Flowfit

I am often asked, “how do you keep nutrition in mind when it has to be quick“?  Now when they say “quick” they mean, please give us something that will stop us from going through the drive through!  So many families are on the go and not just to one stop – multiple kids in programs, equals multiple stops.  They frequently eat in the car on the run and drive throughs sadly, are the go to for food on the go.

With this in mind, I scoured the grocery isles for something equally as quick and easy, but that was REAL food with REAL ingredients.  Something with substance, that was healthy and contained a good amount vitamins and nutrients.  For the last few weeks, I’ve been experimenting with partially prepared foods.  Things that come in a package that you can use to create your meals.  The Personal Home Baked Pizza featured last week is an example.  This week, I am featuring an Oliveiri Pasta.  I used Olivieri NutriWise Whole Wheat Five Cheese Tortellini (click here for ingredients list).  Each 3/4 cup serving has 12 grams of protein, not bad for meatless.  Of course you can add roasted chicken breast pieces or shrimp to this if you like.

This meal literally took me less that 10 minutes before it was served up in a mug and we were on our way out the door.

You’ll need:

• Oliveiri NutriWise Whole Wheat 5 Cheese Tortellini
• 2 cups broccoli stems
• 3 big handfuls fresh baby spinach, rough chopped
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• sea salt and fresh grated black pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Steam broccoli in 1/2 cup water in separate covered pan for 4 minutes.  Drain water from broccoli after 4 minutes and add  baby spinach, extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper.  Toss and cover.  Set aside.  This will give the spinach a chance to wilt.  When Pasta is done, drain and toss with broccoli and spinach.  Squeeze lemon over and gently toss.  Add salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with fresh grated parmesan cheese.

YUM!

Mugs are a great idea to take food on the go.  They have a handle and are easy for kids to hang on to.  I usually bring along a plastic grocery bag to put the dirty mugs and spoons into to save any messes.  I also bring water and fresh cut up fruit to round out the meal and offer some much needed energy.

And so this begins my “Drive Through” series… if you have any healthy ideas or tips on what you do to keep your family healthy on the run, please share!!