Starting Sunday Supper Tradition

This September, I am participating, along with fellow AllRecipes.com Allstars and other bloggers, in the Sunday Supper Movement, or as I like to call it:  Feasting with the Family.  This is the first post in a series of blog posts related to the Sunday Supper Movement.

The Sunday Supper Movement encourages families to sit down together and share a healthy homemade, family-friendly meal once a week.  

Why is it so important for families to sit down and share meals together?  WebMD lists 10 Benefits of Family Meals, including that homemade meals, are usually healthier for the family than eating out or snacking on the run.  It also encourages better communication with families.

Purdue University goes even further stating that family meals helps kids improve their vocabulary and test scores, also resulting in kids being less likely to smoke or do drugs, and being more courteous and conversational.

How can you start this family tradition?  Here are some tips from WebMD to help you get started:

• First, set a goal for your family.  Start out with once a week, for example.
• Start with simple, easy meals.  Use a slow cooker, for example.
• Focus on your family’s favorite meals, maybe soups, chilis, etc.
• Keep it healthy.  Stock healthy snacks for after school.
• Get the kids involved in preparing the meals and setting the table.
• Avoid portion distortion.  Maintain healthy serving sizes.
• Make it enjoyable.  Avoid serious topics and enjoy fun conversations.
• Set the mood.  Play music and put flowers on the table.

Now, go ahead and start your family tradition!  Stay tuned to this Flavor Mosaic blog for more healthy, family-friendly meals for September’s Sunday Suppers.