Stress-Free Dinners

Getting dinner on the table every night is stressful for families. Between the school schedule, nightly homework, sports and everyday life, it is tempting to grab dinner from a fast food drive through. But with a little planning, you can make easy, healthy meals that the whole family will enjoy.

Here are a few ideas for stress-free meals:

• Store-bought roasted chicken with fresh or frozen vegetables. Serve with milk or 100% fruit juice.
• Breakfast for dinner! Scrambled eggs, toast, fruit and milk is always a family favorite.
• Yogurt parfait with granola and berries. Your kids will think they are eating dessert for dinner.
• Cheese of veggie pizza from your local pizzeria served with a sale of fruit and milk.
• Prepare a double batch of sour of chili on the weekends and serve the leftovers on another night.

Kids in the Kitchen

Children love to help in the kitchen. Preparing dinner together is a great way to spend time together and find out about their day. Younger children can help with stirring and pouring ingredients. School-age kids love to chop and measure!

A fun, learning game in the kitchen is the Blindfold Test. Put spices and foods (like yogurt, bananas, peanut butter) in small dishes. Blindfold the kids and have them smell each item to guess what it is. Your child might end up trying and liking a new food!