Healthy Cooking

So a New Year's Resolution has been to cook healthier meals. Last week, I cleaned up and organized the freezers and pantry to get an idea on what we have already. I have been trying to plan a few nights dinners out ahead of time, especially for indoor soccer, swim and basketball nights. I also received the Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food by Jessica Seinfeld as a Christmas gift. I am trying to"hide" veggies in my hubby's and son's food. I liked her idea of putting berries out at breakfast or carrots and celery out before dinner so the kids can snack while waiting. No more 'Moooooom I am soooooooo hungry, when is dinner?"

Indoor soccer started on Monday. Using ingredients I had already on hand I made a turkey sausage pasta bake. It was super easy. Barilla plus Rotini, a small amount of turkey sausage I browned in the oven, organic tomato sauce, plus the hidden veggies. I chopped up cauliflower, spinach, carrots in my awesome, can't live without, Cuisinart mini prep. The cauliflower looked so much like cheese, My son even helped sprinkle the "cheese" on top. I added a 1/2 cup of mozzarella and baked it in the oven. During dinner, my picky eater, Shamus told me, "Mom this is very, very, very good". I didn't bother to tell my hubby about the added veggies until alter that night. He was surprised since he hates cauliflower. He couldn't taste it at all.

It was quick and nutritious and easy. Homework was done while it was baking in the oven.

Ironically, homework was on dietary guidelines. Shay wanted to know if dinner had come from a can b/c canned food has too much salt. His health class has him looking at food labels which ultimately with him policing us, will force me to make sure our pantry is stocked with healthy foods. So send me any ideas for quick meals.