What’s for dinner? Happy healthy new year
BY MADI PONTIKES. PHOTOS PROVIDED.
Find a food style. I love to cook dinner for my family but rarely use a recipe. My rule of thumb is that our plates must have vegetables, a protein and a whole grain. I add fruit for my two girls, too. If you love to make crock pot meals, do them often. If rice and veggie bowls are you jam, go for it. Repeat your favorites. Stick to the basics. Oftentimes when we think of healthy eating, elaborate recipes with foreign ingredients come to mind. Every meal doesn’t have to rival a 5-star dining experience! Keeping meals simple can be key to long-term success. Make more (and use eco friendly storage!) I always double up on what I make so my husband and I can have leftovers for lunch. Leftovers can sometimes be bland, so adding hot sauce or flavorful cheese (goat or feta, yum!) can help change up the flavor. While you’re changing up habits this new year, invest in metal or silicone food storage bins for a healthier, greener and more economical option. Don’t shy away from frozen fruits and veggies. Most people don’t realize frozen fruits and vegetables are often more nutrient-dense than fresh because they are flash-frozen at peak ripeness. It’s also more cost-friendly to buy your berries, fruits and veggies in It’s a new year, making it a perfect time to start fresh with your family’s nutrition. While eating “in” is typically the healthier option, cooking nutritious options for the entire family can feel overwhelming with the endless other to-dos life hands us. I hope these tips will help you feel empowered to feed your family well.
bulk from the freezer section. I prepare the veggies by either baking or sauteing. We use frozen fruits and berries for smoothies, also a fantastic way to sneak more veggies into your diet. Create a routine. This is most important when it comes to creating a healthy household. If you try to wing it every day, you’ll inevitably take the path of least resistance, a drive-thru or delivery. If my husband is home before dinner, he takes on the kids while I tackle the kitchen. After dinner, one parent bathes the kids while the other does dishes. If my husband isn’t home before dinner, I do a crock pot meal that day or I set out an activity for the girls in the kitchen so they’re entertained while I’m cooking. Remember all changes have a learning curve but after the initial work, it becomes your new normal. However, a huge part of your health is the mental aspect. If you need to schedule one night a week for take-out, do it and don’t lose sleep over it! Then ensure the rest of the week packs in some veggies. Need a few ideas for simple meals to cook? Visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ family-cooking for my favorites and my top tips for enticing picky eaters! Editor’s note: This is the first article in a three-part series exploring ideas for cooking as a family from local moms.
Madis’ Go-to Smoothie: Ingredients: ½ cup frozen strawberries ¼ cup frozen blueberries Handful of ice 2 cups spinach 1 tbsp chia seeds ½ cup almond milk 1 tbsp peanut butter 1 scoop vanilla organic vegan protein powder Instructions: Place ingredients in a blender and add water until it sits just above the ingredients. Blend and enjoy!
8 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / JANUARY 2020
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