
Of all of the bothersome things that might happen in my day - raining when we want to play outside, telemarketers (or worse: solicitors) trying to sell me something, a pesky fly that somehow makes it inside during the three seconds that the door is open, etc - knowing that dinnertime is coming and I have nothing planned ranks right up there amongst the most annoying.
However, one thing that always helps? Knowing that I'm not the only one experiencing the challenges that arrive around 5 or 6 p.m... which is exactly where Ragu and Mom's the Word on Dinner arrives to ease the stress for all of us.

Not only is it easy to join in on the fun conversations (surrounding topics like dinner inspiration, table manners, special memories and more), but the Mom's the Word on Dinner community has featured various videos, photos, polls and recipes since its inception.
One especially great one? The video conversation on "When dinner gets tough..." and the compromises that we all make when our table contains diners of different ages, different needs, different energy levels and more. One great tip included is from parenting expert and author, Dr. Michele Borba, who says, "Give a little leeway. You can use compromise as a tactic to your favor, e.g.: 'Do you want to eat your spaghetti or salad first?' 'Do you want your vegetables cooked or raw?' Just offer choices that you feel comfortable with."
It's definitely a conversation that is not to be missed!
What do you think? Do you have tips and tricks up your sleeve to pull out when dinner gets tough? Make sure to head over to Mom's the Word on Dinner and join in and share them (and pick up some new ones)!
As well as hosting a fun and engaging community, Ragu also wants to help one lucky person have dinner on them, because...
One lucky person will win a $20 Visa card from Ragu!

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).
1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Ragu on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!
I want to WIN a $20 Visa gift card and have dinner on Ragu! http://bit.ly/nxRaKd @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win
2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook and/or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.
Giveaway will end on September 15th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
A big thank you to Ragu for providing a jar of Ragu pasta sauce and a gift card through MomSelect as well as a gift card for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.
When it comes to dinner I have the hardest time deciding what to have for dinner. I am at a lack of ideas for dinner. I need advice on how to begin and where to go from there with meals that I can either make ahead of time or that are quick and easy yet nutritious.
ReplyDeleteI have a list of our most liked meals and the recipes I have tried I would like to make again. When I am trying to make a menu and can't think of anything I just look at the list.
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ReplyDeleteI could use advice on how to get my 8 year old to have better table manners!
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I like Ragu on FB with my username Mary Happymommy.
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Meatball subs with Ragu.
ReplyDeleteI liked Ragu on FB.
ReplyDeleteThe hardest part of cooking dinner with two young sons is being able to keep an eye on the food and keep my boys involved or play with them while trying not to burn dinner!
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Like you on FB,
ReplyDeleteI make pasta for a quick dinner
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When dinner gets tough I choose to make it simple so I don't get carried away!
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I entered the Pet Firefly giveaway.
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I always have something on hand that can be whipped up in a hurry in case things get tough at dinner time (and Ragu has come to the rescue MANY a time!)We are into eating slow food at home, so there is usually a lot of planning and prep involved, but sometimes...you know...it just doesn't work that way.
ReplyDeletebethelderton59 at gmail dot com
I follow Ragu on twitter as mbm219
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I liked Ragu on FB
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to have a plan. I would like to try a weekly menu but that never seem to work.
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The worst part of dinner is getting something made that is good warmed up since everyone is not home to eat at the same time. I keep making the same things over and over.
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I subscribe to your email
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My go to dinner is tuna macaroni salad. I always make sure I have the ingredients so that I can get dinner done quickly.
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The hardest part for me is getting my two year old to sit at the table and entertain the idea of eating anything.
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Like Ragu on Facebook as D Schmidt
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I don't like the menu planning. If someone would tell me what to make I'd gladly do it.
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When all else fails we usually turn to breakfast - most often a cheese omelet.
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Follow you on Twitter - @4emsmom - and tweeted:
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I entered the $25 IHOP gift card giveaway.
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You can change up a pre-packaged dinner by adding your own extras, such as noodles, more meat, or vegetables.
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I like Ragu on fb.
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I follow Ragu on twitter.
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I entered your $100 Gift Certificate to Tea Collection giveaway. joycemlinek@yahoo.com
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i need help finding quick and healthy dinner solutions that appeal to kids
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I subscribe to your e-mails.
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ReplyDeleteI would like tips on getting my kids to eat vegetables. I would love any ideas for kid friendly recipes.
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I like you on fb.
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When dinner gets tough make your own 'frozen dinners' by making extra when you are able to cook and freezing them in individual containers!
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I'm following @ragusauce on twitter
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I'd like to know if there is a fool proof way to re-vamp leftovers so it's like you're eating a whole new meal every time...might be too broad of a question. I know you can bake spaghetti...and do stir fry type things...
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I like Ragu on Facebook
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Following you on Twitter @zoekyklos and tweeted :: https://twitter.com/#!/zoekyklos/status/106788174868660224
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When dinnertime gets tough I order out. Pizza or chinese her I come.
ReplyDeletetweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
I "like" Ragu on facebook. FB name Jan Peoples
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I follow Ragu on twitter @disneyfan40
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1) I follow you via GFC as disneyfan40
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1) Facebook Fan. FB name Jan Peoples
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2) Facebook Fan. FB name Jan Peoples
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I follow you on twitter @disneyfan40 and tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/disneyfan40/status/106787291745353728
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My tip is to have pre-made frozen dinner options! I like to make chicken taquitos and freeze them individually. That way I can have one for a snack or 3 for a meal! Plus I know exactly whats in it since I made it!
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In a crunch and no ideas I always go for macaroni and cheese everyone likes that
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I need help getting picky eaters to eat!
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I need advice on how to make dinner with two toddlers at my feet!
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I could use some new suggestions on some quick and healthy meals to make for dinner.
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i could use advice on getting my daughter to try and like new foods!
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I could use advice on what to do when making dinner took too long and you have to eat fast so you can get somewhere on time.
ReplyDeletetweet http://twitter.com/#!/superschaley/status/106892592360325121
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ReplyDeleteI need help getting the kids more involved with menu planning and making dinner.
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ReplyDeletewhat to make for dinner is always challenging
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I need advice on what to make. It gets old making the same thing all the time, and when I ask the rest of my family, I get the "I dont care" or "It doesnt matter to me" response.
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I follow Ragu on twitter @jessyca81
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I like Ragu on facebook. Jessyca Foster
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I follow you on twitter @jessyca81 and tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Jessyca81/status/106928928291176448
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this was the best tip i have ever gotten, i started a weekly menu plan, i started using ezmeals, they have a plan that fits with weight watchers points, so we do that one. it prints a list of what you need for the whole week, 7 dinners, one shopping trip, you have everything u need for each meal, no wondering what to cook because its all on paper! life saver!!! steph at steffiessweetsinsations@gmail.com
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http://twitter.com/#!/superschaley/status/107054561033846784
ReplyDeleteI could totally use some advice on preparing meals/recipes ahead of time! hswinigan@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWhen dinner gets tough, I usually rely on the easy stuff like pizza and soup. But occasionally I get motivated to freeze extra portions from meals so that we can grab and thaw for a quick meal.
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