5 School Lunch Ideas for Even the Pickiest Eaters

It’s that time of year again- time to stress out about packing your kids healthy lunches they’ll actually eat! Fear not- we have compiled a list of surefire nutritious meals and snacks that pack up well in a Bento box and have the seal of approval from the pickiest eaters around!

1. DIY “Lunchables”- A healthy spin on the popular but sodium- and preservative-filled pre-made snack boxes, these homespun twists on a kid favorite are sure to win lunch! Some thin-sliced deli ham, turkey or roast beef cut into small squares, thin, square-cut slices of cheddar, gouda or colby jack cheese, a small handful of baked low-salt crackers and a chewy peanut butter and chocolate granola bar will be a fun-to-eat lunch that packs a protein punch!

2. Yogurt Parfait- In a small plastic container, layer fat-free vanilla yogurt, granola, strawberries and blueberries, then repeat the pattern twice. Sprinkle with granola as a garnish, and refrigerate until it’s time to serve. Your child will love the look and taste of this healthy snack! (You can even substitute other fruits for variety. Don’t be afraid to get creative!)

3. PBJ “Sushi” Rolls- Want an exotic twist on a tried-and-true favorite? Make your kids’ peanut butter and jelly sandwich into small, sushi-inspired rolls! Simply cut crusts off of whole-grain bread, slather with peanut butter and grape jelly or strawberry preserves, roll up and cut for a next-level PBJ experience! For extra credit, pack it with disposable chopsticks so your child can have fun trying to pick up the sandwich rolls.

4. “Dippy Picnic”- There’s not much kids love more than eating with their hands. Why not let them go nuts with a “dippy picnic” snack? Pack pretzel rods, apple slices, baby carrots and celery sticks in a Bento box, along with mini containers of peanut butter and hummus. Then let the dipping madness ensue!

5. Go Bananas!- Give your little monkey a delicious, nutritious snack with these tasty, protein-rich banana roll-ups. On a small flour tortilla, spread a layer of peanut butter, then drizzle with Nutella. Roll up a peeled banana, and either cut into small finger-food rolls or give it to your child whole. For an added crunch, use chunky peanut butter for texture!

Any great suggestions for kids’ lunches? Let us know in the comments section!

3 Back-To-School Organization Tips

It’s hard to believe, but summer vacation is nearly at an end. It’s just a matter of time before the little ones are off to school again for a brand new year! If you’re still catching your breath from the hectic morning rush to get the kids to the bus stop, now may be a good time to tweak your routine so you and the kids can stay a little more organized this school year. For smooth sailing from Day One to Day DONE, here are some of our favorite back-to-school organizational tips. Enjoy!

1. Lay Out a Week’s Worth of Clothes- Save time and a whole lot of drama by skipping the morning “nothing to wear” crisis and planning ahead! Every Sunday, when all the laundry has been done, put together an outfit for each day of the school week, and group them together in your child’s closet. Getting dressed will now be as easy as pulling clothes out of the corresponding day’s drawer or hanger! If your children are older, invite them to help choose their outfits so they have some input.

2. Establish a Good Night Schedule- In order to do their best at school and stay healthy, your kids need at least 10 hours of sleep per night. Check out this handy bedtime chart from Wilson Elementary School to determine an appropriate bedtime for your kids, based on their ages and what time they need to wake up:

3. Keep Everything in One Place- Designate a countertop, small table or desk in your home as the Information Center for all things school-related. This includes your kids’ school calendars, after-school activity schedules, homework, school supplies and permission slips. This all-in-one solution will help you avoid a last-minute dash around the house looking for your child’s homework!

If you have any more organization tips for starting the school year right, we’d love to hear from you- post your comments in the section below!