Tasty Treats For Trips And School.

 Everyone needs a boost during those long vacation trips. This is where Unite protein bars come in handy. They are perfect for those hours spent on the roadThey';ll be great for  school as well. 

These are my go to during those long trips to the  New Jersey shore. what I like is that tall the bars have no artificial ingredients The founder Clara Paye, has insisted the base be nit butters as opposed to a base of nit butters..

The flavors are unique, reflecting the country's diverse ethnic population.There is the mellow tasting bubble, tea, the spicy churro, the kid favorite peanut butter and jelly, the exotic baklava and my favorite Mexican hot chocolate. This is delicious with a kick of spice . It's like a chocolate bar but a good for you one. These are perfect add ins to any lunch box. Get plenty of peanut butter and jelly and churro for the year ahead.

UNite Bars are united in giving us a healthy snack when we need it. Pack a few for your upcoming trip. add them to the lunch menu for the new school year. They are perfect bites for anywhere and any time.

Meet The Parents

Parents of new students always have questions and qualms about their kids' classmates and their folks.One of the way to alleviate those anxieties is by having a get together  where everyone can get to know each other.

This type of get together is a great idea just remember that this month can be a busy one.An excellent time is either dinnertime Saturday or Sunday.These are perfect for meet and greets.The day's activities are over and done with and everyone is more relaxed.Invite grandparents and siblings too.Since it's still summer, (and will be for the next three weeks) think about eating outdoors.Barbecues are fun and great icebreakers.Just keep in mind guests' dietary restrictions,beliefs and allergies.It's fine if you go all vegan.Boca Burgers and Gardein have excellent tasting burgers that are sure to be crowd pleasers .Also think about veggie dogs too.Morningstar Farms are tasty.The Lightlife brands are very close to the actually ones both in taste and texture. Set up a fixings bar with sliced tomatoes and onions, lettuce and pickles along with different sauces and condiments.If you want, ask the other parents to bring their favorite dishes.It'll be culinary comfort for their kids but also helpful in expanding their palates.

Another idea is having an all inclusive dinner where everyone brings a dish celebrating their heritage.This involves making lists and e mailing each other to make sure there are no duplicates.Also ask everyone to list their ingredients to make sure allergy sensitive kids are safe.Having different recipes will definitely liven up the meal. A fun extra would be having the kids describe the dishes, the history and family connection. This idea can also extend to desserts too.Again, remember dietary restrictions and allergies.There can be all sorts of fun sweets, from baklava from Greece and the Arabic influenced countries to the Indian gulab juman, doughnuts.Of course you could make all natural popsicles using pureed fruit such as late season berries and peaches.Apple slices dipped in cinnamon are another healthy and delicious end, loved by adults and kids alike! End with goodie bags filled with all natural lollipops and school essentials such as fun shaped erasers, crayons and pencil sharpener.

Meet the parents with a fun get together.New friendships will be forged and not just between the kids.It's really is a great way of getting to know other classmates and their families.

Lunchbox Cuisine

Yup, it's that time of year when parents start fretting about what to put in their little and not so little ones lunch boxes.Making a filling and taste grabbing mid day meal is tough. Will they like it or trade it for something better? The key is to keep them smiling with some fun foods that are packed with flavor.

Before you pack , ask yourself what does my kid like? If he or she is into Mexican, think about a small cup of guacamole and whole wheat tortilla chips. Avocado is great for growing bodies, thanks to the presence of good fats. Add tomatoes and onion and its' packed with even more antioxidants and vitamins. A taco salad is a lunchbox surprise. You can take the ingredients from last night's tacos or cut up chicken or beef  cold cuts along with crumbled tacos and mix with sliced tomatoes, onions and lettuce. Dress with hot sauce and shredded cheese or mix the taco sauce with mayo for a south of the border take on French dressing. If you have a Francophile, then think baguettes spread with Brie and tomatoes or sliced apples.A pan bagnat is a yummy treat and easy to make.It is packed with flavor from pitted kalamata olives and Dijon mustard. The recipe calls for hard boiled eggs but you can sub in tuna in olive oil for protein. Just good cold cuts on a baguette is a lunch treat  that anyone would enjoy.

Of course parents want to add a good dose of healthiness to their kids lunch boxes.Do this in the form of  julienned carrots and peppers along with celery sticks. These make perfect dippers for Greek yogurt zinged up with   a squeeze of lemon or lime. Other good dippers? Pretzel sticks and Melba toast.  These are neat surprises for those baby snackers who like nibbles more than actual meals. Toasted pita chips and the Indian bread naan  cut up are also great for dipping into hummus. This last may be a hard sell for some kids. After all it's this squishy, mustardy colored gook that may make some young foodies flinch and grimace. It's easy to make at home and you just need some chickpeas, along with olive oil and lemon.. To give it a lighter color add a 1/4 cup of cannellini beans. Peanut butter is another great dip or spread. Instead of buying it , try making it at home.It's pretty easy to do  thanks to  food processors. You can add chocolate to it for a take on Nutella.or add a dash of honey for some sweetness.

Lunchbox cuisine is simple to maneuver hrought if you know your kids' likes and dislikes. Zest it up with some different foods now and then, Add a dip to shakes things up or a favorite food for comfort. You'll get an A for effort from your choosy little foodies.

Start A School Pantry

School is starting (and has started in most of the Midwest).All schools provide a lunch and some even supply a relatively nutritious breakfast.However what happens after school is not an easy A.Many kids come from families that can't afford even cold cuts and bread for a simple sandwich.There is a solution.Start a school food pantry. This is not a new idea.Many schools are looking into this.Kids have admitted to their mentors that their parents just can't afford to put food on the table.Even though unemployment rates have dropped somewhat, there are still adults throughout the US that have no income or were forced to get low paying jobs.Teachers have stepped up and contributed canned items as well as produce for those less fortunate.It's coming out of their meager salaries.Their students now have three square meals a day plus the healthy snack of fruit.This means better concentration when they're working on homework and reports.This is one of the best idea however it should not just be up to the educators.School officials as well as town councils should institute this in those needy schools within their district. Any school can start a food pantry.The school should also reach out to local churches and farms as well as groups such as The Elks and Unico along with local restaurants.Care packages can also be made up, with two or three cans of soup, cold cuts , milk ,a mix of vegetables and fruits along with bread and different mixes.Another idea is having school suppers where a hot meal is guaranteed.The suppers can also be open to teachers and school staff as well.It is a great way of introducing parents to their kids' educators.A group dinner is also a good way of families sitting down together and sharing.There could even be a Saturday lunch too, maybe even in the form of a picnic during the fall and also again in the Spring.Older kids can volunteer to help prepare or set up.There can even be a holiday food pantry, with holiday baskets made up of tins of veggies, cranberry sauce, along with stuffing mix and jarred gravy. Another idea is special birthday baskets for the kids whose parents are struggling to give a memorable day.These can be packed with cake mix and canned frosting.A small toy or book can be put into it as well. Hunger is our kids ' greatest enemy.Three meals not only contribute to a child's growth and health but also to their brain development and concentration.This means paying attention in class and focusing on what kids should be focusing on, lessons and playtimes, not hunger or foraging for food.

Navigating Your Cafeteria

Everybody has to have cafeteria food sooner or later. It's one of the toughest eateries to wander through and find so ethnic tasty ,neatly and even safe.It can be done.Just choose carefully and you'll be fine. Cafeterias are usually busy between noon and one PM. If it's a large company one ,the it may open at seven or eight AM and serve breakfast.However don't expect an omelet bar and fancy granola.You will get scrambled eggs probably along with bacon and maybe sausage.They may even have hot oatmeal. Stick with this last because there's no grease or worry of salmonella .Most cafeterias have rolls, bagels , croissants and muffins.I'd say choose these.They're the safest and also filling. Some cafeterias will also have fruit plates such as university ones.This is an excellent breakfast or even snack. Lunch is another tricky path.Some colleges offer healthy choices ,taking into consideration vegans along with religious beliefs.Some, along with bigger companies offer a wide array of hot and healthy meals. Try chicken breast or salmon with rice , if you have the choice. If your work or school has veggies or turkey burgers try them every now and again. Safe bets are usually grilled cheese without bacon.Try to avoid overly greasy burgers along with anything with mayo.Some cafeterias keep stuff too long and you don't know how long some thing has been there. if it tastes bad or funny bring it back and demand a refund.Most cads wi Give you your money back. There are going to be days when you have to rely on your school or office cafeteria.Choose wisely and you'll be OK. You, your stomach and taste buds will survive

Picky Eaters - A Mom's Nightmare

What happens when Junior or Missy refuses to eat green beans or go on a campaign to just eat yellow foods? Most moms would tear out their hair. Others would just let it ride and try to find a way to accommodate these picky eaters. Sometimes the best path is to make breakfast lunch or dinner fun.

Breakfast sould be an easy meal. Yet many tweens and teens have schedules as hectic as their parents. Sometimes they'll just go for a granola bar or even a cup of coffee from the local Starbucks. Try to make on the go foods for them like breakfast burritos or cut up fruit. Sometimes just a cup of enriched hot cocoa will do it. For those watching their weight , then make egg white omelets , chock full of good for you veggies or just plain scrambled whites . They can have it on whole wheat toast for an easier meal.

Lunch is another matter. Picky eaters sometimes do "trades " for a better looking meal. If that's the case then amp up their lunches. Think about adding chocolate chips to crunchy peanut butter or a spicy lo cal ranch dressing with some veggies.Instead of cookies have a piece of fresh fruit with a dipping sauce. Another trick is to have them make their own lunches so they can add their creativity. It's also a good way to track their changing tastes too.

Dinners should be sit down affairs. As with lunch let them help cook. It'll give them a sense of pride as well as whet their appetite for experimentation. Another idea is put a spin on traditional foods. Add bacon bits or garlic to the mashed potatoes.Try a tangy sweet sauce for a condiment for roast chicken. Add Parmesan cheese to the meatballs if you're making spaghetti and meat balls. With vegetable dishes, let them add what they want to them to make the good stuff more palatable. Maybe do something fun like have a theme night such as Mexican Fiesta or Chinese Lantern party. For weekends, think about doing a breakfast for dinner where everyone can have waffles scrambled eggs and bacon for the later meal.

There are a number of ways to make any meal time fun. You just have to see what your picky eaters are not picking at and then take it from there. Soon you'll have them eating everything off their plates whether it's breakfast , lunch or dinner.