The authors of 'Whining & Dining: Mealtime Survival for Picky Eaters and the Families Who Love Them' offer their suggestions for back to school meal-planning. Happily, one of their tips includes ordering takeout.

Try these 'Whining and Dining' recipes during the first week back.
Fajitas with guacamole, salsa and fixins
Garlic-roasted carrots
Kid-friendly meatloaf
Oatmeal for the week
Banana chocolate oatmeal bread

Forget New Year's, Labour Day is the time of year when the most grandiose resolutions are made. Particularly, amongst parents. Suddenly we stop calling watermelon a vegetable and start worrying about our children's intake of greens. We fret that if they don't get enough protein they will fall asleep at their desks. The grill gets forgotten as carpooling to the extra-curriculars heats up. And mealtimes become a contest between good intentions and time constraints.

We want the first week of school to go smoothly, both for the kids and us and we hope that if we set some good systems in place they will last - at least until Thanksgiving. The first week of school can be stressful for kids, which make mealtimes an important place to reconnect.
In light of that, this may not be the time to try out any challenging new recipes, but to comfort your kids with variations on their favourites. And with a little pre-planning, back-to-school does not need to mean you have to spend the first week of September back-in-the-kitchen.

If you find your kids are using mealtime as a battleground and are refusing to eat or becoming more picky, relax, that's normal behaviour in times of stress. Just put the food on the table, smile and enjoy your dinner. The kids will join in when they are hungry.

Tips for easy back-to-school dining

Before Labour Day weekend sit down and plan a dinner for each day of the week. Admittedly, we find this a difficult process to keep up long-term, but it will alleviate a lot of stress for the busy first week of school.

Putting a little thought into breakfast will help the morning run smooth. Lay out all the dishes and ingredients the night before. Try our Oatmeal for the Week (see recipe) as it will ensure you and your kids get a healthy start with lots of whole grains, iron and a touch of sweetness. Simply, make it one morning (or evening) and then all that is required is a one minute of reheating.

Freezer-friendly recipes such as meatloaf (see recipe), chilli, and spaghetti sauce can be easily doubled and packed away. Put one in easy reach for the first week of school, and save the second for emergencies (the second week of school?). And while you're at it, stock the freezer with foods like frozen edamame, tortellini, smoked salmon and peeled raw shrimp for quick healthy additions to meals.

Buy a pre-made pizza shell or flatbread at the grocery store and top half with the kids favourites and half with yours (we love pesto, brie and beautiful in-season tomatoes)

Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is a no-brainer. Almost all large grocery stores sell them and they make an easy meal. Add in some garlic roasted carrots (see recipe) and rice for side dishes. Use the leftovers for pasta sauce, chicken salad or on top of Caesar salad.

A fun, family-style meal like fajitas (see recipe) can be tailored for even the pickiest palate and gives kids a sense of control over their meal.

When everyone is tired and stressed-out and the fridge seems barren, try having breakfast for dinner. Make a frittata with those leftover bits of veggies, or serve French toast and bacon with a side of fruit.

A homemade after-school snack will definitely be appreciated. The oatmeal chocolate banana bread (see recipe) is a favourite and can be made into muffins if that's your preference. Double the recipe and freeze for another day.

Peaches, corn, tomatoes, zucchini, blueberries and raspberries are still in season throughout September. Taking your kids to a weekend farmer's market is an education in itself and will encourage them to have a say in the menu planning.

Keep your kids' favourites in mind for dinnertime and ask them for their suggestions. Their favourite take-out makes for a nice treat and will give you a break at the end of a tough week.

If you feel like your family is in a rut and you need some ideas for breaking a negative cycle see our book 'Whining & Dining: Mealtime Survival for Picky Eaters and the Families Who Love Them' for parenting tips around the dinner table and more delicious family-friendly meals.
For more by Eshun and Emma you can read their blog at www.whininganddining.ca

For more information about their book go to: www.randomhouse.ca