Summer is such a fun season; Yet it can be a challenge to have healthy meals put together for dinner when you spend most of the day outdoors, or actually want to enjoy them if you have been working inside all day! These simple steps will help you successfully navigate dinner time without succumbing to the temptation of drive-thru or take-out!
Use Your Crockpot!
The crockpot is actually my go-to all year long for dinner meals. There’s simply nothing like knowing that I’ll have a good, nutritious, low-maintenance dinner waiting and ready to serve at dinnertime. During busy times, these are some of my favorite crockpot meals:
Clean Eating Slow Cooker Jambalaya
Super Simple Salads
Nutritious does not have to mean complex! A simple dinner salad is a staple around here during busy times. I always start with a green base of spinach, mixed greens, or arugula. Add flavorful fixings like chopped peppers and onions, sliced fruit, goat cheese, nuts, roasted broccoli or zucchini, even pickles (I know, but trust me!), the options are almost endless! Then, simply add a protein to create a complete meal. I usually choose grilled or shredded chicken, salmon, shrimp, lean ground bison, or sometimes I’ll make them meatless with black or garbanzo beans. Finish with a salad dressing of your choice! I like Bolthouse dressings or these recipes from Dashing Dish:
Skinny Creamy Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
Clean Eating Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing
Prep! Prep! Prep!
If there’s one thing you’ll hear consistently from us at Dashing Dish, it will be the importance of meal prepping! Taking time once or twice during the week to prepare for quick, easy meals is so important! This one change alone takes dinner from a source of pressure to painless! No matter how busy life gets there are several things I do every week to stay successful and prepared. I always prepare:
- Shredded chicken
- Chopped or slice veggies
- Baked goods, my favorites are:Chocolate Fudge Brownie Muffins, Peanut Butter Protein Muffins, Protein Packed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Bento Style Meals
On busy weeknights, the reality is not all meals can be eaten at home. Sometimes we must eat in the car, or at practice. On those nights it can be really tempting to just stop somewhere to pick up food on the way. Solution? Creating a “bento box” style meal has been one of the best ways to nix that temptation. The kids love them and they’re so easy to make. I include four categories:
- A protein
- A baked treat
- A veggie
- A healthy fat to help make them more filing (usually nuts, or peanut butter for apples and celery)
Simply fill a food container with your favorite choices and you're done! I love these Bento Boxes.
Meal Plan Quick and Easy
The number one key to success during busy weeks is having a plan! A meal plan will be your greatest asset too! Taking time once a week to plan, shop for, and prep meals yield huge dividends that are always worth it! If you’re not sure how to begin, we have several amazing resources to help get you started!
Ulimate Meal Prep Planning Guide
Meal Planning Made Easy! Your Plan for Success!
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