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Healthy Food Is Important, And Summer's A Great Time To 'Think Fresh'

*Content provided by our sponsor the Michigan Education Savings Plan.

By Sharlonda Buckman, CEO, Detroit Parent Network

In 2015, our summer vacation moves much faster than it used to; we are picking up our kids from camp to take them to gymnastics, serving on school boards and event committees, participating in church groups, and still getting a healthy meal on the table at the end of the day.

Often times, technology is the enemy of the household, isolating each sibling and parent from one another. Instead of waiting until it's time to eat for everyone to come together, talk about their days, laugh and eat some delicious food, why not begin your quality time together by cooking together?

Grill some burgers, hot dogs, and vegetables or get creative with a new salad recipe. Even your little ones can participate in the preparation by washing the vegetables, setting the table, or stirring the blue Kool-Aid. Take turns saying one good thing and bad thing about your day to catch up on one another's lives or just put on some Motown and dance while the foods cooking.

When the entire family sits down to eat, they'll recognize each other's contributions to their meal and appreciate that everyone played a part.

Here are some great recipes for the summer heat that you can enjoy with your loved ones:

A tasty and healthy gazpacho

Summer salads

Great uses for fruit

A full meal on the grill

Here are more from the Food Network:

Barbecue chicken

Summer side dishes

 

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