If you're anything like me, dinnertime can cause a lot of stress. Everything from knowing what to make, being sure you have the groceries, juggling schedules, time it takes to cook, chopping vegetables, doing dishes...UGH! 
The whole thing can be so overwhelming. It's what often leads me to either ordering pizza, stopping at McDonalds for kids meals, or using a go-to meal. Not that any of these are a problem occasionally, but when it becomes 3-4 times a week, it gets boring. Not to mention pizza and McDonalds are certainly not the healthiest option, and if your go-tos are like mine, they're not the healthiest either.

That's why I LOVE Simple Plates from Thrive. With a bunch of different options to choose from and most of them ready in 20 minutes or less, these solve the majority of my dinner dilemmas. The chopping, measuring and prep work is all done. All I have to do is follow a few simple instructions, add water and butter, and voila! Delicious dinner that even my picky eater enjoys. 
Here are the steps in me making one of my favourites- Southwest-Style Chicken Quinoa Bowl (there is also a vegetarian version of this Simple Plate without the chicken). The step-by-step instructions as well as measurements can be found here on my website. All of the Simple Plate recipes are listed on the website, and that's just one more thing I love about Simple Plate. If you don't want to buy the Simple Plate kits, you can buy all the individual ingredients on your own. It's still quick using freeze dried ingredients, it just takes a bit more time to measure them out. 

Southwest Style Chicken Quinoa Bowl

 Everything comes in one tidy little box, with an instruction sheet. Be sure to check the box before you begin to make your Simple Plate, the instruction sheet has instructions for both the classic and family sizes, so be sure that you know which size you have and therefore which water measurements you need. I had the classic size, so I followed the measurements in grey, the family size is in orange. 
All the packages are labeled according to which step they are in. I like to organize my packages by number before starting so that I don't miss any steps. 
 The packages are all labeled so it's easy to know what I'm adding and if there's something in the meal that I don't want (onions perhaps) I can just leave them out. 

 This recipe also asks for cumin and chili powder, but most of the recipes have all the spices already included. I have made it without when I didn't have these spices and it was still great, but I do like the extra flavour that these give. 
This recipe only took a few minutes to put together. The chicken and veggies cooked up so quick and tasted great! 







The instant quinoa in this meal is seriously my favourite! I love that its such a healthy grain and it cooks in 2 minutes! Amazing and Delicious - Perfect combination!
The finished product! It can be served hot or cold and is great both ways. Typically what I do is eat it hot when I first make it, and then eat the leftovers cold. Best of both worlds!

There are SO many amazing Simple Plates. I'll post more of my favourites as I make them. To see all of the options, you can go to my website. You can order the Simple Plate meals there, or purchase individual ingredients and make them on your own.

Thrive With Jennifer

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All the Best,

 Jennifer

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