We’ve all been summoned to the table by someone calling out, “Time for supper!” The question I have is this week is, are you making the time for supper? With school, work and extras in full swing, we can begin to feel that there just isn’t time for supper. We grab something quick in between events. Some nights are like that. We need to strike a balance though.
The value and importance to sitting down with your family and connecting over a meal shouldn’t be underestimated. Studies show that families who dine together tend to get so much more than a full stomach. These families more likely to feel connected, the children have improved academic performance and deal with stress better. They are also less likely to struggle with obesity or substance abuse. Think about it for a moment. Many of our major milestones involve eating together. We eat not only to fill our bellies but also to fill our souls. We gather around the table with the people who are most important to us. We crave the connection after a busy day. It doesn’t matter if you are single, married, with children or without – find someone to dine with!
One of our tried, tested & true meals at our house is tacos. We add tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, guacamole, salsa & white cheddar cheese on top of whole grain tortilla shells. I’m thrilled because the kids are happily piling on the veggies and they are excited because they are eating one of their favourite meals. As a nutritionist, tacos meet many of my real food requirements. One area I wanted to improve on was the seasoning mix. Next time you are at the grocery store, pick up a package of taco seasoning. Do you recognize all of the ingredients? I sure don’t! Some of the ingredients are things found in my kitchen but some of them sound better suited for a chemist’s lab. I decided that there must be something better out there to flavour my ground turkey or beef with. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Taco Seasoning In a Jar
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp oregano, dried
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 & 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Combine all of the spices into a small jar. I will often triple the recipe to have some ready for next time. When using this spice to make tacos, I use 1 -2 tablespoons of the seasoning to 1 lb ground beef or 1 c lentils, for a vegetarian option with half cup water or organic vegetable broth. Simmer for 5-10 minutes to let flavours infuse.
[…] While there are worse processed food items out there, why not take a little time and make your own taco seasoning? With three different ingredients used as thickeners and cheap oils, it is time to make your own. Get the kids involved in the kitchen and save a little money too! Click here to get my easy, tasty and quick taco seasoning recipe! […]