Why Family Dinners are Important - How to Get Involved

It's no secret that our family has gone through a lot of change over the last few months.  With travelling, living in hotels, living with friends, moving across country, unpacking and starting school, we have had our share of busy days.  The one thing that is so important to us, no matter how hectic or crazy our days have been, is sharing family meals together.

Sure, some days we aren't always at home together during meal times, but sitting down to share a meal is a part of my day that I look forward to.  Of course, leading up to actually sitting down is hectic - and I'd be lying if I said I ever got to actually sit for more than a few minutes (moms, can I get a "yes"! on this?!) but I look forward to it because it's one of the few times that the four of us can take a breather and reconnect.

Billion Family Dinners shares my feelings on the importance of this time together.  Did you know that dinners together can reduce stress and obesity?  It's true.  And "family dinner" does not have to mean a traditional family - friends that are like family can have the same effect.  Just sitting down and reconnecting with those you love brings you many health benefits - including increased happiness!

I, along with Billion Family Dinners, urge you to join the movement of having and tracking family dinners throughout September and October.  You can download an app straight to your iPhone or on Google Play.  I love the app because it gives you conversation starters as well!

Every time you have a family dinner, tag me on social media (@allthejoys on twitter and instagram) as well as @BillionDinners (instagram) or @DinnerCall (twitter) and use the hashtag #BillionDinners.  

The user that tracks the most dinners using the app will be rewarded!  Be sure to tag me so we can keep track. :)

Happy (family dinner style) Eating!

Friday Faves + A New Blog!

We made it through the week - and actually, this one seemed to fly by.  Maybe it was because of Labor Day?  Regardless, I'm not complaining because by now you should know that the weekend is my favorite part of the week.  But really, does anyone not like the weekend?  I didn't think so.

With my revamp of Blogger Love, I've started to realize how many of my daily routines include products and things that I love using.  Here are just a few from this week:

Symphony Bars.  I used to work at a pharmacy in high school, and this was the only chocolate they had.  I ate a lot of them, and forgot how delicious they were until recently.  On a whim I picked one up and devoured every last bite!

Yes to Grapefruit Cleansing wipes.  I keep these in my bedside table for when I forget (or am too lazy) to actually wash my face.

Peach Green Tea Lemonade from Starbucks.  So sad that they have deemed it "fall", and I cannot get this anymore.  Until next summer Starbucks!

Favorite Quote.  If this one doesn't sum up my current life, I don't know what does:

Favorite New Blog: Beauty in the Mess, written by Megan.  Megan has lived in many areas (most fascinating - Mexico!) and writes about "the little things", her adventures with her husband, and has the cutest pug!  Fun fact - it's also her birthday today!!  You can follow along here: Bloglovin' || Instagram || Twitter

Want to share your favorites this week?  Link up below and share your favorite posts, products, tips and tricks!

An InLinkz Link-up

Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

Family dinners are so important to us -  it's a time for us all to sit together without any distractions and talk about our days.  Funny things that happened, things we learned, events we are excited for.  Finding a meal that everyone will like?  That's is quite a challenge in our house!

A few months ago, my sister and I were talking about how to get my kids (husband included) to eat more vegetables.  Basically, anything green is off limits according to E - which makes things a bit difficult.  She shared this recipe with me and I've already made it a few times because it's such a hit!

Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:
3/4 cup wild rice blend and chicken broth to cook it in 
1T butter
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed (hint: buy a bag of diced sweet potatoes that cook in the microwave)
2 t brown sugar
4 cups spinach

Vinaigrette:
2 T olive oil
2 T balsamic vinegar
1T maple syrup
1 t Dijon mustard
2 cloves minced garlic
Salt and pepper

 1. Prepare rice according to package directions using chicken broth instead of water.

2. Mix ingredients for vinaigrette, whisk to combine, set aside 

3. Melt butter in skillet (medium high). Add brown sugar and sweet potatoes, season with salt and sauté until tender and carmelized (about 10 minutes). 

4. Turn heat down, add spinach to skillet, cover and steam until wilted.

5. Add rice and vinaigrette, then toss to combine. 

And enjoy!  I usually make some chicken on the side, but this is very filling as is.  Let me know if you make it!

This Week's Faves

Happy Friday loves!  Another week, another weekend.  I hope to finally get everything unpacked and put away this weekend.  Here's hoping!

We're back today for Blogger Love, episode 2.2.  I still need a new name for this link up - something that encompasses everything that will be shared - and it's a little more difficult than I thought it would be.  Hopefully by next week it will be sorted out and I'll have a new button.  Suggestions still welcomed!

This week, I'm loving...

These Thermos Funtainer water bottles.  Both girls need to take water with them to school, and these stay cold all day long.  Bonus?  There are a lot of colors/patterns to choose from.  Princess for E, plain pink for A!

This liquid eyeliner by NYC.  Lindsay convinced me to try liquid liner, and I finally have the hang of it.  I wish I had tried years ago - it's easier to apply, lasts all day and doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes.  Oh, and it's cheap.  Win win, win and win.

"How to Use the Wordpress Dashboard" by Wetherills Say I Do.  The transition is on, friends, and this post was perfect timing.  Fun fact - Madison is doing my redesign and transfer - watch for it soon!

In case you missed it, be sure to go meet Devra - she's great!

What are you loving this week?  Link up below and share with us!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Pomeroy Life

Happy Thursday everyone!  Today I have a special blogger to share with you - and she makes me want to be a better person, she is doing amazing things!

The Pomeroy Life is written by Devra, and I am quite certain that you will be clicking over to learn more about her by the end of this post.  

Devra's Five Things She Can't Live Without:

• the Sun - the first year I lived in KY I really thought I had mistakenly moved to Seattle because it rains a lot more here than it does in KS. I learned that I have to have the sunshine in my life.  I go for a walk on my lunch break pretty much everyday. 
• My Husband - He's is a faithful example of God's grace and love toward me.  He makes me better than I am by myself. 
• Snacks - I have a real "hanger" problem.  I never go anywhere without food. 
• Coffee - Both for the caffeine and the fact that I enjoy it. 
• Laughter - I love to laugh, and I love it when my house is filled with laughter from my husband and our two roommates.  Laughter is the best medicine, makes for the best memories, and can turn any day into a great day.

Devra's Five Things She Can't Stand:

• My raging sweet tooth... Will got me a shirt that says "I run because I really really love dessert." #truth 
• When my house is cluttered.  It's probably a good thing we don't have kiddos yet, lol.  I am not a clean freak by any means, but I am a neat freak. I feel so stressed when the house is cluttered.  For the record, I don't mind clutter in other people's houses, and I don't judge it either because I know how hard it is to keep up with. 
• How marginalized communities are stuck in cycles of poverty, poor nutrition, broken homes, and low expectations.  People are people.  Everyone deserves education, good nutrition, and also to be loved and believed in. 
• Unnecessary language, graphic violence, nudity, sex etc.. in movies and tv shows. The story lines would work just as well without those things. And sometimes it can honestly be difficult to find a movie to watch without that stuff. 
• Convenience foods... there are so many things added to our foods.  But almost more than the additives, I dislike how it caters to our on the go life style and enables our society's neglect of a slow, intentional time together in the evenings. 

These posts need to be checked out!

DIY Dining Room Table

Why We Bought a House

Grace Upon Grace

Want to get to know her better?  Thought so: Facebook || Instagram || Pinterest || Twitter

For the Love of Fall

Living in the Midwest, I didn't really love fall.  It meant that summer was over and long, hot days were a thing of the past.  Now that I live in Texas, it does not mean those things - as the weather is still pushing 100 degrees (not complaining) which means I get to enjoy all of the fall things without being cold!

To celebrate fall, I am co-hosting this fabulous fall swap with Lindsay and others, and we hope that you'll join us!  You don't have to be a blogger to be a part of it, but we will be hosting a reveal link up in October!




The details:
-Sign up by September 15
-Get to know your partner and ship your goodies to them by October 1
-There is a $15-20 limit
-Reveal your goodies on October 15 on your blog, Instagram or Facebook!

Fill out this google doc and get ready for fall!