Post by Alexandra Hedin of Weeknight Society

New Year’s Resolutions are the worst. There are times when I’m sure they were created to make people feel bad about themselves just in time for giant box of chocolates to flood the stores. There is a way to successfully make it past chocolate season while sticking to your resolution – it comes with planning.

If you haven’t already made your resolutions, think about making “Eat regular family dinners” one of them. Did you know that children who eat dinner with their family are more likely to do well in school and in life? Children who eat family dinner start using a bigger vocabulary at a younger age, they learn how to have a conversation with adults, and as they get into school they get better grades. Middle-school children who eat dinner with their family are more likely to get good grades and are less likely to try drugs or drink alcohol than children who don’t regularly eat a family dinner.

Last year I launched my app, Weeknight Society, to help families eat dinner together. Every week I load up five recipes for you to add to your menu, shop from the grocery list, and cook along with step-by-step instructions. Every recipe on the app is designed to take about a half an hour AND each recipe has been cooked for my own children, there are always easy ways to make everything ‘kid friendly.’

This time of year, something healthy seems appropriate too (Two resolutions! One recipe!). Thai Chicken Wraps are a light and refreshing dinner full of vegetables, lean ground chicken, and just a little mayonnaise. For my children I serve them the spiced ground chicken (they say it tastes like sausage!) and all of the vegetables. If it’s been a busy day, a bowl of rice goes perfectly with this dinner too – and fills up athletic children!

Thai Chicken Wraps – Serves 4

• 2 lb ground chicken
• 1 tbs sriracha
• 1 lime – zested and juiced
• 1 tbs rice vinegar
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbs ginger
• 2 tbs soy
• 1 carrot
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 cucumber
• 1 cup basil
• 1 head butter lettuce
• ½ cup mayo
• 1 tsp sriracha
• 1 tsp cilantro
• 1 tsp honey

Step 1

Mix the chicken with 1 tbs sriracha, the juice of ½ lime and the lime zest, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Let it sit for a few minutes.  (5 mins)

• 2 lb ground chicken
• 1 tbs sriracha
• 1 lime – zested and ½ juiced
• 1 tbs rice vinegar
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbs ginger
• 2 tbs soy

Step 2

Mix together mayo, 1 tsp sriracha, 1 tsp chopped cilantro, 1 tsp honey, the juice of ½ lime. (5 mins)

• ½ cup mayo
• 1 tsp sriracha
• 1 tsp cilantro
• 1 tsp honey
• ½ lime, juiced

Step 3

Cook the meat over high heat until browned.  (10 mins)

Step 4

Serve in butter lettuce cups with vegetables on top + dressing on the side.

• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 cup basil, chopped
• 1 head butter lettuce

For more weeknight dinner inspiration, menu planning, recipes, and shopping lists subscribe to the Weeknight Society mobile app in the iTunes store. Every recipe is cooked by families for families. Www.weeknightsociety.com