School lunch box time is coming in only 2 weeks and I am starting to plan what to stock in the pantry. I need to be able to make lunches fast with an emphasis on healthy, whole grain, and protein. Fun and what the kids want are important too.
One thing that fits the criteria is trail mix. I make it from scratch using:
-walnuts, whole organic bags from our local Humane Society (donation for $3 a bag and I crack them open)
-peanuts
-raisins
-dried fruit from the farmer market
-chocolate chips* (this ensures the trail mix is gobbled up)
-other things that are low cost, healthy and add variety such as mini-shredded wheat cereal or small pretzels
*This past week on the clearance rack at the big supermarket I found bags of Hershey Butterscotch chips for $1.29 ea. I took 3!
The first bag of butterscotch chips was reserved for a batch of oatmeal cookies. I have a good chocolate chip oatmeal cookie recipe and just substituted the butterscotch chips.
The second bag is reserved for trail mix. The third bag is just a luxury!!
While I was making the cookies I saw in my cookie book
once again in there some very useful zucchini recipies! I must remember to try zucchini cookies in the next 10 days.
There are lots of Zucchini and backyard produce recipes on the Martha Stewart site here:
including an oatmeal zucchini cookie here (good for the lunchbox)
Oatmeal Zucchini Cookie
Let me leave you with some more funny faces (not available online)...
Pick Your Personality Card
Smiling Blueberries
What says it better than smiling blueberries? 'Celebrate' a birthday, anniversary, or winning the championship. An original card from Pretty Cheap Jewelry.
Get Well Dog
If laughter is the best medicine, this card should make a difference. A funny dog, a chick with a cowboy hat and other silly stuff says it all. An original card from Pretty Cheap Jewelry.
Sultry Rose
Another fun face to say Happy Birthday ~ great smile on a rose with a starfish 'hair barrette' and other sparkly pretties to send. An original card from Pretty Cheap Jewelry.