As you know, I’ve been working with Wolf for a few months, sharing great ways to help us all reclaim our kitchens. Americans are now eating fewer family meals together in the home than ever before. Instead of eating 98% of meals in the home like families did in 1900, we now eat less than 50% of our meals there.
I truly believe that it’s important for families to get back to spending quality time together at the end of the day. To spend time face to face and to share what happened in their lives.
We’ve been working on ways to spend more time together in the kitchen and wanted to share some of our favorites with you:
1. Set aside some time on the weekend to prepare meals for the week. Let the kids help plan the menu and shop for the groceries. You’ll all be more excited about eating those meals together throughout the week.
2. Plan ahead and buy the ingredients needed for more time-consuming recipes. If you find yourself with extra free time during the week, you’ll already have the ingredients available to prepare a new meal.
3. Have a list of healthy, but simple dinner options to choose from on busy nights, so you aren’t tempted to buy or prepare unhealthy options.
4. Try a new recipe every few weeks. Let the kids help choose the recipe, shop for the ingredients and prepare the meal. They’ll be more interested in helping and trying the food if they’re involved.
5. Use a slow cooker to prepare dinner while you’re busy with your day. You and the family will be able to sit down to a nice dinner without having to spend much time in the evening preparing it.
6. Encourage your kids to help prepare the meals. Even small tasks like measuring ingredients and stirring will help
7. Be sure to check out the other great tips, along with recipes and inspiration at Wolf.
I’ve been thrilled to see how many of you agree! Here are just a few of the comments I’ve received about how others feel:
* I have reclaimed my kitchen! I’ve been on many kitchen culinary adventures, trying new things, simple and fancy, loving every minute! – Rosie
* I’ve been reclaiming the kitchen … and am teaching both my daughters to cook from scratch. I actually enjoy it and so do they! – Heather
* When I get home from work I’m exhausted, and the last thing I want to do is think about cooking. But the benefits of making a real meal outweigh the few extra minutes of work it would take. I try to plan out the meals ahead of time and do prep work at times when I have more energy so it’s easier to cook at the end of a long day. – Laura W.
* Since our son is grown, hubby and I have been cooking together. It started as a fun date night because we were eating out a lot. We now cook together at least three times a week. It has been really fun being in the kitchen together. – Betsy
* Having kids help with meals has many benefits. You get quality time with them, they learn what it takes to make things and they’re much more likely to eat what they help fix. – Sarah
* We have started to dedicate at least one day a week to all sit and share a meal and our current events. – Jessica
The Reclaim the Kitchen program gives tips, resources and inspiration to help Americans reclaim the love of preparing food in the home. Be sure to check it out and Reclaim Your Kitchen!
Learn more about Wolf and Reclaim the Kitchen:
Do you want to reclaim your kitchen?
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This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Wolf blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.
Robin says
Love your ideas, Mickey! I try to make double batches of things and freeze them for later – things like meatballs, mac & cheese and sauce.
Amanda says
I love your ideas! Definitely trying to do more planning and cooking with the kids. The summer is a great time to get the kids involved, specially with all of the fresh produce available.
Dawn says
I really needed these tips! Lately, being in the kitchen has been decidedly less than inspiring.
Debi says
These are great tips. I have no inspiration lately.
Chelley says
Great tips! I find myself getting away from my love of cooking in the summer… this was much needed!
Nancy says
Thanks for these tips. It’s always great to stay inspired, it can get boring and repetitive.
Liz says
I look forward to reclaiming the kitchen for when my kids come to visit. It’ll be just like before they went to college.
Maria says
I have always loved spending time in the kitchen with my son. It’s a great way to bond. And, who doesn’t love bonding over food?
Marina says
I’ve been wanting to try out more new recipes this summer. Not sure I can pull of a new one each week, but it’s worth trying!
Ann Bacciaglia says
I have been trying to do a lot more cooking lately. I have always loved to bake but cooking i am not very adventurous. These are great tips.
Kay says
These are great tips. I love to cook and learn new recipes. I have always felt inspired in the kitchen.
nicole b says
I spend less.time in the kitchen during the summer – but we still like to eat good food. I like the idea of reclaiming my kitchen.
Stacey says
These are great ways to keep inspired. It helps me to look for new fun recipes to try out.
Debra says
I do want to spend more time in the kitchen this summer with my daughter home……..and best of all, she can help!
Sabrina says
That’s the great thing about the internet, there’s literally endless inspiration to pull from!
Amy says
My kids love family meals with my husband and I. I wish they were better behaved though and actually ate their meals.