Little kids can be quite picky eaters. They also seem to be drawn to those expensive TV dinners created just for them. The fact that these TV dinners can cost a small fortune isn't the only reason to stay away from these quick fix meals. A quick look at the nutrition label shows that they are loaded with calories, fat, and sodium. The key is to trick your children by creating fun meals for them and serving them in a fun way. This week, let's save money in the kitchen, while still making dinnertime fun.

First things first; think about which meals your children love most. This will give you an idea of what recipes to start looking for and how to go about creating a healthy version they will love. For example, if they like macaroni and cheese, use whole wheat pasta and a low-fat or fat-free cheese that melts easily.

Of course, we can't forget about presentation. One idea that seems to go over really well is lunchroom trays. These trays can easily be found at many department stores for around $2 each. This is a fun presentation because it makes little kids feel grown up. Another plus is that it keeps all the food separated and every parent knows how important that can be.

This really is easy to do. Just start with their favorite meals and make them yourself. You can feel proud serving your children healthy meals and your wallet will love the extra cash you have leftover each week. Of course, what would this blog be without a recipe to get you started?

Healthy Bagel Pizzas
Serves 2

4 mini whole wheat bagels
8 tablespoons organic pizza sauce
½ cup 2% shredded mozzarella cheese
16 slices of turkey pepperoni

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Split the bagels open and top each half with 1 tablespoon sauce, 1 tablespoon cheese, and 2 slices of pepperoni.
3. Bake until the cheese melts, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Serve with vegetables, fruit, and fat-free pudding.

Do you ever wish you could just go home and have your meal mostly prepared? You're in luck. There are ways you can prepare two meals at one time. Not only does this make meals quicker to prepare, but it also saves money by ensuring that you use all of the ingredients you purchase. These meals use many of the same ingredients and reduce your need to clean out the fridge each week. This week, we'll focus on a couple meals prepared with chicken.

Spanish Rice With Mexican Spiced Chicken
Serves 4

8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 boxes of Spanish Rice mix, plus the ingredients needed to prepare it
2 (16-ounce) cans of enchilada sauce

1. Mix the spices together and rub onto the chicken. Bake at 350 degrees until cooked through, about 25 to 30 minutes.
2. In the meantime, prepare the Spanish rice according to the package directions.
3. When the rice is cooked, stir in the enchilada sauce and heat through.
4. Serve four of the chicken breasts with half of the rice mixture along with some fat-free refried beans and warmed whole wheat tortillas.

Chicken Rice Enchiladas
Serves 4

8 whole wheat tortillas
4 leftover chicken breasts, shredded
4 cups of leftover rice mixture
1 cup of enchilada sauce
1 cup of 2-percent shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Green onions

1. Fill the tortillas with the chicken and rice mixture and place in a baking dish.
2. Top with the enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown and heated through, about 30 minutes.
3. Serve with sour cream and green onions.

Cooking doesn't have to be difficult or time consuming to be healthy. When you take time to prepare ingredients for the next day, meals go together in a snap.