Ways to Make Fast, Healthy Meals While Keeping Costs Low

Providing a quick and healthy, yet low-budget meal is a problem that almost all parents face these days. Preparing a full course meal for the family along with all the washing that goes with it can be a daunting task for anyone, let alone a working mother.

The best solution in such a situation is to sit back and relax and let someone else do the cooking for you. No! We are not suggesting that you buy all those packs of "instant meals," which are mostly junk food with zero or limited nutritional value, not to mention a drain on your pocket. The solution here is to be able to cook quick and easy meals, which are healthy, tasty and fit your budget.

Chicken is one of the most nutritious and cheapest ways to feed your family. Use the chicken wings in a soup and just add a few veggies like potatoes, onions, etc. to the remaining pieces along with some spices and pop it in the oven. And voila! You have a healthy and tasty meal ready.

Now you can relax with a book or spend time with your family while the chicken is baking in the oven. You can also complete some of your other chores like laundry and cleaning while the meal is in the oven.

A lot of people are vegetarians and if you are also one of them, then all you need to do is replace the chicken with pasta. Children are usually fond of pasta or spaghetti. To ensure that they eat healthy, just add vegetables to the tomato gravy. Add some cheese and spices and you have a perfectly healthy meal.

Another option is creating a pasta sauce, which is something that can be made with many variations. Just by adding a few things like olives and mushrooms, you can create a different type of pasta meal. You could use chopped tomatoes instead of just tomato paste.

Eggs provide another nutritious and inexpensive option. Eggs can also be cooked with many variations. You could either create a wholesome meal like the "Shakshuka," the famous Middle Eastern meal, which is cooked with eggs, tomatoes and onions, or you can also make an omelet with loads of vegetables. When served with rice, it's a wholesome and healthy meal.

If you are a working parent, then we are sure that you understand when we talk about " quick and easy" meals. With just a little imagination and creativity, you can cook quick and healthy meals for your family.

Brett Chimay has been writing articles about cooking for the past three years. He also likes to write about electronics, including flat panel LCD monitors and why you should consider purchasing a widescreen monitor.

Brett Chimay