Showing posts with label table topics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label table topics. Show all posts

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Delightful Dining: Halloween Week

11:43 AM 0 Comments

It has been a while since I did a post for family dinners.

This week make your family dinners fun and interesting with these ideas:

DELIGHTFUL DINING: Halloween Week
  • Come to dinner dressed up in your Halloween costume.
  • Make a dish or dessert that includes pumpkin as a main ingredient (pumpkin stew, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, etc.)
  • Serve gruesome dishes. (Brains and blood = spaghetti, mummies = hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls, make homemade pizzas and create monster faces with toppings, etc.)
  • Have dinner in the dark. Cover the table in a white table cloth and turn on a black light, or eat by candle light.
  • Have a murder mystery dinner. Invite some other families over for some extra fun. HERE's a great site for CLEAN games on sale now!

TABLE TOPICS:
  • What do you want to dress up as for Halloween?
  • If your whole family had to dress up together for Halloween, what would you dress up as? (Scooby Doo and his friends? The Simpsons? A bunch of cowboys and cowgirls?)
  • What is your favorite part about the fall?

FLAVORFUL FAVORITES: Mac & Cheese

This is a homemade recipe for mac & cheese that tastes good and that your kids will eat! I love it too. It's made with real ingredients and the "cheese sauce" is creamy! (I used ditalini pasta noodles so both my toddler and 1-year old could eat it without problems)


6 oz. pasta noodles (about 1/3 of 16 oz. box)
1 egg
1/2 c. evaporated milk
cheese, shredded (to liking)
salt

Cook your pasta, drain it, and return it to cooking pot. In a separate bowl whisk together egg, milk and a couple pinches of salt. Pour mixture over noodles. Stir in shredded cheese. Add more salt to taste if needed. If you'd like it extra creamy, add more milk. If you add too much cheese it will dry out quicker. You can't really ruin this recipe. It's very adjustable to your liking.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Family Dinners: Back to School

5:36 AM 0 Comments

DELIGHTFUL DINING: Show and Tell

Each member of the family packs an item in a backpack, or tote, or other "school" bag. Be prepared to share the history or a story about that item to the other family members at the table. It can be a picture, an heirloom, book, toy, etc. Take turns sharing.

TABLE TOPICS:
  • Do you know anyone who can speak a second language? If you could speak a second language (or a third), which language would you like to speak? Why?
  • What was your very favorite part of summer? What are you looking forward to when school starts?
  • What do you hope to learn this year in school?

FLAVORFUL FAVORITES: Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These are so delicious and perfect for busy weeknights. These won't disappoint. I love P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps but they're expensive and I rarely eat out. I love making my own version at home.

Ingredients:

1 can water chestnuts, diced
3 green onions, diced
1/2 pkg. fresh mushrooms, diced
1 chicken breast, cooked and diced
Trader Joe's Soyaki teriyaki sauce (add to liking)
1 head butter lettuce, washed

Directions:

In a skillet, combine water chestnuts, green onions, mushrooms, chicken and Soyaki. Cook until hot and mushrooms are cooked through.

Serve with washed butter lettuce leaves.


Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Making Family Dinners Fun

11:41 AM 0 Comments
This week...

DELIGHTFUL DINING: More moon pebbles, please!

Use silly names for the foods you eat. Corn isn't "corn" but rather "moon pebbles." Spaghetti is "monkey brains," and salad is "the chewsen one." Make up funny and even some gross names. Kids will love naming and eating their "exotic" foods.


TABLE TOPICS: Never A Dull Moment
  • If you could re-name your family members, what would you name them? What name would you choose for yourself?
  • What should we do more of as a family?
  • If you could go somewhere with just mom (or just dad), where would you go?

FLAVORFUL FAVORITES: Brooke's MoROCKIN' Chicken

Moroccan Chicken


Ingredients:

1 medium onion, coarsely chopped (1/2 cup)

8 oz. baby carrots

1/2 cup pitted dried plums (prunes)

1 14 oz. can reduced sodium chicken broth

8 bone-in chicken thighs, skinned

1 1/4 tsp. curry powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon


Directions:

  1. In a 4-5 quart slow cooker combine onions and carrots. Add plums and broth. Top with chicken. In a small bowl combine curry powder, salt and cinnamon. Sprinkle over chicken.
  2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8-10 hours or on high setting for 4-5 hours. Remove chicken and vegetables from cooker with a slotted spoon. Spoon some of the cooking juices on each serving.

I served this over rice. It was delicious.


Click HERE for a printable version of this recipe.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Family Dinners

4:57 AM 0 Comments
DELIGHTFUL DINING: Table Reading

Choose a book of interest to kids of varied ages or maybe a book that a child is required to read for school. Read for just 10 minutes as children are finishing eating. Pick up where you left off tomorrow night.


TABLE TOPICS:
  • If you could re-do your own bedroom (or house) what would it MUST have?
  • Name a time in your life that made you feel proud about yourself.
  • Name one thing that you would still like to do this summer.

FLAVORFUL FAVORITES: Heidi's Potato Dinner Rolls

You can half this recipe and it still makes plenty!

Ingredients:

3 c. milk
1/2 butter (1 stick)
1/4 c. crisco
1 c. potato flakes (or instant potatoes)
3/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. salt
1-1/2 Tbsp. yeast
1/3 c. water
pinch sugar
4 eggs
8 c. flour
1/4 c. butter, softened
extra flour to flour surface

Directions:

  1. Heat 3 cups milk in microwave for 5 minutes on high
  2. Add 1 stick butter, 1/4 c. crisco, 1 c. potato flakes or instant potatoes, 3/4 c. sugar and 1 tablespoon salt. Beat until lukewarm.
  3. In the meantime, soften 1-1/2 tablespoons yeast in 1/3 cup lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar.
  4. Beat 4 eggs, then add milk mixture, yeast and 4 cups flour and beat until smooth. Add 4 more cups of flour one at a time. (Makes a soft dough) Mix for a few minutes. I just mix it in my Kitchen Aid mixer. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
  5. Take out half of the dough and roll out in large rectangle. Spread 1/4 c. of softened butter over dough. Fold in thirds. Fold long side bottom of rectangle up and then the long side of rectangle top down over it. Starting from end cut small slices off and twist into a tie or knot folding ends under. When pan is full, cover with plastic wrap and let rise 2 hours. Repeat for other half of dough. Bake at 375 degrees for 11 minutes.

**This makes a huge batch. However these freeze really well so you could freeze them too. Don't worry if the dough seems too sticky. That's how it is. Just plop it out on a floured surface and lightly flour and it rolls out and works just fine. I think that is what makes it so good.


Click HERE for a printable version.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Family Dinners

11:02 AM 0 Comments

Click HERE to find out why I put an emphasis on family dinner.

DELIGHTFUL DINING: Two Truths and One Lie

Each family member reports on three things about his or her day. Two of those things are true and the other is a lie. The others try to guess which thing is the lie. Kids love to see the reaction of their parents and see if they can stump them too.

TABLE TOPICS:
  • What is your favorite chore to do in the house? Your least favorite?
  • What is your favorite toy? Why? Where did you get it?
  • What is the silliest face you can make?

EXTRA FLAIR: The Michael's craft store near our house is moving locations which means they have everything for 70% off. MJ found these fun plastic cups. She said she wanted to have "fancy" cups for dinner. I forked out a whopping 60 cents for each. These will be fun for dinnertime this week.


Thursday, July 7, 2011

Family Dinners

6:05 AM 0 Comments
This week's ideas for successful family dinners:

DELIGHTFUL DINING:
Centerpieces!

Let your child choose a center piece for family dinner. It can be a flower, candles, or other object. If you'd like, take turns letting each member of the family choose a different centerpiece for each night of the week.


TABLE TOPICS: Get the conversation rolling with one or all of these questions!
  • If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? What noise does your animal make?
  • What is your favorite weather? Why? How does it make you feel?
  • What is the nicest thing someone has done for you? How did it make you feel?

ON THE MENU: What should I make this week? Just some ideas.

Sunday: Crock Pot Roast and Veggies served with a green salad
Monday: Warm Roasted Vegetable Salad with Baked Potato Wedges
Tuesday: Orange chicken served over rice, and stir-fry vegetables
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Bowtie pasta topped with vegetable cream sauce, served with garlic bread
Friday: BBQ Kabobs and corn on the cob served with fruit salad

**If you'd like any of these easy and yummy recipes, send me a comment. I'd be happy to share!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Super Suppers

1:57 PM 0 Comments
ON THE MENU

Sunday: Polynesian BBQ chicken served with watermelon, rice, and a green salad
Monday: 4th OF JULY!
Tuesday: Taco Salad
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Ooey Gooey Crock pot chicken served over rice with a side of fresh summer fruit
Friday: Picnic in the park (KFC or pizza)

Remember to comment if you'd like any of these recipes. I'd be happy to post them. :)


DELIGHTFUL DINING: Superhero Supper

Get the costume box out or some old clothes and dress up as superheroes. Make up a new superhero name for yourself. Explain your super powers and how you help people.


TABLE TOPICS:
  • What makes you happy?
  • If you could be a superhero, who would you be and why?
  • Who is the funniest person you know?

Why I do dinner planning: Click HERE.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Dinnertime!

4:27 AM 0 Comments
ON THE MENU: World Tour

SUNDAY: Crock pot Chicken Tikka Masala (India), served with turmeric rice and peas

MONDAY: Falafel Pitas (Middle East), stuffed with cucumber/tomato/feta salad, hummus, and cilantro & chive yogurt

TUESDAY: Leftovers

WEDNESDAY: Sandwiches (Anyone know this one? Mine is going to be the super American version), build your own

THURSDAY: Seco de Pollo (Ecuador), chicken cooked in a tomato, bell pepper, red onion sauce, seasoned with garlic, cumin, and aji peruano

FRIDAY: Soft Tacos (Mexico), build your own

Please feel free to comment if you would like the recipes to any of these dinner ideas. My recipes are pretty easy, don't take much time, and taste good too! (Believe me- if it doesn't taste good, I don't make it.)

Also, click HERE to see why dinnertime is a big deal around here.


DELIGHTFUL DINING: Mystery Guests (aka Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?)

Each member of the family invites someone over for dinner. Keep the name of the guest a secret from each other until he/she arrives. This will be a fun surprise for everyone. Make sure you ask your mystery guest if he/she has any dietary restrictions and let the person preparing the meal know if there are any. This will be fun and I'm looking forward to it.


TABLE TOPICS: this will be fun with your mystery guests.
  • If you could go on a vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
  • How would you describe yourself to someone who hasn't met you?
  • If you joined the circus, who would you like to be? What act would you do?

BUEN PROVECHO!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Delightful Dinners!

3:05 AM 0 Comments

ON THE MENU

Sunday: Breakfast Tacos, Strawberries
Monday: Potato Cheese Casserole with peas
Tuesday: Enchiladas, Spanish Rice
Wednesday: Chinese Chicken Salad, Egg Drop Soup
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: English Muffin Pizzas

Remember to comment if you'd like the recipe to any of these easy, quick, and yummy meals. I'd be happy to post them.

DELIGHTFUL DINING IDEA Face Mats!

Instead of regular place mats, let your children create "face mats" by drawing the face of each family member on some art paper or shelf paper. The kids can then place these new place mats around the table wherever they choose when they set the table.

TABLE TOPICS

What is your favorite smell? What's the nastiest smell you've ever smelled?

Where would you like to go on your next family vacation?

What was the nicest thing someone has done for you? How did it make you feel?


Click HERE if you missed my first post about why family dinners are important.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Family Dinners

3:00 AM 0 Comments
One of my New Year's resolutions this year was to focus on family dinners. In theory, it's a time for us to be together, enjoy homemade food, and talk about the day's happenings. With a 3 year old and a 4 month old, dinner time doesn't last that long but I hope our dinners will be something that my kids look forward to and remember as good times when they get older.

Family dinners are IMPORTANT!

Here are some stats and interesting articles on the positive affects of family dinners:

FOX NEWS posted this article.

TIME Magazine posted this article.


WebMD Feature (with links to further reading and suggestions for organizing family dinners)



ON THE MENU

This is what we're having next week:

Sunday: Spaghetti, green salad, french bread
Monday: Moroccan Chicken and vegetables (crock pot), rice, fruit salad
Tuesday: Thai Peanut Noodles, sliced pineapple
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Super Easy French Dip Sandwiches (crock pot), strawberries, baked potato fries
Friday: Pizza and green salad

If you'd like the recipes to any of these meals, send me a comment. I'd be happy to post a recipe. Most of the meals I make are simple and don't require a lot of prep time. They even taste pretty good too. :)

Each week we'll have at least one "leftovers" night and Saturdays are up in the air because we're usually out and about running errands, like grocery shopping for next week's dinners, or playing. We'll usually make something like quesadillas or waffles or whatever we have on hand.


DELIGHTFUL DINING Fork, Knife, Spoon, Crayons

Here's this week's idea of what we're going to do during one of our family dinners to make it fun:

Cover the table with plain paper or use large construction paper for place mats. At each place setting, line up some crayons. There are no rules for this activity. Just eat and draw. You can ask questions about what your kids (or your spouse) are drawing. Make it a positive experience.

If you'd like to find out more about HOW your child's day went, ask him or her to draw their best part of the day and their worst part of the day. (Hopefully they don't draw a picture of them drawing on the table cloth as their "worst" part of the day.) Ask them about how each situation made them feel?

This activity was awesome for my 3 year old. It seemed like she forgot she was eating broccoli because she was focused on drawing her rainbows and trees. I will do this again...maybe with squash.


TABLE TOPICS

To get the conversation rolling, choose a question or two to talk about.

What is your favorite game to play?

If you could have three wishes, what would they be?

What is your favorite time of the day? Why?



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