By Laura Deane MS, RD, LD, Nutrition Coach at Daireds Spa Pangea

Do you find yourself thinking that it would be easier to move a mountain than to try to introduce a new food to your husband or to get your teenager to actually sit down for a family meal?

When you attempt to make changes by yourself it can definitely be a challenge. One solution is to get your kids, significant other, or even your roommate involved in the whole meal planning and preparation process.

First, find a time that everyone is together. Maybe it’s a lazy weekend afternoon or on a weekday right before going to bed. Ideally you would have this discussion when you have the ability to write down meal ideas, but if time is a scarce commodity in your family, you might even start the discussion when driving in the car. At least you would be assured a captive audience. Have each participant supply meal ideas for the upcoming week. Discuss how each person plans on contributing to that meal, having them write their ideas on note cards. Collect the note cards and compile to develop a weekly menu. Of coarse you can fill in the gaps, adding additional food groups as needed. Be prepared that initially the creative juices may not be flowing, so here are some helpful tips for getting the family involved.

Surf the Web
Cooking websites such as kitchendaily.com and cookinglight.com provide more than just another tired recipe. These websites and many more have video cooking demonstrations, seasonal menu ideas, and articles on topics that range from lighter cooking methods to the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. Get on your laptop or cell phone and let the search begin.

Dust Off the Cookbook
Bring out your old cookbooks or take a trip to the bookstore to look for fun and interesting ways to prepare meals. Try using one actual recipe for a dish and than fill in with simply prepared dishes or foods that require minimal assembly.

Ask a Pro
Inquire about recipes from your favorite restaurants. Some chefs keep their masterpieces a secret, though a growing number of chefs are inclined to share a recipe or two with an enthusiastic guest. Also, ask the butcher at the grocery store or farmer at your local outdoor market about their favorite recipes.

Subscribe to a Magazine
Try subscribing to a magazine like Eating Well, Cooking Light, or Fine Cooking. Have family members flip through the magazines, which usually include wonderful pictures. Sometimes simply the sight of a food will spark the imagination.

Use Themes
Try putting themed dinners on the menu. For a lot of family’s this is something to look forward to during the week. This could include sandwich or salad night, breakfast for dinner, or simply pick a specific cuisine for a certain night of the week, such as Italian food Fridays or Mexican food Mondays.

Getting the family or friends involved will make the process more fun for you as well as ensuring popular meal time choices. If you try one or more of these suggestions, please share your feedback and let us know what worked for you. Happy dining!