The historic election of President Barack Obama resurrected the belief that Americans and our nation’s children in particular, can achieve any goal.

President Obama successfully campaigned on a platform of hope, change and a better future for our country, which coincides with the First 5 California mission for California’s youngest residents, children 0 to 5 years old.

Considering today’s demands of work and after-school activities, creating a weeknight dinner from scratch is not always realistic. Many parents are too busy to make dinner but feel guilty for not providing their children with a hearty, home-cooked meal.

However, a newfound realism surrounding dinnertime is beginning to emerge in cities and suburbs around the country. Embracing a modern attitude, families are combining convenient, microwavable products and fresh ingredients to create delicious meals that save time and energy.