"I think families are so scattered and our lives are pretty hectic and fast-paced," says Janet Peterson, author of the new cookbook, Family Dinners: Easy Ways to Feed Your Kids and Get Them Talking at the Table. That's why she's written two cookbooks focusing on simple, tasty recipes along with techniques to promote family interaction.

Family Dinners has recipes for standards such as lasagna and sloppy joes, and also includes activities and conversation starters designed to get your family eating together and enjoying that dinnertime.

In this 2-minute video, Peterson extolls the virtues of family dinners for not only the emotional and mental health benefits, but for your physical health as well.