Robin Miller knows a thing or two about trying to get a healthy meal on the table during a busy workweek. She is not only the host of the Food Network's Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller, author of a new cookbook, Quick Fix Meals (Taunton, 2007), and the Quick Fix Meals" Interactive Cookbook, but mom to Luke, 3, and Kyle, 5.

Miller started her career in food by writing and testing recipes for Family Circle magazine, which soon lead to making cookies with Al Roker on NBC's Today Show and pancakes with Harry Smith on CBS's Early Show, and even appearances on The View.

"I love feeding people and I love creating new and interesting combinations of flavors (with ingredients from all over the globe, yet locally available)," Miller says. "It's always a quest for me to create something new and fun and then share it with my family and friends."

Her love of food and busy lifestyle combined, and the "Quick Fix" way of cooking was born. The Quick Fix way is "planning and thinking ahead so that weeknight meals come together with ease (and quickly!)," Miller says.

Miller tries to maximize her time in the kitchen. "That means, if I'm making dinner for that night, I will plan ahead and do whatever I can to streamline meal preparation for a dinner later in the week," she says. "It could be prepping ahead, making a meal kit or making extra of something to morph into another, completely different dish on another night."

In her book, Miller has broken the Quick Fix way into three meal planning strategies: In the Bag, Morph It and Dinner Express. Her In the Bag method means preparing ingredients for complete meals and then putting them into separate plastic bags. For Morph It, she takes one ingredient and turns it into several different dishes. Her Dinner Express meals cook up in about 20 minutes.

Miller feels many parents resort to fast foods rather than cooking a healthy meal at home because they think it will take too long to get dinner on the table. "That's why I recommend starting with my Dinner Express chapter," she says. "People will soon realize that it's not hard or time consuming when done the Quick Fix way!"

Want to cut costs on feeding the family? Miller says the Morph It strategy is the best way to save money. "By stretching ingredients (such as chicken, pork or salmon) or a sauce (such as tomato or peanut), you can also stretch your dollar by getting more 'bang for your buck!'" she says. "Plus, the flavors vary so much in my morphing recipes, and each meal is so unique, you'll never feel like you're just eating leftovers."

In the Bag cooking can be a lifesaver for busy parents. "In the Bag cooking is making meal kits in advance so you simply reheat and serve on crazy weeknights," Miller says. "Busy parents can rest assured knowing that a healthy meal is just moments away (especially important when the soccer game or swim meat runs long!). It's a simple strategy for prepping ahead and saving the final assembly until right before dinner."

A well-stocked pantry, refrigerator and freezer are a must for a "quick fix" kitchen. "Not heavily stocked," Miller says. Just filled with the essentials you'll need for pulling together a Quick Fix meal after a crazy day.

What pantry staples should busy parents always have on hand? "Dried herbs are important because they're shelf-stable and you can whip up tasty meals with just a teaspoon or two (oregano, thyme, cumin, chili powder and curry powder are great choices)," Miller says. "Dried pastas, couscous and rice because they cook up fast and can be the base for any meal. Canned tomatoes and jarred roasted red peppers because they can quickly evolve into side dishes or the base for soups, stews, dips and dressings. Seasoned and flavored olive oils and toasted nut oils (such as sesame) because one ingredient provides loads of flavor in just one shot!" Miller also always keeps chicken breasts and pork chops in the freezer in appropriate serving sizes so she can thaw just what she needs and be ready to go.

Miller describes the freezer as an "excellent" tool for busy parents. "My freezer is always stocked with individual portions of leftover casseroles (baked ziti, lasagna, chicken dishes), plus extra sauces I've made in advance, realistic (family or individual-sized) portions of chicken, fish and meat, and lots and lots of prepped ingredients (chopped onions, carrots, bell peppers, celery) and frozen vegetables," she says. "A well-stocked freezer means you can whip up a sensational dinner any night of the week." Plus, frozen vegetables don't have to be thawed before cooking, saving you even more time, she says.

"When you have healthy ingredients handy, you're more likely to use them in cooking," Miller says.

And above all, have fun in the kitchen, Miller says. "Cooking shouldn't seem like 'work' or something to be dreaded at the end of the day," she says. "Planning ahead, including the family in the process and enjoying quality time together is what it's all about, and I hope readers and viewers enjoy the strategies that make that happen for me!"

Quick Fix Recipes Robin Miller shares some recipes from her book, Quick Fix Meals (Taunton, 2007)! Spinach Fettuccine with Sauteed Vegetables, Artichoke Hearts and Shredded Mozzarella Broiled Tilapia with Horseradish and Herb-Spiked Mayo Baby Spinach, Fennel and Grapefruit Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette Mashed Acorn Squash with Sunflower Seeds Chocolate Frozen Yogurt with Chunky Rocky Road Sauce