Festive Friday: family meal time

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The Festive Friday for December focused on family meal time. Even though the holidays are hectic you still need to prepare and serve nutritious meals. Barbra Jones gave an inexpensive recipe for egg nog which is eggless and costs $4 a gallon.
Barbra’s advice for the holidays was you’ll survive. It’s a festive time and remember to hold onto the family relationships which will last long after the holidays are over.
She advised everyone to watch for the holiday sales and take advantage to stock up on items such as pudding mixes while they are on sale.
She encouraged everyone to find fun holiday activities that are inexpensive or without cost. Make gingerbread houses with graham crackers, attend the Nutcracker and holiday light parades.
Christmas isn’t about what you are getting but about giving.
Christine Jensen stressed the importance of family meal times. Meals eaten together decrease depression. Families that eat together often will have less deviant behaviors and more positive behaviors. It can be a time to introduce new foods. Children who eat with their families will have larger vocabularies and less trouble expressing themselves.
“Turn off electronics at mealtime. Sometimes having too many activities going makes everyone frantic. Some people try to make up for what they didn’t have in their youth. Don’t overschedule. Kids these days have a lot of homework. There are many factors involved, but make time to be together as a family.
“It’s getting better, a few years ago only 37 percent of families only ate one meal per week together. Now, that is up to 52 percent eating three meals a week together. It’s improving. Meal time is the time to learn manners and proper etiquette.
“Meal time is a good time to ask questions and let kids communicate. It’s a good time to learn portion control,” said Jensen.
Meals at home save money over meals eaten out. Children can learn valuable cooking skills if allowed to help in meal preparation. Eating with family gives a child a sense of security.
Jensen said there are questions you can put in a jar and then pull one out at dinner time and ask everyone that question. Children learn to listen and to speak. It’s a great chance to get to know your family.
Jensen referenced Rose Kennedy and at their family meal times they discussed politics and a lot of different subjects. It’s good to step away from technology and just be with your family.
In January the topic for Festive Friday will be organizing and tidying up.
Yummy eggless egg nog
1/2 gallon of milk-divided
1 or 2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding (use two boxes for thicker eggnog)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 tsp. grated nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Put two cups of milk in a large bowl. Add pudding, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Scrape the bowl to make sure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Add the rest of the milk and mix well. Put in a closed container, milk jugs work well for this. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes or overnight before serving. If desired you can add a touch of rum extract.