February is American Heart Month. Rather than feature a heart-healthy recipe, of which there is a plethora online, we have chosen instead to feature something else that is good for your heart- sharing time with loved ones. In today's fast-paced world we often cheat ourselves of quality time with our families in order to get everything done in our hectic daily schedules.

In many societies there is emphasis on mealtime and the importance of the "communion" that occurs when a family shares in a meal together. This tradition traces back to ancient civilizations, as well as to the early days of Christianity. After all, Christ shared a Passover meal with his disciples after which we have modeled our Eucharistic tradition. Additionally, the Sabbath meal was and is a crucial part of Jewish tradition.

The Episcopal Church Medical Trust has shared some wonderful ideas for spending quality time with our families during mealtime. We hope you will use this "recipe" for enriching your daiy meals with love and fun.

Cooking Meals Together

One day this week, have a night devoted to healthy cooking with your family.  Taking one day out of the week to share time with loved ones is a great way to check in and catch up. Below are some reasons to cook with the family, you can include friends too!

• It’s a great way to spend time together – Dinner doesn’t have to start with the plates hitting the table.  Get everyone involved in the preparation.  Not only will it divide up the workload and give kids some hands-on experience – it will also give you all a chance to catch up on each other’s busy lives.

• Try new things – Make a plan to have the whole family try one new thing each time you cook together.  It might be a spice, a vegetable or a whole grain you’ve never tried before.  You may just find a new favorite food!

• Boost a child’s self-confidence – Kids feel more and more empowered with every new skill they master.  Learning how to follow a recipe and serve a tasty dish will give them a sense of accomplishment.  Learning how to make a simple healthy snack is a great way to get them to eat healthful foods. 

• Healthy eating begins at home – With all the candy, snack and fast food advertising it’s important to talk with them about healthier choices.  They may just learn it is cooler to reach for an apple than a cookie. 

• It’s great to have a family tradition – Sometimes it feels like the world is stacked against families trying to spend a little time together.  Coordinate your calendars, switch off your cell phones, and designate a night of the week for a no-interruption family dinner. 

• You’re making new memories – Most of us can remember helping our moms or grandmothers when they were cooking.  Give your kids a chance to store up their own memories of fun family times in the kitchen.