| Another day, another dinner to prepare. Are you | | | | up the nutritional value. Using lean ground beef or |
| having a difficult time | | | | even substituting with |
| finding easy to prepare meals that can satisfy | | | | ground turkey or chicken can make for a |
| your growing family? You | | | | surprising, yet nourishing result. Buy |
| want to give your family the best, but time is in | | | | bottled pasta sauces for even faster preparation |
| short supply and preparing a | | | | - many grocers carry a wide |
| healthy meal has become a chore. Too often | | | | assortment that will add variety to your dishes. |
| take out or frozen dinners have to | | | | Looking for an elegant |
| do. Is there a way to combine healthy eating | | | | chicken dinner? Don't forget about frozen skinless |
| with convenience? Yes! New | | | | chicken breasts. Baked in the |
| methods of cooking and easy to prepare staples | | | | oven with a dollop of salsa and shredded cheddar |
| can change your eating habits and | | | | on top makes for a healthy |
| lead to a better eating style for your family. | | | | alternative to frying or heavy sauces. Need ideas |
| According to the 'Kid's Health' | | | | for a side dish? Why |
| Program created by the Nemours Foundation, | | | | are you wasting time cutting and washing lettuce |
| family meals are an important part of | | | | when you can pick up a |
| developing healthy habits in your kids. Eating as a | | | | prepackaged bag at the grocers? Not to say it's |
| family will encourage your | | | | the cheapest method, but it |
| kids to eat healthy foods like whole grains and | | | | definitely helps busy families put nutrition ahead |
| vegetables. It will discourage | | | | of convenience when planning |
| unhealthy snacking and even make them less | | | | a meal. Have you ever tried steaming vegetables |
| likely to try smoking, alcohol or | | | | in the microwave? Fresh |
| marijuana. But how do you plan healthy family | | | | or frozen veggies make for another easy side |
| meals on a tight schedule? | | | | dish when they're popped into the |
| Here are some ideas to start: Does your family | | | | microwave for a few minutes. Add a couple |
| love lasagna? Maybe you | | | | tablespoons of water and cover with a |
| thought that it was a labor intensive dish that | | | | paper towel, an easy AND healthy alternative to |
| just doesn't fit your lifestyle. | | | | frying or boiling. We're |
| Cheesy and full of fat, perhaps it's not even a | | | | all concerned about our children eating healthier |
| wise choice. However, lasagna is | | | | foods. Regular family meals |
| actually one of the most versatile meals to | | | | will encourage kids to develop healthy eating |
| prepare - and with instant (no boil) | | | | habits - an important key to good |
| noodles, it doesn't even have to be a big job. | | | | health later in life. By making meal time less |
| There are lasagna recipes | | | | stressful you can focus on the |
| for vegetarians, low-carb, low-fat and even | | | | joys of spending time together instead of the |
| diabetic diets. Lasagna noodles now | | | | hassles of preparing meals. |
| come in instant, no-cook preparations that cut | | | | I love the creative aspect of cooking - that you |
| time and energy when making this | | | | can make anything you want - living it out in the |
| hearty dish. For lasagna or other pasta dishes, | | | | creative caverns of your mind and then finally |
| try using whole wheat | | | | putting into something for others to share the |
| pasta and shredding carrots or zucchini into the | | | | experience. Go to and try some of the free |
| meat sauce for an easy way to | | | | recipes, or publish your own! |