Are You Eating Dinner Together?
Are your kids used to having dinner with you? Sitting down to a home cooked meal isn’t just about filling their bellies, it’s about sharing culture, and of course to take a part in each other’s life. If you had a crummy day at the office, start cooking. Whatever happened during the day at the office, just doesn’t seem nearly as important anymore when you prepare even the simplest meal and serve it to your loved ones. We may feel like we are too busy to be bothered to cook dinner at night, but with the right strategy it won’t take you long and really isn’t much work either. Plus you can enlist your spouse and the kids to do the cleanup afterwards.
Sharing a meal with family members isn’t just about eating food. It gives each family member a chance to talk about their day. Parents get a chance to hear from their kids about what’s going on at school and with friends. It is here that you often notice if something is wrong or different with your son or daughter.
You are much more likely to keep your child out of trouble if you stay informed about your children’s everyday lives. By showing your kids that you care, they have a better chance to never start smoking or drink underage. Your daughter will also be less likely to start having sex at an early age, which will in turn avoid sexually transmitted diseases and unexpected pregnancy.
Having dinner together is so much more than just eating food. It’s about eating healthy and wholesome foods that are good for you and your family.It’s not hard to realize just how bad eating too much fast food is for your body. You can greatly improve your family’s health and avoid issues like diabetes and heart problems by serving healthy meals.
Expect some initial resistance if your family has been used to fast food etc. The transition to healthy eating may take a bit getting used to. Just stick with your plan and make gradual changes. Here are some ideas for including more fruits and vegetables in your family’s diet. By sticking with your plan and preparing healthier meals you’ll quickly get everyone on board.
You don’t have to slave all day in the kitchen to make a healthy meal happening. One of your biggest time savers will be a menu planning sheet. On the weekends, take a moment to plan the meals for the following week and write them down on your sheet. Make out your grocery list, using your worksheet as a guide and head to the store. This way you know you have what you need to prepare each meal when you get home, and your spouse can get a head start on dinner if you are running late. Of course you can save even more time and just subscribe to our menu planner. The Healthy Menu Mailer includes seven healthy dinner recipes, along with a menu planning sheet, and of course a grocery list and is delivered to your email inbox each week.
- Susanne Myers
