Are you too tired at night to prepare dinner? Do you get home late, and end up eating snacks instead of a balanced dinner? Do you crave home cooked meals, but feel like you simply don't have the time or energy??

Here are some tips on preparing healthy dinners that don't take much effort to prepare.

**WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE...

...Most kitchen cabinets and pantries often hold pasta sauce, canned soups, beans, potatoes, tuna or other canned fish or meats, pasta, rice and other grains, onions, potatoes, and garlic -- if your kitchen isn't stocked up with these basics, pick up a few of these key ingredients the next time you are at the grocery store.
...Stock up on ingredients to be stored in the refrigerator and freezer including low-fat cheese, chopped garlic, precooked portions of meat including lean ground beef and diced chicken, precooked rice, and frozen vegetables.

TRY A MEXICAN DISH...

....top precooked rice with salsa, beans, and any lean ground meat. Heat all the ingredients together in a skillet and spoon it onto the rice.

...create a healthy burrito using a tortilla, beans, thawed meat, and low-fat shredded cheese. Heat them in the microwave or oven until they are heated through. Enjoy!

JAZZ UP PREPARED FOODS...

...add fresh or frozen vegetables to can or jar soups. To add fiber and protein to a vegetable based soup, add some of your favorite beans.

ENJOY A HEALTHY PIZZA...

...purchase some pre-made pizza crusts or tortillas. Top with sauce, shredded low-fat cheese, and any veggies and meat toppings you prefer. Pop it into the oven on a cookie sheet until the cheese has melted. Bagels and english muffins also make great pizza crusts.

You'll also find plenty of recipes on Cooking Light's website -- http://cookinglight.timeinc.net/cooking/recipefinder.dyn?action=recipeCategories -- click on "quick and easy" to find a number of free recipes to try.

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