Hot dogs, eggs and squash?!?... oh my!

What’s for dinner kids?!?

See below for the complete grocery shopping list!

I don’t know about you, but occasionally my husband works late. This gives me a unique opportunity to focus on what my two children (2 and 4) would like for dinner. I hope this gives you a new idea for a quick, easy and healthy dinner that the whole family will enjoy!

The afternoon began with “what would you like for dinner kids?”  My 4-year-old responded with one of her favorites “scrambled eggs!!!” My 2-year-old responded with one of his favorites “hot dogs!!!” I thought to myself, mmm… not any of my first choices, but I can work with this.

We started with the eggs. One egg contains 6 grams of high-quality protein and all 9 essential amino acids. Eggs are one of the only foods that contain naturally occurring vitamin D (which we desperately need during this crazy summer), and they may help prevent breast cancer! Eggs are a great addition to any breakfast- or dinner!

Isabella, my 4-year-old, helped break the eggs into the bowl. We used cage-free eggs and we talked about treating the animals as best as possible. Please start by washing the eggs and everyone’s hands for safety. We usually use two eggs to one egg white ratio (this cuts down on cholesterol, fat and calories). I don’t have a fancy strainer, so we usually just pass the yoke back and forth between the broken halves until we get just the white in the bowl (yes mom, you can put the egg strainer on my Christmas list).

While the eggs are cooking, with a little skim milk and 1 tablespoon of butter, I start warming the chicken hot dogs and ask the two little ones which vegetable they would prefer; broccoli or butternut squash. They chose squash, although broccoli and cheese is a favorite in our house. The picking of the vegetable is a tradition for us. At least one vegetable is required at dinner and the kids usually get to pick it!  It’s a great way to get them involved in the cooking (and enjoying of the food).

The only hot dogs I will purchase are ones that will nourish and fuel my children. Be careful of NOT purchasing hot dogs (or any meat) with nitrites; nitrite additives in hotdogs form carcinogens, which are toxic to the body. See below for the complete grocery shopping list for this meal. Also, be sure to slice your hot dogs up VERY small, especially for children under 6.

Finally, the butternut squash. I baked it Tuesday. Butternut squash, also known as winter squash is loaded with vitamin A - 1 cup of cooked squash has 457 percent of the recommended daily allowance. It is also a good source of fiber, potassium, and magnesium, and like most vegetables, it's fat, cholesterol, and sodium-free!

First, I sliced it in half, scooped out the seeds (with the help of my two-year-old), poked holes in the outside with a knife and then brushed it with olive oil. It was in the oven on 350 degrees for 45 minutes. After I cooked it, I scooped out the squash, put it in glass containers and stored it in the fridge until we were ready for it, which was convenient for tonight’s dinner.

We make our squash different every time. I like my squash warmed up with a little honey Greek yogurt; Isabella likes hers plain and Kane likes his with a little honey. The important part is that you find out how your children like their vegetables and encourage them to try new ones. You can say things like “You need to try this, but if you don’t like it, that’s ok! We will try something a little different next time.”  Let them choose what they want on their veggies, if anything; just be cautious of the ingredients, avoiding things like high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, and enriched flour.

Now, let's put it all together. After we scrambled the eggs, we sprinkled a little mild cheddar cheese on them and let it melt. The chicken hot dogs received a side of catsup and each of us had our squash just how we liked it. The whole meal took 15 minutes to prepare and everyone was happy. However unconventional, this meal was quick, easy and healthy – a perfect combination! I hope you are inspired to come up with your own healthy dinners that the whole family can enjoy!

Grocery shopping list:

* Archer Farms cage-free organic eggs

*Organic Valley mild cheddar cheese (for the scrambled eggs)

*Organic Valley organic sweet cream butter (for the scrambled eggs)

*Kemps Select skim milk (for the scrambled eggs)

*Applegate uncured chicken hot dogs

*Heinz organic tomato ketchup

*Coborn’s Fresh butternut squash

*Greek Gods Greek yogurt (I mixed a little with my squash)

*Marquette Honey Farms clover/basswood honey (for Kane’s squash) **MN local

Have your own unique, healthy dinner ideas? I would love to hear them! Email me at info@inFITtraining.com 

Enjoy!