Tag Archives: Family meals

Five Ways to Spend Less to Feed Your Kids

Kids can be little vacuums sometimes, eating up everything in sight. While it is good for growing bodies to get the calories and nutrition that they need, it isn’t always great for the budget, especially when you want to eat out. A typical family with three kids can spend $25-$30 at a counter service restaurant or $50-$70 at a family-friendly sit down restaurant. There are a number of ways to reduce the cost of food for your kids, that are not extreme and will leave you spending less to feed your kids. Here are five of the best ways to … Continue reading →

Take the Challenge

In Australia, this week has been designated as families’ week. Linda Burney, Minister for Community Services, has challenged families to turn off the TV and the computer and to set the table and sit down to a meal together. I’ve always been an advocate for eating meals together and not doing them in shifts as some people seem to do. No, it’s not always easy with work commitments, meetings, and after school activities. But it is worthwhile. Just as you and your spouse need that together time, the date nights and time to relax and talk together away from family, … Continue reading →

Family Meal Time Benefits

Eating a meal together at the table with your spouse and children, sounds like such a simple thing doesn’t it? But it can have lasting effects. Family meals are more important than we realize. According to research, teenagers of families that eat together at the table are less likely to get into trouble, less likely to take drugs and to suffer depression. Sitting down and eating together is a relaxing and sociable time. It is a time for husband and wife to share their day and talk about it, as well as let the children share what’s been happening. It … Continue reading →

A Memory Chip

It was Christmas Eve, and I was cooking a special meal for the family. Outside, a blizzard had just quieted to a few wandering flakes. A thick blanket of snow hushed all the early evening sounds. I checked the turkey in the oven and then went outside to marvel at how beautiful and peaceful it all was. Stars. Snow. I walked down the steps of our porch, across the yard. Then suddenly, I allowed myself to fall backward and make a snow angel. I wondered how old I was the last time I made one. Probably eight or ten. Then … Continue reading →

Family Happy Hour

No, I’m not suggesting that you take the kids to the neighborhood bar! I stole this idea from a friend of mine. When she and her husband were first married, they went to happy hour almost every Friday. With their newlywed budget, they couldn’t afford to eat out often. So they took advantage of the free appetizers that many restaurants put out on early Friday evenings. And then, my friend and her husband had twins. So now, they have “family happy hour” almost every Friday. We only do it once a month or so. Sometimes, by the time Friday rolls … Continue reading →

Soup’s On! Sit Down Family Meals

Marjorie has been doing some great articles about entertaining and her recent one about sit-down dinners for guests made me think about family sit-down meals. How often do you and your family sit down together to eat? Sometimes, it’s darn near impossible to do, but it’s important to make time to do it regularly. Sitting down and having a meal together helps families bonds. It gives everyone a chance to catch up, even if you’re usually all running in different directions. These days, so many families are overscheduled, that they rarely eat right, let alone eat together. Even if you … Continue reading →

Restaurants at the Grand Floridian

I promised you some information on the restaurants available at the Grand Floridian and while I’m late, better late than never. Here is a look at the restaurants available at the Grand Floridian. Even if you do not stay at the hotel, the restaurants themselves are worth checking out during your next Disney World visit and stay at a Disney World resort. Victoria & Albert’s is considered the dining centerpiece of the Grand Floridian. It’s also a very fancy, elegant restaurant and if you’re looking for a place to dress up in your fine clothes for a beautiful evening with … Continue reading →

Symptom or Problem: Too Busy to Break Bread Together?

Are you and your spouse always too busy to sit down and eat meals together? Do you grab a plate in the kitchen, load it up and chat briefly before heading off to your respective corners to eat? When was the last time you actually: set the table? If you’re having trouble even remembering then it may be worth considering that the act of breaking bread together is far more than sharing a few words together while choking down food at high speed. The act of breaking bread means to lay the table for a meal, lay the meal out … Continue reading →

When it Comes to the In-Laws

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I have been very fortunate and have expressed my gratitude over the years that I truly enjoy my in-laws. I liked when they came for visits and whether they came for a long weekend or a long three-week visit to Virginia – it was always a good time to be had. We often made plans to do things for special occasions when they were there like going to see museums in D.C. They came up every year for Christmas and the house would be packed to the gills with people, decorations and more. It was great to get up in … Continue reading →

Beef Pot Pie

What’s more comforting than potpie? With its creamy texture and flaky piecrust, who can resist it? Here is a recipe my family enjoys. It’s made with prepared piecrust but if you’re feeling adventurous, sure, make your own! If you haven’t tried my additions of Worcestershire sauce and allspice, I hope you’ll give it a try. The flavors are amazing. Enjoy! For this recipe you’ll need: 2 pie crusts (found in the refrigerated section, not the frozen section. The crusts unfold rather than being in a pie tin-usually comes two to a package) 1 pound ground beef or turkey 3 yellow … Continue reading →