Healthy Meal of the Day

As the working mom of three little kids, it is a daily challenge to get a delicious, healthy meal on the table for dinner. As soon as I get home from work, I instantly transform from "mom" to the homework helper (or "drill sergeant" if you were to ask my kids!) More often than not, around 4:00, I find my mind wandering from multiplication facts or 3rd grade spelling words to "What on EARTH am I going to make tonight for dinner?!" Persistant little voices screaming "MOM!!" always seem to pull me out of my quandry, and by the time homework and reading is over, (and I am ashamed to admit this...) I usually resort to cold cut sandwiches, good ole' Mac & Cheese or some type of frozen dish. Oh please...please...please...tell me I'm NOT alone!


The more and more I thought about it, I realized, I wouldn't mind making dinner if someone would just tell me what to cook! For me, the hardest part of making dinner is not the making, but the deciding. Like you, I want to feed my family healthy meals. I want to make the most of my food dollar. I like to eat out or order in occasionally, but I want to do it when I choose to - not when I just can’t think of another option. I want to spend my time and my energy enjoying my children, not working in the kitchen. I definitely don't want to (nor can I afford to) waste any time wondering what to cook.

For that matter, it has been decided that every Wednesday (starting today) I will do my best to post quick, easy, and HEALTHY meal ideas that you SHOULD be able to make with readily available staples in your home. No grocery list needed!

Today's oh-so-yummy-this-can't-POSSIBLY-be healthy recipe (Courtesy of SparkRecipes.com):

Healthy Chicken Parmesean
MAKES 4 SERVINGS

• 4 EGG WHITES
• 2/3 CUP ITALIAN SEASONED BREADCRUMBS
• 1/2 CUP GRATED REDUCED-FAT PARMESAN CHEESE
• 1 LB BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST
• 8 OZ. WHOLE-WHEAT (OR SPINACH) PASTA
• 1 CUP LOWFAT PASTA/SPAGHETTI SAUCE
  

DIRECTIONS:
BEAT EGG WHITES UNTIL SLIGHTLY FROTHY.

MIX BREADCRUMBS & 4 TBSP PARMESAN CHEESE IN PIE PLATE.

DIP CHICKEN BREASTS IN EGG WHITES, THEN INTO BREADCRUMBS (COAT BOTH SIDES).

BAKE CHICKEN AT 400°F FOR ABOUT 12 MIN. EACH SIDE, OR UNTIL CHICKEN IS NO LONGER PINK AND BREADING IS GOLDEN BROWN.

PREPARE PASTA WHILE CHICKEN IS BAKING AND WARM PASTA SAUCE.

PLACE WARM PASTA (2 OZ PER SERVING) WITH BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS (4 OZ PER SERVING).

TOP WITH PASTA SAUCE (1/2 CUP PER SERVING) & REMAINING PARMESAN CHEESE (1 TBSP PER SERVING).

Nutritional Info Servings Per Recipe: 4 Amount Per Serving Calories: 401.8 Total Fat: 7.5 g Cholesterol: 94.5 mg Sodium: 1,061.7 mg Total Carbs: 42.6 g Dietary Fiber: 2.7 g Protein: 38.5 g

I can't wait to try this tonight...let me know if you did and if you/your family thought it was a hit!

Until tomorrow...Keep healthy, keep safe and keep going!

Have an awesome day!

©Fit~NOW~Girl©