Slow Down and Cook Dinner

Cooking a homemade dinner doesn't have to be a huge heroic undertaking.  But it can be if you want.  

By now most families understand the HUGE POSITIVE impact that eating dinner together can have on kids and parents.  Eating dinner together as a family keeps communication stronger by giving everyone at the table a chance to express thoughts and feelings in a natural way.  It is a time to pray together before the meal.  It gives parents an opportunity listen to all the "little" stories that make up our kids' days and it gives the kids a chance to be heard. Eating meals together as a family is crucial for a strong family dynamic especially in today's world of over-scheduled calendars and technology that has replaced true social interactions.

I am also going to suggest one more piece to consider for family dinner...MAKE IT FROM SCRATCH. WHAT did I just say???  I know you are going to say you are too busy for that!!!  I am not saying to cook homemade lasagna on a Wednesday night between ballet and soccer practice. But you could make breakfast for dinner very quickly (eggs any way your family likes, fruit, yogurt, a quality bread for toast).  Instead of reaching for a frozen bag/ box of chicken nuggets and french fries to quickly make you could have a way more nutritious meal without the creepy ingredients lurking in prepared food. We do this for dinner at least once a week...I usually save it for the busiest weeknight!!

Have your kids be involved with cooking dinner.  If they are with you in the kitchen while you are preparing dinner that is another chance to catch up on important details of their life, you are modeling a healthier lifestyle by cooking homemade food, and you are teaching them how they will to do this for their own families later.  They will learn the value of homemade food and choosing nutrient dense food. Not to mention that when kids are involved in cooking food they are more likely to try new things and like the food more.

So you are saying..."OK, Well give me more ideas for quick homemade dinners", Here are some of my favorites (besides breakfast for dinner) homemade soups, lettuce tacos, salads, spaghetti squash spaghetti, homemade pizzas, and more to follow in future posts!!!  Send me a message for some recipes...I will be posting more recipes too!!!

Where families spend their time and money is what will flourish.
I would like everyone to consider this and think about how you are spending your most valuable resource...time!  It is time that we get our priorities straight!!

Think of the WHOLE picture for family dinner it is not just about one piece...Eating a HOMEMADE FAMILY DINNER TOGETHER has an impact on the WHOLE family's WHOLE life!!

With my WHOLE Heart~
Brooke

Don't just take it from me...

It sure feels great to have Michael Pollan state what I have always thought.  The best diet advice ever...you can eat anything you want-just make it yourself!!!  This has been my way of thinking for sometime now...and it helped me become more healthy.

Please Take 20 minutes and watch this video...
The Dirty Little Secrets Hiding Behind Our Pretty Little Processed Food