School Lunches are Back....

It's school time again.  I can't believe it's already here.  If you're a parent, you know what I mean.  Waking at the crack of dawn to get everyone up, fed and moving out the door.  And finding time in between to fix the kids their daily school lunches.

This year, you might find yourself looking for some new inspiration in the school lunch department.  Maybe your kids are tired of the same old sandwich.  Or maybe you're tired of seeing your hard-made lunches continuously coming home half-eaten.

If this is you, check out my most recent article, "Fast, Fun and Nutritious School Lunches",  published last week in the Dallas Morning News.  I feature five easy and healthy meals - sure to be at the top of your kids' request list.. Here's a snippet:

You can feel it in the air – another exciting new school year is fast approaching.

For most of us, this means gearing up not only for class time but lunch time, as well. I’m talking new lunchboxes, new water bottles – and the never-ending job of trying to pack healthy and tasty lunches.

Break out of the rut and try one of the fast lunch ideas below, sure to be a hit with your kids. You’ll find them delicious, nutritious and a snap to make.

Easy Lunch Ideas

Pair any of these with fresh fruit and a beverage (kid-friendly water or low-fat milk), and your child will have a healthy lunch to keep him going all day long.

Hummus Dip

What kid doesn’t like to dip? Veggies with hummus are yummy, filling and full of heart-healthy fiber and brain-boosting vitamins. Scoop store-bought hummus (Sabra and Cedar’s are good ones) into a small container; pack strips of carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers and pita slices separately for a tasty Mediterranean meal.

PB with a Twist

Shake up that old PB&J routine with something new. Instead of jam, top PB on bread with slivered almonds, raisins or banana slices. Or try a different nut or seed butter (like almond and sunflower) instead of the old-standby. Drizzle with a bit of honey for just a touch of sweetness.

Read on for more recipes at the Dallas Morning News.

And don't forget that making the lunch is just half the battle - it needs to be eaten (and enjoyed), as well.  Be sure to scan my tips on making the lunch-making process at your house is successful - so everyone in the family remains happy and lunchboxes come home empty.

Starbucks Surprise

Yes, it's true. 

I go to Starbucks.  And not for the plain coffee - really for the yummy drinks. And I have been for years.

I don't go all the time - not every day, not even once a week.   I go when the mood strikes, which is often enough to where my three-year-old knows the logo by sight and the name of my favorite drink. 

And although I have been a long-time patron, I have never really tried any of their food.  The sweet stuff doesn't interest me, because for me, the drink itself is the treat.

But all that changed the other day.  

While I was ordering my tall, nonfat, Chai tea latte, my stomach rumbled hunger, so I scoped out the offerings and decided to try one of their new Artisan Snack Plates - the Chicken on Flatbread with Hummus to be exact; and my, was it good.  White meat grilled chicken strips stuffed inside a mini flat bread, with a small container of hummus and veggies (grape tomatoes and carrot/cucumber sticks) for dipping.  

The front of the container said, "Nutritious Snacking Meets Greek Get-Away."  

Yep, I would have to agree.

The amount is just enough to be a hearty snack or tide you over until dinner (which it did for me).  And at 250 calories, 13% fat (most of which were "good" fats), a healthy amount of fiber (enough to meet almost a quarter of your daily needs) and a good dose of protein, you can actually feel good about eating it.  Plus, you'll be meeting 180% of your vitamin A needs and 10% of your vitamin C needs for the day.  

All for $4.95.

Not bad for a coffee shop on-the-go snack.

And, by the way, you don't even have to buy a coffee.  Choose their bottled water, brewed (unsweetened) tea or milk and you're set for an even more nutritious snack.

They do have other snack plate offerings (a Fruit, Nut and Cheese and  Protein one with a boiled egg) which might not be quite as healthy as the hummus choice - but still, they provide more nutrition than the empty calories of the coffee cakes, brownies or other sweet treats.   

Check it out and let me know what you think.