Do you ever forget to eat a meal? How do you grab a healthy and fast meal that fits into your busy day?
Before I had kids, I was a full-time professional who ate a frozen entree for lunch almost every day. I loved that I could bring five lunches to work on a Monday, store them in our floor’s freezer, and not have to worry about remembering to pack my lunch every day for the rest of the week.
Now that I’m mom to two, I’m surprised that I still need a solution to remember to eat my meals! Taking care of my little ones and my home, along with a a packed “to do” list almost every day, means that there are times where the clock strikes two and I realize the only food I’ve had to eat is a granola bar and two cups of coffee.
Once I realized that my borderline unintentional starvation might start affecting my overall well-being, I decided to go back to my roots as a working girl and keep a supply of healthy, substantial frozen meals at the ready in my freezer.
Marie Callender’s has 34 different frozen entrees that provide a tasty, satisfying meal of 500 calories or less! With over 30 choices of meals, I’m pretty sure you’ll find something you like. I received a coupon for a free meal, so yesterday I tried the Smoky Cheddar Mac & Uncured Bacon meal. It’s very rich, VERY smoky and it’s a surprisingly large portion or pasta, cheese and bacon for only having 340 calories!
The meal took 4 minutes to cook and another few minutes to cool down. Meaning I could heat it and eat it in the time my own little ones were having lunch.
The best part? The Smoky Cheddar Mac entree was way more satisfying than a granola bar 🙂
Moms: What’s your trick for making sure you eat a healthy lunch?
This post was written for Marie Callender’s. I’m collaborating with The Motherhood on n their behalf to spread the word about this important topic. While I did receive payment for this post, all information, thoughts and opinions are 100% true.
Kacie says
Gotta say, I’m really not a fan of advertorials.
Because really? A frozen entree isn’t going to be a healthy meal, likely. I’m guessing these things have a ton of non-nutritious ingredients.
More healthy meals on the go could simply be what the children are eating, too. Or planning to make extra dinner servings the night before and have leftovers.
Sorry Marybeth — I just don’t get the glowing review for this one 🙁
Marybeth Hamilton says
Thanks for your honest response. I truly appreciate it!
I don’t do many advertorials, and I work hard to maintain my integrity in all my writing. I would never recommend (write positively about) a product I didn’t stand behind.
With all due respect, I think that I have a different definition of “healthy” than you do. I definitely do my best to feed my children balanced meals, but I tend to make a few sacrifices in my own diet on various days in the name of getting out the door, getting things done or just keeping a small sense of order in my home! I still truly believe that the meal I wrote about is healthier than a granola bar, or nothing at all!
As for eating what my kids are eating…that’s peanut butter and jelly and fresh fruit almost every day. I can do the fruit, but not the PB & J 🙂 I’d rather have a frozen meal with that fruit when I’m looking for something that’s quick and satisfying.
Kacie says
Hey again — I wasn’t trying to be a jerk, but I think my post came across that way. Sorry about that! I know you don’t do advertorials often. I guess I was really just startled to see you recommend a frozen dinner and calling it healthy, but I do see your point. It IS better than nothing! 🙂
I just know that if I eat some fast food or something out of a box like that, I don’t really feel great later.
Marybeth Hamilton says
Kacie,
I never thought you were a jerk. I think it’s pretty admirable that you’re not afraid to openly share your opinions. The web can be a tricky place to do that!
It’s weird, because I was just thinking about you this morning and that I hadn’t visited your site in a long time. I just got caught up on your life…congrats on your new home 🙂
Michelle says
Another thing I’ve found out that works is cooking in bulk, then freezing individual portions. This includes pancakes for breakfast, spaghetti, soups, etc… Granted, I’m only a married woman to an Army man and no children involved, it sure does feel like it once it comes to cooking!
Marybeth Hamilton says
Great idea Michelle. I often entertain the idea of freezer cooking, but I worry that we just won’t eat what I make. Pancakes and soup would be a good way to start doing that! At least I know my family will eat those items!
Jen says
I kinda thought the comment was a little jerk-y.
It’s almost like we’re in this world where if we’re not cooking fresh vegetables everyday we’re not “good enough” and it’s kind of getting stupid. I’m a busy single mom with a 10 month old, and I’m in school full time. I alwlays have the intention to eat the BEST organic, whole grain, whole food, perfect model family diet ever… but it’s not realistic for me, and I’ve thrown away my last rotten vegetable. I got to this page by googling “healthy food for busy moms” and I have to say, thanks for reminding me that, while unperfect, I’m going to be a lot happier if I stick a frozen pot pie in the oven (or something else).
As far as healthy quick foods, the other things on my list are frozen chicken breasts (of course), yogurt, any favorite nuts, whole grain instant rice (90 seconds in the microwave and the wild rice on is FABULOUS), string cheese and of course SOUP. I would love to see any more ideas posted. It’s not perfect, but our new place is sans dishwasher (sooooooooo annoying) and I try to find the most balanced, least amount of dishes required, quick quick quick ideas.
Thanks for reminding me there’s no guilt in a hot pocket!