Whole Foods Make a Whole Lot of Difference
As professional chefs and parents, we know how challenging it can be to balance a busy life while making sure your family has healthy, nutritious meals. You’ve probably tried once or twice before to make a healthy meal. Chances are, you probably did it for a few nights or a few weeks in a row! Then, soccer practice started and your in-law’s were in town and it all got away from you. It seemed difficult and it was easier to grab pizza on the way home than to cook from scratch.
We hear you, because we’ve been there.
Fear Not! Cooking healthy dinners with natural ingredients doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little planning, it can become a fun and rewarding part of your day.
What Are Natural Ingredients?
When we say natural ingredients, we mean foods that are minimally processed and free from artificial additives. Think fresh vegetables, lean proteins like chicken or fish, whole grains such as quinoa or brown rice. Not to mention, the entire lineup of Dare to Be Different products!
These are the building blocks of a nutritious meal. They taste great and fuel your family in the best way.
Why Choose Natural?
Choosing natural ingredients means fewer preservatives, lower sodium, and more nutrition.
For example, cooking with fresh tomatoes instead of canned ones means you’re avoiding added sugars and preservatives. Plus, natural ingredients tend to be richer in flavor. Ever wonder why meals at nice restaurants taste better? Okay, yes, they use a lot of butter, but they also source fresh ingredients. Start serving up high-quality vegetables at dinner and–believe it or not–the kiddos are going to start asking for them!
We know what you’re going to say next: “I’d love to, but fresh veggies are too expensive.” While it is true that organic vegetables are more expensive, you’ll be surprised to find that natural whole foods, which are just as healthy, are less expensive than a lot of junk food at the supermarket.
Essential Tips for Cooking with Natural Ingredients
Planning Ahead
The key to making healthy dinners happen is planning. Spend a little time on Saturday or Sunday mapping out your meals for the week. Start by looking at what’s in season, because that is often fresher and more affordable. Then, plan meals around these ingredients.
Shopping Smart
When you hit the grocery store, focus on the perimeter where the fresh produce, meat and dairy are found. That’s where you’ll find the most natural options.
Read the labels on anything packaged–less is more when it comes to ingredients.
Don’t be afraid to buy in bulk when you find a good deal. Grains, nuts, and even some vegetables freeze well.
Prepping for Success
Prep ingredients in advance to make weeknight dinners a breeze. Chop vegetables, marinate proteins, and cook grains like quinoa or rice ahead of time. When the kids start wandering into the kitchen looking for food, you can throw everything together in a few minutes.
It might sound a little out there, but chopping veggies is a surprisingly zen way to unwind on Sunday afternoon!
Dealing with Picky Eaters
Getting kids to embrace new foods can be tough. One way to introduce them to new foods is asking them to help out with the cooking process. This can be anything from cutting up carrots for a pre-dinner snack or taking them along to your local farmers market to shop. When they’ve had a hand in making the meal, they’re more likely to try it.
You can also try incorporating new ingredients into meals they already love. Remember when we mentioned snagging a pizza on the way home? Swap out the greasy, processed dough for one of our Cauliflower or Broccoli Pizza Crusts. We bet you they won’t even notice the difference–plus, they’re gluten-free!
Dare to Be Different Uses Natural Ingredients
Don’t know where to start? Dare to Be Different has your back
Check out our full lineup of products and recipe inspiration for your next weeknight dinner.
