Men are from Mars, Women love their Veggies

“I’m not eating that!”

Sound familiar?  I bet you’ve heard this from your child more times than you care to remember.  But how about your husband or partner?

Some guys are strictly the meat-and-potatoes type.   What’s a veggie-loving girl to do?  You want to prepare healthy meals you can both enjoy together.  You also need ideas for fast weeknight meals (so he doesn’t have time to protest while you are hastily putting dinner together after a long day!).   Is there a way?

I suggest grilling or sauteeing a few different cuts of lean meat on Sunday, so that they are ready for the week ahead.  You could choose a tenderloin, top sirloin or top round steak, and a boneless, skinless chicken breast.  Marinate or season with whatever flavors you like, cook and cool in the refrigerator.  (Make extra if you want to have it available for lunch sandwiches or salads too.)  Next, dice, chop or shred some fresh vegetables and cheese, and also roast or sautee a few as well (roasting brings out the sweet flavor in onions, peppers, squash and eggplant, just to name a few).  Lastly, prepare some rice or pasta (whole wheat, or at least a blend of white and whole wheat) ahead of time as well.  You can easily warm them up on the stove top when you are ready to use them for dinner.

Once you have all of this prep work done, you can make several guy-friendly meals in about 10 minutes.  Here are just a few suggestions:

• Romaine Lettuce Salad topped with Steak or Chicken, an ounce of cubed or shredded cheese and a low-fat dressing, such as Honey Mustard, Ranch or a Vinagrette.   Include onions, green or red peppers, cucumbers, radish or whatever veggies you have on hand.  Serve with a fresh loaf of crusty bread and dip in heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil instead of butter.

• Quesadillas made with Joseph’s Flax, Oatbran and Whole Wheat Tortillas, Steak or Chicken, low-fat cheese, salsa (choose an all natural kind with less sodium and sugar), and vegetables.  To disguise the vegetables, use some of your roasted or sauteed options, and finely chop before slipping into the quesadilla.  Have some sour cream on hand, or try a yogurt-sour cream mixture for a healthier option.  Serve with a salad, soup or corn-on-the-cob.  (whatever you can get him to agree to!)

• Stir-Fry:  Stir-Fry is another great option because you can tailor each person’s serving to his or her own preferences.  While warming up your pre-cooked rice in a pot, heat a saute pan or wok on high heat.  Add some heart-healthy olive oil and add  your meat.  Once the meat is cooked halfway, add your vegetables and stir fry sauce (store-bought teryaki, or you can make your own blend using soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, and garlic).  Cook for 2 minutes longer, or until the meat is cooked to your liking. The vegetables should be crisp, just barely cooked.

If you are vegetarian or don’t want a big serving of meat or cheese, all of these meals can be custom made for each diner.

These are just a few suggestions for preparing fast, healthy meals for families.  What other tricks do you use to keep everyone happy with one meal?

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