Bento of the Week: August 29, 2011

• Raspberry Yogurt 4oz. (with a teeny tiny cocktail spoon!)
• Homemade Chex Mix (eeeeasy to make...I'll tell you later...)
  
• Lassy Mogs (a Canadian cookie with all the good stuff)
• Plum (very jooooocy)
  

NEW Bento Planner for September!

How to Make Homemade Chex Mix

This is a fun snack mix to put in your kids' lunch.  This stuff isn't low calorie, but it sure is good.  Heck it's not even healthy, but a little ain't gonna hurt.  ;)

Homemade Chex Mix

20 cups of tiny crackers, pretzels, corn squares cereal, nuts, corn chips, cheese puffs, etc.
3/4 cup canola oil
2 packages ranch dressing mix

Mix the 20 cups of crackers.  Drizzle on the oil and mix well.  Shake on the ranch dressing mix.  Mix well in a large bowl and store in a gallon size zip top bag.

4 Ways to Reduce Food Waste in Lunches

"I know I packed your lunch--so what on earth did you eat today?"

Every day after school the kids and I clean out their backpacks, sign papers and empty out the lunch box.  There were days where not all of the food was eaten.  In fact, there days I wondered if my kids were eating at all!  Lots of food going to waste.  Mommy was not happy.

We learned a few things that helped prevent food waste in lunches:

1. Pack less.  I know, I know, a mother can't stand the thought of her child being hungry.  But, if your lunches are coming back with a lot of waste, try packing a half sandwich instead of a whole.  Then pack a half apple instead of a whole.  See what works.  No need to starve your angel.
2. Serve food in smaller or bite size portions.  For some reason, kids have no problem eating 5 mini muffins, but sometimes won't touch the full size muffin.  We'll call it the "cute factor".  Mini is super cute and way more fun to eat--whether it's mini pizzas or mini M&Ms. (Although I've never had a problem getting my kids to eat the USDA recommended serving of M&Ms or pizza.)
3. Re-pack uneaten food.  Be careful with this one.  Stick with food items that are shelf stable like trail mix or crackers.  One day I put trail mix in the kids' lunch.  The trail mix came back with all the M&Ms picked out.  Guess what I put in their lunch the next day?  Recycled trail mix.  With no M&Ms.
4. Ask for your child's help.  They can tell you what they like to eat or what the trendy veggie of the week is. They also may be avoiding something you pack because "brown apples taste bad".  Listen to your kids and they'll help you pack the perfect lunch.

Bento of the Week: August 22, 2011

• Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwich (never gets boring...)
• Tea Crackers ("crackers" meaning "cookies")
• Fresh Carrots (sliced, not babied)
• Sunflower Seeds
• PEZ Dispenser (with a five little PEZ candies)

Bento of the Week: August 15, 2011

• Six Week Bran Muffin (No, they don't last six weeks...the batter in the fridge does!)
• Rold Gold Everything Bagel Pretzels (no kickbacks from Rold Gold, my kids just like these pretzels)
• Plum
• String Cheese
• Mini M&Ms (in a baggie so they won't get eaten by the dinosaur)

5 Reasons to Pack Your Kid's Lunch

The lunches you pack for your children will always be superior to anything they will be served at school.  Here's why:

1. You pack love.  When your child sees you pack their lunch, they know that you love them.  A nice note wouldn't hurt either.  Kids love the love...
2. You know your child's preferences.  That means you will not be packing limp sloppy joes, canned green beans, canned fruit cocktail, and a packaged pastry.  That's what all their friends will be eating.
3. You make good nutritional choices.  Fresh is best!  It may not be convenient for feeding the masses at school, but you're not feeding the masses.  You can take the extra 45 second to cut up a sweet, juicy mango for your child. 
4. You have no contract.  Schools contract with food suppliers.  They are stuck serving the same stuff all year.  You are free to change brands, varieties, flavors and sizes. 
5. You can help your family expand their food palate.  Want to help your family try new foods?  Eat healthier?  Avoid food dyes?  Experiment with different ethnic foods?  This is your canvas!  Be sure to ask for feedback from the kids.  Remember that presentation is just as important as flavor!

Bento of the Week: August 8, 2011

• Whole Wheat Bagel with Peanut Butter, Craisins & Raisins
• Matchstick Carrots
• Watermelon Balls (Round fruit from a round fruit.  Ooooh. )
• Mozzarella Cheese Stick (cut in half, just for funsies)