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The Family Dinner by Laurie David is one of the newer additions to my cookbook collection. It was published in 2010, but I only recently picked up a copy at Anthropologie _this fall. So strange to buy clothing and cookbooks all in the same store, but somehow Anthropologie makes that work. The Family Dinner reminds me of why I'm cooking - to create that experience of the family meal each night. It is chock full of quotes and facts about the value of the family meal. Throw a little Turkey Meatloaf together, sit down to a family dinner and not only are your bellies full, but you may be bypassing some of the biggest problems facing our children. Experts quoted in the book believe the family meal combats a long list of societal problems: obesity, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, mental illness and eating disorders to name a few. Better grades, increased vocabularies and well adjusted kids who can carry on a conversation with adults and feel heard by their families are some of the added perks.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes in the book
1 of 5 meals are eaten in the car.
"People say they don't have time to cook, yet in the last few years we have found an extra two hours a day for the internet." -- Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma
"A meal is about civilizing children. It's about teaching them to become a member of their culture."-- Robin Fox, Ph.D., professor of social theory at Rutgers University
"Life is uneven and unpredictable. Rituals help stabilize and anchor us." -- Marshall P. Duke, Ph.D., Candler Professor of Psychology, Emory University
So far, I've made the Arroz Con Pollo and Tortilla Soup for Amigos recipes. I love Cuban and Mexican food, but the cookbook also contains food from a variety of other origins. My three children (ages 10, 8 and 6) have given both meals their stamps of approval. I've really enjoyed both of these meals as well - both cooking the meals and eating them. Not too many ingredients, no oddball necessities requiring a special market run and simple to follow directions for those of us who are slightly challenged in the kitchen.
This is not a must have cookbook. If I pull it out too much, it feels a bit preachy. In small doses, it is truly inspiring. If you enjoy collecting cookbooks and gain your cooking inspiration from them, then this is one to add to your collection. It speaks to why I cook, so I enjoy having it in my collection. Stacy
Here are a few of my favorite quotes in the book
1 of 5 meals are eaten in the car.
"People say they don't have time to cook, yet in the last few years we have found an extra two hours a day for the internet." -- Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma
"A meal is about civilizing children. It's about teaching them to become a member of their culture."-- Robin Fox, Ph.D., professor of social theory at Rutgers University
"Life is uneven and unpredictable. Rituals help stabilize and anchor us." -- Marshall P. Duke, Ph.D., Candler Professor of Psychology, Emory University
So far, I've made the Arroz Con Pollo and Tortilla Soup for Amigos recipes. I love Cuban and Mexican food, but the cookbook also contains food from a variety of other origins. My three children (ages 10, 8 and 6) have given both meals their stamps of approval. I've really enjoyed both of these meals as well - both cooking the meals and eating them. Not too many ingredients, no oddball necessities requiring a special market run and simple to follow directions for those of us who are slightly challenged in the kitchen.
This is not a must have cookbook. If I pull it out too much, it feels a bit preachy. In small doses, it is truly inspiring. If you enjoy collecting cookbooks and gain your cooking inspiration from them, then this is one to add to your collection. It speaks to why I cook, so I enjoy having it in my collection. Stacy