Mother’s Day is here again. This year, let’s make sure Mom gets a chance to slow down and relax. Despite our best efforts, the reality is that sometimes Mother’s Day doesn’t end up that way. It may be spent running to and fro, stuck in traffic, trying to find parking at a packed restaurant, or even cleaning up unexpected messes made by adorable, well-meaning young chefs.
Just as no two moms are the same, the way they prefer to celebrate may be different.
Some moms love to go out and celebrate, while others may prefer to celebrate at home. That may mean alone time and having the “day off,” or it might be doing something meaningful like taking a walk, playing a game, or preparing and sharing a meal together. Moms of very young children rarely get a rest, so Mother’s Day may be about finding simple, small ways to make sure they can get some time to themselves, even if it’s just five minutes to sip a special smoothie in peace and quiet.
This year, let’s find ways to create a more mindful environment for the moms in our lives. Think about recognizing the moms you know. Some of them might not have family support; what can you do to ensure they’re also celebrated? Something as simple as a small note or text of appreciation of a fellow mom can do a lot.
If you’re a mom yourself, sometimes it’s hard to relax and let others take the wheel. That’s okay too. Think about how you want the day to unfold, and let your family and friends know how you’d like to celebrate. It’s okay to say you’d prefer not to have an elaborate brunch buffet or even that that you don’t care for cucumbers.
One way to give Mom a chance to relax is to give her the chance to enjoy some delicious food that she can savour slowly and intentionally.
With that in mind, here are some recipes that are simple to prepare. Getting the kids to “help” can be great if they’re old enough to do so. But remember that leaving mom a mess in the kitchen is no gift at all!
This menu is designed to be served throughout the day so Mom can enjoy small bites of deliciousness that she can truly savour from the minute the plate is put down in front of her. Give her time to appreciate the colours, textures, and flavours—subtle, layered, or intense.
Read on for six recipes that are designed to be easy to prepare, beautifully, yet simply, presented, and suffused with flavour to allow Mom to savour her day.
This collection was originally published in the May 2025 issue of alive magazine.