Saturday, May 23, 2009

Get Back to the Table

All families are busy these days!! And usually when we get busy, the family style dinner around the kitchen table is LOST.

Libby's, a canned vegetable company, has partnered with Kim Burton, wife of NASCAR driver Jeff Burton and mother of 2, in a campaign to get families back to the table to enjoy connecting with one another over healthy and cost-effective meals.

Some of Kim's dinner solutions include sharing kitchen duties with her spouse, keeping dinner simple and fun, and embracing dinnertime as the time to connect with her family after a hectic day!

At GetBacktotheTable.com, I've enjoyed looking through some of the "CANvenient recipes" that would give my dinners some more variety and some simplicity:) I also appreciated the list of reasons to eat dinner together as a family! It was a good reminder to keep up our family meals together no matter how rushed we may be!

Savings for YOU! Libby's is offering a coupon for 2 of your favorite vegetables here.


Win Your Own! Libby's is offering a SIMPLE reader 10 cans of Libby's vegetables and a tailgating kit (pictured to the right). This kit contains 15 can insulated cooler, compact grill, and a stainless steel tool set with a turning fork, easy-grip tongs and oversized spatula !!


To enter, share one of your ideas of getting your family "back to the table" to share a family meal. If you don't blog or don't have your email on your profile, please leave your email in the comment.

For extra entries,

  • Enter the "Table-Gating Recipe Contest" here where you can submit a simple recipe which uses Libby's canned vegetables, leave a comment with the name of the recipe you entered!
  • Become a follower of SIMPLE or state that you already are one:)
  • Blog about GetBacktotheTable.com and SIMPLE and leave a comment with the URL!!
This giveaway will run until Saturday, May 30th!!!

kellysignature

199 comments:

  1. once we had kids, we made a decision to eat at the table together every night. it's the one time we're all sitting together with nothing else going on and nowhere else to go!

    kwhite826@hotmail.com

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  2. right now my kids are little enough where I physically place them at the table and that's where we eat. I like the idea of eating as a family and at least 5-6 days a week we do.

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  3. We do a much better job of eating together in the summer when things slow down a little. Plus we can grill and eat outside, which everyone loves.

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  4. I was raised that dinner was served at 6 at the Dining Room table, be there or go hungry.
    I try really hard with the Daycare kiddos to have everything ready at lunch time and I sit down with them and we all eat together. They are such good little eaters. I always try to serve them well balanced meals. They honestly love their veggies, except for Nat... he will eat them, but he doesn't like them too well.
    Thanks for the chance.
    itsjustmerene2003 at yahoo dot com

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  5. I am a subscriber, Thanks!

    itsjustmerene2003 at yahoo dot com

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  6. Have everyone help in the meal planning and prep. My kids are always excited when we are having a meal they have helped with :)

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  7. breakfast for dinner. An omlette, pancakes, french toast or the like. Fast, fun and yummy

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  8. I bring everyone back to the table by having a movie night. We each make our own mini pizzas. I put out a bunch of different topping choices. We have a blast. Thanks for the chance.

    sweetascandy579 at yahoo dot com

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  9. we have no tv or video games until we set down and eat dinner mverno@roadrunner.com

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  10. I was raised that dinner was the most important family part of the day. Everyone sat down together & discussed what happened in their life that day. I tried to follow with that when we had kids, fix healthy meals, and fellowship with the kids & hubby!!

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  11. We make sure we sit down at least 3-4x week for dinner together to catch up

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  12. giving everyone a vegetable that they like makes them eat together more!

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  13. Coming together as a family for dinner is something we've done since the kids were born. They don't know any different so it's easy. Of course, we haven't had to deal with swim practice or other sports yet so that may change. I do believe they enjoy it though. It gives us all a chance to be together and they get our full attention.

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  14. I serve dinner at the same time every night, so my family knows when to show up.They are older so showing up isn't a requirement, but they usually do anyway.
    smchester at gmail dot com

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  15. I'm a follower!
    smchester at gmail dot com

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  16. I let everyone help out. This is a great way to get the family to the table. :)

    lilacbutterfly [at] earthlink.net

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  17. be nice to have us all eat together

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  18. Involve everyone in the meal preparation - each person being "in charge" of one part - you'll be working together as a family & having a great time!

    contact me at:
    celeste@mail4me.com

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  19. Follower!

    contact me at:
    celeste@mail4me.com

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  20. I'm a sneaky chef, I blend carrots in with tomato sauce to boost vitamin A- and my picky eaters- including my hubby, wolf it down!
    writer61@yahoo.com

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  21. I'm a big fan of Italian food for getting everyone together... Spaghetti or Lasagna, a huge green salad with all the fixings & hot garlic bread always seem to be a favorite at my house!

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  22. My daughters are 2 years old and 5 months old, so it isn't difficult to get them to come to the table to eat as a family. However, I've found that when my 2-year-old helps cook dinner with me that she's much more likely to want to stay and eat longer because she feels more interested in the meal when she has helped make it!

    Thanks!
    xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Unfortunately everyone in my family is on a different schedule except for weekends. The weekends we do manage dinner meals together, especially in the summer when we BBQ.

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  24. I think setting the table for the full amount of people in the family would set the tone! And of course, make a delicious home cooked meal!

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  25. I get my 6 year-old granddaughter involved by having her set the table for dinner.
    mgoss@bobgoss.com

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  26. just having them help at dinner is a astart- even shopping and showing them the cans is a big part- getting them involved...they are so proud they want to eat. Yes we all have a schedule but dinner may be 4 one night and 6 the next but we all try to eat together at least 6 times a week as wellas breakfast even if its just a quick morning hello

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  27. Sunday Dinner is family night. With hectic lives, it is important to sit down together at least once a week. I try to make meals that the family loves.

    rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca

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  28. I got my kids into helping me in the kitchen at an early age, so they actually love preparing food. They love to share their creations with the rest of the family!

    Kim
    turtles8861(at)gmail(dot)com

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  29. I believe it helps familys by having a sit down meal and sharing what they did for the day. And having that time for open comunication. sassymomofgirls@yahoo.com

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  30. I love to entice my family to eat dinner together at the table with a "surprise" desert. Everyone loves desert and it can be something as simple as chocolate pudding, but until they eat their meal at the table, they don't get to find out what it is!

    jennifercausby at hotmail dot com

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  31. We are busy, but we take sunday as the day to eat together and have a large dinner. It is just so nice to share our laughter and wisdom with our children.
    Nora
    neneelynn@yahoo.com

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  32. We make an effort to almost always eat dinner together...at least 5 nights a week. I think it's important for a family. Thanks.
    pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net

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  33. I make it a point to set down with my kids at dinner time ( even before my husband got laid off and wasnt home for supper). My kids enjoy it because we get to talk about the day or my daughter gets to sing a new song she made up for the day ( shes 4). My 7 year old son enjoys telling me what happened at school. Even when they have things to do outside in the summer or friends to play with, they dont get to go out unless we have our family supper time first. My parents always ate with us at the table and wanted to know what was going on in my life, and I plan to do the same with my kids.

    Thanks for the wonderful giveaway, we could really use this over summer while camping or when me and the kids go to the park ( I love grilled hotdogs, lol)

    from1mom2another@msn.com

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  34. getting them to share a meal I cant even get them on the phone much less than at the same place at the same time thats why I'm reding your blog and others comments

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  35. well we grew up eat while you can or don't get anything not funny

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  36. Since mine are grown, it is not a problem any more. When they were small, no problem, but once the first one reached teenage-hood, we were good if we were all together for 2-3 evening meals a week. Just went with the flow, since we did make time together other than mealtime.

    clynsg at yahoo.com

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  37. I follow.

    clynsg at yahoo.com

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  38. we try and make dinner fun by letting everyone help make it, so they want to be a part of sitting and eating it.

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  39. Pizza or pot roast always brings my family to the table:)

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  40. My husband and I eat together every evening. He's retired now but when he worked I had a meal waiting for him. Now he does the cooking for us(he's better than me),and since we can't afford to eat out anymore we eat together almost every night.

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  41. when my children lived at home house rules prevailed you ate at the table with the family when possible.

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  42. I just put all of the kids food at the table and sat down with them- there never was and issue about whether or not to eat there- they just didn't know any other way.

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  43. my kids respect the fact that we sit and eat dinner at the table except for those rare occasions when we can't... It's a matter of not letting them just grab whatever whenever they want... Dinner is dinner, and if they don't wanna eat at the table with us, they better not be caught in the goodies...

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  44. IN the summer we eat out on our patio, everyone loves to be outside!
    lgrieser(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  45. Not too successful at that. No worries about that now, but when my son was small about the only time we had a "family" dinner was on Sundays. Most other nights it was just the two of us.

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  46. blogged
    http://vickieb52.blogspot.com/2009/05/bloggy-giveaways_25.html

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  47. No need to "plan" when the "kids" were at home, we ate together and now that it's just the two of us, we still eat at the table.

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  48. Back to the table is easy for us. we do it every night

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  49. well all have so many different schudules, that when I know that everyone will be home I make a special dinner.

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  50. It's not rocket science...make it a priority for goodness sakes!

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  51. that's easy for me, I let the kids pick out and help cook what we eat ~ they love it

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  52. We eat together every night but I can see that when my kids get older it will get hard to get everyone together. I think we will just do our best to eat together whenever possible.

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  53. Serve colorful, tasty dishes that everyone likes.

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  54. I get my family to the table by refusing to serve them food anywhere else...funny, how it works! Thanks for the chance to win such a great prize. (krstrpp at hotmail dot com)

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  55. For great family time we go camping. Their only choice is to be there for dinner or starve.

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  56. If the kids need a snack before dinner...
    -and dad is going to be home soon - it's a light snack, so crackers or a little fruit.
    -if dad will be later but we can still eat together, it's a heavier snack like yogurt - something with protein.

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  57. Always have dinner at the same time so no one is guessing when dinner might be served.

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  58. It is something we have always done. When Dad gets home we all go to the table to eat.

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  59. We have theme night so we try to make it fun to eat together. We have Mexican night, movie night etc. and make it special.

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  60. I get everyone to help out by either making something or help to prepare and get the table ready.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

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  61. I follow.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

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  62. we make it a regular thing to eat dinner together, i think you need to start at a young age and keep it up

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  63. It is just not an option at our house we eat as a family. No tv,ipods ot cell phones allowed.

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  64. I get us together at the table more often by being a good grocery shopper and having the pantry stocked so I don't have to think so hard about what to make and then give in to take out or "everybody fend for yourself" meals.
    gray_andrea@hotmail.com

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  65. We eat together for each meal that we are home together. We are helping with this with getting everyone involved with the menu!

    Thanks!

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  66. Everyone helps make the meal so they all want to eat it.

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  67. I let the kids help, they always want to eat what they cook

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  68. If I can get dad to the table, they all follow. They love daddy!

    tifg45@excite.com

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  69. We try to all sit down together at least 3 or 4 nights a week. We just have a set time and everyone knows that they had better be here! When they are older, I know it will be harder though.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  70. Eating together has always been a priority so my kids are used to it and do not question the rule

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  71. It is a rule. We have always eaten together and we will continue to eat together,

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  72. We made the decision to eat together every night.
    pkildow at gmail dot com

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  73. We have one night a week that is sit to have dinner together which is friday evening. Each child takes a turn each week to decide what is going to be for dinner. They all look forward to deciding what they want their week.
    sheila32174@yahoo.com

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  74. We try to eat together at least on the week nights, weekends are a bit tougher with supper, so we try to do lunch or breakfast together.

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  75. If we eat together mon-fri the kids can eat with friends on the weekends

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  76. our way to get everyone together for as many nights as possible is each person gets to pick what the family has dinner, if you miss a night you don't get to pick that week (but also everyone has to like the dish too) - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  77. We are on different shifts, so when we are all together we make it special whether that be a family fun night or cooking together or what have you.

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  78. we set a side no matter what is going on, atleast 2 nights a week to have dinner together. And then on one other night, we have a family game night. mavans@scottsboro.org

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  79. became a follower.

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  80. We like to have cookouts at home or at the park to get our family and friends together for dinner.
    renee
    yeloechikee at hotmail dot com

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  81. No TV during dinner time.
    Cool giveaway
    Thank you
    valuedcustomer(at)live(dot)com

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  82. We cook together as a family. The kids like to help and they are more likely to eat it also.

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  83. eating together was/is catchup time. what happen this day. what did you see that made you feel something and do you know why. what is one good thing you did today. it was a great way to learn to speak and listen and lear from others. my dh and i try to do it today. it sure keeps the channels open.

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  84. take several different cans of vegies and throw them into the big pot. add garlic, diced onion, whatever spices you like (except salt). let it simmer a bit and taste. if you have left over meat from some other dish, chop it up into small pieces and throw that in. (any meat or meats) still needs more, add a can of meat broth. give it a bit of time to have the flavors meld. now, if you need salt add a pince. you don't want to over salt it and kids are generally not as appreciative of salt as adults are. and remember you can add more salt to your serving later.

    i call it kitchen sink soup or how to clean out the fridge soup

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  85. Hate to say it but it's not really a choice - we eat together every night! I think if you have fun though everyone will love eating together!
    Thanks
    Sarah
    believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

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  86. Dinner time in our house is for catching up on everyones day. and things that we are each looking forward to in the coming days.
    Each person in our house has a job in preparing dinner so that I know that we are all here together.
    Everyone from the oldest to the youngest seems to enjoy dinner together and it keeps us all in touch with one another.
    Thank you so much for the chance to win.

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  87. I am following your blog with Google Friend Connect.

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  88. My son is away at college but when he was living at home, we had certain nights of the week that we would sit down and eat as a family. We enjoyed this time and talked about any and everything.
    I sure miss having him home.

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  89. What a cool giveaway! My husband would totally approve :-) It's hard to have dinner together when my husband works for our church and has meetings most nights, but I make sure the kids and I are all around the table, and when he's home we usually grill or do something fun. I have your button on my blog. Thanks!

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  90. We eat together every night! We talk about the days events. Thanks for the chance. mogrill@comcast.net

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  91. I determined that food was not going to be an emotional issue for my son -- and I wasn't going to make mealtime a battleground. He enjoyed eating with us a lot more than most of his friends enjoyed eating with their parents.

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  92. To get everyone around the table, we take turns choosing something special for dinner that night.

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  93. We make it a habit to come to the table for dinner to talk about our days.

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  94. We always ate together after the Sunday morning worship service.
    acptuser(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  95. My kids love Pita Pocket night. I have all the fixings chopped in bowls on the table. They assemble their own pitas. Since the ingredients are all meat, veggies and cheese they are eating healthy no matter what they put in them.Its also an easy meal to have outside at the picnic table.We aren't together every night but Pita Pocket night is one no one misses! hondaray6 at hotmail dot com

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  96. I subscribe via google reader

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  97. I would love the chance to win, thanks.
    erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

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  98. I blogged:
    http://dun4fun-hondaray6.blogspot.com/2009/04/nascar-libbys-giveaway.html

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  99. We make it a family rule that we eat dinner together with the TV off! It's the best face-time for the family.

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  100. When I fire up the grill it always gets the family together for a meal.

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  101. My kids are still pretty young so we always eat dinner together. And I'm not going to let them out of it anytime soon :) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  102. We plan make-your-own pizza or make-your-own taco nights. Fun, and converation-inspiring.
    Jennifer, jennem22@yahoo.com

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  103. There are certain foods that everyone in the family loves - pizza is one of them. Setting aide one day where that is the known meal, helps get everyone to dinner together.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    email in blogger profile.

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  104. I try to serve meals that everyone enjoys. Once a month, each person has a chance to choose a very favorite dish. Thanks for this offer.
    Adele
    oak462@juno.com

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  105. We eat together as a family every night, no exceptions. My kids favorite meal is tacos so they are always happy on those nights
    harborlad@optonline.net

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  106. we make it a priority to eat together every night. trintiygsd at yahoo dot com

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  107. with such busy lives, my husband and I never get to sit down together. He has made a sacrifice and leaves work 30 mins. early twice a week and I leave for school 20 mins. late twice a week. While this might seem like a bad thing for school and work, it is well worth the sacrifice because family means everything to us.
    waterlily4love@hotmail.com

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  108. Once we moved to a new house with a bigger kitchen, we decided to eat out less often. It saves gas and money, and preparing dinner together helps get everyone invested in spending time as a family at the table!

    Katie
    showbizkp[at]gmail[dot]com

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  109. I follow you!

    Katie
    showbizkp[at]gmail[dot]com

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  110. One word: dessert.

    fishercl at email dot unc dot edu

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  111. We eat every day together at least one meal (dinner), sometimes breakfast too if it isn't a day my husband is up superearly before the rest of us.

    We have a somewhat set time that we eat dinner together, and I always found it rather romantic and sweet that since we married, my husband and I turned off our phones upon getting home, to have a quiet dinner and evening together. It's easier if you start this way right off the bat.

    If you didn't, start setting a time for dinner. It's a really lovely thing for a family to sit together and eat together, and not let outside influences interrupt this family time.

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  112. We don't have kids yet but my husband and I always try and eat together, and I plan on continuing that after we do have kids. =)

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  113. We have a rule that no matter what, everyone has to be home by a specific time for dinner!

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  114. Try a fondue night. For some reason, kids love it.

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  115. Ice cream or a chocolate cake bring us together:)

    annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

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  116. Set a specific time for dinner to be served each night so that the whole family knows when to be there!

    countrygirl1823@aol.com

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  117. I should probably go through and read all these comments to get some ideas! Since we have a 2 year old and 6 month old, we don't eat together as a family yet. :) But I try to get our 2 year old to sit with us for just a little bit while we pray over our meal, then we give him a few bits IF he's in JUST the right mood to eat. (Ahhh...toddlers.)

    mrs_kateboard@hotmail.com

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  118. Now, that my sons are home from college for the summer-dinner time is the only time we are together as a family.
    Diane
    dianesmb@aol.com

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  119. We have always had sit down meals so it is the norm for our family. We sit and talk and eat. It is nice to eat as a family. I do it because That was how it when I grew up we always ate together.

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  120. It's hard for us to get all to the table together because my husband and I work odd schedules (I'm a nurse, he's an EMT). On days that we're both off and home, we make ourselves sit down and spend quality time together as a family at the table. that's usually only about 2-3 nights a week, though - sadly. :(

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  121. one fun way is to use table games

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  122. We have always made it a habit to eat together. No TV allowed. The only time we don't is when my husband works late & even then if the kids are up we all sit together. There's never been an option.

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  123. I try to make something everyone likes.

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  124. We are lucky enough to eat together almost every night. We select our weekly meal plan as a family so we're eating good foods that we all like.

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  125. We do fun things like have everyone talk about the best part of their day, or we have a special question for the night that everyone answers -- we make it a point to sit down together every night and have a meal and talk!

    marielay@gmail.com

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  126. We do a make your own pizza and game night.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  127. We don't really have a problem getting everyone to the table. We've always eaten dinner together. We listen to music and talk about our day.
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    proudyaya04 {at} yahoo {dot} com

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  128. I get my family, kids are 17 and 21, by telling them that they can either come to the table and share their thoughts or I will sit in the living room while they are trying to talk to friends and bug them about what is going on in their life. It always works.

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  129. Dinner is like our family ritual - unless somebody is undergoing chemotherapy or something they'd better be at the table when the food is being served! But it's not as strict as it may sound... we all actually look forward to that time of day together. :)

    mcj4tlj@comcast.net

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  130. Themed Dinner nights! Those are a lot of fun. Have mexican night and Italian Night etc dress up in costumes and all prepare the meal together. Don't forget to take pictures to laugh at later!
    ilovebabynoah707@yahoo.com

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  131. We eat dinner together every night, and the TV isn't allowed on.

    stormraven at gmail dot com

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  132. We always had dinner together except for when my husband would have to work late, then it would be just me and my sons. When they got older and involved in other activities it was a little harder, but Sunday meals were still family meals.

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  133. We made dinner fun so everyone enjoys getting to the table every night. We let each child take turns picking a subject to talk about and they are excited about their turn. Thanks!
    lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

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  134. I'm following your blog. Thanks!
    lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

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  135. I blogged http://ljsin2win.blogspot.com/2009/05/enter-to-win-libbys-get-back-to-table.html

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  136. Make it a date, especially as the kids get older and want to do things on their own schedule. At least one night a week is family night, everyone has to be home and at the table, no ifs, ands or buts.

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  137. We have all our meals together, which is hard because my husband works 7:00 pm - 7:00 am wednesday - sunday morning and 7:00 am - 2:00 pm on monday and tuesday. The kids have sports, band, marching band after school. we sometimes pick up a meal and eat it between their activities.
    we also go out 2 times a month to eat. To make it easy we have a day where we get to choose the meal such as my son likes pizza so we have a pizza day, a taco day, a chicken day, etc so everyone gets a day and there's never fussing because of the fact everyone gets their choice.

    Thank you

    camper223[at]live[dot]com

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  138. I'm already a follower

    Thank you

    camper223[at]live[dot]com

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  139. I'm a twitter follower
    I twitted this contest
    camper223

    http://twitter.com/camper223/status/1968051602


    Thank you

    camper223[at]live[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  140. I grew up eating at a family table. I felt we needed to do the same when we had children. No ipods, no laptops, just all of us. Even if we have to work evenings, my parents come and have dinner with the kids the same way. The kids have never known any other way.

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  141. I have learn first I must be organized as the meal planner and remain firm to our dinner time as much as possible sometimes school and sport activites are added in but if dinner is at 6pm it firm no excuse. Thanks for the giveaway

    sharr1226 at yahoo dot com

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  142. When the kids help make the meal they're more likely to eat it :)

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  143. Preparing the meal TOGETHER- give everyone one dish they are responsible for. It starts to be fun for them and they voluntarily come to the kitchen at dinner time!

    froggypartyof2@aol.com

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  144. Making meals that are fun to eat and prepare together - customized pizzas, tacos, etc. - make mealtime fun.

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  145. I cook favorite family meals to bring us all together. My sons get involved and help with the cooking.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

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  146. Have each person participate in cooking then share it toghther intime@myself.com

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  147. try making the meal together, everyone wants to eat what they just made, make it even more fun by coming up with your own recipes!

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  148. What we do is everyone gets to pick one meal a week and they have to help make it...then we try to make sure we turn off the TV and eat at teh table.

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  149. This really isn't a problem for us. We've always eaten together as a family, so there has never been any question about people eating at different times.

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  150. We eat dinner together every night and talk about current events.

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  151. We eat dinner most nights together but lately with softball and bicycle races this is getting harder to do. Eating out is so expensive there has to be a better way.

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  152. We make it a point to cook together and eat together especially during the summer months when everyone is home.

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  153. We eat outside during the summer...
    Gets everyone together...especially hubby, since he is outside most of the day anyway!

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  154. We make a decision to eat at the table together for at least one meal per day. It's a great time for daily discussions.

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  155. To keep my family healthy and active we have banned fast food and exercise daily – usually a family hike; great exercise and all so a chance to talk without interruptions.

    It is easy to get my family back to the table because we stress that it keeps you healthy both physically and mentally

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  156. We have the kids help with preparing the food, then they want to come eat. I am queenesperfect @ yahoo.com

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  157. we have family night where we each have some dish to fix for the evening meal

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  158. I entered my recipe (Phoenix Podium Pie) in the Table-Gating Recipe Contest.

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  159. An idea to get them back to the table is to serve whole wheat bread fresh baked, at least thats what helps here.
    electricisland(at)gmail.com

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  160. My children are all grown with their own families now but my oldest daughter had the best idea with her family.
    Each child had their own day to make the meal of their choice. When they were very small it was as simple as hot dogs. As they got older they started being more creative. There aren't many evening when the whole family isn't there.

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  161. It's easy to get the family back to the table when you cook some really delicious foods that smell spectacular. I just cooked some vegetarian baked ziti with smart ground meatless ground and cheddar, mozzarella and parm topping the other night and it brought the neighbors to the table, too!

    kristiflowers@yahoo.com

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  162. I try 2 prepare foods that we all like together as a family. They come a running for my meals
    pkbailey@charter.net

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  163. We schedule no other activities during dinner time and everyone takes a part in helping prepare dinner whether it's the shopping, setting the table, getting the ingredients ready, cooking, etc.

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  164. fried chicken dinner brings everyone 2 gather at the dinning room table.

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  165. We are a very busy family, but we do make an effort to all sit down to dinner. Even though sports and clubs may end late, that's okay...we don't mind eating later than normal, as long as it is together. It's a great time to unwind and share our feelings on the day. I do find that if I use my slow cooker it is very helpful. Because then we all come home...grab a bowl of something or other from it and sit together and eat. Works for us!
    cmflan122@gmail.com

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  166. it can be tough sometimes with everyones schedules but what we do is have dinner different times every night depending on when everyone will be here :)

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  167. I have found the trick: I save their "most favoritist" foods for meals where we can all gather around the table together. They won't pass up their favorites!

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  168. following your blog as klp1965

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  169. The dogs and I have chicken breast from Costco for dinner so they always come to dinner.

    pls.pk.me@gmail.com

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  170. Everyone has a job to do...setting the table...choosing what we eat...helping with certain dishes...we all eat together and enjoy our teamwork.

    charlies_secret_angel2006@yahoo.com

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  171. We take the time to turn off the TV and all other noise to sit down together and listen to each other around the dinner table. kneecree at gmail dot com

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  172. We have a game night and family dinner once week.

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  173. I plan out a week's worth of meals so I have everything I need and we're not forced to go out.

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  174. I try to do a lot of put your food together yourself nights. Which means they must gather round the table to plate their food and inevitably they stay around the table. Examples of this are taco night, burrito night, smorgasboard night (little bit of what is left in the cupboards) and more...

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  175. I have retired and live alone and miss those days that we spent around the table together. I must have set a good example because my daughter makes sure that each Saturday night is family night and when weather permits meals are cooked outside. I still cook meals on Sunday, after church the family just followers me home to eat. The old saying of the family that prays together-stays together, well, the family that eats together-stays together, too. ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  176. It's hard because my husband works either days or nights, depending on the day of the week. On the days that he's home for dinner, I make sure I make a bigger meal where we all sit down together! I was raised to eat together every night at the table!
    Yanks500@optonline.net

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  177. My kids are grown but when they were younger we always ate together. It was just our routine. Now it's just my husband and I. thanks!

    braaisjo at gmail dot com

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  178. We have committed to having Sundays as family day. It's the one day everyone knows that we spend the whole day together and that includes meals! Yay!
    quelleheure4[at]gmail{dot}com

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  179. Get the family involved with preparing dinner.

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