Kansas Beef Council reminds families to re-connect at the dinner table

TOPEKA, Kan., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Hectic schedules for families often seem to get even busier in the fall with school back in session. With everyone on the run, the Kansas Beef Council is encouraging families to make time to eat together and celebrate being a family.

Families can sit down and enjoy a steak to celebrate one of life's everyday successes such as an A on a test at school or a promotion at work. Family mealtime is critical to children's well-being. A 2006 survey by the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) documented that teens who had family dinners more than five times per week were two times less likely to have smoked cigarettes and one-and-a-half times less likely to have used alcohol. Other studies, outside of CASA, confirm this link between family meals and behavior issues during teen years. The more often families eat together the less likely teens are to smoke cigarettes, use illegal drugs, abuse alcohol, become depressed or develop eating disorders.

Additional child development research has found that mealtime conversations help children acquire and improve the language skills that are critical for school success. A study by Dr. Catherine Snow at Harvard's Graduate School of Education followed children over a 15-year period. Conversations at the family table taught children more vocabulary than they learned from their parents reading books to them. And, a University of Illinois study found that elementary school children who did well in class and on achievement tests generally spent larger amounts of time eating meals with their families.

"Mealtime is an essential component of quality family time, and beef is a quick and easy solution to get families together around the dinner table to celebrate life's accomplishments - both big and small," says Sharla Huseman of the Kansas Beef Council. "A delicious steak is the perfect entree for a special occasion, and special occasions and moments to celebrate can occur almost every day."

Ranch Family Blog author, Kim Harms, uses grilled steak to celebrate her family's everyday accomplishments. "As a busy family of five, it's hard to get everyone together to sit down, but we make it a priority," Kim says. "Some of our best family memories have come from sitting down together and enjoying each other's company."

Here are a few tips from the Kansas Beef Council to celebrate your family around the dinner table: -- Plan distraction-free mealtimes. TVs, DVDs, multiple phone calls and text messages can distract anyone. The solution is simple: declare mealtime an electronics-free zone. -- Get kids involved in planning fun meals. Even small children can pick a main dish (like pasta or tacos), a vegetable (green salad or cooked carrots) and fruit for dessert (sliced apples or a fruit salad). -- Choose a special table centerpiece. A fun centerpiece sets the tone for the meal. Use a small candle, a few flowers (even dandelions) in a vase, a child's recent art project or a small basket with conversation starter cards. -- Involve every family member in mealtime conversations. Focus on positive topics and establish a few ground rules, such as no teasing, no criticizing, no rude comments about other people and no talking while someone else is talking.

To learn more, please visit the Ranch Family Blog at www.kansasbeef.org/ranchfamilyblog.aspx.

Grilled Ribeye Steaks and Potatoes With Smoky Paprika Rub Total recipe time: 25 to 30 minutes Makes 2 to 4 servings Ingredients 2 beef ribeye steaks, cut 1-inch thick (about 12 ounces each) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 large russet potatoes, cut lengthwise into 8 wedges each Salt, as desired 1 tablespoon minced green onions Sour Cream and Onion Sauce (recipe follows) (optional) Seasoning 2 tablespoons smoked or Spanish paprika 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper

Instructions 1. Combine seasoning ingredients in small bowl; remove and reserve 2 tablespoons. Press remaining seasoning evenly onto beef steaks; set aside. Combine reserved seasoning, oil and salt in large bowl. Add potatoes; toss to coat. 2. Place steaks in center of grid over medium, ash-covered coals; arrange potatoes around steaks. Grill steaks, uncovered, 11 to 14 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 9 to 14 minutes) for medium rare (145 degrees F) to medium (160 degrees F) doneness, turning occasionally. Grill potatoes 14 to 17 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 13 to 15 minutes) or until tender, turning occasionally. 3. Carve steaks into slices; season with salt, as desired. Sprinkle green onion over potatoes. Serve potatoes with Sour Cream and Onion Sauce for dipping, if desired.

Sour Cream and Onion Sauce: Combine 1/2 cup dairy sour cream and 2 tablespoons minced green onion. Sprinkle with smoked or Spanish paprika, as desired. Yield: 1/2 cup

Nutrition information per serving (1/2 of recipe): 807 calories; 29 g fat (8 g saturated fat; 9 g monounsaturated fat); 145 mg cholesterol; 768 mg sodium; 70 g carbohydrate; 7.7 g fiber; 65 g protein; 20.9 mg niacin; 2.3 mg vitamin B6; 3.1 mcg vitamin B12; 7.3 mg iron; 69.4 mcg selenium; 11.6 mg zinc.

This recipe is an excellent source of fiber, protein, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, iron, selenium and zinc.

About the Kansas Beef Council

Based in Topeka, the Kansas Beef Council was first formed in 1973 by the Kansas Livestock Association for the purpose of beef promotion in the state of Kansas, and is directed by a board of volunteer cattle producers from across the state and funded by the national beef checkoff. The Council works aggressively to increase demand for beef and beef products through advertising, retail and foodservice promotion, public relations, food safety, producer communications and nutrition education. For more information, visit www.kansasbeef.org.

Editor's Note: This is updated, revised version of the press release originally distributed September 28. A reference attributed to CASA in the original release was incorrect.