What's for Dinner?

I spend lots of time (probably too much) looking at recipes in my cookbooks, and online.  I'm always searching for the perfect meal - tasty and healthy.  I don't always succeed at that. Sometimes the food is more healthy/less tasty...sometimes the opposite.  But, I've definitely found plenty of foods that I can feed my family and feel good about it.  We don't eat 100% 'clean', but we come close.  I rarely have processed/boxed/frozen/etc foods on the dinner table (or in my house for that matter).  My meat is almost always organic, but only some of the vegetables are.  For me, it's a matter of picking and choosing what I can buy organic based on budget.

If you're looking to feed your family a little (or a lot) healthier, here's a list of ideas for dinnertime foods that you might try.  I'm not including the recipes - most of these foods are pretty basic - BUT, if there are any you would like the recipe for, or have questions about, leave a comment below.  I'm happy to help.  Feel free to also share what you find works for you:)  

Proteins

Chicken - boneless, skinless breasts or tenderloins (grilled or baked with a variety of spices)

Beef - ground (made into meatballs, meatloaf, tacos, etc)

Beef - steaks (grilled - always a crowd pleaser)

Fish - grilled or baked in the oven

Pork - tenderloin

Veggies 

Cauliflower - oven roasted

Broccoli - steamed or oven roasted

Carrots - steamed or oven roasted

Green Beans - steamed
Asparagus - oven roasted
Zucchini/Squash - oven roasted

Potatoes (sweet, red or white) - baked, oven roasted

Salad - this one I'm careful with.  After years of the kids dousing theirs with ranch dressing, I no longer buy ranch.  They use vinagrettes.  And I put tons of veggies in separate bowls for the salad. It leaves more dishes to clean, but I find the kids pile more on this way. When It's all in a bowl, the cut up veggies tend to fall to the bottom.

Other Sides

Rice - whole grain

Couscous

Quinoa

That's much of it - what we eat over the course of a week.  I mix and match in all different ways.  Often I make 2 veggie sides and no grain.  And there are other things we'll have sometimes.  But really, this is my go-to list of dinner items in my memory bank.  Now, I've made enough of these foods that I don't really need to use recipes, but I still look from time to time to spice things up, and add new flavors.  And yes, on occasion (rarely) we have a pasta dish.  It's not about all or nothing in my house.  I strive for balance, which for me means that the majority of what we eat is clean, and once in a while we indulge in richer meals. Start small.  Pick one or two new vegetables to try this week.  You might find that you're eating a lot of the same things at first, but you can expand on it as you find comfortable.  

The nice thing about eating this way most of the time, is that you don't have to stress or feel guilt if you indulge one night here and there.  And if this becomes your habit, you will probably find that you make healthier choices when you go out to eat.  As for the kids - they'll get used to it.  You've heard me say that there were complaints when I first changed over to healthier eating. But that has stopped.  They really don't complain about not having fast food, soda or sweets.  In fact, my 'picky eater' tonight voluntarily took seconds of cauliflower.  I kid you not.  If that can happen in this house, I'm certain your pickiest eater will do just find if you add healthier food to your menus. 

~ Bonnie

Stop Trying to Please Everyone

I admit it...I'm a people pleaser.  Especially when it comes to my family.  Always trying to make sure they are happy, have what they need, and are well taken care of.  Which sounds great, right?  I suppose it is, to an extent.  But when the people-pleasing gets in the way of what's best for them, maybe it's time to stop worrying about everyone's happiness.  And really, we are all ultimately responsible for our own happiness.  Yep, even the kiddos.

I struggled with this a bit when it came to fitness.  I was doing workouts, and wanted my husband and kids to exercise as well.  I mean, the kids in general are pretty active, but I wanted them to really learn how to use and build their muscles (no, I'm not talking bulging muscles....I'm talking strength).  I wanted them to like working out.  I wanted them to want to work out.  Just like me...well, that's something I tell myself, and I do like it sometimes, lol.

So I started scheduling family workouts with my Ty.  How did it go over?  No tears were shed, but a lot of grunts and groans.  I'm sure my husband swore at me under his breath. Both before, during, and after the workout.  Admittedly, we all felt better after we went.  I enjoyed working out with them more than any workout I've done on my own.  And working out with my husband pushed me a little. The little competitive part of my brain wanted to make sure I at least matched what he did, if not out-lift him.  And knowing that I was setting the example for my kids was huge.  Sure, they knew I worked out before.  But there was something about knowing they were watching.  I couldn't give up, I couldn't not go.

How do they like it now?  Well, we're fitter as a family, and their health along with my own is insanely important to me. But do they love it, you ask? Nope. They still groan.  They still roll their eyes, and yes, they still ask if they have to go.  And the answer is always yes.   There's no excitement for them, no fun in going - well, except for my daughter - she's always asking when we can go.  But for the rest of them, they aren't happy about going.  And that's ok.  It's not my job to make them happy.

~ Bonnie

Nutrition For the Whole Family

Eat better as a family. Sounds easy, doesn't it? Then why is it so darn hard?

For years I've said to my husband (and myself) "I want to eat better. I want our whole family to eat better".  And for years I did nothing about it. Not that we ate terribly, it was just that I knew we could do better. I did (and still do) the majority of the grocery shopping and cooking in our house.  It's a job I love to do, and I take that responsibility very seriously. But...mixed in with wanting to provide my family with nutritious meals is the desire to make them all happy with foods that they'll love to eat. Oh, and did I mention I have 3 kids?  Nutritious AND great tasting? If you're my 14 year old son, you'll argue that those two don't always mix - especially if you're talking about vegetables.

Can we do it? Yes we can. Will we do it 100% of the time? Probably not. And that's OK! I know, I know...we often hold ourselves to such high standards that anything less than perfect is unacceptable. You have to learn to let it go - the ideal of perfection. And, don't punish yourself or beat yourself up if (and when) you fall short. Life is a balancing act, and that holds true when it comes to eating.

Don't get hung on whether or not everyone likes what you make. That one might be difficult - especially of you're a people pleaser like me. Feeding a family and expecting everyone to like what you serve all of time is just not going to happen. It's not. When I shifted our meals into a much healthier and cleaner direction, my kids were less than thrilled. There were complaints, faces, and probably some tears too. But, they survived each time. It really didn't take long for my family to get used to a change in eating habit.

I think a big key is getting them involved.  My kids love learning to cook...guess the apples didn't fall far from this tree.  Letting your kids help plan a meal, and teaching them how to make is a great way to have them excited about what they're going to eat.  Of course you want to be age appropriate, but even a young child can help mix ingredients. Educate them about the food you're feeding them.
Also work on that willpower when you buy groceries! Clean out your kitchen and eliminate the foods you don't want them to eat - or you to be tempted with.  Having 'junk' food in your house for the kids is a killer when it comes to eating healthy.  If it's in the house it could end up feeding your cravings and weaker moments.  And if you have younger kids in the house, they aren't able to go to the store and get it for themselves.  If you share the grocery shopping responsibility with others in your household, ask that they don't buy junk either. It's important to have healthy options available for everyone in the house. 

Remember to be gentle with yourself. It is both a journey and a learning process.  The more you can share it with those in  your life, the more success you are likely to find.  Next week we will have some family friendly nutritious and delicious food that your family can try!

~ Bonnie