You’ve reached Week 10 of the Real Food Challenge — and what better way to wrap things up than with a full week of simple, delicious, real-food dinners? No gimmicks, no complicated techniques, just wholesome meals your busy family will actually eat.
This week’s focus is practical, real-life dinners that make you feel good about what’s on the table… even on the craziest nights.
Think of this as your “You’ve Got This!” menu to celebrate how far you’ve come.
Why a Week of Real Food Dinners?
Over the past nine weeks, you’ve built real habits:
- Adding fruits and veggies
- Planning ahead
- Understanding ingredients
- Choosing foods that nourish your family
- Making your kitchen work for you
Now it’s time to put it all together.
These seven dinner ideas prove that eating real food doesn’t need to be hard, fancy, or time-consuming. It just needs to be intentional.
Your Week of Real Food Dinners
Below are seven dinner ideas — one for each night — with simple notes, suggested sides, and ways to customize for picky eaters or busy schedules.
Monday: Sheet Pan Chicken & Veggies
A classic for a reason!
Toss chicken breasts or thighs with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and your favorite veggies (carrots, broccoli, peppers, cauliflower). Roast everything on one pan.
Why it works: Fast prep + easy cleanup.
Serve with: Brown rice or roasted potatoes.
Real food tip: Double the veggies for lunch leftovers.
Tuesday: Taco Night with a Real Food Twist
Use grass-fed ground beef, shredded chicken, or black beans.
Offer lots of colorful toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, avocado, cilantro.
Why it works: Everyone builds their own plate — picky-eater-friendly!
Serve with: Corn tortillas or lettuce wraps.
Real food tip: Make a quick homemade seasoning to avoid additives.
Wednesday: Whole-Wheat Pasta with Veggie-Loaded Marinara
Sauté onions, mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach and stir them into a clean-ingredient marinara sauce. Serve over whole-wheat pasta.
Why it works: Total comfort food with a nutrition boost.
Serve with: Side salad or garlic green beans.
Real food tip: Freeze extra sauce for another meal or place directly into your lunch containers for tomorrow.
Thursday: Slow Cooker Soup Night
Choose your favorite: chicken noodle, vegetable barley, lentil, minestrone or, Italian Pasta Soup.
Throw everything in the slow cooker in the morning — dinner is magically done.
Why it works: Perfect for your busiest night.
Serve with: Whole-grain rolls or a fruit tray.
Real food tip: Use homemade or low-sodium broth.
Friday: Baked Salmon with Lemon & Herbs
Brush salmon with olive oil, lemon, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bake for 12–15 minutes.
Why it works: Quick, nutrient-dense, and feels a little fancy.
Serve with: Steamed broccoli and quinoa.
Real food tip: Swap in cod or tilapia if your family prefers.
Saturday: Homemade Family Pizza Night
Use whole-grain crusts or naan.
Let everyone add toppings like mozzarella, peppers, spinach, mushrooms, or nitrate-free pepperoni.
Why it works: Fun, customizable, and way cleaner than takeout.
Serve with: Cut fruit or a simple side salad.
Real food tip: Bake two and save one for lunch.
Sunday: Slow-Cooked Roast with Veggies
A cozy end-of-week dinner.
Cook a chuck roast with potatoes, carrots, onions, and herbs in the slow cooker or oven.
Why it works: Sunday dinner feels special without the work.
Serve with: Extra veggies or a side of fruit.
Real food tip: Turn leftovers into sandwiches or a stew.
Final Thoughts: You Did It!
This week isn’t just about eating real food — it’s a celebration of all the progress you’ve made over ten full weeks.
These dinners show that real food fits into real life:
- They’re simple.
- They’re nourishing.
- They’re achievable on busy schedules.
- And they make you feel good about feeding your family.
You’ve built habits that will carry you forward, long after the challenge ends.
Enjoy this week, savor the food, and remember — small steps add up to big change.
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