Moms and dads today schedules and juggling challenges that would have made their own parents’ heads spin. Corners have to be cut when handling careers and kids, extra curricular activities, sports, volunteering, and of course, some time to play. How important is it to focus on home cooked meals, then? Is it just as good to pick up pizza on the way back from soccer practice, or smoothies after the gym?
Sometimes, sure. But steering clear of takeout on a routine basis is more than being a good parent, it’s being a healthy parent. And making sure one or two meals a day are home cooked isn’t as difficult as moms and dads might think. There’re many more varied options for healthy convenient foods now than there were even a few years ago–healthy convenient foods you can make at home that are also delicious.
Perhaps the biggest challenge that mothers and fathers face when trying to cook meals at home is their own temptation to overdo it. Giving your family a home cooked meal doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. No one expects you to bake your own bread or make everything from scratch. With just minimal planning ahead, you’ll find it’s not as difficult as you think to provide one to two home cooked meals every week day.
Focus on things that can be prepared ahead of time, when you have time, frozen dishes that can be put in the oven, and simple dishes that don’t require much preparation. With thoughtful use of a slowcooker and your freezer, making dinner at home can be as painless as ordering out. It will save your money and it make for a healthier family as well.