Cooking As a Family - Family Closeness Begins in the Kitchen

In many countries, the kitchen is still a place where socialization and bonding takes place. It is not uncommon in these areas of the world to see three generations in one family cooking together. You will find parents, their children, and their children's grandparents in the same kitchen all at the same time cooking as a family, bonding with each other, having fun, and making a great tasting meal in the process. However, a lot of households are too busy nowadays to take time out of their busy schedules to spend this time together. Parents have different schedules from each other and different schedules from their children. It is very unfortunate, but a lot of times, parents and children are unable to even share a meal together today, let alone cook together.

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It is important to make the time every day to at least get together to eat dinner. It is probably the one time that communication between parents and children can take place. However, it is also very beneficial to find some time to cook together. Even if it is just once a month, whenever it is possible to do so, cooking as a family should be done. Family members rarely get a chance to bond with each other as a family, and cooking together can change that. It can also foster an interest in different types of foods, such as healthy foods like vegetables and fruits in little kids. Plus, eating a home-cooked meal is often healthier than eating out together at a restaurant. Clearly, there are many benefits to cooking together as a family unit.

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Having your children cook with you in the kitchen also helps increase their self-confidence. They can feel accomplished and like they are doing something important by contributing to the needs of their family, in this case food. It is also more likely that the family will eat dinner together if they prepared it together. This will increase the quality time that the family spends with each other. This means that, by cooking as a family, the household will see a decrease in the time that the family spends doing less productive stuff such as watching TV or going on the computer.

Cooking as a family will also instill family values among each other. This has many benefits, one of which being that children who spend more time with their parents are less likely to partake in destructive behavior such as doing drugs. Cooking together is sure to bring the family closer.

Cooking As a Family - Family Closeness Begins in the Kitchen

Monica M Jones is an online publisher providing great tips on cooking as a family. To learn more about this topic, visit http://www.SoFamilyOnline.com/ today!

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Family Holiday Hot Spots - Orlando, Florida

If there is one place you can rest assured your family can enjoy a brilliant holiday, Orlando, Florida is it. Home to "the happiest place on Earth" (also known as Disney World) it's hard not to enjoy yourself in this city of amazement, no matter what your age is. There is plenty to do whether you want to share some family bonding time, visit the theme parks, shop until you drop or just relax on the beach. Plus there are a great number of package holidays from the UK to Florida, making the trip affordable even if you've got a full household.

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One of the most exciting things about Orlando holidays is choosing where to stay. While you think you won't be spending much time in your hotel room, after you arrive you may find that you want to - some of the area's resorts are that amazing! There are two airports in Orlando that are a convenient drive from the city centre. You'll be able to find a number of cheap flights from cities all over the UK to each of these airports, whether you book a package deal or choose your options on your own.

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Bond with your family

While there is plenty to see and do on Orlando holidays, you may just want to relax and enjoy some quality time with your loved ones. Most Orlando hotels have their own swimming pools, often with fun themes or exciting waterslides. You'll also find plenty to do around the resort area of Orlando. There are amusement complexes where holidaymakers of all ages can enjoy activities such as mini golf, batting cages, dodgems and even go-kart racing.

Experience the magic

From Disney's Magic Kingdom to Universal Studio's Island of Adventure, there is just something truly magical and unique about Orlando's theme parks.

Holidays to Orlando wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Disney World complex - it's so large it actually has its own postcode! There are four main parks where you'll find a variety of rollercoasters, character meets and various themed attractions. There are also waterparks, restaurants, themed hotels and even a golf course (and mini golf for the young ones).

You can also check out the multiple parks at Universal, smaller attractions outside of central Orlando and a number of thrilling water parks.

Enjoy the exchange rate

If you've got an extra room in your suitcase and extra cash in your wallet, you'll find Orlando is a shopper's paradise. Every street corner you'll find a massive souvenir emporium packed with kitsch that make great presents for those back home. If you want to bag a bargain, head to one of Orlando's outlet malls. Here you'll find great discounts on a number of high street and designer shops. Just be sure you have enough room in your suitcase! For a true American experience, head to the Mall at Millennia, one of Orlando's most exclusive malls.

Sit in the sunshine

For some authentic sand, you're going to have to take a bit of a drive. Just over an hour away you'll find the white sands of Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna Beach and the infamous Daytona Beach.

However, unless you're dying to see the ocean, you really don't need to make the drive - there are plenty of water parks and hotel pools that you can enjoy.

Family Holiday Hot Spots - Orlando, Florida

Lauren Charles works in the travel industry and regular writes about top trends and destinations.

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Try a Family Spring Break in Orlando, Florida

Everyone has heard of spring breaks for college students in Florida, but now spring break is becoming an event for the whole family. The Orlando Family Spring Break ® offers families the perfect atmosphere to take a break from busy work and school schedules and features major new attractions, special events, and family-friendly cultural activities.

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The family spring break for 2008 is the sixth one in this series and several new theme park attractions will be open when visitors come to Orlando.

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Seaworld is opening "Aquatica" and the park also offers close animal experiences with thrilling rides and whimsical underwater adventures, and journeys from serene to extreme.

Universal Studios has a new ride which promises a uniquely hilarious journey through Springfield with the Simpson family and Simpson family fans are sure to be delighted by it.

"Block Party Bash," an interactive parade featuring over 20 Disney-Pixar characters and the latest "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage" show, featuring characters from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Little Einsteins," "Handy Manny" and more will open at Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios)

Jungala at Busch Gardens Africa is a new 4-acre attraction set in a lush landscape, featuring exciting signature rides, a family climbing area and exotic animal interactions.

In addition to the attractions at the theme parks Orlando has a number of spring festivals and special events that are ideal for families. Your can enjoy the Annual Central Florida Fair at the Central Florida Fairground, April 17-27, where the carnival like midway is packed with games and rides for the whole family.

Do you like pies? Then go and devour endless samples of pies April 19-20 at the Great American Pie Festival in Celebration. Festivities include cooking demonstrations, children's pie making, pie-eating contests and the Never-Ending Pie Buffet.

Spring is strawberry season and the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, February 28 - March 9, celebrates the fabric of American life through ethnic traditions, contests, and top-name entertainment, together with an abundance of juicy strawberries.

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens presents "Hippity Hop Adventure" March 22-23, when kids receive a free bunny tail, win prizes, enjoy face painting and more as they discover clues along an adventure trail leading them to the Easter Bunny.

Orlando's cultural scene has plenty of offerings to enlighten and entertain the whole family. A classic children's book comes to life when the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre presents "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" February 23 - March 16.

Or, you can embark in an interactive song and dance extravaganza by connecting the clues with Steve, Blue, Goldilocks and many other favorite storybook characters in "Blue's Clues Live! The Most Spectacular Place" presented by the Orlando Repertory Theater March 7-30.

Engage young travelers in the enchanted land of make believe and happily ever after when the Orlando Ballet presents "Fairy Tale Princes and Princesses" March 15. The event, part of the Family Series, provides the ballet experience in less than an hour and offers behind-the-scenes interactions including learning how a tutu is made and a ballerina meet-and-greet.

The Orlando Spring break is the perfect way for families to spend quality time together and enjoy themselves in sunny Florida. For helpful hints to plan an Orlando vacation, along with attraction information, visit orlandoinfo.com/springbreak While in Orlando, visitors may stop by the Official Visitor Center located at 8723 International Drive, at the southeast corner of International Drive and Austrian Row. The Official Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closes at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 and is closed Dec. 25).

Try a Family Spring Break in Orlando, Florida

Mark Whichard is a frequent writer on Orlando tourism. He and his wife Susan are the proprietors of Orlando's Finest Vacations Homes. Visit his website for more information on Orlando Vacation Homes. http://www.orlandosfinest.com

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Easy and Healthy Dinner Recipes For the Whole Family

Dinner must be made using healthy ingredients. You can search for healthy dinner recipes as well as easy dinner recipes. It may take 20-30 minutes preparing a healthy family meal. Planning ahead and organizing the shopping list accordingly would be of great help.

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Health conscious people look for low carb meals but these can easily be prepared and are delicious and not boring. As dinner is main meal where family gathers and enjoys healthy family meals. Easy dinner recipes and healthy dinner recipe can make experience more refreshing. You may try this quick and easy dinner recipe that has preparation time of 20-30 minutes.

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Healthy Beef Skillet

Ingredients:
- 1 tsp of paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp of oregano
- 1 lb top of round beef
- 1/2 tsp of chili powder
- 1/8 tsp of red pepper
- 1/4 tsp of garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp of black pepper
- 1/8 tsp of dry mustard
- 3 onion slices
- 8 red skinned medium potato
- 2 cups of beef broth
- 2 carrots chopped in thin strips
- 2 big garlic

Preparations:

Slice beef across grain in long and thin strips. Add oregano, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper, dry mustard and black pepper. Coat it with spice mixture. Spray non-stick skillet. Preheat pan placing it on high flame before adding meat. Cook while stirring approx for 5 minutes. Adding onion, potatoes, garlic and broth. Cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes. Add carrots and green mustard and cook for another 5 minutes. It is ready to be served.

To get more ideas for other healthy family meals or healthy dinner recipes, you can easily find one by searching the internet.

Easy and Healthy Dinner Recipes For the Whole Family

If you also like me looking for Healthy Dinner Recipes and want to cook Healthy Family Meals, click on the the link to find more now!

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