This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Ragú® Official New Tra-Dish. The opinions and text are all mine.
When I was growing up, my mom had a home-cooked meal on the table for us every single night.
Taco salad. Pork chops on rice. Spaghetti and meat balls. It didn’t really matter what she put on the table. Granted, I’m sure I did my share of complaining about eating my vegetables or trying something new (don’t all kids?) but looking back, the memories that have stuck with me all center around the time that we spent together.
The kitchen table is the central figure in so many important family moments: from after-school homework time to family dinner to birthday celebrations. When I was growing up, the siblings took a birthday picture around the birthday cake (or in the case of my 16th birthday party below, the birthday PIE!) – always sitting at the end of the kitchen table.
I want my kids to remember, not the dishes that we eat together, but the fact that we spent at least 10 or 15 minutes together every day (often much more!), with no electronics, no distractions. I want them to remember the birthday candles blown out, the holiday feasts covering the table from one end to the other, the chats that went on long after the food disappeared. Good memories.
Some meals are better than others, for sure. Sometimes I cook a dish that only my husband and I will even touch. The kids know that if they don’t like what I have cooked, they’re welcome to grab some leftovers from the fridge or make themselves a sandwich.
Why is family meal time so important to me?
Eating dinner together is one of our core family traditions. It’s a ritual that I wouldn’t want to miss out on. Making family meal time a priority tells my kids that time with them is a priority, even when we’re all busy and running around to school and lessons and practices the rest of the time.
Ragú® make it easier for busy moms like me to make family meal time a success. Not only does the family get a hearty dish that everyone can agree on, but I don’t come to the table exhausted from sweating over the stove for hours to prepare dinner. The whole family loves Ragú® Authentic Italian taste (each jar of our Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce is made with 11 juicy tomatoes!), and I love how easy it is for me to put dinner on the table when I cook open a jar of Ragú®. It’s a win-win.
Speaking of winning….
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Need some recipe idea the whole family will love?
Visit Facebook.com/RaguSauce for additional quick, easy and delicious recipe ideas. I’m most excited to try the no-boil lasagna (to satisfy daughter #2’s request for MORE lasagna nights). Just check the “recipes” tab on Facebook for ideas!
What are some of your favorite family meal time memories?
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Ragú® Official New Tra-Dish. The opinions and text are all mine.
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