What’s for Dinner – Plan Ahead

It is 4:00 p.m. and you have no idea what to serve your family for dinner. In these situations it is easy to pick up fast food or order pizza. Eating healthy begins by planning ahead.

Begin by writing down favorite family meals and scheduling them throughout the week. Then make a shopping list for everything you will need to prepare these meals and head to the supermarket.

If possible, cook once and eat twice. During the weekend, prepare a roast in the crock pot. Following the meal with the roast you can either slice the roast into thin slices and use for sandwiches or pull the remaining meat apart and add barbeque sauce for quick and easy sandwiches.

Stir-fry is an quick and easy meal. Fresh or frozen vegetables can be added to thinly sliced meat and rice for a quick and easy meal.

I like to make soup such as chili on the weekend. I freeze the remaining portions and defrost on nights when I don’t have much time at home. I like to microwave a baked potato and add chili and shredded cheese for a filling meal.

Keep a fully stocked pantry with rice, pasta, canned vegetables, canned soups and canned beans. I keep chicken breasts in the freezer along with frozen vegetables. Fresh produce include potatoes and an assortment of fresh vegetables and fruits. With food on-hand, it is easy to prepare quick meals.