Dinner is a time to unwind from the day. To sit down with your family, spouse, or friends and listen (and really hear) how they’re doing physically and emotionally.  A time to bond.

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As much as we may love to cook or want to cook, this may not always be an option. Our lives are busy; full of errands, work, kids, chores – sometimes we’re too tired to cook a full meal or don’t have the time.  Yet families benefit dramatically from the routine of eating dinner together.  And that’s why planning to include a family dinner – no matter your definition of ‘family’ – at least a few times a week is so important.

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Studies show that families who take part in regular dinner meals have happier marriages and stronger family ties.

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The advantages extend to kids as well – they are more likely to be leaner, do better in school, have better social skills, and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

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Breaking bread with those you love is a way to share more than just words. You share good nutrients from a homemade meal, your feelings, and a way to relax. Not to mentions delicious leftovers!

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Here are some tips to make cooking more relaxing and incredibly rewarding:

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• Plan your meals ahead of time to have ingredients on hand

• Cut up lots of veggies on a Sunday to save time during busy week-nights

• Get kids involved – have them help prepare the meal by chopping or mixing. This will also get them more excited to eat new things!

• Make enough for leftovers. The next night you can just reheat and serve.

• Use ingredients in different ways. Have leftovers from a whole roasted chicken? Use the extra meat in quick soup or toss some over a veggie-packed garden salad.

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Learning and experimenting with cooking is a way to discover food. Not only what you can do with it but also becoming aware of new tastes, how food affects you emotionally or physically, how to listen to your hunger cues… and of course, Nutrition.

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So break out those pots and pans and unleash the Foodie in you!

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Dinner Recipes

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Soups

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• Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

• Creamy Potato Chowder, Lightened Up

• Cool Tomato Summer Soup {with Chicken}

• Split Pea and Winter Veggie Soup

• Pumpkin Chili

• Pumpkin Split Pea Soup

• Butternut Squash Apple Soup

• Sweet Potato Tomato Lentil Soup

• Split Pea Quinoa Soup

• Lentil Pumpkin Soup

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Vegetarian

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Tofu

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• Tofu Pot Pie Pasta

• Tofu Curry Stir Fry

• Spicy "Cheesy" Sauce

• Creamy Tofu Sauce

• Tofu Veggie Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

• Panko-Crusted Tofu with Hoisin-Lime sauce

• Spicy Coconut Tofu

• Coconut Pecan Tofu

• Tofu Veggie Spring Rolls

• Tofu Sloppy Joes

• Asian-Inspired Tofu Marinade

• Walnut Encrusted Tofu

• Baked Teriyaki Tofu

• Asian-Inspired Tofu

• Mediterranean Stuffed Tofu

• Pecan Encrusted Tofu

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Beans

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• Springtime Chickpea 'Guacamole' Salad

• Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• Falafel Stuffed Eggplant

• Spiced Lentils {with a poached egg}

• Black Bean Cakes with an Over Easy Egg

• Edamame Falafel!

• Seared Falafel with Yogurt Sauce

• Savory Mini Tex-Mex Cups

• Sweet Potato Black Bean 'Meatballs'

• Chickpea and Bulgur Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Lentil Quinoa Salad with Fresh Ginger

• Spaghetti Squash with Chickpea Tomato Sauce

• Quick Roasted Beans and Broccoli

• Black Bean and Avocado Burritos

• Sweet Potato and Cannellini Bean Enchiladas

• Chickpea Falafel Patties with Apple Bean Salsa

• Cannellini Bean and Veggie Enchiladas

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Veggie

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• Butternut Squash Latkes

• Cool Tomato Summer Soup {with Chicken}

• Baked Tomatoes stuffed with Quinoa

• Chickpea flour and Edamame 'Pizzatata'

• Butternut Squash Wheat Berry Risotto

• Chickpea Pesto Spaghetti Squash

• Stuffed Acorn Squash

• Healthified Eggplant Parm

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Casseroles & Pasta

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• Chickpea Butternut Squash Tart

• Tomato Ricotta Pie

• Creamy Stuffed Shells with Spinach - Healthified!

• Butternut Squash Tofu Lasagna

• Maple Bean and Cornbread Casserole

• Veggie Bean Casserole with Whole Wheat Biscuits

• Spaghetti Squash Casserole

• Corn Bread Casserole

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Eggs

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• Pesto Tomato Frittata

• Cheddar Polenta Souffle

• Cottage Cheese 'Souffle'

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Fish

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• Blackened Salmon

• Sauteed Fish with Zesty Orange and Soy

• Curried Salmon Cakes

• Wild Salmon 'Meat'balls

• Warm Greek Salmon Wraps

• Sweet Potato Crusted Fish

• Roasted Garlic Smothered Salmon

• Sundried Tomato Swordfish

• Spiced Salmon Rub

• Wild Salmon with Walnut Pesto

• Fish and Black Bean Tacos

• Salmon topped with Spinach and Feta

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Chicken and Turkey
 

• Crispy {healthy} Chicken Nuggets

• Cool Tomato Summer Soup {with Chicken}

• Honey Pistachio-Pecan Chicken with Quinoa

• Curried Chicken with Coconut Quinoa

• BBQ Pulled Chicken with Apple-Cuc Slaw

• Veggie-Packed Chicken Pot Pie

• Tex Mex Corn Bread Casserole

• Pumpkin Chili

• Southern Red Beans and Rice

• Savory Chicken with Artichokes

• Seasoned Turkey Burgers

• Toltottpaprika (Hugarian Stuffed Bell Peppers)

• Hawaiian Encrusted Chicken

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Red Meat

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• Shepherd's Pie with Butternut Squash & Edamame

• Best Meatloaf Ever {Personal Size}

• Tex Mex Corn Bread Casserole

• Toltottpaprika (Hugarian Stuffed Bell Peppers)

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