Getting Back-to-School Ready: Tips and Recipes

Back to school can be a tough time for parents and children. Healthy and easy meals can be an easy way to keep stress down and jump start your kids’ brains. Eating healthy food is one of the best ways to stay clear-headed through a long day of school; try these simple recipes to get things on track.

Veggie Shish Kabobs Over Rice:

Even though the kids are headed back to school, the weather is still perfect for grilling. This recipe can be thrown together ahead of time and the ingredients are customizable for different tastes. Below are my favorites:

Ingredients

• Bell Peppers (2) any color
• Red or Sweet Onion (1)
• Red Cabbage (1/3 of a head)
• Portobello Mushrooms (3 or 4)
• Olive Oil (5 tbsp)
• Balsamic Vinegar (1 tbsp)
• Dry or Fresh Oregano (2 tsp dry, a handful fresh)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Rice (White or Brown)
• 1 can beans (black or kidney)
• Cumin (1 tsp)
• Garlic, Fresh (4-5 cloves)
• Skewers (wood or metal)

Directions

1. First make a pot of rice according to directions. This can be done in advance if time will be short. Then heat about 2 tbsp of the olive oil in a skillet and add 2 cloves of chopped garlic. When the oil and garlic are fragrant, throw in the prepared rice.
2. Add a tsp. each of cumin, oregano and beans to the rice and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste and set aside the rice. (Choose any spices that suit your taste for the rice, you cannot really go wrong).
3. Now take the bell peppers, onion mushrooms and cabbage and cut them into chunks(about 1 inch).
4. Throw the veggie chunks into a bowl and add 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp of oregano (or a few sprigs if fresh), 3 cloves garlic sliced and a pinch of salt and pepper.
5. Toss the vegetables in your marinade and leave them for at least 20 minutes, this can be prepared ahead of time like the rice.
6. Put the vegetables on skewers (carefully, do not poke yourself) and put them on a grill set to medium for about 20 minutes.
7. When the vegetables are soft but still a bit crisp, take them off the skewers and serve over the rice.

This gives the kids a tasty late summer meal packed with the nutrients needed to get those brains in gear for school.

This recipe can be modified for those who would prefer some meat with their meal. Prepare the rice the same way, but also use this salmon recipe:

Simple Grilled Salmon and Asparagus

This recipe keeps things very simple for you busy parents. Salmon and asparagus have delicious natural flavors that don’t require much support.

Ingredients

• Salmon (1 lb)
• Butter (2 tbsp)
• Lemon Juice (1 tbsp)
• Asparagus (1 lb)
• Olive Oil (2 tbsp)
• Sea Salt and Pepper

This recipe can be put together in almost no time.

Directions

1. First Melt the butter and add the lemon juice. Brush this mixture onto the salmon and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Trim the asparagus and place it flat on a sheet of foil. Drizzle on the olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper.
3. Salmon and asparagus can both be put on your grill at the same time. Cook the salmon for about two minutes and then flip it. Cook for 5-7 more minutes and remove the salmon and asparagus. Serve this with the rice from the first recipe for a delicious meal from the grill.

All of the omegas from the salmon will have your kids brains up and running after a lazy summer.

Now that summer’s almost over, and assuming that you’ve already established a healthy back-to-school start, your entire family ought to consider going to the doctor – wheter for an eye checkup, new medicine, or even a teeth cleaning.