Goodbye to the sit-down meal

During the day the whole family is out  with all kinds of people.  The only time that the family gets together is at the dinner. Some times when everyone is at home some distractions even affect the sit-down meal, for example the technology or the task that we have to finish. This time is important for the family, because it promotes the union and communication among its members. In the past the sit-down meals were very important but now they have diminished.

The reason for this is:

• We are so busy that we don’t have time to cook.
• The fast food is cheaper in some cases.
• Everyone arrived to the house late or at different hours.
• Some of the members don’t eat because they have to finish their homework.
• Someone is out in another activity or party with their friends.

Eating meals together as a family has some benefits like (SEAMAN, 2011): 

• Eating together is more efficient, less expensive and healthier.
• Eating together teaches children food sustainability.
• Eating together builds closer relationships within the family.

To make this time good and efficient is better if they try (SEAMAN, 2011):

• Try setting a modest goal of two times a week 
• Put an specific hour for the dinner
• Turn off cell phones and texting devices.

Glossary

*                 
*        Witnessing: seeing.
*        Stacked: full.
*        Shift: change.
*        Workforce: labor force.
*        Phenomenon: habit.
*        Overrun: taken over.
*        Core: key.
*        Intimate: close.
*        Sit-down: relax.
*        Tough: difficult.
*        Hard to swallow: difficult to believe.
*        Put bread on the table: someone has to earn money.
*        Pizza city: there are many pizza restaurants there.
*        Hit: very popular.
*        Exploding: more delis are opening all the time.
*        Taste: express their opinions.
*        Beaned: hit with something
*        Chain: part of a group of stores.
*        Shoveling food in: eating very quickly.

*        Delicates: luxuries.  

Grammar

Phrasal verbs

A phrasal verbs is two or three words put together to make one verb.  Two-word phrasal verbs consist of a verb and a particle (an adverb or preposition). This combination of words often has a meaning that is very different from the meaning of its separate parts.

Bibliography

SEAMAN, L. (2011, dicember 8). Retrieved from Why Eating Family Meals Together is Still Important Today: http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/12/why-eating-family-meals-together-is-still-important-today/

 Ferre, T., & Sanabria, K. (2009). overload informtion. In T. Ferre, & K. Sanabria, north star 4 (pp. 149-168). USA: Pearson Longman.