Keep Family Mealtime a Priority During Holdiay Season

It is the holiday season and families around the world will be busy decorating their tree this week.  I know we are going to be decorating our tree this Friday.  Sometimes with the rush of the holiday season, we are in hurry to get all these "holiday chores" done.  

• buy tree - check   
• decorate tree - check
• do holiday cards - check
• and of course grocery shopping - 
• present buying -
• wrapping!

the list can go on but you get the picture

We can get so focused on our "to do" list that we forget that this holiday is really about family and family time.  With all this running around, it is easy to make family meals a grab and go event.  

But this is the time to work together as a family to preserve those special times and continue to honor the family meal time (no matter what is on the to do list.) It may take a few extra minutes of planning but it is so worth it.

There are many studies that have shown a strong correlation between family time and eating healthier as well as improved school grades! 

So here are a few tips to help you keep family meal time a priority at home:

• Plan your menu for the week on Sunday so you don't have to think about what to cook 
• Keep menus simple so cooking is not a chore and quick.  Stick with some of your family's favorite "30 minute or less" recipes
• Get kids in the kitchen to help before and after dinner
• Plan your holiday chores around your meal time. Spread out your to do list so that shopping fits before and/or after meal time.
• Enjoy your time as a family.  I can tell you from experience, it goes by really fast.  Before you know, kids are off to college or moving out and you are left with your memories.  

Tips for Eating Together As a Family - Make Time For Family Meals