Fall is the Time to Commit to Family Dinner

by Grace R. Freedman, Ph.D.

The nip of fall is in the air, school is well underway, the kids' extracurricular activities are gearing up, and maybe new projects are getting started at work. Whew! This time of year can be the busiest season, often crammed with new schedules, new transitions and new commitments. Without a clear plan, family dinner may be the first thing to go or the last thing you want to add to a crammed schedule. As you re-think routines and priorities this fall, don't forget that family dinner can actually help you smooth out the day-to-day chaos. Family dinner can be there to provide structure and sanity, and to give you and your kids a good foundation all year.

We often hear about the long-term benefits of family dinner. It's true that family dinner is one of the only things that has been consistently shown to have a positive effect on multiple health and social issues, such as obesity, underage alcohol and drug abuse, social disconnectedness, low school performance, and unhealthy relationships to food. Nonetheless, for busy parents, it can be hard to think about health and social benefits that are far down the road when you are just trying to get through the day. What can family dinner do for you and your kids TODAY?

Here are just a few things:

Family dinner gives you a way to "touch-base" daily with kids of any age. Don't underestimate the importance of nightly check-ins at the dinner table to hear new stories and get wind of any new problems. Whether your child is just starting kindergarten or already in high school, he or she will appreciate knowing you can always talk at dinnertime.

Family dinner saves money. Cooked meals at home can be cheaper, healthier and even faster than take-out or delivery (One study reports that Americans spend on average $4.50 per person eating at home compared to spending $8.50 a person eating out.)

Family dinner makes healthy eating easier for everyone. Family-style meals have been shown to help everyone in the family maintain their weight and consume more fruits and vegetables, when served. Also, a CDC study reported that people were better able to lose weight and keep it off by planning weekly meals rather than "winging it" at every meal.

Family dinner gives you time to be a family. Back-to-school is often a time when we notice and marvel how fast our kids are growing up; the years honestly can speed by. Now is the time to begin your family dinner tradition, or re-commit to it, so you can really learn from one another and enjoy each other's company.

Start the school year out right by planning to make family dinner a part of your new routines. At the Blog for Family Dinner project, we hope to help with inspiration, advice and recipes as we post stories about family dinner throughout the #B4FD month from September 26 to October 24, 2011.


Grace R. Freedman, Ph.D. is the Founder and Executive Director ofEatdinner.org, which provides research, education, and support for family meals. She is co-founder of the Blog For Family Dinner Project.


Copyright (C) 2011 www.savingdinner.com Leanne Ely, CNC All rights reserved.

Jesus Could Come TODAY . . .

was Reilly's response to seeing this sunrise today.

He said that the little clouds might be angels just waiting for the trumpet to sound. . .
He has been talking a lot about the Lord's return lately.
I love the tender heart that kids have.
He wants the Lord to return and he is concerned about the people he knows who don't know Jesus.

Or it could be that he has a Language test today.

Either way, my little man is precious!

Friday July 8th is Cow Appreciation Day!

Friday, July 8th is Cow Appreciation day at participating Chick-fil-A locations. Dress up like a cow and you'll score a FREE Chick-fil-A meal!

Don't worry -- Chick-fil-A makes it easy for you by providing this cute downloadable costume kit, or you can always come up with your own creation. Bon appetit!

Why don't I make Chocolate Chip Cookies more often?

They are so easy to make and taste so much better than packaged dough. . .

Andrea’s Everyday Chocolate Chip Cookies

It’s the one my mom used, tweaked by me!

INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4 cup butter flavor vegetable shortening
• 1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 cups AP flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 (6 oz.) package semi-sweet, white, or milk chocolate chips (1 cup) or any combination thereof
• 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

PREPARATION DIRECTIONS:

1. HEAT oven to 375ºF.
2. COMBINE shortening, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Beat in egg. Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Mix into shortening mixture until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
3. DROP by rounded measuring tablespoonfuls 3 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet.
4. BAKE 8 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies, or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet on a cooling rack. Remove cookies to rack to cool completely.

TIP: If nuts are omitted, add an additional handful of chocolate chips.

If they make it past the cooling rack, store them tightly sealed for a couple of days (they won't last that long. . .)

5 Places to Get Free eBooks and Audiobooks

As Christmas approaches and the Nook, Kindle, SonyPocket Reader, and iPad find their way under YOUR tree or the tree of someone you love, check out this great article about where to find FREE books for eReaders.

Also of note, even if you don't have the actual reader for these devices, many have the software downloadable for the computer, smartphone, or tablet at no charge.

5 Places to Get Free eBooks and Audiobooks - Techlicious

Check out this second list (from the Amazon.com website) that lists even more free eBooks!

Careful, the Kids Are Watching, an article from Debt-Proof Living

Click on the link below to read a great article from Mary Hunt. There is a great list in the article about teaching our children by example.

Thanks Mary for the great reminders!

Careful, the Kids Are Watching

Chocolate Crumb Bars

This recipe was shared on FaceBook by my friend Kim. Her daughter made them for her Home-Ec class. Many kudos to CAROLINE for sharing the chocolate love tonight.

CHOCOLATE CRUMB BARS

2 sticks margarine, softened
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups (12 oz. pkg) semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13 baking pan.

Beat margarine until creamy. Beat in flour, sugar and salt until crumbly. With floured fingers, press 2 cups crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared pan; reserve remaining mixture. Bake 10-12 min. or until edges are golden brown.

Combine 1 cup morsels and sweetened condensed milk in heavy-duty saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Spread over hot crust.

Stir in nuts and remaining morsels into reserved crumb mixture; sprinkle over chocolate filling.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until center is set. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Vista Print Return Address Labels $3.10 shipped!

Don't miss out on this for your holiday labels.

I ordered these:

I opted for "express" shipping (7 days) and they are coming to me for $3.65! They will be here just in time to get the Christmas cards rolling out!

$3 in free mp3's from Amazon MP3

Just login using your Amazon.com account and download away!

I was able to get a Christmas album for $1.99!

Enjoy!

Use Code GET3MP3S and Get $3 in MP3 Downloads

Use code GET3MP3S and get $3 good for albums or songs at Amazon MP3.

Why You Should Teach Children to Cook

Why You Should Teach Children to Cook

By Leanne Ely, C.N.C.

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, I'm a firm believer in mixing together kids and kitchens. Cooking with our children provides opportunity for teaching valuable life skills, quality "talk-time" to learn what's going on with your kids, and it's a great memory maker.

Time in the kitchen with your children teaches time management, organization, math, nutrition and cooperation. It also increases their awareness of healthy eating, menu planning and budgeting. Allowing them to help you in the kitchen might mean your kitchen doesn't stay as neat and clean and it could take longer to make a meal, but years later, it pays off in huge dividends, especially when your children start to choose healthy foods over fast food all on their own--it happens, I promise!

There are countless object lessons you can use with your children while you cook together. For example, one meal might focus on the importance of teamwork and working together for a common goal (or recipe) as a family. Another teaching opportunity can be found in the necessity of completing the steps of a recipe in order. With older children you can compare this to the order of life and the importance of age appropriate curfews, chores, and expectations. Or how about the significance of following directions? Intentionally leave out a few ingredients in a recipe to illustrate the point and discuss this with your child.

Getting kids excited about learning to cook will serve them later on in life when it's time to strike out on their own. Learning to cook will save your grown child a lot of money and help him or her eat a lot better than their peers. Many young adults who were not exposed to the kitchen when younger eat poorly and have no clue what to do in that room with the big appliances.

The act of cooking allows us as parents to share and laugh and bond together. Counselors have counseled many a parent to do some kind of activity while having a conversation so your child doesn't feel like he's "put on the spot". Conversation over cutting boards and sinks of suds can allow you and your child to talk about school, friends, choices, and dreams without the intimidation of a one-on-one sit-down.

Children grow up and leave the nest too soon. These moments together in the kitchen can become cherished memories--don't miss out!

Copyright (C) 2010 www.savingdinner.com Leanne Ely, CNC All rights reserved.

God and the Ushers

My little man, who is 7 (and 3/4) had a part in one of the Patch Club program skits last night. DH was talking to him about the program. Dad asked how many people were there. Little Man's reply . . . "Only God and the ushers know, dad!"

A Letter from Your Daughter

A mother passing by her daughter's bedroom was astonished to see the bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then she saw an envelope propped up prominently on the center of the bed. It was simply addressed, "Mom."

With the worst premonition, she opened the envelope and read the letter with trembling hands:

Dear Mom,

It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new boyfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Dad and you. I've been finding real passion with John and he is so nice

Even with all his piercing, tattoos, beard, and his motorcycle clothes. But it's not only the passion mom, I'm pregnant and John said that he will take care of me and we will be very happy.

He already owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. He wants to have many more children with me and that's now one of my dreams too.

John taught me that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone and we'll be growing it for us and trading it with his friends for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want. In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so John can get better; he sure deserves it!!

Don't worry Mom, I'm 15 years old now and I know how to take care of myself. Some day I'm sure we'll be back to visit so you can get to know your grandchildren.

Your daughter,
Susan

P.S. None of the above is true.

I'm next door. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than my report card which is in my desk drawer.

I love you! Call when it is safe for me to come home.

Hungry Girl's 2010 Halloween Candy Guide

From our friends over at Hungry Girl

It's our 2010 Halloween Candy Guide... Read on to check out the calorie and fat counts on your favorite bite-sized treats BEFORE you chew. Happy Halloween!!!




Guilt-Free Classics!

Tootsie Caramel Apple Pop - 60 calories, 0.5g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Charms Blow Pop - 60 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Dum Dum Pop - 25 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Lik-m-aid Fun Dip 0.5-oz. Pouch - 50 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Jolly Rancher Hard Candy (3 Pieces), Original - 70 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Jolly Rancher Lollipop - 60 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Laffy Taffy Miniature - 30 calories, 0.4g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Peeps Ghosts & Pumpkins (2 Pumpkins or 1 Ghost) - 28 - 37 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Pixy Stix (7 Straws) - 60 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Smarties Candy Roll - 25 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Tootsie Pop Miniature (3 Pops) - 50 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Tootsie Pop - 60 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Tootsie Roll Midgee (About 1-Inch Long) - 23 calories, 0.5g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Tootsie Roll Snack Bar (0.5 oz., About 3-Inches Long) - 50 calories, 1.25g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Twizzlers Strawberry Individually Wrapped Twist - 40 - 47 calories, 0 - 0.3g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Read on here!

Fun Freebies

I am always on the lookout for freebies.

But not just any freebie. A free can of dog food is not helpful if you don't have a canine friend. . .and honestly, do you really need denture cream?

I like USEFUL freebies.

Stuff I can use.

And I found some today. . .

Check out these lovelies from How About Orange.

And this is just a small sampling. There are LOTS more goodies there.

These are canister labels (so cute):

Printable Jar Labels (makes me want to take up canning. . .)

Mason Jar Cupcakes from According to Kelly

These are seriously one of the cutest ideas I have seen in a while. Great presentation, super easy. . . you can't ask for more than that!

making mason jar cupcakes is seriously just about the easiest thing in the world. really & truly, it takes just a few simple steps… bake up a batch of your favorite cupcakes (whether it’s from a box or made from scratch), then you smoosh, frost & repeat. see i told you it was easy-peasey. but just in case you need a wee bit more direction, i’ve whipped up a little tutorial for you.--From Kelly

Netflix Origami

Are you a Netflix user?

Check out this site for some fun ways to recycle your paper.

Too funny!

Freezer Jam: A Baby Step To Canning

For years I researched the art and craft of preserving summer fruit, but I could never bring myself to go ahead and try it myself. What if I did something wrong? What if my jars exploded in the heat? What if I hurt myself or someone I cared about?

Click here to read more. . .

Free Dinner Menu for Family Day 2009

Family Day: A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children™
September 28, 2009

National Family Day is one day set aside to celebrate your family and strengthen the bonds between you. It is in the family where children are molded into the adults they become. Families are a source of love, inspiration and strength. There is no substitute in an individual’s life for the powerful impact of the family. But the staggering reality is that most families are caught up in their own activities and distractions, are tossing family dinner time out the window as an imposition on their schedule and time.

Click here for your Free Dinner Menu for Family Day 2009

Lego Star Wars Free Printable Tags & Stickers

Star Wars Free Printable Tags & Stickers

If you have a Star Wars Lego lover like I do, then they will love you forever by printing these! Click on the image to download the file. You can also customize them by adding your child’s name. Just click in the white space and a customizable text box should appear.

Lego Star Wars Free Printable Tags & Stickers

Star Wars Free Printable Tags & Stickers

If you have a Star Wars Lego lover like I do, then they will love you forever by printing these! Click on the image to download the file. You can also customize them by adding your child’s name. Just click in the white space and a customizable text box should appear.