I don’t have to tell you how important it is to have dinner as a family at least a few days a week - preferably just about any day. It’s a great time to reconnect, talk about what’s happened to each family member throughout the day and of course share a home-cooked meal.

Research has shown that kids who regularly eat dinner with their parents and spend some time talking are less likely to get into drugs, do better in school, girls are less likely to become pregnant and of course since you are sharing healthy meals with your kids, they turn into healthier adults who watch what they eat.

The problem is that we have such busy lives, it isn’t always easy to cook a big meal and gather everyone around the table. Don’t worry, quick dinners like soup and a sandwich, or a one-pot meal are a perfectly acceptable option. Having your kitchen organized and a well stocked pantry also helps. You may also want to incorporate these grocery shopping tips to make sure you have everything you need and get the shopping done with as fast as possible.

Don’t forget to get everyone in the family involved in both dinner preparation and cleanup. Things will go much faster once everyone is used to their new chores and it gives you even more quality time together as a family.