Hannah Keeley: Helping Families Get Back to the Table

Hannah: I know we're all busy, but it's so important to just take those moments and connect as a family. There are benefits across the board for kids who eat dinner with their families. They have better grades; they have better self-esteem and fewer incidences of eating disorders. But it's not going to happen unless you make it a priority - make it important to you.

MDM: Tell us about what you call the "simple steps for family meal time."

Hannah: The number-one step is to get the kids involved. Start at the beginning with them - planning, preparation, giving them tasks. This way, it's a process over which they have ownership. Planning ahead is the most important step in getting the family to the table. Planning meals in advance actually saves time and money because moms don't have to make those last-minute store trips. With a family of nine, I have to be budget-conscious, and that's why I keep a lot of canned foods in my pantry, like Libby's. I can pull them out and put together a meal for 10 bucks or less! There are a lot of great, nutritious recipes at GetBackToTheTable.com. And I'm a firm believer that it should be fun - get creative with your mealtime.