Eat better with your friends

October 08, 2009

October is eat better, eat together month, so what better excuse to break bread with some friends and enjoy a healthy meal?

Prepare a colorful feast for your friends to wow them with your culinary prowess. Make sure to consider seasonal produce when doing your party planning - vegetables that are in season are often the cheapest and freshest available.

Think about whipping up a pumpkin soup, a rhubarb pie sweetened with honey, or carrot salad served on a bed of dark green kale - these dishes will make a festive, colorful addition to your table and are packed with nutrients.

Keep in touch with friends by picking one day a week that everyone can get together, and make it a standing date. Rotate who hosts to ensure that no one foots the bill every time, or invite guests to bring healthy dishes to share, pot-luck style.

If you and your family have been eating out frequently, use October to take a break from heavy restaurant fare and treat dinner at home as a special occasion. No matter how routine your meal is, make it an event by using a nice table cloth and the good dishes that usually just collect dust in the cabinet.