The Family Dinner / Review

Author: Laurie David

w/recipes by Kirstin Uhrenholdt

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Life & Style

(November 3, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0446565466

Book Description:

Laurie David's new mission is to help America's overwhelmed families sit down to a Family Dinner, and she provides all the reasons, recipes and fun tools to do so.

Laurie David speaks from her own experience confronting the challenges of raising two teenage girls. Today's parents have lots to deal with and technology is making their job harder than ever. Research has proven that everything we worry about as parents--from drugs to alcohol, promiscuity, to obesity, academic achievement and just good old nutrition--can all be improved by the simple act of eating and talking together around the table.

Laurie has written a practical, inspirational, fun (and, of course, green) guide to the most important hour in any parent's day. Chock-full chapters include: Over seventy-five kid approved fantastic recipes; tips on teaching green values; conversation starters; games to play to help even the shyest family member become engaged; ways to express gratitude; the family dinner after divorce (hint: keep eating together) and much more. Filled with moving memories and advice from the country's experts and teachers, this book will get everyone away from electronic screens and back to the dinner table.

My Review:

This is NOT only a book of recipes, but a book about the importance of family togetherness that includes recipes. It is about bringing back the family table and the healing benefits of the evening meal.

The Family Dinner is a book to be read from cover to cover; to be used daily--unlike cookbooks that are taken off the shelf on special occasions. The reader will not only enjoy perusing this beautiful volume, but also reading it as a serious, reflective tool in stabilizing family bonds.

The Family dinner offers foods that kids will like to eat; conversation starters; games to play at the table; ways to express gratitude; words of wisdom; cook's tips; color photos; and much more. It is a treasure chest of ideas! I highly recommend it. Definitely 5 stars*****!!

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my beautiful review copy!)