Have You Celebrated Family Meals Month?

Are family meals a lost art? In our world today, with fast-paced lives, busy work schedules and extracurricular activities, drive-thru meals and takeout food have become the norm. What impact does this have on our kids, our families and ourselves? As the trend moves toward simplicity and convenience, let’s not overlook the fact that preparing and eating meals together stimulates communication, creates memories and establishes healthy eating behaviors that have a long-lasting impact.

 

Research shows that when families eat meals together on a regular basis, they have greater unity and closer relationships. Children in families who eat together are better adjusted to the pressures of society. These children are more comfortable and confident in their own skin. The long-term nutritional benefits for individuals who have grown up eating family meals are clear too. The percentage of family members who are overweight, or abuse alcohol or drugs, is significantly lower in families who eat meals together on a regular basis than those who don’t.

 

Historically, traditional family meals were part of an everyday ritual, like brushing teeth. Homemade meals were prepared from scratch, dinner was served at the same time every night, and family members had assigned seats. Lessons and wisdom were shared over the dinner table.  Children grew in their character, learning manners, self-discipline and gratitude.

 

When schedules are busy, and time is at a premium, there is still hope for the family meal. September is National Family Meals Month, which means it’s the perfect time to start making family meals a normal occurrence in your home. Here are a few tips on how to do it and some delicious pictures of the perfect family meal to make this month:

• Pick one or two days a week for everyone to commit to.
• Pick a recipe and side dishes the family can agree on. Choose foods from all food groups, and foods that vary in color, taste and texture, to increase nutritional benefit.
• Choose a recipe that allows for convenience. Slow-cooker meals, casseroles and grilled meats are all good ideas. Check out all Hy-Vee has to offer for fast, easy and healthy meals and try Cool's Mushroom Pizza Recipe below.
• Plan for conversation starters. For example, have everyone go around the table and say one thing they are grateful for, or share an interesting story from their day.
• Keep everyone in touch by turning the television off and having a “no phones at the dinner table” policy.

Cool's Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms:  Serves 4

All You Need:

4 portabella mushrooms, stemmed and cleaned

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ c. Italian or Balsamic Dressing                                

1 tsp. Italian Seasoning

½ lb. Italian Sausage                                                

½ c. Marinara

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil                                                                               

1/3 c. Parmesan, shredded

½ c. Zucchini, diced                                                                        

½ c. Mozzarella, shredded

½ c. Green Peppers, diced

All You Do:

1. Coat the mushrooms in dressing, and set aside.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  In a large skillet over medium high heat cook sausage for 3 minutes.  Add in the olive oil, zucchini, green peppers, garlic, and Italian seasoning and cook until meat is thoroughly cooked about 7 minutes.  Drain meat, and add in marinara and parmesan cheese.  Stuff each mushroom with ½ c. of meat mixture and cook in the oven for about 10 minutes. 
3. Take the mushrooms out and top with the mozzarella cheese and place back in the oven to melt about 10-15 minutes. 
    

~Crazy

What the What Wednesday: 'Shrooms

Ok so I have never been a big fan of mushrooms. The only ones I would eat as kid were canned and had to be on pizza or in spaghetti. But as every good adventurous adult, I have given mushrooms another whirl and.....I really really like them! September is National Mushroom Month and this month I am making mushrooms the staple of my "Meatless Monday" meal. And for all you football fans, I thought I would experiment with a festive nacho recipe. 

Mushrooms are a great substitute for meat in any recipe because of their texture and ability to absorb flavors by whatever you chose to season them with. A nerdy dietitian fact about mushrooms is they are one of only foods with naturally occurring Vitamin D. Vitamin D is so important for boosting our immune system, helping us sleep, decreasing aches and pains and aiding in the absorption of calcium for bone strength. This is why I am trying to use mushrooms in meals more. 

To start my 'shroom recipe experiment, I used one package of baby bella sliced mushrooms, olive oil spray and low sodium taco seasoning. 

Heat pan over low heat, place mushrooms in pan and spray with olive oil (or non-stick cooking spray). Sprinkle the taco seasoning on top of the mushrooms until they are cooked to the desired tenderness, usually 7-10 minutes. They will look like this:

Seriously, that took 10 minutes. This is probably the easiest (and healthiest) nachos I have ever made. Now I found these snazzy tortilla chips at the Hy-Vee on Fleur Drive, so they are perfect for the biggest Iowa rivalry of the football season. Place them on a plate and top with your mushrooms.

The mushrooms are nice and warm, so place mild cheddar on top so the cheese gets melty and delicious. 

Now you can get creative with any toppings that tickle your fancy. I like my nachos simple, so I put red salsa on my Iowa State nachos and black bean dip on my Iowa nachos. I then topped them with a little fresh cilantro. Ta da!!!

Feel free to add diced peppers, sliced black olives, onions, guac, plain Greek yogurt (or light sour cream), whatever your little nacho heart desires! 

To give these beauties a try, stop in the store tomorrow from 3:30-5:30 pm...hopefully I don't eat them all! 

~Crazy