Keepin’ It Real

Keepin’ It Real

Fri 10 Feb 2012

Story by Jennifer Tyler Lee
 

Life is hectic. That’s not breaking news for busy parents. We know that enjoying wholesome, homemade food together at the dinner table is an essential part of growing a healthy family. With obesity on the rise, increasing awareness about the benefits of local, organic produce and reams of research showing the positive effects of family dinners, parents are increasingly making the switch to healthy eating together as a family. But with the unrelenting rush of a busy lifestyle, how do families keep real food on the table? These fantastic Food Revolution fans have some great tips for keepin’ it real – how busy parents keep healthy food on the table.


Twitter Party: February 7th 7pm PDT/ 10pm EDT

Theme: Keepin’ It Real, How Busy Parents Keep Healthy Food On The Table

Q1. Busy parent syndrome? What are your tips for keeping meals healthy when rush hour hits?

• @SeptemberAcres I tried monthly meal planning this month

• @DarleneMacAuley Cook 2-3 nights in a row & make extras, then in mid week, we'll have leftover night. Just add salad & veggies.

Q2. We've all got 'em. What are your top guilt-free short cuts?

• @GGirlGGreen I make lots of fruit/veggie smoothies and juices to get all our fruit/veggies in. Quick and so easy!

• @SeptemberAcres Pack lots of veggies in the crock pot with some lean meat & dinner is ready when we are.

Q3 In a recipe rut? Where do you go for inspiration?

• @MealPlanMom Lately, I've made more from Pinterest than anywhere else.

• @DareYouToBlog "How Easy Is That" = tasty yet simple. "The Happy Herbivore"! I also rip out of mags, religiously

• @crunchacolor Be sure to post your fave recipes on the Food Revolution Facebook Page

Q4 Creatures of habit in your house? How do you work new foods into your meals?

• @scatteredmom I combine some familiar with some new things.

• @LZXpress Everyone gets to pick a new food for the week. Then we encourage each other to try "our" food.

• @crunchacolor @LZXpress Excellent idea! That's what inspired #52NewFoods.

Q5 Which foods have you struggled to get your kids to try?

• @OutoftheBoxFood Brussels Sprouts!

• @MealPlanMom Cauliflower.

Q6. Fight fast food. How do you combat the allure of fast foods with your kids?

• @lanaprekprogram We rarely have it. It just isn't something they ask for because they know that the times they get it is few and far between.

• @DareYouToBlog kids in the cooking process! It can become a fun activity, rather than just a meal.

Q7. Lunch time blues. How do you get your kids to eat healthy when they're not at home?

• @TheOrganicTrail I pack lunch. But I include her in the packing process so she learns what is ok for lunch and what isn't.

• @ChristysChomp Lead them in the right direction @ home & they'll follow your lead even when they're on their own.

Q8. What is your family’s favorite quick, healthy, real food dish?

• @OutoftheBoxFood Anything on the grill - even many of the veggies are approved when prepared this way!

• @TheOrganicTrail Chicken stir-fry with fresh veggies with brown rice is our go to quick dinner

Thanks for your great tips! Be sure to check out the Food Revolution Recipe of the month: Minestrone Soup. Craving more new recipes? Check out Crunch a Color’s January Recipe Roundup. Hope you’ll tune into the next #foodrevparty, Tuesday Feb 14, 4pm PST. Bring your Valentine!

About the host: Jennifer Tyler Lee is a mom of two children and the creator of Crunch a Color™ -- the award-winning mealtime game that makes healthy eating fun. Like most parents, she struggled to get her kids to eat healthy, balanced meals, so she decided to make it into a healthy eating game and she’s giving back to support Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. Watch her picky eaters tell the story of how they turned into healthy eaters playing the game. Follow @crunchacolor and #52NewFoods to tune into Crunch a Color's healthy eating adventure and Jennifer’s tips and kid-friendly, easy recipes.