Mother's Day is around the corner. So while there is still time send your mom flowers or drop a greeting card in the mail, spending time together will likely be more treasured than any trinket or gift.

Recently, I asked the Meals Matter Moms and our colleagues at Dairy Council of California to share what role milk played in their favorite memories of their moms and of being a mom. As you may imagine, many of the responses revolved around time spent together in the kitchen, preparing dishes or lingering over a delicious family meal as they reflected on how they grew up with milk as an irreplaceable food in their homes. While this is a longer-than-usual blog post, we hope you enjoy these stories of lasting memories of mother's love.

Meals Matter Mom and Registered Dietitian Maureen Bligh was one of five kids growing up and she still recalls twice-weekly milk deliveries. "The wire container sat beside our back door and had six slots that fit half-gallon bottles. We had milk every night at dinner, and we never wasted a drop of milk. Pretty much the whole top shelf of our fridge was milk! Sometimes I don't know how my mom did it," says Maureen. "With two teenage boys of my own, my fridge pretty much looks the same as it did growing up! I'm happy to keep up her tradition as we still have milk every night with dinner."

Suzy O. Macatiag, M.P.H. and Dairy Council of California Territory Manager recalls her bedtime tradition fondly. "My mom would prepare a semi-warm glass of milk concocted with chocolate flavored Ovaltine. I remember pretending to be sleepy at 4 p.m. just so I could get my flavored chocolate milk already!" A mom herself, Suzy now keeps a close eye on the clock as she prepares the same warm milk for her son each night. "I want to continue that legacy, minus the pretending part!"

"Milk was a main staple in our household growing up, and with three brothers, you can imagine how much we went through," recalls Kim Beach, Administrative Support for Dairy Council of California. "When the local dairy stopped delivering milk door-to-door, they accommodated customers at the drive-through dairy. My mother would pile the four of us in the family station wagon and we would hit the drive-through to purchase at least four gallons of milk a week. Whoever was lucky enough to sit in the front seat got to order the milk and pay- we did fight for this position!"

Like many Americans, my husband and I spent the last weekend doing our taxes. And this gets me thinking about making purchases that are a good financial value, including the foods we purchase. We share the same values as other families when it comes to food; we want food that is safe, affordable and nutritious. This is very important to us since we have two teenage boys and they eat a lot!! How are you going to eat well and manage the costs this year?

It is reassuring to know that many familiar foods are the best nutrient-bang for your buck. These foods include eggs, milk, beans, lean ground beef, potatoes and soup. Other favorites that pack a nutritional wallop include sweet potatoes, bananas, oatmeal, oranges, yogurt, spinach and tuna just to name a few. I definitely keep these as regulars in my kitchen pantry.

Here are a few other strategies to get the most value from your food dollar: cook at home, minimize waste and avoid overeating. Here are the tips that I employ to meet these objectives;

• Keep basic food staples on hand so we don't end up going out to dinner because we don't have any food in the house.
• I also keep some "go to" foods on hand to extend a meal if my kids' friends show up at meal time. That means I keep on hand lots of pasta, marinara and some frozen foods (yes, frozen pizza) in order to feed hungry teens. I cook more rice or pasta if we have extra kids in the house and always like to have enough milk for everyone.
• Ironically, I don't shop too far ahead. Our schedules change constantly (teenagers never plan more than an hour ahead). I don't like rotting food in my fridge, so I tend to buy the vegetables (with the exception of salad greens which I try to always have on hand) on my way home from work.

I have a theory that it is better to fill up on healthy food so you are less tempted to go overboard on high calorie/low nutrient foods. Overeating is not good for your health or pocketbook. I also don't buy diet food; it can be more expensive and less satisfying. We eat regular everything, salad dressing, butter, mayo, etc. and skip the snack foods labeled "low-fat" or "low calorie." Due to the health halo associated with low-fat foods, people tend to overeat them.

The following post is adapted from a recent post written by Meals Matter Mom and Registered Dietitian Trina Robertson for www.MomItForward.com.  

In conjunction with the 19th Annual Healthy Weight Week, join the Meals Matter Moms & Registered Dietitians on Facebook Wednesday, January 18th at 10 a.m. PST for a LIVE chat on healthy, sustainable lifestyle habits!

Recently, the U.S. News and World Report (with input from a panel of health experts) ranked the top 25 diets and eating patterns. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) pattern, which emphasizes low-fat milk and milk products, fruits and vegetables while minimizing sodium, came out on top.

Since January 15 marks the start of the 19th annual Healthy Weight Week to celebrate healthy living habits that last a lifetime, we’ve compiled this week’s family meal recipes from our own DASH cookbook available at MealsMatter.org.

DASH your way to a healthy weight this week with a featured family meal of Sweet & Tangy Yam and California Raisin Salad, Cedar Baked Salmon with Watercress Yogurt Sauce and Berries with Custard Sauce. Continue this healthy eating pattern all week long with Cheer ‘Em on Moccachinos, Broccoli and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta, Chicken Breasts with Mango Salsa and Creamy Banana Walnut Oatmeal.

Register at MealsMatter.org to add these and other recipes to your personalized family meal plan and shopping list.

“Family Meals Matter” features Registered Dietitian-approved recipes from the thousands of user-contributed recipes available at the free family-nutrition and meal-planning website, MealsMatter.org, maintained by Registered Dietitian moms with Dairy Council of California. Healthy Eating Made Easier™

Photo Caption:  Sweet & Tangy Yam and California Raisin Salad, California Raisins.

According to a recently-published Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll, 51 percent of Americans have set New Year's resolutions to excercise more and 35 percent have promised to lose weight. I've already read countless Facebook posts about friends throwing out piles "unhealthy" food, complaining of hunger pangs on a starvation diet and icing sore muscles after overdoing it in the gym.

Eat Better, Eat Together is a blog series by registered dietitians and parents whose stories and advice help families start or strengthen a commitment to balanced family meals and create healthy, successful families. Take the Eat Better, Eat Together Family Meal Pledge at Facebook.com/MealsMatter.org.

After the holiday rush, the idea of more shopping—even grocery shopping— might be too much for some families. After New Year’s Day, take advantage of healthy food choices you probably already have in your pantry, freezer or refrigerator. You’ll save yourself a trip to the store and give your food budget a break, too. Don’t forget the free Pantry Planner tool on MealsMatter.org to start stocking up on healthy staples once your pantry-raid week is finished.

Clean out those cupboards with a festive family breakfast of Walnut Stuffed French Toast, Fruit Cocktail Salad and Shapely Shakers. Other budget-friendly meals to make with staple pantry ingredients include Tuna Noodle Casserole, South of the Border Chowder, Baked Chicken and Ziti and Pasta and Bean Skillet.

Register at MealsMatter.org to add these and other recipes to your personalized family meal plan and shopping list.

“Family Meals Matter” features registered dietitian-approved recipes from the thousands of user-contributed recipes available at the free family-nutrition and meal-planning website, MealsMatter.org, maintained by registered dietitian moms with Dairy Council of California. Healthy Eating Made Easier™

Photo Caption:  Walnut Stuffed French Toast, California Walnut Commission, Walnuts.org

Subscribe to the Meals Matter blog, follow @MealsMatter and #EatBetter2Gether on Twitter for more tips, recipes and family meal inspiration.

Eat Better, Eat Together is a blog series by registered dietitians and parents whose stories and advice help families start or strengthen a commitment to balanced family meals and create healthy, successful families. Take the Eat Better, Eat Together Family Meal Pledge at Facebook.com/MealsMatter.org. 

In the American South, Hoppin’ John, a dish made with black-eyed peas, is often served on New Year’s Day to bring plenty of everything the rest of the year. This food-wealth connection with the new year is common in many other parts of the world.

Sauerkraut and cabbage are often served on New Year’s Day in Germany and other countries because the cabbage leaves are said to represent paper money. Likewise, lentils are served on New Year’s Day in Italy and Brazil because the coin-shaped lentils signify wealth.

Dish up healthy recipes for the whole family by serving Barley Hoppin’ John, Mini Cheese and Cabbage Rolls and Hot Cranberry Sippers on New Year’s Day. Enjoy a wealth of flavors all week long with Baked Lentils with Cheese,Bree's Lentil-Tomato Soup, Heart-Healthful Turkey Reubens and Coconut Black-Eyed Peas.

Follow the Twitter hashtag #EatBetter2Gether for family meal updates and register at MealsMatter.org to add these and other recipes to your personalized family meal plan and shopping list.

“Family Meals Matter” features registered dietitian-approved recipes from the thousands of user-contributed recipes available at the free family-nutrition and meal-planning website, MealsMatter.org, maintained by registered dietitian moms with Dairy Council of California. Healthy Eating Made Easier™

Subscribe to the Meals Matter blog, follow @MealsMatter and #EatBetter2Gether on Twitter for more tips, recipes and family meal inspiration.

Photo Caption:  Barley Hoppin’ John, EatingWell. Photo by Ken Burris.

Eat Better, Eat Together is a blog series by registered dietitians and parents whose stories and advice help families start or strengthen a commitment to balanced family meals and create healthy, successful families. Take the Eat Better, Eat Together Family Meal Pledge at Facebook.com/MealsMatter.org.

Happy Hanukah, Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa to you all! The Meals Matter Moms are getting ready for a holiday break and will return in the new year. Before we do, I’ve compiled some of our favorite holiday activities, traditions and recipes to share with you.

Music makes the season bright for Meals Matter Mom Maureen Bligh and her family.

We’ve had fun the past few years learning holiday Christmas carols and playing them as a family band. My husband plays the guitar and sings, I play the piano, son Brian plays the drums and son Andy plays electric guitar. After practicing our parts, we have a few families over for dinner and a “concert.” We won’t be going on tour any time soon, but we have fun!

Mom of toddler twins LeAnne Ruzzamenti makes sure to work physical activity into her family’s holiday traditions.

We gather with a few other families to go get our Christmas trees. We spend the day in the foothills taking advantage of the recreation (hiking through the tree farms) and good eating (a picnic lunch with fresh apple pastries.) Then we meet back at one friend’s home for a wonderful spaghetti dinner. It is my most favorite day of the year!

Food is also central to Trina Robertson’s traditions.

Before Christmas my boys and I make Pizzelles, a thin Italian cookie baked in a waffle-like press. One batch takes about two hours to make over 100 cookies (read more about Trina’s Pizzelle tradition at Adventures in Eating.) Other holiday baking traditions include “See’s" fudge  and  Grandma’s fudge filled cookies.  On Christmas Eve we celebrate with the same Italian fish dinner with pasta. Then we set out milk and cookies for Santa and raw oats for the reindeer.

Making sure the reindeer are well-cared for is a common theme.  Registered dietitian Tracy Witmer and I both have fond memories of setting out carrots for the reindeer.  I’m not sure what happened to our carrots but Tracy figures hers ended up with her horses.

Thinking of others is also a time-honored tradition for Tracy and her family.

Every year before Christmas, my sister and I would go shopping with my mom to pick out warm coats and gloves for needy children. At the time I thought it was nice, but I can now really appreciate what a great learning experience it was and what great memories I have from spending this time together. The first year I went on my own, I cried sentimental tears!

For me, it’s just not Christmas without Rubens and Potato Soup made in double batches so they will last almost to New Year's Eve. Leftovers are also at the heart of Ashley Rosales' post Christmas tradition. She uses the left over Roasted Chicken to make her late grandmother's famous Chicken and Dumplings. 

The second I start making her recipe I instantly feel like she is with me. She was an amazing woman and Christmas was her favorite time of year. My family is from Kentucky and I live in California, so making this recipe is like buying a plane ticket back home. 

From all the Meals Matter Moms and everyone at Dairy Council of California, we wish you and your families
Healthy Eating to All, and to All a Good Bite!

Sara Floor Miller 

Subscribe to the Meals Matter blog, follow @MealsMatter and #EatBetter2Gether on Twitter for more tips, recipes and family meal inspiration.

Eat Better, Eat Together is a blog series by registered dietitians and parents whose stories and advice help families start or strengthen a commitment to balanced family meals and create healthy, successful families. Take the Eat Better, Eat Together Family Meal Pledge at Facebook.com/MealsMatter.org.

This week marks the start of Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa—three celebrations which usually involve food and family meals. While your family is sure to have some traditional favorites, we’ve compiled some healthier versions of latkes, sweet potato casserole and eggnog to help your family Eat Better, Eat Together.

Spin the dreidel, celebrate culture and deck the halls with healthy holiday meal of Zucchini-Potato Latkes with Tzatziki, Spiced Sweet Potato Casserole and Low-Fat Eggnog. Celebrate family, community and culture with Black Eyed Peas and Red Beans or start a new healthy holiday tradition this week with Broccoli and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta, Seafood Chowder or New Tradition Lasagna with Spinach Noodles.

Follow the Twitter hashtag #EatBetter2Gether for family meal updates and register at MealsMatter.org to add these and other recipes to your personalized family meal plan and shopping list.

“Family Meals Matter” features registered dietitian-approved recipes from the thousands of user-contributed recipes available at the free family-nutrition and meal-planning website, Meals Matter, maintained by registered dietitian moms with Dairy Council of California. Healthy Eating Made Easier™

Subscribe to the Meals Matter blog, follow @MealsMatter and #EatBetter2Gether on Twitter for more tips, recipes and family meal inspiration.

Photo Caption: Zucchini-Potato Latkes with Tzatziki, EatingWell. Photo by Ken Burris.