Kool for Momz N Dadz

“Eating at home” is #1 on the list of “Top Ten Food Trends for 2009,” according to International Food Futurists™, a group dedicated to monitoring the state of the food industry. Now more than ever, consumers want their hard-earned dollars to go further, while creating opportunities for families to bond around the table, over a good meal. BJ’s Wholesale Club is embracing in-home dining and entertaining with budget-friendly products that are easy to prepare and affordable.

“There is nothing more valuable in everyday family life than eating together regularly,” said William Doherty, Ph.D., professor of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis and author of The Intentional Family: Simple Rituals to Strengthen Family Ties. “Studies have shown that children with regular family dinners grow up healthier and happier, and they have more success in school.”

BJ’s is helping families build tighter bonds while saving money with a range of smart solutions to dining at home. From fresh produce and USDA Choice meat to restaurant and name-brand products, BJ’s offers valuable savings off supermarket prices. With the convenience of preparing homemade meals or simply heating and serving, these alternatives are less expensive than eating out and allow consumers to enjoy some of their favorite foods while enjoying time at the table with family and friends in the privacy of their own home.

“In today’s economy, everyone is feeling the pinch and stretching dollars for essential, everyday purchases like food,” said Chris Neppl, Executive Vice President of Merchandising. “Time at the table is not just about saving money. It’s about helping our members appreciate the simple, yet most important things in life such as priceless time spent with family and friends.”

BJ’s and William Doherty, Ph.D. offer the following S.I.T. tips to maximize “time at the table”:

Simplify Meals
Make short-cuts to dinner with pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, grill-ready burgers and oven-to-table meals. Less time cooking means more time spent at the table with family.

Involve Everyone
From helping with grocery shopping to setting the table, the entire family can be involved in creating the nightly dinnertime ritual.

Talk & Turn Off the TV
Minimize distractions by turning off the TV and get talking. Doherty suggests everyone at the table be asked to “say something good and not-so-good about their day.” Conversations and moods should be kept pleasant and lighthearted.

“If I could give every American family a simple prescription for a better life, it would be eat together, talk together, and connect as a family,” added Doherty.

SOURCE BJ’s Wholesale Club
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