According to the U.S. Surgeon General, Americans face a lack of social connection that poses a significant risk to individual health and longevity. “Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk for premature death by 26% and 29%, respectively. More broadly, lacking social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day,” per the report.

One way to address this epidemic of loneliness is by sharing a meal with friends and family. Learn five of the specific advantages of family meals identified by the Family Meals Movement and take advantage of these benefits during National Family Meals Month this September by sharing one more meal together each week.

Delicious! If you’re looking for an easy recipe that doesn’t include eggs, you’re in luck! Shortbread cookies are an easy, not-too-sweet favorite, and you probably already have the ingredients in your pantry. They taste just as good in the summertime as they do during the Christmas season.

Whenever I think of these Scottish cookies, I think of how I used to love the Girl Scout shortbreads! The cookie yielded from this recipe is even better than those. They’re buttery, not too thick, and they are a beautiful blonde color with a hint of brown around the edges, giving them the perfect crisp.

Once the dough is made, you’ll want to chill it in the refrigerator for about an hour so they can hold their shape in the oven, so plan to make these in 2 stages.

Summer sun means it’s time for warm-weather fun for kids of all ages, and all that activity and playing calls for snacks and hydration to recharge. Whether your children like to play poolside or take a bicycle adventure through the neighborhood, the right nutrient-dense foods can keep the fun going all day long.

Spring Break is all about FUN, and that includes the food you’re serving up at the lunch hour! With the kids at home on school break, they’ll delight in meals that are delicious, colorful, and maybe not-too-healthy!

Here are some menu ideas for every day of your Spring Break. Make mealtime extra special by having a picnic in the backyard or at your favorite Woodlands-area park.

Happy Groundhog Day! Here's a super easy and healthy treat to make for your little ones. In fact, your child might enjoy making this himself. Just pull out the ingredients and show him this photo.

Ever made monkey bread? It's delicious! This fun recipe is something the kids will enjoy making alongside you, and you can add an extra couple steps to turn it into a "King Cake" for Mardi Gras or any other time of year. We adapted this recipe from the Abu's Monkey Bread recipe in the Disney Princess Cookbook [ad]. (All the recipes in the book are really delicious and easy to pull off.)