By Family Features | Contributor
The increasing costs of essential items like groceries and gas are becoming hard to overlook, significantly impacting many families. The pressure of inflation can be particularly noticeable when shopping for food.
Fortunately, there are ways to make your grocery budget go farther while still serving up tasty, healthy meals. Utilizing cost-saving strategies from Healthy Family Project and searching for the Produce for Kids logo in your local produce aisles can help you make informed choices. These companies contribute back to communities and promote nutritional education.
Meal Planning. Strategically planning your weekly meals allows you to pinpoint ingredients that can be used across various dishes, preventing unnecessary purchases. Once you have your meal plan ready, adhere to your shopping list to keep costs in check.
Choose Seasonal Produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables tend to be pricier when they are out of season due to limited availability. By selecting seasonal options, you not only save money but also enjoy better-tasting produce.
Simplify Ingredients. The best family-friendly recipes often include fewer ingredients, making meal prep quick and straightforward. For instance, dishes like Grilled Peach Flatbread with Goat Cheese and Mixed Berry Pizza with Oatmeal Coconut Crust both require 15 ingredients or fewer and can be prepared in about 30 minutes, allowing you more time to enjoy with your loved ones.
Explore additional family-oriented recipes and tips on cutting grocery expenses at healthyfamilyproject.com.
Mixed Berry Pizza with Oatmeal Coconut Crust
Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
1 egg
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup honey, divided, plus more for drizzling
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
Juice of 1/2 lemon
3 strawberries, sliced
1/4 cup blueberries
1/4 cup blackberries
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a mixing bowl, combine the egg, rolled oats, coconut, flour, brown sugar, melted butter, 1/4 cup of honey, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
Transfer the mixture to a greased springform pan and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Once baked, allow the pan to cool.
In a separate bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with the lemon juice.
After the crust has cooled completely, spread the lemon-yogurt mixture evenly on top.
Add the sliced strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries as toppings. Finish with a drizzle of additional honey.
Grilled Peach Flatbread with Goat Cheese
Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
2 large naan or flatbreads
2 fresh peaches, sliced
1/4 cup goat cheese crumbles
1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Fresh arugula (optional)
Preheat your grill or grill pan.
Grill the naan until they are lightly browned and softened.
Place the peach slices on the grill for about one minute on each side until marked.
Brush olive oil on the naan.
Top with goat cheese and seared peaches.
Return to the grill over low heat, cover, and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
Add fresh arugula if desired, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar before slicing and serving.
