I used to look back on Summer as a time to relax and just enjoy the quiet, the warmth of the sunshine, and the fresh outside air with my family but now that my kids are getting older Summer has become a time where we still wake up early and rush to the next child-related sport, class, or activity. In between all the craziness that is our life I still have to make meals and clean. I’m really actually quite looking forward to the normal schedule that comes along with school. Needless to say I was really happy to hear about Unilever teaming up with Jennifer Bushman, author of the “Kitchen Coach.” Together they created the Family Fun Book and it’s filled with wonderful family-friendly recipes as well as affordable and fun meal time ideas. She suggests making meal time family time and I really like this idea. Here’s a few of the great suggestions you’ll find in the Family Fun Book:
- Have an at-home dinner picnic. Spread a blanket out in the living room and prepare simple sandwiches or wraps, like a delicious Chicken & Basil Sandwich. Opt for Hellmann’s Light Mayonnaise, which has the great taste but half the calories and fat of Hellmann’s. Get the kids involved by letting them pick the sandwich fixins and spread the mayo!
- Save on cooking and clean-up time by choosing easy, delicious, one-pot dips and recipes. Use sweet potatoes or yams to prepare Spicy Oven Fries and pair with your favorite dipping sauce. To sneak in some nutrition and receive 20 percent of your daily value of Vitamin D, top with melted Shedd’s Spread Country Crock Calcium Plus Vitamin D. With just three steps, this recipe is perfect for setting loose your child’s inner chef.
- To make nights in even more enjoyable, pair meals with fun at-home entertainment. Spend less time in the kitchen by using Knorr Rice Sides to make an easy one-dish meal like Grilled Chicken & Veggies Over Rice, then create a show by letting your kids sing their favorite songs in your very own “kitchen cabaret.”
- Host a camping-inspired sleepover for the kids and create a kitchen retreat with campfire meals. Use whole grain tortillas as a healthy and easy dipper for your favorite one-pot recipes like Super Easy Slow-Cooked Chili with Ragu Pasta Sauce, which packs a full serving of vegetables in every half-cup of sauce. Not to mention that a slow cooked meal leaves more time for “camping” activities!
- Use versatile ingredients from your well-stocked pantry. Wish-Bone Dressings can do double-duty as delicious salad dressings and simple, great tasting marinades for chicken, pork, beef and fish. Pair with soy sauce for a delicious Asian Grilled Steak. You may want to keep your children away from the grill, but they can help by preparing the steak ahead of time.
- Summer and iced tea go hand-in-hand to stay hydrated. Did you know those tea bags can also spice up your cooking? Use Lipton Teabags to create Tasty Tea Baked Apples – a delicious desert with an extra helping of antioxidants for just $1 per serving.
The Family Fun Book is free and you can find the download here. It’s FULL of great ideas and awesome recipes like these to help you make your meal time plans fun and even more successful. I’m personally looking forward to trying out the DELICIOUS ONE BOWL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES because they look “delicious” and sound like they’re really easy to make so my kids can help me out.. I love recipes like this!
While you can find great family meal time ideas and recipes in the Family Fun Book you can also check out www.MakingLifeBetter.com to find more recipes and helpful tips and ideas on everything from health and beauty, home, family, vitality & wellness, and in their “Tips” section you’ll find some really fun ideas for family acitivities.
I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Unilever/Making Life Better. Mom Central sent me a gift card and a copy of the Family Fun Book to thank me for taking the time to participate.
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About Miranda Kuskie
I used to have summer garden picnics when I was little and they were always great fun!