Anyone responsible for cooking their family’s meals knows there is considerable mental and physical work involved. Indeed, it can be such a big job that when you are met with complaints from fussy eaters, it can be incredibly demoralizing. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can make family meal times both delicious and easy, and healthy too. Just keep reading to find out what they are.
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Meal plan using tried and true recipes
No matter how picky the eaters in your family are, a repository of recipes for meals you know everyone will love can take the guesswork out of meal planning. Then at least you’ll know they will eat what you put in front of them and all that work will not have been for nothing.
When collecting your recipes it’s best to go for the tried and true classics like these stuffed peppers with ground turkey that are not only delicious but packed with healthy vegetables and legumes as well. That way you can be sure that everyone is getting a balanced diet.
You might like to create a recipe box or binder with your family favorites in it. Although, these days many people are using online recipe apps to collect, manage and share tested family favorites, which will also save you room in your house.
Get the family involved in choosing meals
Another similar option is to allow each person to choose one meal per week. Then everyone’s needs will be taken into consideration. Of course, the deal here is that while they get to choose one meal, they will also have to eat the meals that the other members of the family select without complaint so make sure everyone understands the conditions before you begin this tactic.
Get the family involved in making meals
You can get family members involved not only in choosing meals but in making them too if they are old enough. Indeed, being able to cook well-balanced evening meals for the whole family is an excellent skill for any young person to learn, as it will set them up well for their future. Getting everyone in the family to cook can even help remind your other half of all the hard work you do, and give you a break at the same time.
Use a meal box kit
Last of all if you are looking to make family meal times easy and delicious why not opt for a meal box kit? These are hampers that are sent to you each week containing all the ingredients you will need for your selected recipes all portioned out. That means all you have to do is follow along with the instructions to create a delicious meal.
Many people don’t use meal boxes because they believe them to be expensive, but it’s worth noting that when you opt for 4 portions or more rather than 2 they can be extremely good value, as well as cut down all the mental and physical labor associated with cooking every night.