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Together Counts: Family Meals, Outdoor Play Everyday and a Giveaway

There is something to be said for routine. Reliable. Stable. Comfortable. Habitual. We have a routine that never loses it’s appeal: when 5:00 pm comes each day, my husband joins us at the dinner table for a meal.

Why is a family mealtime important to us?
* When people eat together, they slow down, have conversations, builds relationships, become engaged in each other’s lives.

*The act of eating a meal together builds a sense of community and strengthens family bonds.

*Whether it is the process of shopping, preparation of a meal or after-meal clean up, a family meal is a teachable moment – an opportunity for parents to pass on healthy habits to children. A family meal is an opportunity for parents – to set an example, to teach balance and moderation. In conversation, the families can focus on the type of food they are eating, understand the concept of balance and talk about how foods are similar and different.

At the dinner table, we discuss our day and what we want to do after dinner and 90% of the time, it involves going outdoors. The time of year is irrelevant and even though the deep cold can shorten the length of outdoor play, it doesn’t stop it. Earlier this month, I shared the awesomeness that was my Mother’s Day afternoon (insert my link -post not yet published) including the endless hours of playing in and around the tent that Santa brought us for Christmas. That is an example of how we include the outdoor as part of our time together. We gain the health benefits of playing outside and spending time together.

Being active outside is also important to our family unit:  Both of our children attended a Nature Center Preschool where even on rainy days, they were outdoors. And twice a week, my husband and I cheer on the kids during soccer or swimming lessons during the winter months.  So, when Mom It Forward asked me to join in the Together Counts campaign, I knew it was an obvious fit.

What is Together Counts you wonder? Glad you asked! Together Counts is a campaign that wants all of us to take the pledge to get healthy and active together. They believe that the most powerful force on the planet for healthy weight change isn’t fad diets or gym memberships; it’s the power of teamwork—of making a commitment to get active and healthy together. Hear, hear!

Across the country families are taking a pledge to do just that and I would love you to join in ! Eating meals together and get physically active together. Together Counts is providing the inspiration, the plat­form, and you can record of your progress.

So, need to stock up on some great outdoor gear or sporting equipment? well, how about a $100 Sports Authority gift card!

To enter, leave a comment on this post answering the question: What does your family do together to keep healthy and active?

For additional entries (you need to leave a comment every time)

* Subscribe to the Savor the Thyme RSS feed (see the orange button at the top right of the page? yes, that one. click it)

* Tweet about the giveaway: ‘Win a $100 Sports Authority gift card from @savorthethyme http://alturl.com/g9dcy ‘

* Join the ‘Savor the Thyme’ community on Facebook but be sure to leave a comment there as well stating that you are entering the giveaway.

The giveaway ends Monday, May 30th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign with Mom It Forward and Together Counts. It is a movement that I truly believe in so grab your family and go for a walk.

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  11. Gina @ The Crave to Save says

    Our family tries to spend as much time as possible outdoors. We take walks, ride bikes, and visit various playgrounds in order to stay active and get lots of fresh air. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com

  16. Cee says

    We tend to go on short hikes. Our little one is still fairly young, and we can manage about a mile or two at a time on foot. We also spend a lot of time outside in the backyard, and we play games like stop & go, which incorporate a lot of running/sprinting.

  27. Carole Spring says

    We go for walks, ride bicycles, swim, kick the soccer ball around the backyard, play frisbee, do gardening, and walk or bike to the park to play on the equipment, and in the winter time we go to the gym.
    blondie_31971(at)yahoo(dot)com

  32. Jennifer says

    So bummed we missed each other in Atlanta! We received a large tent from Santa this year so we may need to join you in the mountains!

  33. Julie M. says

    We seriously need to meet up one of these days because we have way too much in common! Our family loves the outdoors and are actually going camping up in the Smoky Mountains this weekend. 🙂

  41. Kate C says

    We like to play in the park, go to the beach, take hikes, ride bikes, and walk to the library! Thanks, Jen!

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