If you’re looking to feed your gang well, and the thought of breakfast/lunch/dinner stresses you (and your children) out, I highly recommend:
- Stop comparing your meals to those on your newsfeed. When I see perfect lunch box pics while scrolling social media, I can’t help but ask: does the 6 year old really eat mini egg white muffins studded with kale; a homemade (no sugar) granola bar and dehydrated peach slices (also no sugar added) for lunch? I’m not sure about your kids, but my boys would be starving!!
- When it comes to weekday meal prep/feeding a busy family, I’m convinced ‘basic is best.’ Save the fancy/I’ve never attempted this 8-step recipe for the weekend, when you can spare more time. 7 a.m. on a Wednesday, isn’t ideal for new culinary creations – well, at least in our home it’s not.
Follow along, use the hashtag: #Back2Basics4Back2School and share your go-to recipes/favourite ingredients that help make weekday meal prep a bit easier (below are a few suggestions that work in our home). Wishing you all a Happy & Healthy school year!
Breakfast
My boys compare this Tropical Smoothie Bowl to ice cream…and it takes less than 5 minutes to prepare!! Use whatever frozen fruit you have on hand (think Autumn: add frozen apple chunks, ground ginger and cinnamon).
Gay Lea Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese has no lumps (not one), only 100 calories, and a whopping 15 g protein per ½ cup (125 mL) serving! Click here for the smoothie bowl recipe. For more fats and tasty recipes using Gay Lea Smooth cottage cheese, click here. Follow along on social media and use the hashtag: #NothingPlainAboutIT
Brown Bag Lunches
Have your children prepare/pack their own noon hour meal. Seriously, think of all the extra time you’ll have by not lifting a finger when it comes to packing lunches. Plus, when children are responsible for packing their own lunch, it gives them a sense of pride and empowerment. Sandwiches are the perfect (talk about back-to-basic) brown bag lunch fuel that kids can easily prepare on their own. If your children enjoy bagels, look for Wonder Bread bagels at your local grocery store. Wonder Bread bagels are extra soft (require no toasting) and pre-sliced for easy sandwich (or breakfast) meal prep. Follow Wonder Bread on Facebook and/or Twitter and share your sandwich creations.
Dinner
Weeknights are hectic enough, let your slow cooker do the work! If you’re looking for some slow cooker inspiration, Peanut Bureau of Canada has you covered with flavourful and nutritious recipes. This 3 Pepper and Peanut Butter Chili is a favourite in our home (we love spice!). Peanuts (and peanut butter) are loaded with heart healthy fats, plant protein, fibre and are staples in Canadian homes. Click here for the 3 Pepper and Peanut Beef Chili recipe.
by Charmaine Broughton, Food Media Specialist
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