Dinner time can often mean coming home late, looking in the refrigerator, not seeing anything edible, and going out to dinner. Although once a week this is not a big problem, the evening starts to get a bit expensive and unhealthy. And then when being unhealthy costs you even more money, you really have to start wondering what you are doing. The good news is that with a little planning and a trip to the grocery store, you can avoid all of this.
I want to challenge you to have meals planned ahead and foods ready and waiting to prepare those meals. It could take as long as driving to the fast food joint, taste better, help you feel better, and lead to movie star status with your spouse or children. Let’s first look at some meal ideas.
Pasta is a great way to make something quick and really delicious. I like to recommend the veggie noodles because of the extra serving of veggies you get. Now you can do whatever you want with the pasta. You can use chicken, seafood, or just vegetables. You can add cheese or not. You can make a creamy sauce with a little cream or not. All up to you. I like to make some butter, a minced garlic clove, zucchini, shrimp, and some tomatoes and Parmesan at the end. It is fresh, very good and super fast. I’m going to bet that even the pickiest eaters will be able to enjoy veggies.
Another very easy dinner is Mexican food. With some ground beef (browned), a can of chili beans, and some chili powder or taco seasoning, you can make a few different dishes. You can use this meat with salad, sour cream, avocado, and cheese for an amazing Mexican salad. Or you can make soft tacos or nachos. You could even make a meat quesadilla. If you add a can of diced tomatoes, a little more chili powder, and a pinch of cloves, you could have a nice bowl of chili. All of these foods will please the taste buds, and the leftovers can be frozen for a rainy day.
It wouldn’t be a good “easy dinner list” without at least one crock pot idea, so here it is! If you need an easy chicken meal or two, this one is sure to please and is really flexible for what you want. First put some raw chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Season with at least a little salt and pepper. I like to add onion powder, chili powder, cumin, and / or a little taco seasoning. Next, throw in a can of black beans (drained), a can of corn (drained), and a jar of salsa. Put on low heat for 7 to 8 hours. When you get home, simply shred the chicken and enjoy it as tacos, nachos, enchiladas, salad, or as is. For a more soup-like consistency, add a cup of chicken broth in the morning. You will end up with a tortilla soup.
If you want a simpler shredded chicken, just cook the chicken in 2 1/2 cups of chicken broth. Season well. With that, you can add barbecue sauce and pinto beans. Or you can serve it with lemon, pepper, greens, and rice. Or you may want to add some buffalo sauce and serve with carrots and celery. With a simple base, shredded chicken can really become whatever you want it to be.
Hopefully you’ve gotten some ideas for your dinner process. I highly recommend creating a menu on the weekend and doing all of your shopping. So when a busy week rolls around, you’ll be prepared and have a plan. I know you will feel better and might even lose a few pounds! Good luck and happy eating.