FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kandi Speegle                        

(CHARLOTTE  NC)–Research reveals families who eat together at least five times a week cut their children’s risk of smoking, drinking or using drugs in half according to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. Joining forces with CASA, is SavingDinner.com, an online subscription menu service offering free dinner menus to help families make communing over supper a nightly reality.

“The dinner table is a sacred place that allows parents and children a chance to reconnect after a busy day. Sharing a meal nourishes everyone in every way, body and soul,” says Leanne Ely, syndicated columnist, talk show host and the author of 8 books. “I understand people don’t have time—that describes my life, too. Here are three things that will make a difference for getting dinner under control:”

1. Kids in the Kitchen. This teaches them hands-on nutrition skills they will use for a lifetime.
2. Table Talk. Ask your kids questions that can’t be answered with a yes or no. Research shows that dinnertime conversation strengthens family bonds, resulting in well-adjusted teens.
3. Dinner Shortcuts. My favorite is getting dinner ready in the slow cooker in the morning and coming home to a prepared dinner later that day. Add a salad using a bagged lettuce and dinner is ready when you walk in the door.

“As a proud sponsor of CASA’s Family Day, we want to give families the tools to enjoy dinner together, every day of the year,” says Leanne Ely, certified nutritional consultant (CNC) and founder of SavingDinner.com. Her site offers a buffet of menu-planning options called “Menu-Mailers”.

Menu-Mailers contain a variety of easy-to-prepare main entrées and side dishes, with the all-important shopping list included. “The recipes are simple, kid-friendly, and use everyday ingredients to ensure healthy, delicious meals, night after night,” notes Leanne. To cater to diverse tastes, she expanded her original Menu-Mailer and created more versions including a slow cooker version, low carb and frugal menus as well. Mega Menu-Mailer, the latest introduction, is a fresh take on once-a-month cooking for the freezer.

CASA celebrates Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children™ on September 25, 2006. “We want to encourage families to visit www.savingdinner.com to download their free dinner menu and get back to the dinner table,” said Leanne.