Isn’t it curious that we are always so excited for the lazy days of summer, and when the fall season begins we are so ready to get back to our family routine?  I always look forward to cooking again when the weather is not so miserably hot!  As we think about getting back into the habit of gathering around the dinner table, we also must be realistic to know that for most of us, Martha Stewart does not live at our house, and the only way family dinners are going to happen is if we embrace some of the following ideas!

1. Take shortcuts:  There are so many convenience items in grocery stores today – use them!  Clean, healthy eating does not have to be complicated.  Learn to utilize all the amazing shortcuts supermarkets provide today.  Look for pre-bagged chopped veggies, fruits or salads, steamable veggies in the frozen section, and microwavable grains ready in 1 minute.  Use canned beans in soups and salads.  Convenience can be a bit more expensive, but with your busy life, there will be times when it is well worth it.

2. Be prepared:  Often the biggest challenge to eating healthy is having the items you need readily available.  Try planning ahead to have the ingredients to prepare 3 or 4 healthy, quick-to-fix meals on hand.  Remember, fresh, frozen and canned items can all fit into a healthy diet.  By having a wide variety of options, you are prepared for those unexpected times when it has been too long since your last grocery visit.  One of my favorite ‘pantry meals’ is Black Bean Skillet Dinner on page 72 of my Healthy Meals for Hurried Families cookbook.  I’m offering $5 off this cookbook for the month of August if you click on the title and use the code Augusthmhf.

3. Be cheap:  Eating healthy can be more expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.  Use canned beans, brown rice, cheaper cuts of meat you can slow cook in the crockpot, etc.  Raising a family is expensive – it is important that we know how to feed our family on a dime.   Pork Chalupas (pg. 55) is another favorite from Healthy Meals for Hurried Families.  Simply add a lean cut of pork trimmed of all visible fat, dried beans, canned tomatoes with green chilies and you will come home to an amazing dinner that can be served over rice.

4. Simplify:  Healthy meals don’t have to be elaborate.  Often, after a long day at work or school, we are hungry for something that is easy to eat.   Think roast in the crockpot with potatoes and carrots.  It’s easy, it’s inexpensive and it’s comfort food – to feed your soul!

5. Create a list of favorites:  Begin to try new recipes and create a repertoire of the ones your family loves.  Repeat them often – you and your family will look forward to their favorites.  Learning a new recipe can be challenging the first time, but once you’ve tried it, it gets easier and easier every time.  Plus, you can put your very own touch on it – making it just the way your family loves it!  There is nothing better than knowing you have a collection of recipes you feel comfortable preparing and serving.