I'm so glad to hear you're all safe. I can only imagine how nerve-wracking it was being so close. Last summer we had a tornado warning (yes, up in VT!) and I was so freaked out. We don't have a basement, either - and even just yesterday I was a little nervous with there being tornado watches over in Albany! Can't even imagine being near the "real thing."
We always ate family together growing up, too. It's so weird for me to hear about families not doing that nowadays! I think maybe goulash sticks out to me as post "family"ish. Not sure why...maybe because it was something we had every week no matter what? Monday night was goulash night. :P

I like fried rice in a wrap. Never thought of that before. And I think you're awesome if you ate most of the cabbage. Heh. If we have cabbage, I'll just munch on it raw, which Mike finds rather odd.

And, we always always ALWAYS ate together as a family. No exceptions. And if we happened to have a friend over, they ate too. There are many great meals I remember, too many to list. I was blessed with two parents who like cooking and food. :)

I'm so glad you guys are ok! The weather that has been going on all over the states has been nothing short of terrifying!

LOVE meals like that where part of the fun is building your own! I like doing that kind of stuff when friends come for dinner...

I'm glad you are all ok -- I read about those storms and that is super scary!

The meal I remember having as a kid was pork chops, white rice and canned corn :) I think my dad made that at least 3x per week!

Dinner looks great! I like lettuce wraps a lot.

I'm glad everyone is safe!

Looks delicious! I'm glad you found a soy substitute.

I love family dinner (and fried rice and rooster sauce!) and when I have my own family, I want to make it a tradition too. My favorite family dinners (as a kid and as an adult) always involve steak. And cake!

so glad you are all safe, and that you've shared the secret of coconut aminos in place of soy. Thanks!

I've never heard of coconut aminos - will have to check that out.

My mom always made us eat together... not sure why because I think it stressed everyone out. Haha! :)

So glad to hear everyone is safe!

And my parents used to make us eat dinner at the dinner table every night. No ifs ands or buts about it!

I'm so glad that you are safe!!! I've never been in that situation, but I bet is is SO nerve-wrecking it must be!

Haha, I love cabbage too! :D

I hate storms as well, Sarena and I was so nervous for all of you guys. I am so glad that you and your loved ones are OK. Let's hope we can get on with more beautiful, summer-like weather!

Your meal looks awesome. We ate a lot of meals together growing up and I have so many fond memories surrounding them. I know that your boys will too.

My son is gluten-free so I can't wait to try an alternative to the gluten-free soy sauce! Thanks for the heads up!!!

gorgeous gorgeous! I love that dinner. And I so glad you like the coconut aminos. I think its worth the $$. Ya know?
Happy Friday!

Mmmm...looks amazing! I always had family dinners as a kid, so nothing stands out too much, but birthdays were always fun. I always chose Make Your Own Pizzas, and my sister always chose Tacos!

I have been wanting to try the coconut aminos too - all of this looks amazing! I love using lettuces as wraps.

I am glad you are safe. I know that feeling, I had the same feeling the first night Japan had the earthquake - Jason woke me up to tell me, saying the news is reporting tsunami in Oregon and in OUR county! I was immediately awake and sick to my stomach! :( I hate to hear so many deaths from all of the tornadoes, I hope they all subside everywhere VERY soon. I hope you all remain safe!! <3

i know so sad, I cannot believe the weather. All the damage :(

This looks great. We had a family dinners a lot growing up, we still have them on the weekends we grill out a big dinner.

I'm so glad your family is okay. It really is so heartbreaking the devastation that is there. :( I hope your in laws get power back asap.

We always ate together also, my mom would always make great meals.

I hope you're feeling better, and I'm glad to hear that everything is okay. Eating your family dinner together must have been very special because of the scary situation. I love the idea of cabbage wraps! Could you post what seasonings you used? I would really like to recreate these! I usually use lettuce, but I like that cabbage would be a bit heartier. Sounds great!

*Whoops, sorry! I just saw that you posted the link. I can't wait to make this!

-Mandiee

So glad to hear that you all are OK!! That storm was so scary to see the devastation :(

So happy to hear you are safe!

Those cabbage wraps look delicious. I love food you can eat with your hands!

The best memories I have as a kid are of my family and I always eating dinner together, every night :-) It's a wonderful tradition.

oh these are just beautiful and look delicious!

I just heard about what happened in AL yesterday on the news (I am so bad about keeping up with current events). So glad that you and your family are safe. You had good reason to worry with what I saw in the news segment...unbelievable! My heart goes out to those who have lost.

Family meals with the WHOLE family were few and far between when I was growing up since my dad worked the night shift. My sis and I were always a little nervous around my dad at the dinner table (he was a big "the kids don't talk a the table" sorta man) so we actually preferred having dinner just the three of us. I remember my mom would make us special dinners sometimes after bringing home a good report card or some other type of achievement. I always requested her chicken pot pie...loved the crust! I don't think she's made one in years. I'll have to find an old report card and show up at the house soon! ;)

We almost always ate together as a family, and I think it's why we are such quick eaters because we always had things to rush off to!