On rushed Winter days what you need are quick,inexpensive and yes,healthy meals to add to your repertoire of on-the-table-fast dinners.

Here are just a few of my standbys that will not break the bank.

*Dr. MacDougall's vegan chili with a dash of Frank's red hot (for about $5.00 for 8 servings- you just add water) bake a cornbread you can make from a mix and a nice garden salad with olive oil/orange juice/vinegar dressing.

*bagel pizza topped with veggies and fresh garlic, carrot sticks, canned minestrone soup.

*homemade macaroni and cheese with canned tomatoes or frozen kale.

*chicken marianted overnight in low sodium soy sauce, ginger and garlic rolled in sesame seeds then broiled and served with brown rice and broccoli.

*breakfast for dinner-featuring nice things we don't have time for in the morning such as: homemade pancakes with frozen blueberries or chocolate chips, scrambled eggs, turkey sausage. yogurt with granola and frozen defrosted fruit.

Another time try spinach and mushroom cheese omelettes and home fries.

*turkey meatloaf stuffed with peppers or spinach and cheese topped with tomato sauce, and penne pasta

*chicken curry with peas, cauliflower and basmati rice

Soups are a warming welcoming Winter favorite.
An easy recipe we enjoy is on the back of the box of tiny pasta.
It has spinach in chicken broth with tiny pasta, garlic, onion and and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.You can also add white beans to it.

Dr.Don Colbert's Mediterranean Fish stew from his "What would Jesus Eat Cookbook" is perfect when fish is on sale. It is made with haddock, carrots, tomatoes and garlic.

Simple desserts add a sweet ending to any meal.
*peaches on vanilla ice cream
*banana sliced around a bowl of rice pudding
*homemade oatmeal raisin cookies
*a few chocolate kisses
*peaches in Manischevitz sweet wine-(for mom and dad)

Remember the nice touches of a nicely set table, dinner music, happy conversation and a candle or two can make a humble meal more special.

For further inspiration visit these websites:
http://www.bloglander.com/chea peats/category/recipes/sandwic hes/
www.thrifty fun.com
www.frugalrecipes.com

Learn more about this author, Sara Sota.
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