Choose acceptable quality nutritious meals that will appeal to the majority and refuse daily catering to everyone's likes and dislikes. So, ask your family to help you with meal ideas and try some new recipe every couple of weeks to keep mealtime interesting. It is amazing what foods your family will try if they have been involved in meal planning process.

Get family members involved in meal preparation and enjoy quality time with your family. If kids are included, determine age-appropriate involvement in the meal preparation and let them help you out. They will learn an important life skill, you will have a chance to get updated on the news of the day and whole family will have fun.

Try to limit grocery shopping to once a week and keep well stocked pantry. You will be amazed at how much time and money you can save if you can avoid dashing into the grocery store every day or on the way home from work.

Packaged pasta, rice, healthy whole grains, noodle and potato side dishes are fast and easy to prepare and the perfect accompaniment to simple grilled meats, fish or vegetables.

Cook once and eat at least twice. Store extras in freezer or refrigerate. Keep in mind that leftovers should be used within three days, depends on the type of food.

Leftover meat will taste great when combined with peppers, onions, other vegetables and spices in fajitas, tortillas, stir-fry, sandwiches or just served on a fresh cooked rice or pasta.

When you are making stew, casserole, lasagna, pasta sauce or any other dish you enjoy, always make enough for at least two meals. Extra meals in the refrigerator or freezer are time savers and money in the bank.

The after-school kids are usually starving when they get home. For them try to serve part of supper before supper. Your kids can munch on raw fruit or veggies while supper is being made. This will keep them occupied and will provide good nutrients at the same time.

One of the most pleasurable things about eating is sharing food with people you love. Try to eat together as a family as often as possible. Studies show that families who eat together, enjoy meal time and eat better. So, eat together, eat well and live well.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maya Gavric, entrepreneur, consultant, former realtor, writer, web developer, artist and marketing coach has been working, researching and reporting on the Internet for years. Her numerous articles offer valuable insight and tips on wide variety of topics. In recent times she has paid particular attention to knowledge management on the Internet and environmental problems, exploring how our attention to hot issues might best transform current situation into better practice.
The article "Surviving Daily Mealtime Madness" reprinted with permission.