April 16, 2025 • 12 mins
Tired of drive-thru dinners and snack-stuffed backpacks? Let’s fix that — deliciously.
In this episode, we’re serving up 20 quick, healthy, and family-approved recipes that are perfect for busy schedules and on-the-go eating. Whether you’re sprinting between soccer practice and school drop-off or just want to ditch the fast-food guilt, these ideas will keep everyone full, happy, and connected.
You’ll get:
🥪 Easy-to-make meals like wraps, quesadillas, and spaghetti muffin bites
🍱 Creative twists like pizza egg rolls and DIY snack boxes
👩🍳 Family-friendly prep tips to get kids involved (and excited!)
💡 Conversation starters for meaningful chats during chaotic schedules
💰 Bonus: Save money while skipping the takeout line
Because family meals shouldn’t be stressful — they should be fun, simple, and made with love.
🎧 Hit play now to transform your mealtimes with real-life strategies and 20 portable meals your crew will actually eat.
💬 Loved this episode? Follow the show, drop a review, and send it to a parent friend who needs new lunchbox ideas ASAP.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/life-hacks-diy-more-transform-your-everyday-with-simple-tricks-and-diy-magic--5995484/support.
In this episode, we’re serving up 20 quick, healthy, and family-approved recipes that are perfect for busy schedules and on-the-go eating. Whether you’re sprinting between soccer practice and school drop-off or just want to ditch the fast-food guilt, these ideas will keep everyone full, happy, and connected.
You’ll get:
🥪 Easy-to-make meals like wraps, quesadillas, and spaghetti muffin bites
🍱 Creative twists like pizza egg rolls and DIY snack boxes
👩🍳 Family-friendly prep tips to get kids involved (and excited!)
💡 Conversation starters for meaningful chats during chaotic schedules
💰 Bonus: Save money while skipping the takeout line
Because family meals shouldn’t be stressful — they should be fun, simple, and made with love.
🎧 Hit play now to transform your mealtimes with real-life strategies and 20 portable meals your crew will actually eat.
💬 Loved this episode? Follow the show, drop a review, and send it to a parent friend who needs new lunchbox ideas ASAP.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/life-hacks-diy-more-transform-your-everyday-with-simple-tricks-and-diy-magic--5995484/support.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, So you ever have one of those weeks
(00:03):
where it's Tuesday and you can't even remember what day
it is.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Oh, absolutely, those weeks where you're just going, going, going,
and everything's a blurb.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Yeah, and then it's dinner time, yeah, and you're just
completely wiped.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Totally get it. The fridge looks bare and takeout just
sounds so tempting, doesn't it.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Though, Especially these days, you know, with grocery prices going
up and all, it feels like you're constantly battling between
trying to make healthy choices and well, just surviving.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
It's a real struggle for so many families right now.
You want to feed everyone well, but it can be
so overwhelming with everything else going on exactly.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Yeah, But you know it doesn't have to be an
all or nothing situation. I mean, we don't have to
resign ourselves to just take out or those you know,
those processed meals from the.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Freezer asle Exactly. There are ways to make it work
even when you're short on time and well, let's face it, energy.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
That's what we're going to dive into today. Some real strategies,
practical tips for making healthy meals happen even when you're
on the go.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
That's right, because it's not just about saving money, although
that's definitely a nice bonus these days.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Absolutely there's the health aspect of course, wanting to provide
good food for your family. But there's more to it,
isn't there?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
There is? You know, when you make that effort to
plan and prepare meals, even if they're quick and easy,
it can actually become part of your family routine in
a good way.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
It's like a little ritual, even if it's just tossing
some fruit in a bag on your way out the door.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
It's those little things that can actually make a big difference,
and it doesn't have to be complicated, right.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
And you know what, I've found that sometimes those quick meals,
the ones we grab on the go, they can actually
turn into these like little moments of connection with the kids.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Oh I love that.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
I absolutely agree, Like in the car on the way
to soccer practice, or even just sitting at the kitchen
counter for a few minutes before we rush out. It's
not always about a big sit down dinner.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
It's about finding those opportunities to connect wherever they pop
up up and food can be such a great way
to do that.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Absolutely. And speaking of kids, one thing that's really helped
in our house is getting them involved in the whole process.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Oh that's so important, even from a young age, it
really is.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
I used to think it would just create more work
for me, you know, more mess to clean up.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
I get it. It can seem daunting, but it's so
worth it.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
It is because it's not just about them helping out,
which is nice, of course, but it's more about them
feeling like they have a say in what.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
They eat exactly. It gives them ownership and that can
make a huge difference in their willingness to try new things. Oh.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
I've seen that firsthand. My daughter. When she was little,
she was the pickiest eater, like seriously picky.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
I think a lot of parents can relate to that.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
But if I let her help me, you know, like
wash the vegetables or put them in containers, suddenly she
was way more interested in actually eating them.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
That's amazing. It's like the act of participating makes it
more feeling.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
It totally does. And honestly, even now that she's older,
she's much more likely to eat something if she's helped
prepare it in some way.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
It's like they take pride in it, and that can
be so powerful, it really can.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
And you know, let's be real, an extra pair of
hands in the kitchen is never a bad thing, especially
when you're pressed for time.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Never a bad thing. And you know, this whole idea
of prepping meals ahead of time, it's not just good
for time management, it can actually be really good for
your budget too.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Oh yeah, I mean we've talked before about how much
money we can waste on takeout and convenience foods.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
It's incredible, isn't it when you actually sit down and
look at the numbers.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Yeah, we did that a while back and it was
kind of eye opening, made us realize how much we
could save if we just put in a little bit
of effort up front.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
And it doesn't have to be this huge, complicated undertaking.
It can be as simple as, you know, cooking a
little extra at dinner and having leftovers for lunch the
next day exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
So let's talk about some specific strategies, like what are
some things that people can actually do starting this week
to make this whole healthy on the go meal thing
or reality.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Well, we've already touched on getting the kids involved, and
that's a big one. I mean even little kids can
help with things like rinsing fruits and vegetables.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Right, or tearing lettuce, or putting snacks into.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Bags exactly, And as they get older they can do
more like spreading sandwich fillings or even putting together a
simple salad.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
I love that, And it's teaching them valuable life skills too.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
It absolutely is. And it helps them understand where their
food comes from, which is more and more important these days.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
It is. Okay, so let's talk about the food itself.
What are some go to strategies for quick, nutritious meals
that travel well.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
One thing I always recommend is taking advantage of pre
prepared items.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Okay, look, what give us some examples.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Well, a rotisserie chicken is a classic for a reason.
I mean, it's so versatile. You can shred it for salads,
put it in tacos, use it for wraps. You can
even add it to pasta dishes.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Oh. I love that.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Otissery chicken is a life saver, it really is, and
it takes the pressure off having to cook a protein
from scratch every single night, which, let's face it, sometimes
is just not going to happen.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
No, it's not so what else, What are some other
things that can make life easier in the kitchen.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Well, fruits and vegetables are your best friends when it
comes to quick, healthy snacks inside.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Yeah, they're easy to pack.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Exactly, things like apples, bananas, grapes, baby carrots, bell peppers.
You can just toss them in a bag exactly, and
they require very little prep. Another thing that can be
really helpful is to keep your pantry and fridge stocked
with some staples that you know your family enjoys.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Okay, that makes.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Sense, And you know it can be really helpful to
create a running list of quick meal ideas and post
it somewhere visible in the kitchen.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
Oh that's smart, so you don't have to think about
it when you're already stressed and rushing around.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Exactly. It can prevent those moments of like staring blankly
into the refrigerator wondering what to pack for lunch.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
Those moments are the worst. Okay, so we've got some
basic covered, but let's talk about making these on the
go meals a little more exciting for the kids, because
you know, sandwiches can get old after a while.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Oh absolutely, And there are so many other options. One
fun thing to try is deconstructing familiar meals.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Okay, I like that.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
So, for example, instead of a traditional taco, you could
do what's called a walking taco.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Walking taco, I've heard of those.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Yeah, So basically, you just pack individual bags of tortilla
chips and then separate containers of seasoned ground meat or beans, cheese, salsa,
whatever your toppings are, and everyone can just assemble their
own taco right.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
In the bag. Oh that's fun and less messy than
trying to eat a regular taco on the go.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Exactly. You could also do a portable version of sloppy jos.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Oh that's a good way.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yeah. Instead of putting them on buns, you could use
mini peita pockets or even roll the filling into crescent
roll dough before baking.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Those sound delicious. What other creative spins can we put
on everyday favorites?
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Well, breakfast foods are always a good option for portable meals.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Oh yeah, breakfast for dinner is always a hit in
our house.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
It's a classic for a reason. So things like breakfast
burritos filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, maybe some ham or veggies.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Those are easy to make ahead of time too.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
You can make a big batch on the weekend and freeze.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
Them and then just grab.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
And go exactly. Pancake or waffle sandwiches are another good one.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Oh, those are fun.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
You can fill them with peanut butter and banana, or
even a slice of deli meat and cheese.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
I like that. What about wraps?
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Wraps are great too. You can fill them with hummus
and veggies, leftover shredded chicken, even tuna salad, and.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
You can cut them into pin wheels.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Yeah, that makes them more appealing, especially for younger kids.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
It does. It's like a little presentation. Okay, so we've
talked about some specific meals, but what about incorporating different
cuisines or themes? Can we do that with on the
go meals too?
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Absolutely? I think themes are a great way to add
some variety and excitement.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Okay, so how would that work?
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Well? For example, you could do a mini pizza.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Theme mini pizza, I like this is going.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Yeah, so you could use English muffins or even those
egg roll wrappers that we talked about earlier, fill them
with pizza, sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and bake them.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
That's a great idea, or.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
You could do a deconstructed sushi theme. Oh interesting, Yeah,
so you could have small rice balls, cream cheese, and
thin slices of cucumber or avocado.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
That's so creative.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
It's really just about thinking outside the box a little
bit and adapting flavors that you know your family enjoys.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
I love it. What about pasta? It seems like pasta
would be really difficult to eat on the go.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
It can be, but there are definitely ways to make
it work. Pasa salads are always a good option. Use
a sturdy pasta shape like rotini or penne, mix it
with veggies, protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas, and vinaigrette dressing.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
That's a good one, and it's easy to make ahead
of time exactly.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
And you can also try making mini pasta bakes in
muffin tins.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Muffin tins, that's brilliant. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
You just cook your pasta and sauce as usual, then
portion it into the muffin cup, maybe top with a
little extra cheese and bake them.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
That's perfect for individual portions.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Exactly, and they're much easier for kids to handle than
a big plate apasta.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
I'm totally trying that one good.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
And remember sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Oh. Absolutely, keep it simple is my motto these days.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
So things like a hard boiled egg and some whole
wheat crackers with cheese, or a container of yogurt with
granola and berries.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Those are classics for a reason exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Hummus and veggie sticks are always a winner. And a
simple turkey and cheese roll.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Up, quick, easy and nutritious, you can't go wrong with that, exactly,
and sometimes that's all you need.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
You don't always have to create a gourmet meal.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Right, it's more about just providing something that's healthy and satisfying. Yeah,
that'll actually get.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Eaten, exactly. And that brings us back to something we
talked about earlier, those conversation starters.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Oh right, how can we use those during on the
go meals?
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Well, even if you're just sitting in the car together,
we're at a park bench, those a few minutes while
you're eating can be a great opportunity to connect.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
So what kind of things can we ask?
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Simple things like what was the best part of your
day or what's one thing you're looking forward to.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
I like that it doesn't have to be anything deep,
not at all.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Just a chance to check in and hear what's on
their minds.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
I love that. It's a good reminder that even those
small moments, the ones that seem kind of ordinary, can
actually be really meaningful.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
They can, and they add up over time.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Okay, so to wrap things up, let's just quickly go
over some of those key ideas. So involve the kids
in the process.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Yes, even in small ways.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
Embrace the convenience of combining pre made and fresh ingredients.
Don't be afraid to get creative with those familiar.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Flavors, right, think outside the lunch box exactly, and remember
rotisserie chicken and portable fruits and veggies are your superheroes,
absolutely your go to staples.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
And don't forget about fun formats like wraps, pinwheels and
even muffin tin meals.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Right, get creative with it and.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Most importantly, keep it simple. Find what works for your
family's rhythm exactly.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
There's no one right way to do this. It's about
finding what works for you.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
And don't forget those conversation starters. They can really add
a special touch to even the quickest of meals.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
They can. It's those little connections that make all the difference.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
So as you're navigating another busy week, think about this.
What's one small tweak you could make to your family's
meal routine.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
It doesn't have to be a big overhaul, just one
little thing.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Maybe it's adding a container of pre cut veggies to
your grocery list, or asking your kids to each choose
a fruit to pack for snacks.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Small changes can lead to big results.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Exactly, It's about finding those manageable shifts that can ultimately
lead to less stress, yeah, healthier eating, and maybe even
a few more of those unexpected moments of connection along
the way.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Those moments are the best they are.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
So just pick one thing and see what happens. You
might be surprised at the difference it makes.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
You might and you might even have some fun along
the way.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Exactly, enjoy those meals, enjoy those moments, and we'll see
you next time.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Sounds good.
All right, So you ever have one of those weeks
(00:03):
where it's Tuesday and you can't even remember what day
it is.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Oh, absolutely, those weeks where you're just going, going, going,
and everything's a blurb.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Yeah, and then it's dinner time, yeah, and you're just
completely wiped.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Totally get it. The fridge looks bare and takeout just
sounds so tempting, doesn't it.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Though, Especially these days, you know, with grocery prices going
up and all, it feels like you're constantly battling between
trying to make healthy choices and well, just surviving.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
It's a real struggle for so many families right now.
You want to feed everyone well, but it can be
so overwhelming with everything else going on exactly.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Yeah, But you know it doesn't have to be an
all or nothing situation. I mean, we don't have to
resign ourselves to just take out or those you know,
those processed meals from the.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Freezer asle Exactly. There are ways to make it work
even when you're short on time and well, let's face it, energy.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
That's what we're going to dive into today. Some real strategies,
practical tips for making healthy meals happen even when you're
on the go.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
That's right, because it's not just about saving money, although
that's definitely a nice bonus these days.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Absolutely there's the health aspect of course, wanting to provide
good food for your family. But there's more to it,
isn't there?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
There is? You know, when you make that effort to
plan and prepare meals, even if they're quick and easy,
it can actually become part of your family routine in
a good way.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
It's like a little ritual, even if it's just tossing
some fruit in a bag on your way out the door.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
It's those little things that can actually make a big difference,
and it doesn't have to be complicated, right.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
And you know what, I've found that sometimes those quick meals,
the ones we grab on the go, they can actually
turn into these like little moments of connection with the kids.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Oh I love that.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
I absolutely agree, Like in the car on the way
to soccer practice, or even just sitting at the kitchen
counter for a few minutes before we rush out. It's
not always about a big sit down dinner.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
It's about finding those opportunities to connect wherever they pop
up up and food can be such a great way
to do that.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Absolutely. And speaking of kids, one thing that's really helped
in our house is getting them involved in the whole process.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Oh that's so important, even from a young age, it
really is.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
I used to think it would just create more work
for me, you know, more mess to clean up.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
I get it. It can seem daunting, but it's so
worth it.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
It is because it's not just about them helping out,
which is nice, of course, but it's more about them
feeling like they have a say in what.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
They eat exactly. It gives them ownership and that can
make a huge difference in their willingness to try new things. Oh.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
I've seen that firsthand. My daughter. When she was little,
she was the pickiest eater, like seriously picky.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
I think a lot of parents can relate to that.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
But if I let her help me, you know, like
wash the vegetables or put them in containers, suddenly she
was way more interested in actually eating them.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
That's amazing. It's like the act of participating makes it
more feeling.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
It totally does. And honestly, even now that she's older,
she's much more likely to eat something if she's helped
prepare it in some way.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
It's like they take pride in it, and that can
be so powerful, it really can.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
And you know, let's be real, an extra pair of
hands in the kitchen is never a bad thing, especially
when you're pressed for time.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Never a bad thing. And you know, this whole idea
of prepping meals ahead of time, it's not just good
for time management, it can actually be really good for
your budget too.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Oh yeah, I mean we've talked before about how much
money we can waste on takeout and convenience foods.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
It's incredible, isn't it when you actually sit down and
look at the numbers.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Yeah, we did that a while back and it was
kind of eye opening, made us realize how much we
could save if we just put in a little bit
of effort up front.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
And it doesn't have to be this huge, complicated undertaking.
It can be as simple as, you know, cooking a
little extra at dinner and having leftovers for lunch the
next day exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
So let's talk about some specific strategies, like what are
some things that people can actually do starting this week
to make this whole healthy on the go meal thing
or reality.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Well, we've already touched on getting the kids involved, and
that's a big one. I mean even little kids can
help with things like rinsing fruits and vegetables.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Right, or tearing lettuce, or putting snacks into.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Bags exactly, And as they get older they can do
more like spreading sandwich fillings or even putting together a
simple salad.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
I love that, And it's teaching them valuable life skills too.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
It absolutely is. And it helps them understand where their
food comes from, which is more and more important these days.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
It is. Okay, so let's talk about the food itself.
What are some go to strategies for quick, nutritious meals
that travel well.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
One thing I always recommend is taking advantage of pre
prepared items.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Okay, look, what give us some examples.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Well, a rotisserie chicken is a classic for a reason.
I mean, it's so versatile. You can shred it for salads,
put it in tacos, use it for wraps. You can
even add it to pasta dishes.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Oh. I love that.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Otissery chicken is a life saver, it really is, and
it takes the pressure off having to cook a protein
from scratch every single night, which, let's face it, sometimes
is just not going to happen.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
No, it's not so what else, What are some other
things that can make life easier in the kitchen.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Well, fruits and vegetables are your best friends when it
comes to quick, healthy snacks inside.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Yeah, they're easy to pack.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Exactly, things like apples, bananas, grapes, baby carrots, bell peppers.
You can just toss them in a bag exactly, and
they require very little prep. Another thing that can be
really helpful is to keep your pantry and fridge stocked
with some staples that you know your family enjoys.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Okay, that makes.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Sense, And you know it can be really helpful to
create a running list of quick meal ideas and post
it somewhere visible in the kitchen.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
Oh that's smart, so you don't have to think about
it when you're already stressed and rushing around.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Exactly. It can prevent those moments of like staring blankly
into the refrigerator wondering what to pack for lunch.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
Those moments are the worst. Okay, so we've got some
basic covered, but let's talk about making these on the
go meals a little more exciting for the kids, because
you know, sandwiches can get old after a while.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Oh absolutely, And there are so many other options. One
fun thing to try is deconstructing familiar meals.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Okay, I like that.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
So, for example, instead of a traditional taco, you could
do what's called a walking taco.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Walking taco, I've heard of those.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Yeah, So basically, you just pack individual bags of tortilla
chips and then separate containers of seasoned ground meat or beans, cheese, salsa,
whatever your toppings are, and everyone can just assemble their
own taco right.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
In the bag. Oh that's fun and less messy than
trying to eat a regular taco on the go.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Exactly. You could also do a portable version of sloppy jos.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Oh that's a good way.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yeah. Instead of putting them on buns, you could use
mini peita pockets or even roll the filling into crescent
roll dough before baking.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Those sound delicious. What other creative spins can we put
on everyday favorites?
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Well, breakfast foods are always a good option for portable meals.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Oh yeah, breakfast for dinner is always a hit in
our house.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
It's a classic for a reason. So things like breakfast
burritos filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, maybe some ham or veggies.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Those are easy to make ahead of time too.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
You can make a big batch on the weekend and freeze.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
Them and then just grab.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
And go exactly. Pancake or waffle sandwiches are another good one.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Oh, those are fun.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
You can fill them with peanut butter and banana, or
even a slice of deli meat and cheese.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
I like that. What about wraps?
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Wraps are great too. You can fill them with hummus
and veggies, leftover shredded chicken, even tuna salad, and.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
You can cut them into pin wheels.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Yeah, that makes them more appealing, especially for younger kids.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
It does. It's like a little presentation. Okay, so we've
talked about some specific meals, but what about incorporating different
cuisines or themes? Can we do that with on the
go meals too?
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Absolutely? I think themes are a great way to add
some variety and excitement.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Okay, so how would that work?
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Well? For example, you could do a mini pizza.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Theme mini pizza, I like this is going.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Yeah, so you could use English muffins or even those
egg roll wrappers that we talked about earlier, fill them
with pizza, sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and bake them.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
That's a great idea, or.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
You could do a deconstructed sushi theme. Oh interesting, Yeah,
so you could have small rice balls, cream cheese, and
thin slices of cucumber or avocado.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
That's so creative.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
It's really just about thinking outside the box a little
bit and adapting flavors that you know your family enjoys.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
I love it. What about pasta? It seems like pasta
would be really difficult to eat on the go.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
It can be, but there are definitely ways to make
it work. Pasa salads are always a good option. Use
a sturdy pasta shape like rotini or penne, mix it
with veggies, protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas, and vinaigrette dressing.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
That's a good one, and it's easy to make ahead
of time exactly.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
And you can also try making mini pasta bakes in
muffin tins.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Muffin tins, that's brilliant. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
You just cook your pasta and sauce as usual, then
portion it into the muffin cup, maybe top with a
little extra cheese and bake them.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
That's perfect for individual portions.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Exactly, and they're much easier for kids to handle than
a big plate apasta.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
I'm totally trying that one good.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
And remember sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Oh. Absolutely, keep it simple is my motto these days.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
So things like a hard boiled egg and some whole
wheat crackers with cheese, or a container of yogurt with
granola and berries.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Those are classics for a reason exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Hummus and veggie sticks are always a winner. And a
simple turkey and cheese roll.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Up, quick, easy and nutritious, you can't go wrong with that, exactly,
and sometimes that's all you need.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
You don't always have to create a gourmet meal.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Right, it's more about just providing something that's healthy and satisfying. Yeah,
that'll actually get.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Eaten, exactly. And that brings us back to something we
talked about earlier, those conversation starters.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Oh right, how can we use those during on the
go meals?
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Well, even if you're just sitting in the car together,
we're at a park bench, those a few minutes while
you're eating can be a great opportunity to connect.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
So what kind of things can we ask?
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Simple things like what was the best part of your
day or what's one thing you're looking forward to.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
I like that it doesn't have to be anything deep,
not at all.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Just a chance to check in and hear what's on
their minds.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
I love that. It's a good reminder that even those
small moments, the ones that seem kind of ordinary, can
actually be really meaningful.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
They can, and they add up over time.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Okay, so to wrap things up, let's just quickly go
over some of those key ideas. So involve the kids
in the process.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Yes, even in small ways.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
Embrace the convenience of combining pre made and fresh ingredients.
Don't be afraid to get creative with those familiar.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Flavors, right, think outside the lunch box exactly, and remember
rotisserie chicken and portable fruits and veggies are your superheroes,
absolutely your go to staples.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
And don't forget about fun formats like wraps, pinwheels and
even muffin tin meals.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Right, get creative with it and.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Most importantly, keep it simple. Find what works for your
family's rhythm exactly.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
There's no one right way to do this. It's about
finding what works for you.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
And don't forget those conversation starters. They can really add
a special touch to even the quickest of meals.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
They can. It's those little connections that make all the difference.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
So as you're navigating another busy week, think about this.
What's one small tweak you could make to your family's
meal routine.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
It doesn't have to be a big overhaul, just one
little thing.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Maybe it's adding a container of pre cut veggies to
your grocery list, or asking your kids to each choose
a fruit to pack for snacks.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Small changes can lead to big results.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Exactly, It's about finding those manageable shifts that can ultimately
lead to less stress, yeah, healthier eating, and maybe even
a few more of those unexpected moments of connection along
the way.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Those moments are the best they are.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
So just pick one thing and see what happens. You
might be surprised at the difference it makes.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
You might and you might even have some fun along
the way.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Exactly, enjoy those meals, enjoy those moments, and we'll see
you next time.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Sounds good.
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