If you are a single dad, chances are you’ve gone through a rough time adapting to a brand new lifestyle. Hopefully you’ve protected yourself by consulting with lawyers in men only child support, and are now trying to acclimate your children to some of the changes that go along with your new situation in life.

If you’re not known for your culinary expertise, or if you find yourself searching for easy meal options for you and the little ones at home, don’t fret. We have some great meal ideas for you that are easy, fast, and nutritious and won’t take a lot of time out of your busy day. Best of all, we have a spin on these recipes so that you can get the kids to enjoy them—little will they know that they are nutritious as well!

Easy Recipes for Lunch or Dinner:

There are many appliances on the market that can make a Dad’s life easier, especially if he is new to the “cooking” game. One of our favorites is the Crock-Pot or slow cooker, which enables you to add the ingredients in one vessel, while they cook, you can work around the house or enjoy a day with the kids. Because many of these types of dishes can cook all day long, you’ll be pleased knowing you're coming home to a delicious home-made meal with nearly no effort. One of our favorite dishes is:

Crazy for Crock Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes.
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
½ cup celery cut into small pieces
1 tablespoon finely diced onion
Dash of salt and pepper
1 cup instant brown rice

Instructions:
1. Add the chicken and mushroom soup in the Crock-pot with rice and mix together.
2. Add the cubed chick on top, and then add the onion and celery.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Allow to cook for at least 4-5 hours on low or 3 hours on high.
5. Serve with a fresh salad for a fast, easy and delicious meal.

One pan dishes are another favorite, because you’re not bombarded with a sink full of dishes after dinner when you may need to spend time doing homework or after dinner game time. The following pork recipe is made in one pan and can feed four people, with the low prices of pork currently.

One Pan Porky-Pig: (The kids will love the name!)

Ingredients:
1.5 lbs. pork loin
1 tsp. of crushed garlic cloves
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried rosemary
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. of black pepper
2 Tbsp. olive oil

Instructions:
 
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Place the pork loin on a baking sheet or roasting pan covered with foil and sprayed with non-stick spray (for easy clean up).
3. Combine the garlic, thyme, rosemary and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Add the olive oil to the mixture.
4. Rub the herb mix over the entire surface of the pork (kids often like to take part in this!)
5. Roast the pork for 35-45 minutes or until the internal temperature is 145 degrees.
6. When done, take the pork loin out of the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes before slicing.
7. You can serve this with some mashed potatoes, carrots or salad for a healthy, complete meal. 
 
Being a single dad can be challenging and we hope that these easy lunch and dinner recipes can take some of the stress out of the age-old question, what do I feed the kids today!

Social Investigators play an integral role during custody disputes. They help to protect and give objective, expert advice on the best interest of your children during the dispute. These investigators are chosen and appointed by the court and a child custody attorney in Jacksonville, Gainesville, Daytona, Fleming Island or Boca Raton based on the nature of the dispute and the people being investigated. The investigator uses information gathered from friends, doctors, employers, and co-workers of the parents, as well as first hand observations of the interaction between parent and child, to testify to the court on the best organization of custody during and after the divorce proceedings.

Social Investigators are usually mental health professionals that can use insights gained

Some of childhood’s best memories are made during Halloween. Family law attorneys understand that divorce can be especially hard on kids, so the ritual of Halloween should be observed to maintain those best-of-times memories. However, while Halloween can be a bag full of treats, it’s also important for parents to watch out for any tricks that can ruin a fun night.

With your divorce, a parenting plan will be put in to place that will let you get on with the business of living and still ensure you can see your children on a regular basis. One of the biggest sticking points we see in family law in Florida is sharing special events. Yet deciding on visitation schedules and coordinating the transfer of your children from one parent to another doesn't have to be a painful experience or one that leaves you emotionally wrecked - it can be something that reinforces the best parts of your relationship with your children and your strengths as a parent.

Here are several tips to help guide you as you make your plans:

Since kids are still growing, they need nutritious lunches to help them develop and grow strong. However, when you're considering a divorce, divorced or are in the process of searching for a child custody attorney in Florida, you might not have time to spend hours preparing meals. Packing healthy lunches is simpler than you think. Here are 10 easy ideas for school lunch to help you and your kids get out of the door in time.

1. Pasta salad
This lunch is simple to make after having leftover pasta from dinner. Spoon a couple of scoops into your child's lunch container, add cheese and sliced salami for some calcium and protein. You could also add sauces and salad dressings or sprinkle seasonings like oregano to make the pasta salad more flavorful.

2. Turkey and cheese wraps 
Taking just a few minutes to prepare, wraps are both quick to make and versatile enough to please your pickiest eaters. To make a turkey wrap, start with a flour tortilla. Add a couple of turkey slices and layers of lettuce and cheese and then roll up the wrap. Substitute turkey with ham or other proteins and add on other vegetables like tomato or avocado for a healthier lunch. 

3. Macaroni and cheese
Mac and cheese is a classic and it's simple to cook the night before from scratch. Cook the macaroni according to the directions on the package. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and stir in 1/4 cup flour. Gradually add 2 cups of milk while continuing to stir the milk until bubbly. Stir in the cheese until it's melted and combine the cheese mixture and macaroni together.

4. Barbeque chicken sandwiches
BBQ chicken sandwiches don't require a ton of prep time when you buy a rotisserie chicken, which can be used to create lunches and dinners throughout the week. Slice off a couple of large pieces of chicken and shred the chicken meat using two forks. Toss the shredded chicken with barbeque sauce and then place a hamburger bun next to it.

5. Cheese quesadillas
Similar to a grilled cheese sandwich, quesadillas are made by melting cheese between two tortillas. Heat a skillet on medium heat and place in a flour tortilla. Cover the tortilla with shredded cheese (such as pepper jack or cheddar). Wait for a few minutes until the cheese starts to melt and add fillings: cooked chicken, avocado, and more. Sprinkle more cheese and top the quesadilla with another tortilla. Press down using a spatula and then flip it over to melt the cheese on the other side of the quesadilla.

6. Tacos
Start by cooking 1 pound of lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir the beef occasionally until brown. Drain the juices from skillet. Stir in salsa into the cooked beef and heat until boiling. Stir and reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 5 minutes while stirring. Place the beef inside the lunch container and put some taco cheese mix and lettuce into a separate plastic bag. 

7. Tuna salad sandwich
As another classic staple for lunch, a tuna salad sandwich lets you combine all ingredients into a bowl for an easy clean-up. Start with tuna inside a medium bowl. Add mayonnaise, mustard, chopped celery and red onion into the bowl and stir until combined well. You could remove the red onion and any other ingredients you think your child won't eat. 

8. Apples and dipping sauces
Kids love to dip their food in different sauces, which can allow them to make more nutritious choices. Instead of giving kids a snack cake or brownie for dessert, give them a healthier alternative: apples. Make apples tastier with a small serving of caramel dip or some spoonfuls of peanut butter.

9. Yogurt parfait
Yogurt is great for kids because it contains protein and calcium. Wash and slice some fruits you think your kids will like, such as strawberries, blueberries or raspberries. Begin making the parfait by adding a few spoonfuls of yogurt. Greek-style yogurt has more calcium than regular yogurt and is also creamier for a delicious parfait. Layer the fruits onto the yogurt and add some more spoonfuls of yogurt.

10. Fettucine alfredo
As a cheap lunch, you can make fettucine alfredo. Start by preparing the fettucine according to the package directions. Remove from heat and drain the noodles. Heat the alfredo sauce in a sauce pan until heated through and add the fettucine and mix until the pasta is covered. Add salt and pepper to taste.

For more information regarding a potential child custody attorney in Florida, contact Kenny Leigh and Associates. This professional family law firm serves Northeast Florida and South Florida with five offices: Jacksonville, Gainesville, Fleming Island, Daytona and Boca Raton.