You don’t have to worry that your child is going have to eat greasy delivery pizza when you have grown-up dinner plans. If you’re not up for pre-preparing your kids’ meals before you leave, there are lots of good-for-you meals that even younger, “I’ve-never-turned-on-an-oven”- babysitters can serve with confidence. Kids will clamor for these “treats” so much you may not even be missed! Most are available in your local supermarket or natural food store, but they can also be found online as well.
1. If she can run a microwave, your babysitter can serve your kids a nutritious, great-tasting microwaveable macaroni and cheese. Annie’s Microwaveable Mac & Cheese ($6) is made with organic pasta and the natural white cheddar cheese. Add water, and in less than 5 minutes, dinner is done.
2. These chicken strips from Applegate Farms ($9) are not only organic, but they’re free of fillers and chemicals. And they’re fully cooked, so heating them in the microwave with some green beans or peas is all that’s required for a well-rounded meal.
3. Earth’s Best isn’t just for baby food–they make an excellent line of frozen kids’ meals, too. This whole wheat pizza ($5) is all-natural, 70% organic, and the image of Elmo on the box is likely to banish any anxiety that Mom and Dad are out for the evening.
4. Let the kids have a fiesta you can feel good about with Amy’s Cheese Enchiladas ($6). This full, gluten-and-meat-free meal includes enchiladas, black beans and golden corn. And they’re completely microwaveable as well.
5. No, you are not imagining–we did just suggest good ol’ Spaghetti o’s ($2). They actually have 25% of recommended Vitamin D, and Campbell’s has introduced added calcium to its original product, so as long as they’re eaten in moderation–like when you have an occasional babysitter–you’re go to go with ‘sketios.
Because no meal is complete without a fork or spoon, check out our guide to the best kids’ utensils.
