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Family Dinner time is a place where we can gather, connect, make memories, nourish our bodies, nurture our families and get to know what our family members are going through. It’s a place of security, tradition and to be heard by those who love us most.

That being said, dinnertime can be really rough, too. Having a houseful of kids, it can be the liveliest part of our day trying to keep the kids in their seats, food in their mouths, and conversations appropriate. Meal time also takes a lot of energy and money. Here are some ideas for how to make dinner time easier, save you time and money!

Listen below or through your favorite podcast app! Keep scrolling for detailed show notes.

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Show Notes:

Why is Family Dinner time so important:

I think this quote from Joanna Gaines, in her cookbook Magnolia Table, sums it up perfectly:

Food is the musical soundtrack of our lives; it bolsters our traditions; it maintains our fondest memories and our notion of home and family and, in the most basic sense, our ability to live and breathe day in and day out. It is around food that we gather in joy and in grief; it is an offering that comforts us in bad times and enriches the good times. No other thing in the living world nourishes us physically while also affecting us on an emotional level the same way that food does. All I’m really hoping to convey is that food matters. It’s an honor and a privilege to feed the people in our lives, and to gather around a table where there is always, always home to be found. - Joanna Gaines

Here are a few time and money saving tips:

Look at your calendar. Make sure your dinner plans are realistic with your schedule and plan accordingly. Maybe take out or a crockpot meal are more appropriate on certain days
Make a list of 2 weeks worth of meals and what you need at the store. Bring it with you to the store. You'll be amazed at how much you have on hand already.
Ask your kids/family for ideas of what they'd like to eat. When you know what you are spending time on will make others happy, it will feel like less of a chore!

If you are having a hard time thinking of what to make, check out the Family Recipes section of our blog for inspiration.

Helpful and Happy Questions:

Favorite food recipe of the week you need to check out: French Toast Crunch with Strawberries & Caramel Sauce - inspired by Magnolia Table Restaurant.
Fun Family Trip: New Orleans!! Check out our post: 7 Family Friendly Things to Do in New Orleans.
Homemaking Hack: When you are making dinner, look at your menu plan and pull out anything out of the freezer that you need for the next day and put it in the fridge so it is ready to go when you need it!