family meals

The dinner table is a very special place in the Robertson household. It’s a place of warm food, meaningful conversations, and a time of prayer. It is part of my day that I can unwind with those I love, and I truly look forward to it. But I often think about what the dinner table looks like through the eyes of the average American home. 

• A study by New York University Langone Health found that, in the past 20 years, the frequency of family dinners has declined by 33%.
• In addition, a recent poll by YouGov found that 62% of parents with children under 18 wish they had family dinners “much more often” or “somewhat more often.

The fast-paced American culture has often shoved aside family priorities and thrown away any sense of meaningful and healthy conversation. The table has become a decorative household item versus a wholesome desk of fellowship and support.  I think that the benefits of being together at the dinner table far outweigh some of the “inconveniences.” 

According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, children who share family dinners three or more times per week:

• Are less likely to be overweight
• Are more likely to eat healthy food
• Perform better academically
• Are less likely to engage in risky behaviors (drugs, alcohol, sexual activity)
• Have better relationships with their parents

There are tremendous benefits in prioritizing the family table. Have you noticed that Jesus had special moments with His disciples at the table? It was in the last hours of His life that He chose the table in the upper room to commune with His followers and share His heart with them. It was there that He broke the bread and commanded, “this do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

Jesus invites you to pull up a chair at His table. He wants your fellowship and longs to give you the nourishment that you need for your journey. We have been talking in the Back To Basics series about our alone time with God. We looked at how to make the most of our devotions and how to dwell in the secret place and how to keep the door of fellowship open to Christ. 

Imagine that! Jesus Christ at your table! What a thought the King of Kings wishes to be my honored guest. It has the idea that Jesus sits down at our table and lets us be the host. We spread the table and pour out our hearts to Him--praise, thanksgiving, honor, and petitions. 

But then, it gets even better. He says, “…and he with me.” This holds the idea that the roles are switched. I am no longer the host, but the guest. He is the host. He is the one that spreads the table. He spills out His heart to us.

God gifts us with His heart in written form. His Word bears the truth of His character and leads us to a place of repentance. 

But I think we often have the same response to the Lord’s table

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Everyone has holiday memories. They might be happy, fun, or not so happy.  I marred into a very large close-knit family.  They take turns hosting a holiday meal.  The last time Alice and I hosted; 32 family members attended. Stuff happens and I want to tell you about it.

Do you start getting that sinking feeling in your stomach around 4:00.  I call it the ‘what’s for dinner’ dread.  Or if your kids are a little older pretty much around 10 am they start bugging you and asking what’s for dinner?  If you don’t have the answer you know that this can take up so much of your mind space and energy.  

Today I’m talking to Elyse Rooney who shares how meal planning and going to the grocery store with a plan has saved time; transformed her evening mood and resulted in more creativity in the kitchen.  

If you want to start eating healthier but meal planning and preparation seems overwhelming. this episode is for you. 

Featuring "Why I Don't Meal Prep... But Do This Instead" by Krysten, creator of Mommadesimple.co 

Tune in to the episode to learn: 

*About 6 easy to implement strategies that can help you save time, money, and energy each week.

*Which tip has been the biggest time saver 

*How important it is to create a system that works for your unique home and lifestyle.

What does Thanksgiving mean to you?  What are the traditions that really resonate with you and what do you remember from Thanksgiving growing up?  I have four guests on today and they share their memories of Thanksgiving-what it means to them; and how they carry on traditions in their homes today.

Anna's flan recipe: 

https://thenoshery.com/flan-de-calabaza-pumpkin-flan/

If you’re interested in a FREE 30 minute Discovery call to identify your nutrition and family meal planning needs sign up here: https://www.adventuresinfeedingmyfam.com/work-with-me

As always you can connect with me:
 IG @adventuresinfeedingmyfam
 adventuresinfeedingmyfam.com
 Facebook Group: Adventures In Feeding My Fam

"One vegetarian who comes and goes, one "meat only", who eats literally no vegetables, one healthy eater, one teen boy who eats 2 dinners at least, wants carbs, one female athlete who eats 2 healthy meals, likes proteins, no tofu, but at odd hours....ugh! "

This is what I heard from one mom yesterday.  Sound familiar?  

So what is a busy mom to do??

Check out this week's episode, where Karen Santana from One Family One Menu makes it her mission to make it easy for you to ...you guessed it...make one menu for your whole family.  

Takeaways

Highlight the main ingredient when you cook, don’t be afraid to feature that

Never let your kids say ‘ew’ about food, teach your kids to use respectful language when talking about meals
Get away from making multiple dishes each meal, make sure there is at least one dish your child will eat at a meal.  Their palate will grow if they are expected to eat the same foods you have

Serve foods with flavor at an early age, expect them to eat and they will

Respect everything in the kitchen

Be enthusiastic for the ingredients you are preparing

Karen was so generous and is providing several links for you:

Blog post how to organize your fridge and freezer

https://www.onefamilyonemenu.com/post/organizing-your-fridge-and-freezer

Bread pudding demonstration:

https://youtu.be/megTKfPL5aM 

You can find Karen:
IG @onefamilyonemenu
You Tube One Family One Menu
onefamilyonemenu.com

As always you can connect with me:
 IG @adventuresinfeedingmyfam
 adventuresinfeedingmyfam.com
 Facebook Group: Adventures In Feeding My Fam

If you’re interested in a FREE 30 minute Discovery call to identify your nutrition and family meal planning needs sign up here:

https://calendly.com/adventuresinfeedingmyfam/10-minute-discovery-call

Mom: How was your day today?
Child: Fine
Do you get one word responses to your dinner conversation starters?  Then take a listen to this episode with Jen Legra, the creator and author of the blog and website Drinking the Whole Bottle, where she spreads her message of living life uncorked and infusing a spirit of celebration and fun into every aspect of life.  In this episode Jen shares games her family plays to get the kids talking at the table.  Her enthusiasm for food is infectious and she seriously had me laughing throughout this conversation.

Takeaways:

·       Bringing mindfulness and intentionality to everyday activities, including meals, adds             memories and fun

·       An elevated version of a simple recipe can become a family favorite

·       Make lunch packing easy so the kids can put their lunches together

Here’s where you can find Jen:

drinkingthewholebottle.com

https://www.instagram.com/drinkingthewholebottle/?fbclid=IwAR1FxMdDVzjPJknqpenWscNK-0M6NJBRQGBNeIIFiESQe84Sum6Z_eFt95Q

https://www.facebook.com/groups/drinkingthewholebottle

Here’s a link to the blog Jen wrote about questions to ask at the dinner table: http://drinkingthewholebottle.com/valuable-questions-to-ask-at-dinner/?fbclid=IwAR3hA514D0twe7mlmuOKBPrM99KQy5hj_QL3GvNGOVRXxXuZt3A0zaLlif4

Aa

Even though family meals together seem like a dying tradition, the mental and physical health benefits are still relevant and more advantageous than ever. This goes for the entire family, too! (This episode does NOT include the added activity for kids at the beginning. If you are interested in that option, see previous episode #13B.)

Even though family meals together seem like a dying tradition, the mental and physical health benefits are still relevant and more advantageous than ever. This goes for the entire family, too!

In need of some quick family meals?  In this episode Jill Green, a self-proclaimed foodie, a powerhouse career woman and busy mom of three describes easy food prep ideas.  She also shares how travel has influenced the flavors she infuses in her meals; her epic weekly dinners with a revolving door of guests; and how she’s turned her kids into adventurous eaters.  Jill is so enthusiastic in describing some of her recipes that you will no doubt leave inspired to try some of her tried and true family recipes.  

Recipe for chicken in a bag:
Ingredients
1 whole chicken
paprika
garlic powder
1 Trager Joe's paper bag
1) Smother the chicken with paprika and generously sprinkle with garlic powder
2) Place spiced chicken in the center of a Trader Joe's paper bag
3) Tuck the handles of the bag under the chicken snugly
4) Place in a roasting pan and roast in the oven at 425 F for 90 minutes

During this weeks podcast we talk about 5 creative ways to make healthy eat fun by realizing we don't have to be perfect, adding color through eating more fruits and vegetables, learning how to buy on a budget, planning today for tomorrow, and experimenting with high nutrient dense foods.
Understanding what our brains are thinking when we are trying to improve how we eat.
I also discuss ways to have the family members get involved with making and preparing meals.
In summary when we learn how to be more creative with our eating, we can achieve a natural and permanent way to obtain our ideal weight.

Ready to simplify and enhance your health journey? Join us on Team Elevate! We're a group of dynamic moms dedicated to supporting each other, hitting our start lines, embracing adventures, and nourishing our bodies with wholesome, plant-filled goodness. Our mission? To ensure you have the energy and vitality needed to live your fullest life. Visit Kamibanks.com, click on "Join Team Elevate," and let's embark on this transformative journey together. We're excited to welcome you to the team!

Just in time for Mother’s Day guys! Wanna get in good with Mamma? Well tune into this episode because I invited a mentor and colleague of mine, Liz Weiss to give us delicious and healthy food and meal ideas that will get Mamma doing the happy dance. Liz’s real food philosophy is all about adding food groups to your diet, not taking them away. No deprivation. She craves simplicity and easy-to-find everyday ingredients that make mealtime a breeze. Oh, and by the way, this episode will help us guys optimize our health One Small Bite at a time! Listen in as we talk how to help out in the kitchen, division of labor, simple steps, knife and cooking skills, and even composting. Listen in to get all you need to enhance our relationships at home AND with food. 

Liz is the voice behind the family food podcast and blog, Liz's Healthy Table. She interviews expert guests, shares recipes, and inspires parents to cook with their kids and eat meals together. She is the co-author of No Whine with Dinner, The Moms' Guide to Meal Makeovers, and the author of Color, Cook, Eat!, a playful and unique coloring e-book series. Liz is a regular guest on NBC's the Hub Today in Boston, writes for Today's Dietitian magazine and blog, and is a past columnist for Kiwi Magazine and Nick Jr. She served on the Wellness Committee in her children's school for 12 years and currently volunteers for two hunger-relief groups: Lex Eat Together and Mazon. You can find Liz at LizsHealthyTable.com

Recipes that husbands, partners, and men can make when the main cook in the household is away:

• Last-Minute Black Bean Soup: https://www.lizshealthytable.com/2012/01/30/last-minute-black-bean-soup/
• Corny Salmon Cakes: https://www.lizshealthytable.com/2017/03/24/corny-salmon-cakes/
• Veggie Quiche Patties: https://www.lizshealthytable.com/2014/03/21/veggie-quiche-patties/
• Veggie burgers (we can talk about some of the frozen veggie burgers and how to enhance them w/ healthy toppings)
• Tofu Lettuce Wraps: https://www.lizshealthytable.com/2019/06/12/tofu-lettuce-wraps/
• Peanut Butter Smiley Face English Muffins (fun for kids to make - in other words... keep kids busy with an edible food project): https://www.lizshealthytable.com/2015/03/10/peanut-butter-smiley-faces/

Also, I’m always looking out for listener questions. Please when you get a moment, feel free to let me know what nutrition or health topic you’d like me to cover by going to Apple Podcast, or visit my website and leave me your comments there. I read every one of them. 

Once again, I greatly appreciate you for listening and supporting my show. Remember, it really only takes One Small Biteover time to transform your life, so let’s – Chop the diet mentality; Fuel your body; and Nourish your soul! I look forward to serving you soon!

We Get to Know entrepreneur and family kitchen guru Catherine McCord from Weelicious and One Potato.

Catherine is the creator of Weelicious and co-founder of One Potato.  She is the author of two cookbooks with her third scheduled for release in January of 2020.  Founded in 2007, Weelicious is an online resource teaching parents how easy it is to expose children to wholesome, delicious homemade food.  It's packed with recipes, information and ideas for cooking for the whole family.  In 2015, spurred on by the voices of the Weelicious community, she launched One Potato, the first organic home meal delivery kit service focused specifically on the dinnertime needs of families.  With three children of her own, she knows just how time saving these resources are to busy parents. 

In this episode we chat about her early career as a successful model, actress, television hostess and her decision to attend culinary school.  We talk about how her passion to healthily feed her family began after the birth of her first child.  Catherine makes it a point to share all she's learned in a fun and authentic way.  She has prioritized connecting with other female founders and deep dived into entrepreneurship while making the lives of families easier and healthier through food.  She’s a true inspiration and we know you'll enjoy this conversation with Catherine.

Show notes for this episode: SHOW NOTES

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