September is a special month for AgriLife Extension as we “Celebrate Family Mealtime.” We know everyone is busy with work and after school activities, plus technology always having us “plugged in,” often times we miss faceto- face connections with our family.
Family meals provide a great opportunity for family members to connect because everyone has to eat. Throughout the month of September, we are encouraging everyone to have meals as a family and here at Dinner Tonight, we will be highlighting special recipes and tips to do just that. Research shows that sitting down three times per week as a family has many benefits. Among these are:
• Reduction for the odds of overweight and potentially obesity.
• Reduction in eating unhealthy foods.
• Reduction in odds for a child to experience an eating disorder.
• Increase in eat ing healthy foods.
To get star ted, commit to having your family sit down at least three times a week to eat together, and use this as a time to: share family stories, learn about everyone’s day, set family goals and make plans for future activities. Remember, meals do not have to be fancy or gourmet to make mealtime special. The focus is on getting everyone together.
We hope you take the challenge to sit down at least 3 times per week during the month of September to engage in family mealtime. Share your photos with us on Facebook and Instagram by tagging us or using the #familymealtime. Check back with us throughout September to learn more on the benefits to family mealtime as well as tips and recipes to make it easy.
Here is a great timely recipe plus it is a great kid friendly recipe. Enjoy.
Pumpkin desserts aren’t only for the fall months. This recipe for Soft Pumpkin Spice Drops is a great way to use that leftover can of pumpkin puree. These tasty cookies are also a great way to help keep Santa slim and for everyone to enjoy a healthier dessert this holiday season.
Soft Pumpkin Spice Drops
1/4 cup apple sauc e unsweetened 1/4 cup brown sugar 2 tbsp butter melted 1 egg 1/3 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup oat flour 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice Servings: 16 cookies Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Beat egg in a medium bowl. Add applesauce, brown sugar, melted butter, and pumpkin puree. Whisk to combine.
In a separate large bowl, stir together oat f lour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and pumpkin spice.
Gently combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients. Stir until incorporated.
Using a parchment lined baking sheet, drop cookies by the tablespoon. Place in oven and bake 10-12 minutes depending on oven.
More recipes can be found at dinnertonight. tamu.edu.
Please make sure and go in and like the page to get information about Milam County Family and Community Health. FCH facebook: www.facebook.com/ pages/Milam-County-Family- and-Consumer-Sciences/ 383866131781345. You can also find the sign up for the Step Up and Scale Down program on the Facebook site.
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