I chopped up a pile of vegetables including onion, carrot, leek, celery, broccoli, swede and parsnip. I placed these in my slow cooker with a lamb shank, a good handful of soup mix (barley & split peas) and fresh herbs such as rosemary, bay leaf, thyme and sage. Lamb & Barley Soup is on the menu for dinner tonight.

Eating family meals at home has social, economic and health benefits. If you are looking for some inspiration, look no further, as I share my favourite family meals with you. My first recipe idea is an Italian fish dish called Pesce all' Italiana. This is a good way to introduce fish to reluctant eaters!

2016 is the International Year of Pulses. The Australian Dietary Guidelines encourage us to eat a wider variety of foods. Legumes can be a valuable, non animal source of protein as well as a vegetable serve. Many Australians still do not eat enough vegetables. Dietitians recommend people eat legumes and pulses at least 2-3 times a week because of their wonderful health benefits.

Going meat free one night a week has a number of benefits. Have a look at our delicious recipe for Vegetable Fritatta.