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Back to school lunch ideas your kids will enjoy

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BACK TO SCHOOL LUNCH IDEAS

Back to School Lunch Ideas, tips and tricks!

By Lauren

Can you believe a new school year is already almost here?! I know most people dread the end of summer, but I absolutely love this time of year. I love the excitement that comes with kids going back to school. The changing seasons, new school clothes, school supplies, class lists and friends to make.

As a parent I’ve just begun to experience a tiny bit of the craziness that also comes with this time of year–Preparing for your kids to head out on their first day can be a lot of work!

One thing that always makes life easier for me is staying organized with my kids school lunches. I’ve included tons of recipes, tips and tricks below to make preparing school lunches a breeze, and also fun and exciting for your kids. Don’t miss the FREE PRINTABLE at the bottom of the post that includes a list of school lunch ideas. Print it off and keep it on your fridge so you never run out of ideas!

PLAN AHEAD

Makes lunches at night, not in the morning:

Keep sandwiches fresh by placing the cheese slices directly on the bread, and then the mayo and mustard on top of the cheese. This will keep the bread from getting soggy–especially if you’re making the sandwiches the night before!

Back to School Lunch Ideas, tips and tricks! (Top lunch: Cottage cheese and cherry tomatoes, banana, applesauce oat muffin, pasta salad. Bottom lunch: Whole grain bagel sandwich, carrot sticks, Horizon Organic Cheese Sandwich Crackers)

Keep your fridge and freezer full of grab-n-go snacks

Here is a list I compiled of 50+ Healthy Snack Ideas, including some of my personal favorites:

Keep a separate drawer for grab-n-go packaged snacks

There are tons of great packaged snacks out there that you and your kids can agree on! Snacks with real, recognizable ingredients, for families that like to live a healthy lifestyle.

Back to School Lunch Ideas, tips and tricks!

For example, I like Horizon products because there’s nothing fake, processed or complicated about them, and my kids LOVE them.

Our favorites include the Apple Fruit CrunchersCinnamon Snack Grahams and milk boxes.  (Don’t forget to spill a few cinnamon grahams on the counter for yourself as you bag them–they’re SO yummy!)

Back to School Lunch Ideas, tips and tricks!

MIX IT UP

Use different types of bread and lunch meat.

Everyone gets tired of PB&J’s day after day.  My family loves wraps and bagel sandwiches. Other ideas include:

Turkey Club Wrap

Egg Salad Sandwich

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Wraps

Chicken Salad Sandwich

Back to School Lunch Ideas, tips and tricks! (Top Lunch: Hummus and veggies, grapes, wrap, Horizon Organic Cinnamon Snack Grahams, Bottom Lunch: Berries, hard-boiled egg, whole wheat crackers, beef summer sausage)

Think outside the sandwich!

Make homemade “lunchables” with whole wheat crackers, and whatever cheese and lunch meat you have on hand.

Muffins, yogurt, or even leftover breakfast items like waffles and pancakes make great, hearty lunches.

Include leftovers!

Soups and pastas leftover from dinner can taste great in a lunch the next day!  You can even re-heat the soup before school and send it in a thermos to keep it warm until lunch!

CHOOSE A GREAT LUNCH BOX

Choose a lunch box with divided compartments. It will help you remember to include all the components of a balanced meal: grains, protein, fruit and veggies and a snack.

Insulated lunch boxes work great to keep food cool. I especially like the lunch boxes with freezer packs in them.

Good lucks Mom’s! And if you have other ideas I didn’t cover, I’d love for you to share with us below!

SCHOOL LUNCH IDEAS LIST – FREE PRINTABLE 

(Right click to save the image to your computer, and then print)

School-Lunch-Ideas-Printable-2

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon Organic. The opinions and text are all mine.

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EDIBLES

Smoke your Thanksgiving turkey for tasty twist on tradition

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(Culinary.net) Make room in the oven this Thanksgiving with a Spatchcock Smoked Turkey recipe that stays moist and tender. By relying on the smoker rather than a traditional baked bird, you can keep the oven freed up for savory sides and delectable desserts.

Visit Culinary.net to find more Thanksgiving recipes.

Spatchcock Smoked Turkey

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 8-10

  • 1 stick melted butter
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons thyme
  • 2 tablespoons lemon powder
  • 1 turkey (10 pounds)
  1. Heat smoker to 225 F.
  2. Mix melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and lemon powder. Rub entire turkey front and back with butter mixture.
  3. Smoke turkey until it reaches internal temperature of 150 F. While turkey finishes smoking, heat grill to at least 450 F.
  4. Sear turkey on grill until internal temperature reaches 165 F, about 10-15 minutes. Flip turkey breast side down 30 seconds to crisp skin. Use pizza peel to remove from grill.


SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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EDIBLES

Find Comfort in a One-Pot Pie

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(Family Features) That first day of chilly weather always feels the coldest before you’re accustomed to it, and an easy, warm, filling meal can help hit the spot. Better yet, this rendition of Shepherd’s Pie is made with just one pot so cleanup can be a snap.

Visit Culinary.net for more one-dish meal ideas that bring comfort to cool days.

Shepherd’s Pie

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 8-12

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 6 medium potatoes, peeled
  • 2 teaspoons thyme, divided
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 bag (12 ounces) frozen mixed veggies
  1. Heat oven to 350 F.
  2. In Dutch oven, brown ground beef and drain fat.
  3. Boil potatoes until fork tender and mash them. Add 1 teaspoon thyme, salt and pepper, to taste, and set aside.
  4. Place ground beef back in Dutch oven and mix in onion powder, tomato paste, beef broth, garlic powder, cream and remaining thyme. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix in frozen veggies.
  5. Cover meat mixture with potatoes and bake 25-30 minutes.


SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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EDIBLES

Homemade meals to tackle takeout cravings

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(Family Features) Many busy weeknights come down to one decision for frazzled families: cook at home or give in to takeout cravings. Instead of stressing over a decision, enjoy the best of both worlds and make Asian-inspired dishes from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Featuring a blend of chilled, freshly chopped vegetables; ready-to-eat, pre-cooked noodles; gourmet dressing sauce; and crispy toppings, Fresh Express Hot or Cold Salad and Noodle Meal Kits offer two meal options in every bag – hot or cold – so you can make your salad, your way. Available in Teriyaki, Asian Sweet Ginger and Korean Sesame flavors, they’re the perfect inspiration for making takeout-style dishes at home.

Consider this Marinated Teriyaki Steak with Teriyaki Noodle Salad recipe, which combines juicy steak with crisp vegetables and pre-cooked Udon noodles for the ultimate at-home comfort food in an effortless meal. For a quick and delicious solution that may just become a family go-to, these Teriyaki Tofu Bowls are jam-packed with flavor, noodles and fresh veggies.

These homemade favorites feature a delicious blend of broccoli, red and green cabbage, kale, shredded carrots, radish and green onions in Fresh Express’s Hot or Cold Teriyaki Salad and Noodle Meal Kit. The vegetable blend is tossed with pre-cooked Udon noodles, white sesame seeds and crunchy wontons then finished with a gourmet teriyaki dressing sauce for familiar Asian flavor.

Visit freshexpress.com/hot-or-cold to discover more than 300 fresh recipes and find a store near you.

Marinated Teriyaki Steak with Teriyaki Noodle Salad

Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time: 24 minutes
Servings: 4

  • 1/2 cup dark soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
  • 1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock
  • 1 pound flank steak
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 bag (16.9 ounces) Fresh Express Hot or Cold Teriyaki Salad and Noodle Meal Kit
  1. In saucepan, add soy sauce, brown sugar, Sriracha sauce and chicken stock; bring to simmer while whisking. Simmer 4 minutes.
  2. Cool mixture down until cool to touch, about 20 minutes.
  3. Slice steak into thin strips and place in bowl. Pour marinade over steak and marinate for 1 hour.
  4. In large pan over medium-high heat, stir-fry steak 2 minutes.
  5. Remove steak from pan and allow to rest.
  6. In same pan used for steak, add oil and cook hot or cold kit according to instructions on bag.
  7. Add steak back to pan and stir to incorporate.
  8. Garnish with toppings from hot or cold kit and serve.

Teriyaki Tofu Bowls

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons white pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice
  • 1/3 cup neutral oil
  • 1 package (16 ounces) extra-firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 bag (16.9 ounces) Fresh Express Teriyaki Hot or Cold Salad and Noodle Meal Kit
  1. In bowl, whisk vinegar, dark soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, white pepper and Chinese five-spice until combined.
  2. Slowly pour oil into mixture while whisking vigorously. Place cut tofu in mixture and allow to sit 15 minutes.
  3. Bring large saute pan to medium-high heat and place tofu in, turning when crust forms.
  4. When tofu is finished, set aside and prepare hot or cold salad and noodle meal kit.
  5. Serve with tofu on top of hot or cold salad and noodle meal kit.


SOURCE:
Fresh Express

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