by Dr. Caron B. Goode

Family mealtimes are important times. In fact, families who eat together regularly share healthier and better balanced meals, have children who engage in less risky behaviors and have parents who are more actively involved in the lives of their children. But for today’s busy moms, preparing a meal (and getting everyone to the table at the same time) can take more time and energy than they have available. As a matter of fact, some days, it can be downright impossible. Enter my series of Quick Family Meals.

If you’re looking for easy-to-make one-dish meals, I’ve put together the Quick Family Meals series just for you!

Crock Pot Beef Stew

Ingredients:

3   pounds  beef stew meat,  cut in 1 1/2 inch cubes

5   carrots, chopped

5  potatoes,  peeled and diced

4  onions, quartered

2  stalks celery, chopped

28  ounce can diced tomatoes

1 1/2  cups  water

2   cloves  garlic

1 bay leaf

1 1/2  teaspoons  salt

1 1/2  teaspoons  paprika

3/4 teaspoon  black pepper

1 1/2   teaspoons  Worcestershire sauce

Directions: Add to all ingredients to crock pot. Cook on low, covered, 10-12 hours. Stir occasionally.

To see other recipes in my Quick Family Meals series, click on the links below:

Easy Crock Pot Roast

One Pot “Take the Chill Away” Turkey Chili

The Best Baked Ziti

Italian Tortellini Soup

Caron Goode’s (EdD) insights are drawn from her fifteen years in private psychotherapy practice and thirty years of experience in the fields of education, personal empowerment, and health and wellness. (www.acpi.biz). Look for Caron at HeartWiseParenting.com too. Reach her at carongoode@mac.com.