Every week is a constant flurry of work, cooking, cleaning, errands, and getting the kids everywhere they need to be. Busy is just, well, normal. So, with lives like this, how do we get real food on the table? The first step is to take a deep breath, exhale, and relax. Real food doesn’t mean making a five-course meal after a ten-hour day. Here, some tips to help you get healthy dinner on the table and stay sane.
1. Teach your family to love leftovers
Some meals, like braised meats, lasagna, or chili actually taste better the day after you make them because the flavors develop overnight. Cook extra helpings and serve them for dinner the next night or pack them in lunch boxes; you'll not only save time and reduce food waste, but also skip a trip through the drive-thru!
2. Cook once for two meals
Roast two chickens instead of one. For the first night's dinner, you have a warm, perfectly crisp bird. On the second day, you'll have cooked chicken, ready for soup, chili, and salad. Hate to eat the same thing two days in a row? Still make the extra portion and freeze them for the following week.
3. Instill weekend family time in the kitchen
I love it when the whole family spends time together in the kitchen with me, prepping Sunday night dinner. Cooking is minimal during the week: I prepare most of our meals on Saturday and Sunday. Monday through Wednesday, I alternate the leftovers to make my weeknights as easy as heat and eat. Thursday nights we have a simple meal. Our book has some fantastic ideas for from-scratch dinners you can whip together in minutes—think grilled cheese with leftover roasted vegetables, nutritious wraps, and egg dishes. Fridays are a good night to eat out or make pizza together.
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