Simplifying Weeknight Meals: More Time for Family Connection

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to try Gousto using my code, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting Our Little House in the Country — it helps me keep sharing cosy, seasonal content. 🌿

It might sound a little old-fashioned, but the importance of sitting down together for family meals has been long documented. Studies show that sharing meals boosts everything from wellbeing to communication, but for me it’s much simpler than that: it’s about connection.

In a world where life runs fast — work school runs, homework, housework, the constant juggle — time together is precious. And it doesn’t always come easily. Especially as my children have grown into teenagers, I’ve noticed we need to be much more intentional about carving out those moments. Dinner time has become our anchor point: a safe space to sit, share, talk, and sometimes just laugh together at the end of the day.

Why Family Meals Matter

When my children were little, family dinners happened almost by default. These days, with busy schedules, it takes effort. But the rewards are worth it:

Connection: It’s a chance to really listen, to hear about their day, worries, or ideas.
Rhythm: Sitting down together creates stability in a world that often feels unpredictable.
Wellbeing: Meals become less about rushing food on the table, more about slowing down and nourishing body and soul.

One of my favourite posts I’ve ever written is 25 Dinner Table Conversation Starters for Teens — because the reality is, sometimes they don’t want to talk! But when the right question comes along, it can open up the loveliest discussions. And that’s when you realise how much these mealtimes matter.

The Challenge of Busy Weeknights

Of course, knowing something is good for us doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Between late finishes, pony care, and after-school activities, there are evenings when even the thought of chopping an onion feels like a step too far. And that’s exactly when family meals can slip — precisely when they’re most needed.

That’s why I’ve been exploring ways to simplify dinnertime, to make it easier to gather around the table without adding to the stress.

Enter Gousto: Making Dinner Simple Again

This month, I had the chance to try Gousto, a recipe box delivery service that sends fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards straight to your door.

I’ve always been curious about meal kit services, so when the opportunity arose, I was delighted to give it a go.

When our first Gousto box arrived, I couldn’t believe how neatly everything was packaged. Each ingredient was portioned, ready to go, and the recipe cards were beautifully clear. After a long day, there’s something wonderful about opening a box and knowing that dinner is sorted.

For families, Gousto is a gentle reminder that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Whether it’s a hearty pasta bake or a quick stir-fry, the magic lies not just in the food but in the space it creates around the table.

From Box to Table: Our Honest Review

Here are a few things that really stood out as we tried Gousto this week:

Quality: The food was incredibly fresh — the chicken was 100% Irish, the vegetables crisp, and everything felt thoughtfully sourced.
Variety: I love cooking from scratch, but I often fall into the trap of making the same meals on repeat. Gousto shook things up with new ideas that everyone was excited to try.
Value: With the discounts, the cost per meal is fantastic. Even without them, we worked it out and agreed it was still excellent value compared to the price of a takeaway or eating out.
Packaging: I was pleasantly surprised at how little waste there was. Much of it was recyclable, and overall, it felt like less packaging than a typical supermarket shop for the same meals.
Convenience: The recipe cards mean you can recreate favourites again, and I love the idea of scheduling a box for the week after a holiday — no need for a frantic supermarket dash.
Family Engagement: Our WhatsApp group is (half-jokingly) called “What’s for Dinner?” and usually the question drives me mad. But this week, it sparked genuine interest. Everyone wanted to know what we were having and looked forward to trying it.

It wasn’t about perfection. It was about ease, presence, and enjoying each other’s company. And that’s something I want more of.

Tips for Making Mealtimes Count

Even when life is busy, there are small things you can do to turn dinner into connection:

Light a candle — a simple signal that the day is shifting into a slower rhythm.
Put away phones — just for half an hour, it makes a huge difference.
Ask a question — What made you smile today? or What’s one thing you’d change if you could?
Share the load — get everyone involved: one sets the table, another clears it.
Keep it simple — meals don’t need to be fancy; what matters is being there.

And this is where Gousto shines: when the food side of things is made easier, it leaves more energy for the rituals that make mealtimes memorable.

Spicy chicken ciabattas with herby roast potatoes – one of the tasty recipes we tried this week from Gousto

Special Offers for Readers 🌿

If you’d like to try Gousto for yourself, here are the current exclusive offers for readers in Ireland and the UK:

🇮🇪 Ireland

Discount: 55% Off First Box, 30% Off Second Box, 20% Off Third Box, and 20% Off Fourth Box
Code: OLHITC55
Tracking Link: Order here via Gousto Ireland
T&Cs: Offer valid for new IRE customers only. The offer entitles you to 55% off your first box, 30% off your second box, 20% off your third box, and 20% off your fourth box. The offer does not include surcharge amounts from premium recipes or delivery fees. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. Once redeemed you’ll be enrolled into a flexible subscription.

🇬🇧 UK

Discount: 55% Off First Box, 40% Off Second Box, and 25% Off For Two Months
Code: OURLITTLEHOUSE55
Tracking Link: Order here via Gousto UK
T&Cs: Offer valid for new UK customers only. The offer entitles you to 55% off your first box, 40% off your second box, and 25% off all subsequent boxes for two months. The offer does not include surcharge amounts from premium recipes, Gousto Market items, or delivery fees. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. Once redeemed you’ll be enrolled into a flexible subscription.

An Invitation to Slow Down

Family meals don’t have to happen every night, and they don’t have to be elaborate. But the moments we spend around the table are the ones that so often stick — the laughter, the stories, the chance to really see each other.

Here’s to more good food, more simple weeknights, and more connection around the table this autumn.

Chat soon,

Ciara