family meals

In the Sunday Life section of the paper there is an article written by Doreen Nagle. She writes about different parenting issues and offers solutions or ideas. This past Sunday the headline was "Family meals lead to healthier, happier kids" In this article she mentions several studies that we have used in various Sneak Peeks and Lunch & Learns. These studies conclude that teens who eat with their family on a regular basis have a lower than average chance of smoking, drinking, and substance abuse compared to those teens who do not. Children who eat regular meals with their family have better relationships with their parents and have a higher level of language development. They also have a lower risk of eating disorders, obesity, and depression.
The article goes on to give suggestions on how to make mealtime fun and how to make the most of this time together. She had several pointers that I plan on using too.
I'm sure you can access this on the journal & courier website. (Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009)
The bottom line is that eating family meals together around the dinner table is vital in how our children grow and develop.
As our economy makes everything more expensive, our habits tend to change. Last week on the news they talked how cobblers are busier than ever, clothing/resale is seeing a surge, and things that are considered a luxury are being cut. Instead of going out to eat, more people opt for the lesser expense of fast food. This is not what I'm saying, this is what THEY said, at noon, 5:30, 6:30 and 11. Really, fast food is less expensive?? Well, yes. Compared to a sit down restaurant. But.... how about staying home and eating?
It is cheaper. And healthier. And better for you all around.
So eat at home 3 times a week and see what a difference it makes. And let us help. Every month we provide many wonderful healthy meals. You can assemble them for your family in less than 2 hours and be ready for the month. Let us help you with the planning, prep, stress, and clean-up. Give us a call and let us make your life easier and healthier!!
Tomorrow - more dinner pics