Family Meal Time

Family dinner time is different in every home.  Some dinners involve kids fighting over the food, throwing things at each other, and speaking only in a yelling voice.  Others are gathered on the couch eating a pizza and watching American Idol.  Some might imagine dinner to be like it was on the Brady Bunch where everyone is sitting nicely saying please and thank you.  No matter what dinner time is like in your home, it is just important you are making an effort to spend time together by having dinner.  

Recent studies have shown that the more often families eat meals together, the less likely children are to begin smoking, drinking, develop eating disorders, get depressed and they tend to do better in school.  In the last ten years, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse has been studying family meals.  Last year they published their study which found kids who eat most meals with their parents are 40 percent more likely to get A's and B's in school.    

In an article in Time Magazine, a study in the Archives of Family Medicine found that eating family meals together tends to mean less soda and fried food and more fruits and vegetables.  Family meal time also teaches your children to compromise, since they can't all have their favorite meal each night.  

There are some meals though, that most all your children will enjoy and this Chicken Noodle Soup is one.  It is great for those cloudy, snowy or rainy days and will bring warmth to your soul as you sit around the table with your family for dinner.  Plus, it is really easy to make and is delicious the next day, if there are any leftovers!  

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

9 cups water

8 chicken bouillon cubes

With water and bouillon cubes combine:

2 potatoes, cubed

1 cup carrots, cut into pieces

2 celery sticks, sliced

When the vegetables are almost soft, add:

 1 cup, or so, of noodles

1/2 cup frozen corn

1 can of chicken, or 1 cup of cooked chicken

When the noodles are almost soft, add:

1 cup sour cream

1 can cream of chicken soup

Simmer until the sour cream and cream of chicken soup 

are blended and the noodles are soft.  

If you like more carrots or celery or potatoes, feel free to make this recipe your own.  It is delicious and is great for a cold day, like we have been having.  Family meal times don't need to be extravagant.  They can be simple and fun and will make for a happier, healthier family.