5 Easy Family Recipes Made with Natural Foods

If you've got a hectic schedule and don't always have the time or energy to make a nutritious dinner, you're likely looking for meal ideas that are quick and healthy. Natural foods provide several health benefits for you and your family. Even if you're getting a good amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet, it's important to make sure your produce comes from organic sources. When you choose protein for your family meals, grass-fed, free-range, and organic meats and can give each meal a boost of iron and B vitamins. Here are a few easy family recipes you can create with natural foods.

This simple meal is sure to impress, whether you're cooking for your family or you're inviting guests over. If possible, choose bell peppers from your local farmer's market for a meal to ensure the peppers are fresh and grown naturally. To prepare stuffed peppers, clean the peppers with a damp cloth or paper towel and cut off the tops. Scoop any veins and seeds out of the pepper and brush the inside and outside of the pepper with olive oil. Sprinkle the bell peppers with sea salt and ground pepper and place them in a 325 degree for about 15 minutes to soften. While the peppers are cooking, prepare ground chicken or turkey with the seasonings of your choice. You can also make a vegetarian stuffed pepper with tofu. Add chopped spinach, chopped onion, and minced garlic to the meat mixture. Stir in a little tomato paste and a tablespoon or two of chicken or vegetable broth to thicken the mixture.

Remove the peppers from the oven and add a few scoops of the meat mixture to each pepper. Top with shredded cheese and place the peppers back in the oven for about five minutes for the cheese to melt. This filling meal is a great idea if you're trying to reduce your carb intake but still want a dinner that is full of flavor.

This tastysoup is easy to make. All you have to do is put the ingredients in a crock pot and let them cook throughout the day. Add free-range shredded chicken, chicken broth, organic black beans, chopped onions, chopped peppers, minced garlic, green chilies, and taco seasoning to the pot. If you're cooking the tortilla soup all day, turn the crock pot on the low setting. If you want the soup to be ready in an hour or two, set the crock pot on high. Top the soup with scallions, sour cream and tortilla strips.

Tostadas are a fun variation of tacos and you can top them with all your favorite taco ingredients. You can roast cubes of white or sweet potatoes with cumin, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to top the tostadas, along with seasoned pinto beans and grilled peppers and onions. You can add more vegetables like shredded cabbage or carrots to make the tostadas even healthier and add a satisfying crunch. Top the tostadas with your favorite vegan or organic cheese to make your meal complete.

If you're looking for a tasty dessert that is low in carbs and easy to make, baked apples are the answer. Cut your favorite variety of apples into slices and place them in a greased baking pan. Mix melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, sea salt, sourwood honey, milk or dairy-free milk, and a little cornstarch in a bowl. Pour the mixture over the apples and add a clove bud in the pan for added flavor. Bake until the apples are soft and top with vanilla ice cream. This simple dessert is sweet and has a slight floral flavor from the honey. It's a sweet treat that will soon become a family favorite.

Baked potatoes are a simple meal that you can customize to your family's taste. Organic potatoes are best for this recipe since they are free of harmful pesticides. Wash whole potatoes and pierce with a fork. Cover each potato with salt and olive oil and place them in the oven for about an hour or until the potatoes are soft to the touch. While the potatoes are baking, prepare your toppings. Place shredded cheese and sour cream in separate bowls, and sauteed vegetables like broccoli and onion to add to the potatoes.

There are several natural foods you can use in your family recipes to make meal time more enjoyable and less stressful. When you choose ingredients that taste great and make you feel good, you can come up with recipes your loved ones are sure to enjoy.