If your dinner table conversation is getting a bit old, or is limited to the usual "how was your day" line of questioning, then one woman from California may have the answer for you in the form of a little box of tricks named 'Food for Talk'

Inspiring ideas over steak and fries
Julienne Smith, a former news anchor and radio show host from Bakersfield in California, decided that the dull conversation that her family conducted over spaghetti just wasn't stimulating enough for her three kids, now aged 13, 15 and 17. In 2004 she came up with the Food for Talk concept by collating quotes, sayings and thought-provoking questions, turning to the great academics and sages from throughout the ages for inspiration. Using these ideas as a base, she also came up with her own questions to prompt revealing discussion from her children, with excellent results.

For example, one Food for Talk card reads:
"Try not to become a person of success, but rather a person of value."
(Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955) Physicist and Nobel Prize Winner)
- What do you think is the difference?

Kids think for themselves
It is important, states Smith, to let the children go first when answering the questions, as it helps them not just mimic mom and dad's response.
The activity is aimed at stimulating conversation but also at bringing the family closer together. Through listening to each others' answers, Smith believes that a lot can be learned about each others' mentality, thoughts and feelings about certain situations or problems.

http://www.foodfortalk.net/index.cfm