Most of us want our kids to eat healthier, but it’s almost always about finding the time. Searching for recipes and ingredients, then trying new techniques that always take longer than something we’ve done before. And the biggest hurdle of all, eating healthier as a family ultimately comes down to one thing: will the kids actually eat it?
The answer this time is, yes!
This full week’s worth of nutritious meals is one hundred percent kid-tested.
You’ll also see shortcuts that make these recipes doable. Even for busy families.
No food groups have been cut out. Most of our recipes are simply filled with more nutritious ingredients than “classic” versions. (You’ll get friendly with spinach by the end of this week.) That’s what experts say is the best approach, so we’re in.
Aside from this we also tried the healthy food delivery. It’s easy. Order online or by phone. Wait for your delivery. Serve it fresh, or heat it in your oven. No meal prep, no commitment. Just good food, ready-made.
I want to share these recipes too.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast Pockets: Filled with eggs, spinach and ham, I like to either prep these pockets the night before to bake off in the morning, or cook them entirely and simply reheat.
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Shortcut: Use store-bought biscuit dough.
Alternative: Wrap these fixings in whole-wheat tortillas for breakfast burritos.
Magical Double Chocolate Muffins: Don’t let the decadent look fool you. These muffins are packed with five different kinds of fruits and veggies.
Shortcut: Use baby food, canned pumpkin or applesauce instead of mashing fresh produce in the food processor.
Alternative: Skip the chocolate with our regular Magical Muffins, which have just as many good-for-you ingredients and taste more like banana bread.
Rainbow Smoothies: It’s not often that we get veggies into our kids before school and these smoothies help normalize doing it. Plus, if you can add all the ingredients while the littles are watching, they’ll love watching a rainbow become a swirl of yummy breakfast. I serve mine with a hearty piece of whole-wheat toast (Dave’s Killer Bread is our favorite) and everyone’s happy.
Shortcut: Use frozen fruit! I also like matchstick carrots from the produce aisle.
Alternative: Lots of our favorite smoothies are full of veggies. Try Chunky Monkey Green Smoothies or Blueberry Avocado Smoothies.
Overnight Fruity Oats: This isn’t just oats and milk. Our recipe includes shredded apples (for sweetness and fiber!), yogurt, milk and oats. So delicious in between layers of fresh (or frozen) berries, these oats are often a Birthday Breakfast request from my kids.
Shortcut: Skip the apples or use applesauce.
Alternative: Instead of oats, use chia seeds and any liquid you like to make Overnight Chia Seed Pudding.
Easy Baked Eggs: Our fancy bug pan is the star of this show BUT you could certainly make another DELICIOUS variation of baked eggs with ham in ramekins or a muffin pan. Add toppings like spinach, cheese, and tomatoes for added vitamins, color and flavor.
Shortcut: Mix up the eggs, milk and add-ins the night before so all you have to do is add them to the pan and bake in the morning.
Alternative: Use a standard muffin pan to make mini quiches with all the toppings your kids like (spinach, tomatoes, cheese, etc.) Cook the night before and just serve at room temp or slightly warmed.
Whole Oat Scones with Blueberries: Packed with whole-oats and fresh fruit, these shortcut scones come together in minutes.
Shortcut: Use frozen berries! See my tip in the recipe.
Alternative: Use ANY fruit you like. Even canned. Just drain well.
Double Chocolate Steel Cut Oats: Part of teaching kids to love wholesome food is making is familiar. And also delicious. I add exactly 5 chocolate chips to each bowl, along with unsweetened cocoa powder. Suddenly a hearty breakfast feels like a treat.
Shortcut: Use regular old-fashioned oats, which cook faster.
Alternative: Instead of chocolate, add chunks of apple and a dash of maple syrup.
LUNCH
Magical Mac & Cheese Muffins: What’s the magic? Sweet potatoes and cauliflower BAKED INTO THE CHEESE SAUCE. So rich and creamy, you can’t believe they’re also quite good for you.
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Shortcut: This pasta recipe is best as leftovers but of course, kids LOVE the original version of Magical Mac & Cheese.
Alternative: For a crazy day, I add lots of green veggies to mac & cheese and this baked version is all kinds of green.
Easy Broccoli Soup: With only a handful of ingredients, you’ll have a bowl full of veggies for lunch. Bonus cuteness: My kids call it “fairy soup”.
Shortcut: I start with frozen broccoli (and onions) plus matchstick carrots so there’s not even any chopping!
Strawberry Peanut Butter Wraps: Swap jam for fresh fruit! Use whole-wheat tortillas for added fiber.
Alternative: Blackberries and raspberries are also delightful.
Very Veggie Pinwheel Pizzas: The secret to these wholesome little pinwheels is the sauce. It’s PACKED with veggies! Our whole-wheat pizza dough gives an extra bit of fiber too.
Shortcut: Use store-bought pizza dough.
Alternative: Our Easy Veggie Calzones are also a winner!
Cornbread Muffins with Spinach & Sausage: Part of our “Make Everything Florentine” plan, adding spinach gives color and nutrition. Chicken sausage boost the protein and together, it’s a delicious lunch.
Shortcut: Use store-bought muffin mix instead of our homemade recipe.
Whole-Wheat Galette: Roasted to perfection — and so much easier than you might think — a wedge of this galette is delicious with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top.
Tomato Pies: Rich in vitamins AND flavor, these are such a hit every time.
DINNER
Chicken Stir-Fry: Double the veggies and use plain spaghetti for “ramen”. You’ll never guess the secret ingredient that makes this one sing…
Pesto Grilled Salmon: Salmon + pesto. That’s all you need to make a fish eater out of your whole family!
Buttery Chicken with Zucchini: I love a veggie that cooks politely with the protein and this chicken plus zucchini doesn’t disappoint. Serve it with a baked potato and you’ll have fans for life.
Mini (Healthier) Meatloaf: Half grass-fed beef, half, wait for it…mushrooms. That’s right. Cooking faster than one big loaf AND more nutritious.
Shortcut: Cut the cooking time even more by using a muffin pan!
Very Veggie Taco Casserole: Everyone loves tacos. Not everyone loves veggies. But veggies cooked in taco flavor goodness? A win all around!
Turkey Spinach Meatballs: Most meatballs are fried in oil. Not these. Most meatballs use breadcrumbs. Not these. And most meatballs are served with veggies on the side. Ours buck the trend again but they’re DELICIOUS, company-worthy meatballs your family will ask for again and again.
Alternative: Use the leftovers for one of our kids’ favorite lunches: Pesto Meatball Pockets.
Zucchini Boats: Another spin on a popular flavor combo. Instead of lasagna, use spaghetti sauce and cheese baked inside a hollowed out zucchini. Delicious with a side salad and crusty bread.
Alternative: Use yellow squash. Or sub lasagna flavors for taco filling.
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