Quick meals for back to school nights

If your family's schedule is like most, you're hopping and bopping along with school and sports activities. And, when crunched for time, it's easy to slip into poor eating habits. To help stave off those unhealthy choices, here are a few quick meals to keep your family fueled and healthy. Enjoy!

​Paleo Orange Beef Stir Fry

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Serving Size: 1 plate

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb beef round, sliced into thin slices (1-inch in length)
• 2 small oranges, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (optional)
• 2 tablespoons tamari sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (scallions)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or avocado oil to cook in
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Salt to taste

Substitutions:

• 1/4 onion (chopped) can be used instead of the scallions.
• Chicken can be used instead of beef.

Directions:

• Place the coconut or avocado oil into a skillet, wok or frying pan.
  
• Add the scallions and then the beef slices and sauté on high heat until most of the beef has
  turned brown.
• Add in the oranges, garlic, ginger and tamari sauce and sauté on high for 2-3 minutes more until
  ​the beef is fully cooked.
• Add salt to taste, garnish with cilantro, and serve.

Source: rubiesandradishes.com

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Lemon Chicken Skillet

​Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: 1 breast + veggies

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon oil of choice - olive, avocado, coconut, etc.
• Sea Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 lemon, quartered and juiced (about ¼ cup fresh juice)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon minced)
• 10 ounces fresh or frozen broccoli florets
• Optional: 2 tablespoons butter or ghee

Directions:

• Heat your oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle sea salt, pepper and Italian seasoning on
  each side of the chicken.
• Once your skillet is hot, add your chicken breasts. Brown for about 4 minutes per side or until
  golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
• Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, minced garlic to the skillet. Stir and scrape up any brown bits
  that are stuck on the bottom.
• Add your chicken back to the skillet, along with the used lemon quarters. Simmer the chicken in the
  sauce for about 5 minutes, turning halfway through. Add your broccoli to the skillet and cook until
  broccoli is bright green and tender and chicken is cooked through about 5 additional minutes.
  
• Finally, stir in the butter or ghee and add additional sea salt and pepper, to taste. Enjoy!

Optional:

• Try it topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan or Romano cheese!
• Add a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil at the end.
• Substitute mushrooms for broccoli (or use both!)

Source: primallyinspired.com

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Bacon, Spinach & Mushroom Casserole

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Serving Size: 1 plate

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 lb good quality smoked bacon, cut into medium sized strips
• 3 big handfuls of fresh spinach, stems removed
• 1 lb button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp lard, butter or ghee
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Heat a large casserole over a medium heat and cook the bacon, making sure it’s still soft.
• Add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook for about a minute, until fragrant.
• Add the mushrooms and cook for about another 8 minutes, until soft.
• Add the spinach and butter, cover and let cook for another 4 minutes, stirring occasionally,
  ​until the spinach is well cooked.
• Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Source: paleoleap.com