Summer is winding down and fall is right around the corner, which means back to school and back to busy schedules. Between picking up the kids from school and dropping them off at after school activities and then helping them with their homework, when do you have time to make dinner? When life gets hectic, it’s easy to overlook healthy habits like cooking dinner for the whole family and resort to quick-fixes like frozen meals and take out. These five easy recipes will help you survive the first week with happy tummies and set you up with some great habits to make the whole year a success – both in the classroom and in the kitchen.

Honestly The Best Bison Burger

Honestly The Best Bison Burger. School may be in session, but that doesn’t mean summer’s over. Keep the summer vibes going by firing up the grill and throwing on some bison burgers. Use our “Honestly The Best Bison Burger” recipe as inspiration or get creative with your own ingredients and toppings. You really can’t go wrong. Pro tip: Eat outside and enjoy the warm evenings for as long you can!

Homestyle Bison Meatballs

Homestyle Bison Meatballs. Everyone loves a homemade meatball. Serve on top of a bowl of pasta, spaghetti squash, zoodles (zucchini noodles!), or eat them on their own, paired with your favorite sauce and side dishes. These also make a great after school snack. Just heat and eat! Pro tip: Double or triple the batch and freeze them for an easy meal down the road!

Bison Stuffed Pasilla Peppers

Bison Stuffed Pasilla Peppers. Stuffed peppers are an easy yet delicious dish to make. The best part? They make the best leftovers! Just grab an individual stuffed pepper from the fridge, microwave for a minute, and you are good to go. Pro tip: Use different colored peppers to mix things up or get creative with your toppings! 

Bison Chili

Bison Chili. As temperatures start to cool down, warm up with a batch of bison chili. Besides being delicious, there’s really no cooking required to make this one. Simply throw all the ingredients in your slow cooker before you leave in the morning and by the time you come home, dinner will be ready! Seriously. Pro tip: Serve on top a bed of cauliflower rice for a hearty, veggie-filled meal. 

Grilled Bison Tri-Tip, Santa Maria Style

Grilled Bison Tri-Tip, Santa Maria Style. Celebrate the end of the first full week of school with this amazing (and still easy) grilled bison tri-tip. Pro tip: Throw as many veggies on the grill as you possibly can and let them get slightly charred on the outside. 

Looking for more tasty dinner ideas for you and your family? Visit our Pinterest page and check out our “Back to School” board. Make it even easier on yourself and grab one of our Family Feast Chef’s Boxes. It’s got everything you need to set yourself up for a delicious fall semester.

And a few more tips for parents:

Besides dinners, the transition back to school can be a rough one for everyone. Here’s a few more tips to smooth things out:

Back to Bedtime: One of the toughest adjustments children have to make when returning to school is getting back into a normal sleep schedule.  1-2 weeks before classes begin, set your children’s bedtime to their regular school night sleep schedule. They make not like it, but they will be adjusted by the start of the school year.

Meal Planning: Pack school lunches the night before to avoid the morning rush. Make sure to include foods that are both delicious and nutritious like fresh fruit and healthy protein sources. Ask your kids to help and make it a family event.

After School Activities: Ask your children what after school activities they would like to participate in this year and plan accordingly. Don’t over commit – that makes it stressful for them and you!  Make sure your children’s medical records and immunizations are current to make filling out all those medical forms and waivers easy!

Stock Up on Supplies: If there’s one thing most children enjoy about going back to school, it’s back-to-school shopping! Before you hit the stores, take an inventory of school supplies you already have on hand, then make a list. While you shop, why not take advantage of those back to school deals for yourself? Stock up for your work office or home office. You can never have enough pens!

Wardrobe Update: Go through your children’s closets with them and donate any clothing they have outgrown or no longer wear. Ask your kids to pick their favorite outfits for the first day of school. If you’re feeling extra motivated, have them plan their outfits for the first entire week!

Looking for more ideas on how to make the back to school transition easier for both you and your family? Check out these 101 back-to-school tips from Care.com.