Family Day Encourages Nutritional Offerings
By Brandi Goodman
Family Day arrives near the end of September each year. It takes place on the fourth Monday of the month. The day encourages parents to eat together with their kids. It also encourages nutritional offerings so the entire family can get the vitamins and minerals they need from the meal.
Start at the Store
You can start your Family Day with a trip to the store. Let everyone be included and pick out ingredients they enjoy or are willing to try. Children are often more likely to eat a healthy meal if they help pick it out or prepare it. Head to the produce aisle first and be sure each person picks out a fruit or veggie they want to include with dinner.
Get Creative in the Kitchen
The entire family can start their bonding experience by getting creative in the kitchen. Have everyone pitch in to make the meal and ensure each person has something they like included. Young kids can help stir while older children may be able to take on more responsibilities. Let them chop up the veggies, prepare the foods, and even put them in the oven when it's ready to cook. You can even use cookie cutters to cut fun shapes into many different food items.
Turn Up the Music
Cooking may not be exciting for every member of the family. Make it more fun by turning up the music and having a kitchen dance party. As long as everyone is careful around a stove or oven, you can all have fun chopping, mixing, and making meals in the kitchen while you dance together. It's a great way to combine nutrition and exercise -- both of which are necessary for good health.
Include a Healthy Dessert
You'll get to enjoy family time at the dinner table longer if you include a dessert. Don't just grab a store-bought pie or cake, though. You want to make sure the dessert is healthy and nutritious as well. Create a dessert together just as you did dinner. A pie or parfait are both excellent choices because they can be made in a healthier way and tend to include fruit.
Though the day recommends eating dinner together, do what you can to enjoy a full day of meals with your family. Eating nutritious meals is important for your well-being, but so is spending time with the ones you love. Combine the two and you'll really be benefiting your brain and body.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Decatur, Ga.