By Laura Schmidt RD, LD

It seems like the majority of us have busy schedules, which is why Hy-Vee offers a variety of services to make lives easier. With September being National Family Meals Month, this is the perfect time to get your family to eat one more meal together each week. The real question is how do you do it? Here are a few ways Hy-Vee is alleviating the stress of cooking so families can spend more time together:

Hy-Vee Registered Dietitians: Hy-Vee registered dietitians are your most credible source of food and nutrition information and are located right in the aisles of the store. Dietitians offer a wide variety of services, especially when it comes to helping families make more healthy meals at home. Your New Ulm dietitian offers cooking classes with Chef Todd as well as in-store tasting experiences where recipes are provided for you to take home and try on your own.

Dinner Is Solved at Hy-Vee, also known as DISH Coming Soon to New Ulm!!: Gather a group of your friends to prepare a variety of easy and delicious meals to be kept in your freezer. Hy-Vee employees shop for all of the recipe items, prep the majority of ingredients, provide the space and utensils, and then clean up when the DISH class is over! Currently, Hy-Vee is selling “DISH to Go” meals. All ingredients are included in one package, you just take it home and cook according to the enclosed directions.

Hy-Vee Aisles Online: Hy-Vee has made it easy to do your grocery shopping from your home, your office or even the baseball field. Hy-Vee Aisles Online allows busy customers to shop the way they want to shop – from anywhere, at any time. Through the Hy-Vee Aisles Online website, customers can shop for their groceries, pay electronically, and choose to pick up their order or have it delivered to their home. Hy-Vee Aisles Online promises customers the same helpful, friendly service they would receive in stores and also retains the other benefits of in-store shopping, such as weekly specials, coupons and Fuel Saver + Perks discounts. Eating one more meal a week at home is simple when you can pull up the recipe online, and then order your groceries right there.

Hy-Vee Short Cuts: Hy-Vee Short Cuts are fruits and vegetables that are pre-cut, pre-packaged, and come in a variety of assortments. They are ready to grill or bake and are less time-consuming for customers on the go. Best of all, they can be used in a wide variety of main dishes, making family meals easier than ever before.

Try this recipe, Hawaiian Steak Fajitas with Grilled Pineapple Salsa, for your next family meal with the help of Hy-Vee’s fruit and vegetable Short Cuts. For more information about Family Meals Month, or for recipe ideas, contact your local Hy-Vee registered dietitian.

Hawaiian Steak Fajitas with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Serves 4 (2 tortillas, 1 cup fajita mix and 3 tablespoons pineapple salsa)

All you need:

1 pound strip steak, trimmed

4 cups Hy-Vee Short Cuts pepper-and-onion mix (about 12 oz)

2 tbsp Hy-Vee Select extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

2 Hy-Vee Short Cuts peeled fresh pineapple slices (3/4 inch thick; about 4 oz)

3 tbsp reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce

1/4 cup pico de gallo or other fresh tomato salsa

8 corn tortillas, warmed

All you do:

1. Place a grill basket on one half of grill; preheat the grill to high.

2. Cut steak crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick strips. Toss in a medium bowl with peppers and onions, oil, salt and pepper.

3. Place the steak and vegetables in the grill basket; grill, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are soft and charred, 8 to 10 minutes. Oil the other side of the grill rack; place pineapple on the rack and grill, turning once, until slightly charred, about 2 minutes per side.

4. Transfer the steak and vegetables to a large bowl and toss with teriyaki sauce. Dice the pineapple and combine in a small bowl with pico de gallo (or salsa).

5. Serve the steak and vegetables on tortillas with the salsa.

Nutrition Facts per serving: 378 calories, 14g fat, 3g saturated fat, 61mg cholesterol, 532mg sodium, 37g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 10g sugars, 27g protein.

Daily values: 30% vitamin A, 129% vitamin C, 15% iron.

Source: adapted from EatingWell, Inc.

The information is not intended as medical advice.

Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.

Laura Schmidt is a registered dietitian representing Hy-Vee as a nutrition expert promoting healthy eating throughout the community.