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Nicole Dawes, Late July

Family Dinner SOS! Late July founder and our favorite-snack maker Nicole Dawes shares her expertise in getting healthy and delicious meals on the table.
1. Plan out meals on the weekend and keep a stocked pantry. Too overwhelming? Subscribe to a meal planning service like Six O’Clock Scramble.
2. Include your kids in the preparation or even better plant a small organic veggie/herb garden with them. My boys are much more likely to try foods they helped make/grow.
3. Keep it simple! Family meals don't have to be elaborate to be heathy and delicious! I set my rice cooker in the morning so my rice is ready when we come home. Make extra for a next-day rice salad.
4. Have a back up emergency dinner for those extra chaotic nights. Red beans and rice with sautéed broccoli, Amy's Bistro Burgers with a salad, and quesadillas are a few favorites. When I make spaghetti sauce, I freeze half the batch!
5. Keep mealtime light and happy. I want my kids to be excited about dinner, not feel they're coming to the grand inquisition. We'll play a game of "would you rather"or a great book is Laurie David’s The Family Dinner.
For more, SHOP NICOLE'S SHOPPING LIST >

Lodge Logic Dutch Oven with Loop Handles
  • “FAVORITE POT. I love this cast iron Dutch oven, it is so versatile and perfect for making soup, spaghetti sauce or even frying corn fritters!”
  • Lodge Logic Dutch Oven with Loop Handles
  • $29.99
Combi Chopsticks Training Set
  • “MY BOYS' FAVORITE DINNER "TOOL": Kid’s Chopsticks! Both my boys love these & they get excited whenever we set the table with them!”
  • Combi Chopsticks Training Set
  • $6.49
Kuhn Rikon Kinderkitchen Dog Knife
  • “FAVORITE KID'S COOKING TOOL: My 6yo & I love making salsa together & this cute knife allows him to help safely. This same company also makes an adorable kid's kitchen set.”
  • Kuhn Rikon Kinderkitchen Dog Knife
  • $10.00
Moleskine Passions Recipe Journal
  • “FAVORITE COOKBOOK: My Moleskin family recipe journal that has my favorite recipes and ones passed down from my family members.”
  • Moleskine Passions Recipe Journal
  • $13.57
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer, Premium White
  • “FAVORITE TIME SAVING COOKING TOOL: My husband gave this to me a few years ago & I thought I'd never use it, but it's amazing and such a time saver! Plus the rice is always perfect. ”
  • Zojirushi Rice Cooker and Warmer
  • $158.08