Omaha Family Dining Week + Giveaway

This blog is typically about taking the family out. Today, I’m inviting you all to stay home.

The week of Oct. 19-25 is Omaha Family Dining Week. “Family Dining” means cooking and eating at home together as a family.

I’m joining Live Well Omaha Kids, Mayor Jean Stothert and a host of community partners and bloggers, in encouraging others to commit to cooking and eating at home as a family more each week by taking the Family Dining Pledge.

There’s no pressure to commit to a certain amount of meals at home. The pledge asks families to list how many days they currently eat at home and then how many they plan to eat at home after learning about the benefits of family dining and taking the pledge.

Why?

– Studies show that kids who eat at home with their families are more likely to try new foods and eat more nutritious foods, such as whole grains, low-fat dairy, vegetables, fruit and lean meat.

– Family dining also benefits family communication and supports healthy teen development.

– Eating at home saves money – on average, eating three meals a week in, versus out, saves a family of four approximately $2,000 in one year.

I took the pledge…I invite you to take the pledge with me! Those who take the pldege are entered in to win prizes such as a family membership to the YMCA, four pack of tickets to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Hy-Vee gift cards.

To help persuade you, I’m giving away a $15 gift card to Hy-Vee Food Stores to one lucky reader who takes the pledge. That will cover the cost of a meal or two (or three or four), right? It’s easy to enter. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below:

Alas, I can’t resist sharing events out in the community, even if this post is supposed to be about dining in.

So, if you’re out and about this week, look for Live Well Kids Omaha and partners at these events to learn more about Omaha Family Dining Week:

– Information booth at the WIC Clinic at 42nd and Center streets, inside the Center Mall, second floor suite 225, on Monday, Oct. 20, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

– Food Demonstrations by UNL Extension at the following Healthy Neighborhood Stores: Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at Phils Foodway, 3030 Ames Ave., and Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. at K-N-J Grocery Store, 3247 N. 42nd St.

– Live Well Omaha Kids will have a booth at the Omaha Children’s Museum’s Healthy Trick or Treat night on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Disclosure: I was provided compensation for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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