Page 52 - Harnett Life Fall 2019

Family Meals Matter

FAMILY FEATURES
or busy families, finding time to eat
together isn’t always easy, but coming
together around the dinner table regularly
Fisn’t just about keeping hungry bellies
full. Family meals nourish the spirit, brain and
overall health.
Children who grow up sharing family meals
are also more likely to exhibit prosocial behavior
as adults, such as sharing, fairness and respect.
Research has also shown that with each additional
family meal shared during the week, adolescents
are less likely to show symptoms of violence,
depression and suicide; less likely to use or abuse
drugs or run away; and less likely to engage in
risky behavior or delinquent acts.
In addition, adults and children who eat at
home more regularly are less likely to suffer from
obesity, and increased family meals are associated
with greater intake of fruits and vegetables.
If you struggle to make family meal time
happen, try these tips from the experts at the Food
Marketing Institute Foundation, creators of the
National Family Meals Movement, which aims
to help families reap the benefits of enjoying
more meals together at home. Or you can find
inspiration to make one extra family meal
happen each week with recipes like Barbecue St.
Louis Ribs, Meatballs or Turkey Pot Pie from
the family-focused cookbook “Family Table by
Robert Irvine.”

Plan ahead. Prepare staples or extras of your
favorite recipes that you can refrigerate or freeze to
use when you’re rushed for time.

Mix and match. Challenge yourself to see how
many different ways you can use a grocery item
until it’s gone.

Embrace convenience. Grocery stores have many Photo courtesy of “Family Table by Robert Irvine”
time-saving solutions, and frozen and canned
produce can be quick additions to many recipes.
Meatballs 1 tablespoon fresh
Incorporate the kids. Involve your children in Recipe courtesy of “Family Table by oregano, chopped
shopping, meal planning and meal preparation Robert Irvine” on behalf of the Food 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
whenever possible. Marketing Institute Foundation 3 cups basic tomato sauce
Serves: 6 In small saucepan over medium heat, sweat
Make nutritional balance easy. Plan your family’s onion and garlic.
plates by making sure you are getting all the food 1 Spanish white onion In large bowl, soak bread in water 1-2
groups over the course of the day. 3 cloves garlic, minced minutes. Strain excess liquid.
3 cups diced bread (such
In separate large bowl, add eggs, ricotta
“By quieting the noise and being truly present as baguette) cheese, Parmesan cheese and onion-garlic
with the people around us, simple tasks you might water mixture. Combine then add ground meat,
normally take for granted – like putting a good 2 large eggs
meal on the table – take on a deeper meaning,” 1/2 cup ricotta cheese soaked bread, extra-virgin olive oil, parsley
Irvine writes in his book. “The meal ceases to 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and oregano. Mix thoroughly.
be a time for physical nourishment and becomes 1 pound ground pork Divide mixture evenly to form 10-12
something that feeds your family’s soul. It’s not meatballs and use hands to roll into shape.
possible to forge that kind of a connection if 1 pound ground veal In large saute pan over high heat, brown
you’ve got one eye fixed on your smartphone at 2 tablespoons extra-virgin meatballs in grapeseed oil on all sides.
the dinner table.” olive oil Place browned meatballs in separate
Look for more tips and meal planning resources 1 tablespoon fresh Italian saucepot with basic tomato sauce. Bring to
at your favorite grocery store. parsley, chopped simmer and finish cooking, about 1 hour.