Healthy Family Cooking Ideas

Nothing is better than a home cooked meal to make a family come together. But, cooking together is even more fun. Getting the kids involved with preparing meals can go far in teaching cooperation, nutrition, and budgeting skills to the entire family. Once a child is old enough to start helping, enlist their help and you'll be surprised at the excitement plus clean plates. Kids are known to eat a lot more veggies if they helped prepare them.

Some kid friendly ideas to try are:

Personal Pizzas -- Get prepared crusts and let the children help prepare a host of toppings like bell peppers, onions, broccoli, zucchini, and even beans! Everyone can choose what goes on their own pizza, then mom or dad can cook them up in the oven and everyone is happy because they have their own personalized pizza to enjoy. No more auguring about who likes what toppings!

Potato Bar -- Why not have a potato bar night? No need to go to a restaurant to recreate this favorite treat. Arrange a variety of toppings from the traditional, to the unique and let everyone prepare their potato the way they like it. A great way to use up left over chili, taco meat, and fajitas! Not much clean up from this healthy dinner either.

Breakfast For Dinner -- Everyone loves a good pancake. Why not make them for dinner. You can increase the health by using whole wheat flour, and some canned pumpkin puree to make delicious pumpkin pancakes! Why not try shredded carrots and raisins for some awesome carrot cake pancakes. The sky is the limit when it comes to breakfast for dinner.

Hors d'oeuvres for Dinner -- No doubt about it, kids love finger foods for dinner. They don't have to be unhealthy either. Dinner can be a simple fruit and veggie tray, all the way to a more fancy miniature spinach quiche. Bruschetta and crunchy baguettes are an all time favorite, especially if you put them under the broiler for a couple of minutes to melt a little mozzarella cheese. It'll feel like party night. While you're at it, you might as well play a game or make camp in the living room and watch a movie while you eat.

Smoothies -- This will be almost like having dessert for dinner, yet, it's not and it's healthy. Create smoothies with a combination of frozen bananas, berries, and this is what kicks in the healthy, leafy greens. The kids won't taste the greens, but it will be a healthy meal. You can make these vegan friendly, or add in some Greek yogurt to enhance the protein quota. Try out different combinations to find out what really makes you happy. Great idea when you're on the run during the school year. A quick dose of nutrition prior to games and recitals!