These days, it seems like we’re always on the run. I don’t know about you, but it’s rare that I have time to sit down and enjoy a home-cooked meal that my entire family loves. But cooking healthy, family favourites doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. These simple tips will give you more time with your family and might even result in the occasional comment of, “Thanks, Mom!” rather than, “Why do I have to eat this?”

Nothing Beats Pizza for Dinner

Although it’s easy to grab a takeout pizza on the way home from work, it’s much more fun to have your kids help design and build their own. You might even consider a family shopping trip to purchase fresh cheese, meats, and veggies for toppings. If you’re not into gluten, you’ll have a bit more work to do, but a homemade, gluten-free crust can be quite tasty. Consider different sauce choices as well, rather than the traditional tomato-based variety. A pesto or alfredo sauce might be a winner with your family. And the best part? You just pop it in the oven, bake it until crisp, and voila! You have the most delicious homemade pizza within minutes.

Healthy Pizza is Possible

The BBC’s Good Food website paints a gorgeous picture of what healthy pizza looks like. Surprisingly enough, the recipes they list aren’t that difficult. The most important part of eating healthy is to buy fresh, wholesome ingredients, like organic tomatoes, basil, peppers, mushrooms, and even bacon to change things up a bit. Following the recipe is a good choice as well, but I’ve discovered making slight alterations to my recipes can really make the meal, especially with picky eaters in the house.  

Other Fun, Healthy Meals to Prepare at Home

Speaking of picky eaters, have you tried the sneaky trick of adding veggies to your kids’ favourite meals? Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s a great way to introduce children to new food combinations and provide the vitamins and other nutrients they need to stay healthy. Mac and cheese with fresh, chopped carrots or peas is a good start. What child doesn’t love mac and cheese?

For a fun twist, why not have the kids help you make zucchini bread with chocolate chips? They’ll learn how to follow a simple bread recipe from start to finish, and they get to clean up the extra chocolate chips they “forgot to add to the bowl.” With all the healthy recipes out there today, it’s not too difficult to find something your family will enjoy eating as much as they enjoy helping you make it.