5 Tips for Healthier Meals and Happier Families
It’s 5:30, everyone’s “hangry,” and nothing’s thawed. Ugh. Pizza or takeout, again. Surely there’s a better way?
Between 8-hour workdays, softball games and voice lessons, making healthy meals can be a challenge. But with a little planning and preparation, you can skip the dreaded takeout trap, and end up with a happier family. I’m not the best cook in the world by any stretch of the imagination. But the good news is, you don’t have to be Julia Childs to make a great meal that gathers your family around the table and save money too.
Kickstart some new habits and get your family eating together again. Here are 5 tips for healthier meals and happier families:
Catalog your recipes
Keep a file, whether on your computer or (like me), the old-fashioned way – in a 3-ring binder. Mine holds treasured recipes handed down from Moms and Grandmas, staples from cookbooks, and favorites from friends’ tables. The originals are saved on my PC and copies are placed in plastic sheet protectors to avoid getting ruined when I cook) and cataloged by type.
Meal Plan
On Sunday evening or Monday, plan out your meals for the week and buy the groceries you’ll need. Find a system that works for you but don’t skip the meal planning step. We plan 4-5 dinners at home weekly, scheduling crockpot or taco night on busier days/evenings. This way, you’re only buying groceries you really need once a week. Rotate recipe choices and protein options depending on preferences. Flag recipes everyone loved for future use and toss those nobody liked.
Keep it Simple
Have a couple “Grab and Go” dishes handy. Each week, I try to make a couple things we can grab for lunch, a snack, or dinner on the go. These might include taco salad or energy bites Having healthier options readily available cuts down on trips through fast-food lanes, saving money and minimizing processed foods laced with hormones, preservatives, and MSG. Crockpots are great for chicken enchiladas, pork chops, taco soup, and roast with potatoes, carrots, and pepperoconis. Go for anything on the grill! Eat outside and finish the night with s’mores around a fire!
Stock the fridge with fresh, real food
Always keep fresh fruit, eggs, nuts, salad greens and vegetables in the house. Avoid sugary breakfast cereals by opting for yogurt with fruit or smoothies made with unsweetened almond milk, protein powder, and your favorite fruits and veggies. Avoid sodas and opt for decaf flavored iced tea or plain old water- and keep lemons and limes handy.
Get your family around the table
Plan at least a couple meals a week around the dinner table at a time everyone can make it. If everyone’s schedules are crazy, pick a 30 min window that works for everyone at least 2 times a week. No cellphones! Turn off the tv, put down the phones, and have a conversation. Happier families know how to handle conflict before it gets out of hand and serve as cheerleaders by staying engaged in each other’s lives. When my kids were younger, we used “Share the Pit and Peak of your Day” as conversation starters. As they grew older, spirited conversation about politics, theology, or life choices filled the air. Add ambiance with candles, different styles of music, or themed nights.
Make mealtime fun and make the most of moments with your family.
Make Your Life Matter No Matter What
With love,
Angela
