Make time for family meals

So you'd love to have family meals, but you don't know where you'd get the time?

Be fast and easy * Make dishes that have a short list of ingredients and a quick cooking time.

Keep it simple, sister! * Simple side dishes, like a tossed salad and steamed or grilled vegetables take little time and can be made while the main dish is cooking.

Be supplied * Keep your kitchen well-stocked with staples, and buy produce regularly. Prepare double quantities of cooked grains, soups, and one-dish meals and freeze the extra portions for busy days.

Now you're cooking * Use quick cooking methods, like steaming, grilling, broiling, and sauteing. Use a slow-cooker for foods that take longer to cook. Look for meals that "recycle" the planned leftovers into another meal.

Be the prep cook * Do some of the preparation ahead of time. Chop some veggies or mix up the dry and wet ingredients separately for corn bread or muffins in the morning or the night before.

Be the boss * Invite family members to help. Setting the table is pretty obvious, as is pouring the water. Young children can tear lettuce for a salad or put pre-cut raw veggies in a bowl for the table. Older children can stir a soup or sauce, wash and cut veggies, make a vinaigrette, or mix up a quick bread. Teens can cook (yes, they can, and it's good for them to learn life skills!).