, and that´s why, for years, we have eaten food and meals we knew we couldn´t digest. Those without allergies/intolerances were often simply smiled at, as if their choice to eat and to live would be foolish.
A very different aspect: Sharing time together with family and friends, thereby enjoying a meal, or merely some good food, is an act, is a ritual everyone needs. This is when the term „soul food“ gets a second meaning. Everyone needs this time, it´s about bonding, sharing, growing strong(er), feeling supported, having fun. Simply everything your sould needs. And on a daily basis, if possible. For children, these shared meals are even more important: It is a well-known fact that children who eat regularly with their families show better academic performance, a higher self-esteem, a lower risk of substance abuse, a lower likelihood of depression or an eating disorder, and lower rates of obesity ( … to be continued). With today´s families being busier than ever, it might seem daunting to manage a meal per day together, and it might seem even more daunting if several „specials“ have to be considered. We aim to help those families not knowing how to consider each and every need and preference. It is possible – we have tackled this topic and managed successfully, and so will you!
Simply neglecting the very own needs or preferences (often in order not to cause any trouble, discussions, or not to stand out), and eating what is served is not being respectful to your own body (and it comes with a horroble lot of suffering). Please, be respectful, and ask for your needs to be considered. It is your very right! No one should ever be able to dictate what you (should) eat – your body knows best!
One last word: We are absolutely NOT religious about going vegetarion or vegan. Many of us just had to in order to live a happy, no-longer-suffering life. We do respect everyone in our family, and among our friends and colleagues, who choses to eat meat, fish, dairy etc. – we even love to cook for them. But beware: We have just told you about our scientific background, and that´s why we won´t keep silent about high quality reports on the detrimental effects of certain foods on your health, e.g. very recently the WHO-report on the dangers of red and processed meat to cause cancer (check this post) :-). Stay tuned!
Don´t forget: Keep calm and eat with self-respect and self-care 
October 2015, The Happy Family Food Project