desperate swap over from processed crap to healthy family food needed - help!

[pinkflower1]

Over Christmas I have decided to make some changes as I just don't feel I have enough time for my children. I work, volunteer, go to uni etc. One thing that really suffers are healthy meals. I do shepherds pie, roast dinners, curries etc but all are using ready made stuff as I just don't have time, kids have activities every evening too.

But, enough is enough. Myself and DH are looking chubby, as is DS2 (although I think he's due a growth spurt), DD is uber fussy although I don't pander to it.

So, have been shopping. No one really likes red meat so have bought 2 huge fresh chickens, a sack of potatoes (but thinking for wedges, potato and leek soup etc), pasta, rice, spaghetti, noodles, every veg, salad and fruit item there was :D also kidney beans, lentils, stuff to make sauces with, quorn mince.

Did the leek and potato soup last night, went down a treat. Have a chicken on the go now, was thinking of making it stretch for 3 meals - maybe chicken, rice, peppers, green beans in some kind of sauce? Chicken stir fry and a chicken salad? Can I freeze rice and noodles? Hoping to make a double batch each time so I can freeze something for the nights it super crazy.

There's myself, DH and 3 DC (one teenage), one DC is fussy but will eat pasta, spag, roast pots, rice, olives etc, just not meat/chips/soup.

Any ideas would be really appreciated. Mainly with what I can make huge batches of and freeze.

Thanks in advance.

I don't freeze rice (anxiety over reheating it). I buy frozen bagged rice.

I do loads of quick easy meals. I might do a chicken salad (chicken, chunks of cucumber and pepper, cherry tomatoes, olives etc.) In winter I would do something hot with it, e.g. baked potatoes or garlic bread.

Sack of potatoes is a good idea. Jacket potatoes, wedges as you say. Add other veg in with wedges e.g. roast parsnips, carrots, red onions.

I buy a jar of good quality sweet and sour sauce, and just add chicken and rice to it.

Most veg can be turned into risotto. I stir mine regularly rather than constantly and it turns out fine! (Another time saver)

Don't stress over rice it only takes 29 minutes to cook and there is the reheating thing but I think that's more kept in fridge risk.

A slow cooker is brilliant for busy people. Does lentils which I personally hate but good if you are not red meat eaters.

Fishcakes are easy. Tinned salmon and some of those potatoes lol. You can make and freeze uncooked.

Def a slow cooker with a few recipe books thrown in.

I try and do homemade meals but often end up feeding the dd's rubbish , we do a cottage pie once a week, a stew, chicken and bacon salad, jacket potato with either cottage cheese and salad of beans (for the dd's), curry (slimming world recipe), salmon with new potatoes and veg and then one day a week we have sausages and chips .

I have also got rid of unhealthy puddings and we now have frozen yoghurt which I make in the ice cream machine (so far the dd's like it and its much better than ice cream).

If you've got a slow cooker you can make a fab overnight stock with the carcass which will be brilliant for soups and risotti. Put a halved, unpeeled onion up the chicken's bottom when you roast it and then, when you've stripped all the meat off, put the catcass and the onion in the slow cooker and cover with water. Leave on low overnight, then allow to cool before straining and storing.

Hugh Fearnly-Whittingstall's Veg everyday is an inspirational book for healthy cooking and eating.

Most of what follows is quick to prep:
Fish (especially salmon) is easy to cook if you wrap it in tin foil and bake in the oven. Serve with green or puy lentils (no need to soak).

Smoked mackerel is easy and makes a good risotto.
Mexican wraps, chilli beans, guacamole is quick to prep and nutritious.
Don't bother to freeze noodles they can be cooked in minutes.

Tinned beans are easy and convenient.

I also recommend a slow cooker it's a real time saver.

Even if you use tinned or frozen veg and fruit you are still getting the nutrition. Make a crumble mix with oats and reduce the sugar.
Don't forget stir fry chicken/veg and use a readymade thai curry paste such as massaman tesco.
Muffins can be batch cooked - add fruit and nuts/cheese

Menu planning is also a great help.

Favourite 15 minute meal in this house is spaghetti with chorizo and spinach.
Put spaghetti on to cook, in another pan fry off some onion a couple chopped mushrooms (if i have some lurking), add herbs, passatta, and a couple squares of frozen spinach. Cook it out for 10 mins. Add to the drained spaghetti and chuck in some sliced or torn up chorizo. Stir in a bit of grated cheese or sprinkle with parmesan.
Always clean plates here at least!