Does the idea of eating dinner seem archaic? Does it seem like something that only happened when we were kids or even when our parents were kids?
Did you know that the most popular thing to do (according to a recent survey) while eating dinner is to watch TV shows/videos?
Eating Together Means Eating Better. Studies show that families who eat together eat more healthifully.
Eating Together Is Something Your Kids Want. Teens who have frequent family dinners are almost three times as likely to say they have an excellent relationship with their parents.
Eating Together Is About Far More Than Food. There is an unidentifiable bond that grows stronger when family members eat together. It take commitment when every member of the family carves out time to be at dinner and spend time together together.
I was given the opportunity to read The Hour That Matters Most - The Surprising Power of the Family Meal by Les & Leslie Parrott with Stephanie Allen and Tina Kuna.
I loved this book. I really think that in general, the family unit is suffering. Divorce rate is skyrocketing and many families just don't have the close relationship with their teens as needed.
Could something as simple as eating meals together help? I truly believe it can.
Did You Know?
The majority of parents agree with this statement: "My spouse and I generally feel less stressed when we eat dinner together as a family."
The majority of kids agree with this statement: "I appreciate my parents more when we take time to share a meal together."
Less stressed? Appreciate my parents? Wow, phrases like that are intriguing and possibly unusual in this busy world we live in.
Consider this: Study after study shows that the more often families eat together, the less likely the kids are to smoke, drink, do drugs, get depressed, develop eating disorders, become overweight and consider suicide - and more likely they are to eat their vegetables, know which fork to use, learn big words, do well in school, feel that their parents love them and delay having sex.
I really recommend you check out this book. It is an easy, enjoyable book to read, yet the powerful message is strong. It showed me to look at my family life differently.
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Plus, the book shares awesome recipes!
I'm focusing on Gluten Free recipes so the one that has made my to do list is the:
Smokey Sausage and Cheddar Potatoes
5 cups diced potatoes
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. cooked bacon bits
2 tbsp. chopped green onions
1 lb. cubed smoked kielbasa
1 cup shredded smoked cheddar cheese
Place potatoes in the middle of an 18 in. length of heavy aluminum foil. Cover with remaining ingredients in the order given. Wrap foil tightly to seal. Bake over medium heat on a grill or in a 375 oven for 45 to 60 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
I'm sure I'll tweak the recipe once I make it but I'll be sure to share the results soon! I might just use half sweet potatoes as well!
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GIVEAWAY:
I have been given an extra copy of this wonderful book to share with you. I'll pick a winner next week on the October 14.
Check out Thehourthatmattersmost.com and see some more information about the book. I encourage you to Take The Challenge for you and your family to take the time for more family meals. Just check out the site and leave a comment telling me; What do you love most about your family dinners? and/or What would you like to improve on with your family relationships?
Additional entry:
Subscribe to Debbi Does Dinner Healthy via email or let me know if you already are a subscriber.
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· The Hour That Matters Most launched September 6, 2011
· For more information visit, www.thehourthatmattersmost.com
· Available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
· Price: $15.99
Taken from Hour that Matters Most by Les and Leslie Parrott with Stephanie Allen and Tina Kuna. Copyright © 2011 by Les and Leslie Parrott and Dream Dinners. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved
This is linked with:
Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum
Made by you Monday at Skip to my Lou
