Tradition says that families eat together. However, with busy schedules, having all family members home to eat at the same time can be a challenge.
Family Meal
~Erin Laurie
Family mealtime is important and should be a priority. Studies indicate that when families eat together at least five times a week, their children perform better in school and are less prone to risky behavior because of a stronger family bond. In addition, family mealtime is a great place to promote better communication. Each family member should have the opportunity to talk about his or her day, any problems or concerns, and upcoming events. Families can share in learning manners, social skills, family values, and even basic cooking skills. For some families, this could be a perfect time to hold family devotions. Another benefit of eating and preparing meals together is better overall quality of diet.
How can families get back to the table? First, families must make mealtime a priority! If eating together at dinner is impossible at times, make breakfast your family mealtime. Make mealtime pleasant by turning off the TV or radio and by returning phone calls at a later time, if at all possible. Mealtime should be a time to enjoy each other’s company.
Second, some preparation and planning must take place. Keep meals simple and easy. There are times when families can and should enjoy a more gourmet meal, but, in general, meals that are simple and easy to prepare make mealtime together less stressful. There are several cookbooks and magazines specializing in quick, nutritious, and easy recipes. A couple examples are Taste of Home’s Simple & Delicious magazine published bimonthly by Reiman Publications and the cookbook Fix-It and Forget It by Good and Ranck. Two websites that I enjoy are www.bestsimplerecipes.com and www.kraftfoods.com. Take some time to plan meals for the coming week, listing family favorites which can be made in less than one hour.
Third, stock the pantry. Having food on hand makes mealtime a snap. Take advantage of inexpensive, prepared items such as canned fruits in juice, frozen fruit, canned or frozen vegetables, canned beans, shredded cheese, and spaghetti sauce. Although precut fresh fruits and vegetables are more expensive, they may be worth it if preparation time is short.
Finally, preparing a double or triple recipe and freezing the extra is a great time-saving strategy. For even greater efficiency, involve family members as much as possible. While smaller children can assist in setting the table or mixing ingredients, older children and teens can prepare a dish.
