Healthy Quick Fix Meals Ideas?

Here are some recommendations:
-CookingLight.com
-Rachel Ray's 20 Minute Meals (books & recipes on foodtv.com)
-Jessica Seinfeld's book: Deceptively Delicious
Two cookbooks that I have had GREAT success with are:
-Don't Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer: Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead
and
-Don't Panic--More Dinner's in the Freezer: A Second Helping of Tasty Meals You Can Make Ahead

Also, here is a link to a similar post/question:
http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/12129168901221253121

I bought a cookbook called "3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes." It is the least-gourmet cookbook imaginable... recipes like: chicken thighs, onion soup mix and cans of apricot nectar... but everything is oh-so-easy. My husband and I have liked almost all the recipes. It's hard to get my 3 yr old to eat meat, but he likes the pasta recipes.

Hi -
I have some easy, mainly vegetarian recipes on my blog at http://www.purewellnessamy.com. Just click on the tag "Cooking at Home," which is found on the righthand side of the screen. I'll be adding more recipes soon courtesy of my mom's group recipe swap. Those recipes will be a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian.

Just a quick tip here: cook a base like eggs, oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, brown rice or quinoa and build on it with roasted, steamed or sauteed veggies, beans, good quality meat (organic chicken; grass-finished beef) or fish (tilapia is a good sustainable choice), nuts, a little bit of cheese, herbs, whatever...to create what I call a "mix-in dinner."

Happy cooking!
A.

Whenever boneless chicken breasts are on sale I buy a few packages. I slice them kind of thin then grill all of them. i spray both sides with Pam and sprinkle with either Montreal chicken spice mix (McCormick jar by the spcies) or jerk-chicken spices (a little spicy). I grilled them over a hot grill and then once cooled down I throw them all in a zip-lock freezer bag and into the freezer. For the next 2 weeks I'm prepared for sandwiches, pasta, salad, etc. I'll dice a couple of them and mix with pasta, chicken broth, a little tomato sauce and frozen veggies. Plain on a hamburger roll with catsup or BBQ sauce, friench fries and frozen veggies. You can make an omelette, mix them into mac & cheese, put over a salad (bagged mixed greens, & roasted frozen peas, corn, a little salsa. Use flour tortillas, slice grilled chicken, cheese & salsa in the microwave - presto - quesadillas.

I always have grilled chicken in my freezer and we always have a quick dinner available.

Have fun!

Go to the Martha Stewart website.
They have "Everyday Food" recipes... that are easy and good and quick to make.
I have used many of these recipes. My family likes it.
Here is the link:
http://www.marthastewart.com/everyday-food

Also, marinating foods, meats... is a quick easy way to cook. Marinate even all day or ahead of time... then cook it or BBQ it on a grill. Quick and good.

all the best,
Susan

My family really likes home made soups. I make pumpkin soup, potato soup, leek soup, minestrone. I usually serve them with whole wheat bread and a salad.

Basic recipe:

Sautee onion and some garlic. Add cut veggies (1 carrot, 1 stick of celery, potatoes or pumpkin or whatever else you have around). Sautee for a few minutes, add stock, let simmer, add salt and pepper and other spices (i.e. nutmeg for pumpkin and potato soups, basil for tomato soup, etc.). I usually blend the soups because the kids like them better that way.

I'm sure there are tons of recipes on the internet. My favorite site is the Food Network and Allrecipes.com

I was pleasantly surprised that this worked...and my 2 1/2 year asked for more of it the next day!

1 bag of Green Giant Steamers Veggies with seasoning
1 can of black beans, rinsed & drained
whole wheat pasta

Cook pasta as directed. Microwave veggies in the bag. Open, rinse & drain the black beans. Mix all together, using the sauce from the veggies to lightly coat the pasta & beans. Sprinkle parm. cheese on top. All done in about 10 minutes AND only uses one pan! :)

Great question! I'm going to check back for more ideas too! Thanks!!

Hi J.,
One of my kids' favorites was english muffin pizzas. SO EASY!
Toast a split muffin, spread some spaghetti sauce on top, sprinkle some grated cheddar on, add whatever other toppings you want, pop in toaster oven for a few minutes and voila! Lunch!
Keep some boxes of good chicken broth in the pantry. They're SO versatile! Put some in a pan, add some cubed chicken and dry noodles, or quick rice, maybe some fresh parsley and seasoning, simmer ten minutes and you've got homemade soup...very healthful!
I like to make a large casserole, freeze half, eat some and save some for the next day's lunch. Doesn't get quicker than that! ;)
Good luck!
"Grams"
from the Pocono Mts. of PA

Cold pasta salad,
tortilla wraps,
banana bread with jam,
cheese and crackers
nuts & granola
of course, fruits and veggies
Make enough rice for a couple of meals, then the next day you can mix it with salsa, or peppers etc.
pita bread with hummus *homemade of course
greek salad
protein bars - not store bought
toast with almond butter or apple butter
yogurt, granola and fruit
- Veggie lasagna
- Eggs: Omelets stuffed with veggies and cheese
- Whole grain rice with veggies (my kids LOVE a mixture of tomatoes, green onions, olive oil and Italian seasoning warmed in the over and sprinkled over rice)
- Pasta – get creative – ANYTHING goes on pasta
- French toast sticks
- Whole wheat pancakes with fresh fruit
- Stirfry
- Soups – minestrone, cream of broccoli, tortilla, pumpkin the choices are endless!
- Oh so sea shells: Buy large sea shell pasta and have her help you stuff them with her fav foods, carrots, broccoli mushrooms, cheese, asparagus, etc
- Tortellini
- Pasta salad
- fajitas
- quesadillas
- enchiladas
- wraps – my kids put EVERYTHING in a tortilla wrap – even cold spaghetti!
- grilled cheese with veggie IN or on the side
nuts - mixed - Make sure there are Cashews! Did you know a handful of cashews has about the same medicinal properties as 1 fav antidepressant???? I know!
fruit salad
I could go on forever!

It is SUPER important to plan for your day. STAY AWAY FROM PACKAGED snacks. They are full of C.R.A.P. (caffeine, refined sugar, additives and preservatives)... You are in charge of the nourishment of the body. Take that job very seriously and it will be to your children's benefit for their entire life.

Does that help?

B.
Family Success Coach

If you can prep the night before, the crockpot is great!

If you have the time to be at home while it cooks--roadast chicken is easy and the flavors can be varied.

We often partially thaw frozen chicken breasts (in micro), then slice them up for a stir-fry, using canned Chinese veggies and fresh onions and carrots. Or saute the chicken strips in a skillet to thaw, then add a rice mix (e.g. Rice a Roni). Sometimes we throw vegs in too or just make a salad to go with. (or open a bag of salad)

Hope that helps!