Busy Nights!!

As we realize that Summer Break is officially over, and we settle back into our busy routines of chauffeuring our kids to school, sports practice and all the other activities our little ones seem to find to keep us on a constant move, it tends to become more difficult to stay on the healthy path!  With concession stands at the games and those fast food restaurants on the way home, it becomes harder to not give in to convenience!   My advice to you is PLAN AHEAD!!  

Keep bags of almonds, walnuts or raisins in the car so you can easily eat while driving to that away game, or while waiting in the parking lot for your kids to get done with practice! Then when your kids get in the car and start in with the “starving” routine, you will have something to offer them.  It is easier to say no to stopping for junk, when you are not hungry like them!  Find out what your kids like and make your own raw nut mix.  There are so many options when making your own!  You can use almonds, walnuts, raisins, crunchy cereal, coconut flakes, dried fruits, even chocolate chips!  If you have a chance to stop home first, grab a cooler with an ice pack and throw some cut up fruits and veggies in it! Homemade granola bars are another great snack!  You can find a great recipe for them in TheHealthy Edge Cookbook!  Remember, when our kids get out of school or practice they are hungry and they will eat what is available!  Take advantage of that!

As for supper, use your crockpot! Every night if you have to! It is much easier to say NO to the kids screaming for fast food because they are “starving”, when you know you have dinner ready and waiting at home!  Like many casseroles, slow cooker meals can be made the night before and just turned on in the morning!  After a long day at work, and too much running around after, you deserve to come home and have dinner ready, or a casserole that only needs to be put in the oven!  

 Now that fall is here, my husband and I do a lot of soups!  It is funny that I would always get so mad at him because he would make such big batches!  Then, I decided to take advantage of this and freeze half of what he made.  Quick and easy solution to those chilly nights when you’re craving the taste of homemade soup!  Pull it out in the morning to let it thaw.  Reheat on the stove when you get home from work!  

What's your favorite busy night trick??