Happy New Year Fannies! We enjoyed spending the Holidays with family, but are ready to get this year started!
For this weeks TDF Weekly, we decided to mix things up a little bit. On social media and all over the internet, you will find various views on New Years Resolutions. Some people love them, others hate them. I have seen people resolving to lose weight, to read more, to eat less sugar, and the list goes on.
We just want to add our two cents to this conversation! However you feel about resolutions, you will want to keep reading!
Families Eating Together
Last week over on instagram, I challenged you to cook at least 3 meals a week for our families. We got several messages saying that seemed a little low, and we agree! The Food Nanny way has always been to cook at home at least 5 days a week. We actually like to have the ingredients for 7 dinners just in case our plans change last minute. But that can seem so daunting if you are just getting started. Three days a week is the place to start, and then add on from there!
To start, studies show that there are tremendous benefits to eating together as a family. After pulling from several articles, we have compiled a list of why we feel so passionately about dinner time.
- It helps boost nutrition.
- Mealtime is an opportunity to connect as a family.
- It gets kids involved in cooking and food prep.
- Eating together improves self-confidence.
- It adds structure to busy schedules
- Teens who eat dinner with their parents twice a week or less are 3 times more likely to smoke, 3 times more likely to smoke marijuana, and 2 times more likely to drink alcohol as those who eat dinner at least three times together. (From the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse from Columbia University 2012)
- "Mealtime becomes a way for families to bond. It shows children they have access to a caring adult." (From Dr. Harold Koplewicz, director of New York University's Child Study Center)
- Kids perform better at school.
- Better Nutrition
- Better Language and literacy development
- Fewer eating disorders
- Families that eat together tend to have healthier relationships with well adjusted children.
Lizi's Message:
For years, the Food Nanny has been all about cooking for your family. This is still a huge part of our message, and always will be. But we also feel so passionately about families eating the same foods together!
First off, we are not big fans of fad diets. Sure, sometimes you need to cut back on certain things to feel your best. But food is not to be feared! There is no such thing as good food or bad food, just portion control.
With this being said, it is so important to eat what your family is eating. Use good clean ingredients like Kamut and our French Salt, and create a delicious meal for the whole family to enjoy. If you do this, you can reach your goals and still enjoy the foods you love!
Staple Meals
Finally, let's get started! Now that you see the importance of eating dinner as a family, we have some delicious meals for you. Almost all of our recipes are quick and easy. They were created to make your life easier! The biggest tip we have for you is to meal plan ahead of time. Knowing what you are making and having the ingredients ahead of time will be a game changer! Here are a few of our staple and quick meals to help get you started:
- Red and White Mostaccioli
- White Chili
- Baked Chicken and Potatoes Italiano
- BBQ Chicken Salad
- Spaghetti with Cheesy Tomato Cream Sauce
- Cheese Enchiladas with Red Sauce
So what are you waiting for? Get and keep cooking, your family really is worth it! And guess what? You don't have to make yourself separate food to reach your goals. Join us and cook dinner for your family at least 3 times every week. Life is busy and it will sometimes be hard, but you can do it! We are so excited for everything to come in 2020.
Research:
To learn more about the above points, check out these articles:
- The National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse of Columbia University 2012
-My Fitness Pal: Why families should prioritize eating together.
-Family Dinner Time: Does it Matter?
-Rescue Dinner for Your Family: From Sr. Food Nanny
xoxo!
The Food Nannies