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Easy Meal Planning with Canadian Turkey & Lentils.org! Enter to win a $75 Visa Gift Card!

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Back-to-school… Back to routines and schedules. Back to early bed times, eating better (or trying to), and back to jam-packed days. Good or bad, this time of the year means we have to get a little bit more organized. While a big part of me is going to miss Summer, I’m looking forward to having the kids back in school. That means that I need to get myself super organized so the days aren’t stressful and chaotic – or at least a little less than normal. One of those ways is through meal planning. It’s great for budget planning and making more time for everything else. That’s why I’m excited to have teamed up with Canadian Turkey and Lentils.org to provide you with five tips for back-to-school meal planning. On a side note, choosing the right air fryer to cook these meals is also a viable option if you truly are in a hurry.

meal planning maya cooking

5 BACK-TO-SCHOOL MEAL PLANNING TIPS WITH CANADIAN TURKEY AND LENTILS.ORG

1. Kick-start the day with an energy-boosting breakfast!

When it comes to breakfast for kids, the key is to feed them something that is high in protein. It will help give them the energy needed to make it through the day until lunch. So instead of focusing on their hunger or crashing due to lack of energy, they can stay focused on learning and retaining all of the information they are taught in class.

kids in class

Add turkey and lentils to your breakfast choices for a nutrient boost. We love and only eat turkey bacon, both due to dietary restrictions but also because its leaner and a healthy protein choice that tastes great.  It’s Kyle’s favourite thing to eat for breakfast and he pretty much eats it every morning at the cottage. It will be nice to continue to do so during the school year. Lentils’ combination of protein and fiber helps you stay full longer throughout the morning.  You can add lentils to breakfast muffins, smoothies, egg dishes and casseroles.  So go ahead and power up your breakfast!

turkey bacon cottage breakfast

2. Give kids lunch that packs a nutritious punch!

When it comes to your kid’s lunch, it’s important to pack something that will continue to fuel them but also something that they will want to eat. Think simple, yet healthy! Mix it up with finger food, or left-overs like turkeyballs. Another good option is the “make-your-own” lunch. Pack crackers, small slices of cheese and turkey cold cuts and let your kids make their own mini, bite-size, “sandwiches.”

3. Manage munchies with smart snacks.

This is where I have to step up my game a little. I usually just grab something pre-packaged for snack, but I’m going to make an effort to provide my boys with healthier options like fresh fruits and vegetables, even if it takes me a little longer to prepare because they like them cut-up in certain ways. Other great snacks include yogurt and cheese, whole grain crackers, hummus and protein-rich food like dishes made with turkey and lentils (use your leftovers!)

4. Keep it simple: cook once, eat twice!

Planning for leftovers saves time.  It helps you get a nourishing meal on the table quickly.  Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be good.  You can grill a whole turkey on the barbeque for a weekend dinner and then use leftovers for stir fry, pizza, soup or sandwiches during a busy week.  Lentils are perfect for batch cooking – just rinse and simmer a bigger batch and refrigerate or freeze in pre-set amounts, so that they’re ready to thaw for your next recipe.

5. Make a plan…and then stick with it!

Busy schedules can sometimes get in the way of cooking good-for-you weeknight meals.  Having a basic meal plan – and sticking with it – is a smart solution.  Planning even just two or three days in advance can help reduce mealtime stress during a busy week.  Bookmark sites with healthy and reliable family recipes to save time, like lentils.org and canadianturkey.ca.

boys at school

We are huge turkey fans at home. It’s a nice change from our typical dishes, and I prefer it over other meat options both for it’s taste and health benefits. Lentils are always a nice addition to a meal. Whether you serve it as a side dish, or include it in your soup, it’s a great way to add some flavour, protein and fiber to your favourite meal. So just how good are Canadian turkey and lentils.org?

Turkey is packed with high quality lean protein and includes nutrients like vitamin B12 (important in keeping your nervous system – the body’s electrical wiring – working well), selenium (an antioxidant mineral) and zinc (for a strong immune system). Canadian lentils are high in protein and fiber, and a great source of minerals such as potassium, iron, and folate.

Here’s a great recipe for Smoked Turkey Lentil Chili that I can’t wait to try out. I can see it being a Fall favourite in our house and a huge time saver!

smoky turkey lentil chili ED final LR

Smoky Turkey Lentil Chili

Serves: 6-8 people

Prep time: 20 mins.

Cook time: 45 mins.

Ingredients:

1 kg (2.2 lb) ground Canadian turkey

1 1/2 cups (375 ml) whole green lentils

1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil

1 large onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, crushed

2 cans diced tomatoes (2 X 796ml or 2 X 28 ozs)

3 cups (750 ml) turkey broth

1 cup (250 ml) water

1 can (398 ml or 14 ozs) black beans

1 can (398 ml or 14 ozs) refried beans

1 cup frozen corn

1 package chili seasoning (40 g or 1.4 ozs)

½ can (148ml) Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (optional)

2 tsp (10 ml) cinnamon

2 tsp (10 ml) garlic powder

1 tsp (5 ml) sweet smoked paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

½ cup (125 ml) water, if needed

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot.
  2. Add onions and cook until translucent, 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and cook through, an additional 2 minutes.
  4. Add turkey and cook through, 8 – 12 minutes.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Add tomatoes and stir thoroughly.
  7. Add lentils, turkey broth and water.
  8. Add spices and Chipotle peppers (if using) and bring to a gentle simmer.
  9. Cook for 25 – 35 minutes, until mixture thickens and lentils are cooked through.
  10. Add black beans and refried beans. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, until flavours are thoroughly incorporated. If mixture is too thick, add additional water to desired consistency.
  11. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  12. Serve!

TIP: This recipe makes an excellent make-ahead one-pot meal!  To cut down on cooking time during a busy week, you can batch cook this recipe, freeze into portions and use as needed.

GIVEAWAY

I’m excited to have teamed up with Canadian Turkey and Lentils.org to give one lucky reader a $75 prepaid Visa gift card to help you get ready for back-to-school!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Canadian Turkey and Lentils.org. In exchange for this post, I have received perks in the form of products and/or compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own.

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What Others Are Saying:

  5. Donnas says

    I find a PB&J sandwich filling and quick and easy to make (full of protein and delicious to boot)

  15. Elizabeth Matthiesen says

    HONEY GARLIC TURKEY CASSEROLE would be a big favourite around here, lots actually that I’m sure would be welcome on the table. 🙂

  16. Elizabeth Matthiesen says

    Possibly Broccoli, Lentil & Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner would be liked, apart from me who doesn’t like lentils.

  32. Jennifer P. says

    I would say eggs are the main way we boost protein in our family – we all love them, and there are so many ways to incorporate them into our meals, even if we just have some hard boiled ones ready to go as a snack in the fridge. We also love turkey breast slices, almonds (although one of my daughters can’t bring them to school), and Greek yogurt for a quick protein boost.

  39. krisha4444 says

    On the Canadian Turkeys site, the recipe that would be a sure hit would be the Turkey Quesadillas

  43. michelle tremblett says

    Roasted chicken breast deli meat is my favourite, I usually always have it on hand and it is my go to 🙂

  51. Stephanie says

    I think our family would love the Broccoli, Lentil & Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner! I should try it out!

  78. Vivian Dionne says

    I think my family would love the lentils recipe for Coconut Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars.

  79. Canuck Carl says

    Certainly can feel the chill in the air this morning where I am north of Barrie Maya. A subtle reminder that summer is soon will be over and back to school. I do love chili, and with the lentils and 2 types of beans and the ground turkey it looks so hearty. Thank you for sharing! 🙂

  88. sojeles says

    We raise chickens so we always have way too many eggs in our house. They are awesome for a shot of protein. I keep hard boiled ones in the fridge all the time.

  118. Wanda Tracey says

    There are so many delicious lentil recipes that I would never have imagined.I would be excited to try theHerbed Lentil Skillet with Spinach, Tomatoes, Feta & Egg! !

  130. jane kramer says

    for our family its definitely eggs , and since we have about 14 chickens , we never run out 🙂

  144. Grace S. says

    My protein burst would come from a small steak. But my pleasure burst from a turkey dinner.

  163. Calvin F. says

    I eat protein bars, protein powder smoothies, eggs, nuts, and canned fish for quick protein!

  167. Cathy Erdle says

    My go-to protein boost is chickpeas — either fresh or roasted with salt and olive oil. Kids love them. Easy to add to salads, or just snack on the roasted ones fresh out of the oven or cold!

  172. Alison Braidwood says

    I buy full fat greek yoghurt, and then strain it with a tea strainer in the fridge overnight. So it’s low carb and really filling. I use liquid flavoured stevia to make it more interesting.

  187. Christina says

    For a protein boost I love: a handful of nuts, slices of cheese or a hardboiled egg. Go protein!!

  224. Angela Bulbeck says

    For my family it is all about the chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breast by the truckload lol. My daughter is so picky so this is my guarantee to get food in her.

  225. Jennifer P. says

    I think the kid’s meal that would be a family favourite for us would be the Turkey Quesadillas – although one of my kids would probably pick out the bell peppers.

  226. Jennifer P. says

    My whole family would love the Broccoli, Lentil & Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner for sure!!

  240. louise says

    Un chili bien épicé (rempli de fèves et de viande ou tofu ) refait le plein de protéine .

  242. Rose Holloway says

    I think I’d like to try the APPLE, CHEDDAR & TURKEY HAND PIES first but honestly they all look great.

  251. Dayle B. says

    My protein boast is chick pea salad with nuts and sliced eggs. Sure would like to snag this useful gc.

  280. Tiesha says

    My kids would love the Piri Piri turkey wings and the lentil dish I will try is Lentil Coconut curry

  306. Joyce James says

    I love egg salad sandwiches for my protein boost. Great contest. Thanks for the chance to win!

  317. Laurie P says

    Broccoli, Lentil & Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner would be a hit with the family, and I like that the variations are endless!

  331. binabugged says

    I’m all for snacking on peanuts for a boost and when we went camping for 8days and I walked the nature trails for 3 hrs every day, I had trail mix with me.

  338. lori n. says

    eggs! I usually include them in potato salad or eat them hard boiled for a protien boost and a quick packing snack.

  339. Maggie Jenkins says

    Just like Popeye’s spinach, I find potatoes give me a boost. Maybe it’s because I am Irish background

  346. Eva Mitton-Urban says

    Pumpkin Seeds/Clementine oranges: great energizer booster – great to pack along in school lunches.

  379. Brenda Penton says

    Who knew you would bake with lentils? I’d love to try out the Pumpkin Stout Lentil Gingerbread recipe.