Summer is almost over.

Gone will be the days of lazy afternoons at the pool followed by lazy dinners on the screened porch followed by a couple glasses of wine. Soon it will be pick up kids from school – try to fit in 30 minutes of homework and snack into 20 minutes of time – drive to practice – practice – drive home – eat dinner – finish homework – bath – bed – and then wine. If this sounds familiar, you know that section (drive home – eat dinner – finish homework)

In reality, looks like this… (drive thru – grab dinner – eat in car on way home – finish homework).

I speak truth, peeps.

Every year I promise to have my ‘schtuff together. I promise myself I’ll be better organized. I promise I’ll make a weekly meal plan. I promise to have it all put together and not go through the damn drive-thru. I promise. I promise. I promise.

And then life gets in the way and we end up at Chick-fil-A. Defeated.

But this year, it will be different. I’m committed to these…

Quick Healthy Dinner Options For Busy Families

1. Embrace the crockpot. It isn’t sexy, but the crockpot is your best friend when you are trying to A) make dinner around a crazy schedule B) have different people coming home at different times during the day wanting hot food. Try my Crockpot French Dip Recipe or Crockpot Mongolian Beef Recipe…both are crowd pleasers and different than the standard “soup”. Plus, most crockpot meals can be made ahead of time and then just “turned on” in the morning.

2. Picnic dinners. If time is really pressed, I am going to opt for “picnic” dinners. (Notice I said picnic and not sack lunch….no sandwiches for this bunch.) We will enjoy summer sausage and cheese, fresh fruit and veggies, salads, crackers, and fresh bread. I’m thinking “al-fresco” instead of “traditional” and letting my creativity flow.

3. Big snack NOW, family time LATER. Eating around the table as a family is IMPORTANT to me, so if we have to have a BIG snack around 4:00 (peanut butter toast, yogurt, carrots and dip, cereal) and then have a smaller meal when everyone is available to sit down later in the evening, so be it. And I may even get crazy and let that smaller meal be a dessert every once in awhile.

4. Look at healthy pre-packaged food. There are healthy pre-packaged food options available, I just have to look for them. Part of the reason I love Door To Door Organics is that I can add prepared food items on from their deli to my weekly order. If I know we are going to have a hectic week, I’ll add on Mexican Burrito Bowl or Basil Pesto Pasta to my order. I love their items from the deli because they are made with organic ingredients (and I know what each ingredient is) and are usually vegan and lactose-free. I’m committed this year.

Dinnertime and a hectic week night schedule is not going to derail my healthy eating plans. Utilizing tools like a crock-pot and planning “picnic” meals, along with redefining “dinnertime” and adding in a few healthy pre-packaged meals should eliminate some of the stress and keep me on track this season. Do you have a quick healthy dinner options for busy families idea or tip? Leave it in the comments. Goodness knows, I need all the help I can get!

Disclosure: Door To Door Organics is a sponsor of Kansas City Mamas and RedefinedMom and the “How To Eat Organic On A Budget” class. However, the written remarks and opinions are entirely my own. Want more information – check out my full disclosure statement.