Make dinner fun again and create a tight-knit family with these easy tips!
- Crafty Cooking
It’s Sunday and the dreaded weekly grocery shopping is about to commence. Instead of heading to the store and guessing what you will need plan ahead and make a list.
Put a twist on spaghetti night! Boil water to cook one package of fettuccine while sautéing three bell peppers, a small yellow onion, and one medium zucchini in 2 tbsp. of butter and 1 tbsp. olive oil salt and pepper to taste. Cook until just tender. Use ½ cup of the pasta reserve water, add it to the veggie mix, add 1 cup of grated mozzarella cheese, and torn basil to your liking to create a sauce. Drain pasta, top with sauce and voile!
- Turn Off Technology
Understandably our keiki need to switch their brains into a relaxed state after focusing at school all day. Of course it is most beneficial to encourage children to take advantage of the copious outdoor activities however, the presence of technology is omnipotent. If it creeps into the after school time, make sure that it at least goes off and away for the span of dinner. Fully engaging in the present moment is something we often forget to do.
- Talk Story
It is easy to skip over fully delving into the events of the day but it’s one of the most important things we can do when building relationships. Create a tradition as simple as sharing the best and worst parts of everyone’s day. Celebrating successes and understanding difficulties creates a support system.
- Reinforce Responsibility
Dinnertime is also a time to highlight the teamwork it takes to make a family unit function. Delegate and take turns setting the table, washing dishes, and preparing dinner.
