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It’s Time to Bring Back Family Meals.

by Stephanie

It’s Time to Bring Back Family Meals.

Recently I read a stat that made me a bit sad: Eating family meals at the dinner table is on the decline.

It honestly makes so much sense. Who has time to eat at the table anymore?

We’re rushing home from work, to get our kids out the door for practice or a game or a dance recital.

So where (and when) do people eat?

The car
At half-time at the game on the sidelines
In the stands
On the bus

According to the report, many people eat on the couch in front of the TV or in their bedrooms. This is the case even when everyone from the family is home.

Let’s bring back eating at the dinner table if only once a week.

First, why is eating family meals together so important?

  • It brings everyone together in one spot, at one time.
  • Eating family meals together forces people to sit down to eat which helps with proper digestion.
  • It creates a family hub for everyone to sit and talk about their day and have meaningful conversations.
  • Family members may try new foods because they see others trying them.
  • It provides consistency to our schedules.
  • It gives us something to look forward to.

Ok so sitting at the table isn’t all fun and games. If you have young kids you know what I mean.

Kids are up and down. They can’t sit still, have to go to the bathroom, hate the food you made, take forever to eat (like forever).

But when we sit at the table as a family from a young age we’re helping kids to build a base for communicating with others as they get older.

Perhaps sitting at the table from a young age will make it easier for our kids to approach us with a problem they have when they’re teens.

But how do we eat family meals together when we don’t have any time to eat together?

Look at all the things you’re doing and decide if they are in fact necessary to do.

What are your true priorities?

Can you get rid of one activity or change the time of an activity so that you can sit down to have a meal together as a family even if it’s just once a week?

This goes for freeing up time in general. Overall we are doing way too much. We can’t do everything. I’m a big fan of the saying: ‘If it’s not a hell yes, then it’s a hell no.’ 

Something has to give. I don’t want you to give up the wellness of you and your family over other things that may not really be a priority.

If you are home, make a habit to eat your meals at a table. Not the couch, and not the bedroom. Even if the kids are eating together at a table it’s a step forward.

If you can’t be home for meals during the week, try to eat together somewhere else. Can you have a picnic together on a blanket at the park after the game?

Bring back the Sunday (or Saturday) Night Dinner: If you can’t eat together during the week, pick one day on the weekend when you can sit together as a family.

It doesn’t have to be a fancy dinner, but make it something you can make and eat together.

Finally, please I beg you, please turn off the technology during dinner. Put your phones away. Get the computers off the table. Turn off the TV. 

Make dinner (or lunch or breakfast!) time a sacred time for you and your family.



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Follow me on Instagram • @lealoulemonade

✨Relax ✨Nourish ✨Slow down ✨Breathe ✨Up ✨Relax
✨Nourish
✨Slow down
✨Breathe
✨Up level your vibe
✨Meet new friends
✨Come with old friends

When: Saturday, June 24
Where: Ancaster, ON (my backyard)
Who: Sonya Brar of @soar_wellness + me! 
What: I’ll help you nourish your body. Sonya will help you nourish your mind and soul ❤️

Lealoucooks.com/retreat (link is in my bio) or DM me for the link directly.
Sunlight, eggs and dill from the garden… Pure su Sunlight, eggs and dill from the garden… Pure sunshine right there. ☀️
We're less than one month away from our Wellness D We're less than one month away from our Wellness Day Retreat and I wanted to introduce Sonya Brar of @soar_wellness.

Sonya will be offering the yoga and meditation portion of our day retreat!

Inspired by the peace and inner nurturing she found within this practice, Sonya felt compelled to pursue certification so that she could extend this practice to many others. 

She has since gained over 1000 hours of training in various yoga modalities.

Sonya started her yoga profession with her first teacher training in 2011 with Modo Yoga International and has continued to expand her knowledge with numerous training in prenatal, yin, restorative, vinyasa, breath work, and meditation.

Her most recent training has certified her as a Yoga Tune-Up instructor. 

She is currently studying sound healing and looks forward to providing this as an addition to her teachings, workshops and retreats. She is also a personal development coach, a barre instructor, and a level 2 reiki practitioner.

We can't wait to meet you on June 24 - we have the perfect spot waiting for you here: https://lealoucooks.com/retreat/

---
#wellnessretreat #ancasterontario #hamiltonontario #dayretreat #tiffanyfalls #eatrealfood #nourishyourself #ancastermoms #hamiltonmoms #hamont #yogaretreats
Along with Sonya Brar of @soar_wellness, I’m hos Along with Sonya Brar of @soar_wellness, I’m hosting a beautiful event to bring you into summer.

We’ll help you breathe, rest and nourish your body so you’re ready to walk into summer refreshed and with ease.

You can expect yoga, meditation, and a simple cooking class. Then we’ll gather to eat together.

Location: Ancaster, Ontario in my backyard
Time: 10 am - 3 pm

Read more here and register as soon as you can as tickets are limited lealoucooks.com/retreat

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About Stephanie

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Hey! I'm Stephanie. I'm a Writer, Culinary Nutrition Expert and Cooking Instructor helping families cook nourishing meals. Read more about me {here}.

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