An evening meant to draw people together, Families in the Kitchen, was held recently at the Hampton Roads Blue Star Families and Armed Services YMCA.

Approximately 20 local military families took part, preparing a healthy meal together. The event emphasized meal time as a way to stay connected as a family before, during and after deployment.

Health Net Federal Services, LLC partnered with the Y to bring this event about, recognizing the unique pressures and challenges military families face. "In observance of the Month of the Military Child, we have partnered with Blue Star Families and ASYMCA to host an evening that brings families together. It’s important to establish and continue healthy family routines and meal time is an ideal time to reconnect and decompress as a family unit," said Tom Carrato, president of Health Net Federal Services.

During the hour-long event, parents and children prepared their own fresh garden salads and healthy pizzas to take home. T...