The first thing my kids want to do when they get home from camp and daycare is swim in the pool. The last thing they want to do is sit down for a good dinner. So, I’m desperately trying to come up with healthy foods we can eat poolside – or that don’t require a lot of time to make.
I’m sure many moms can agree that it’s much easier to stop and pick something up from a fast food place or call for carry-out rather than make a meal. And, if you’re like me, I’d rather be cooling off in the pool, playing with the kids rather than heating up the kitchen when it’s already hot outside.
For the past two weeks I think my kids have lived off hotdogs, popcorn chicken and fish sticks for dinner – and if they had their choice, that’s all they would eat. It’s time for this FitCity Mom to make a change. No more excuses (although “it’s too hot to cook” has become my favorite lately).
As we head into July I’m determined to cut out the excuses and find ways to eat (and make) healthy meals for my family. As I typically do (since I’m not a creative cook by trade), I turned to the internet for some ideas. FitCity’s recipe page has some really easy and tasty recipe ideas that I’m going to try. While online, I also found some other great ideas:
- Fruit salad is easy enough to make – and can either be a meal or a tasty side dish.
- A salad wrap is an easy meal that can be eaten poolside (or on the run).
- On the nights we grill out, we’re going to grill up extra chicken for a wrap, sandwich or salad for another night.
- Make a batch of egg salad, tuna salad or chicken salad on hand in the refrigerator for making quick sandwiches.
- Make chilled soups that can be made the night before (I might try the Cold Tomato Basil Soup Recipe tonight).
What works for your family? Please feel free to share your tips, ideas – and even your favorite summer recipes.
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Rotisserie chicken saves my life at least once a week!! I get a cooked chicken which lasts about 2-3 meals and I don’t have to turn on the stove or oven! We never eat the skin so bonus health points there!
My kids love to eat out of muffin baking tins. I’ll fill one up with a variety of cut up fruit, veggies, cheese, bites of chicken or turkey pepperoni… a whole variety of cooler foods. They get a balanced meal and I get a night with no cooking!
We’ve been doing sandwiches — no oven required. Cold pasta salad is another good choice. I have one that has cubes of cheese in it, so protein included. And honestly, on occasion, it’s cereal (whole grain of course), because it’s quick and easy.