Day 4, 5, 6:
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner!!!!!
it's never easy to figure out want to feed our littles. Something that is healthy, that's going to sustain them until the next meal, fuel them in body and mind, and something that they actually like to eat.
That's no small task. Clear throat. Step into super hero gear. Proud chest. Charge ahead.
You've got this!
Breakfast
Let's start with breakfast. A few ideas to get you out the door quick with out a lot of hassle. There is always the quick go to's like yogurt and cereal. You can really jazz them up and keep the sugar content low.
Plain Greek Yogurt topped with berries and a small scoop of your favorite nut butter will keep them going for hours.
Another great option is a smoothie. They are a great way to pack in a ton of protein and health carb that will feed the body and brain and sustain your little monkey through lunchtime. One of my favs is Isagenix ( non- dairy ) add frozen berries, banana spinach, kale, or anything else that sounds tempting, Add some plain greek yogurt to really make it rich and creamy.
There are a ton of cereals on the lower sugar and gluten free side of things too. Pick one high in fiber and low in sugar. Top with seasonal fruit.
Eggs are easy to make a hold up well to make in bulk. Paleo pancakes are another great make ahead of time and store in bulk. (they also freeze well).
Check out the book against the grain, there's a recipe for breakfast bars that are soft and chewy but packs mean protein punch. An awesome grab a go option.
For a warm Sunday morning breakfast on a busy Monday. Try making eggs the night before in a cup cake pan. Scramble 1/2 dozen eggs in medium bowl (option to add spinach, onion, peppers, tomatoes, turmeric). Fill each cup cake slot about half full. Bake 350F approx 7mins. (will bake up into a fluffy egg ridges). Let stand 5-10mins to cool and scoop out. Place in storage container. The eggs will keep in the fridge for several days. Take out one egg cup cake and warm it in the microwave (depends on your microwaves, usually about 1 min. is enough). Add a slice of homemade bread in the toaster and you've got a fully cooked nutritious meal in about a minute. This one travels well too.
Lunch:
Lunch is hard. You need something that travels well, that is quick and easy to eat, and that packs a mean punch.
Leftovers-- So long gone are the days of mom's cold leftover meatloaf, slapped onto a slice of white bread so that by the time you get to lunch the bread has morphed into the meatloaf and it looks like a brick of meat with white mold. Gross is right. It was just awful. But there are some great options for leftovers.
Salmon. We eat salmon at least once a week more like 2 or 3; is 4 weird? Anyhow, salmon is great cold...My kids will house this stuff. A slice of cold salmon on a travel safe container makes a great lunchtime option. If your kids will eat salad greens all the better toss it on top. If they are like mine they will eat all the parts of a salad but not combined.
Another great option is homemade trail mix, pick your favorite nuts (I'd leave out peanuts as they are banned in most schools and not that great anyhow), add dried banana chips, craisins, chopped dates, and maybe a few dark chocolate chips. Pair that with some plain greek yogurt and you've got a easy to pack, easy to eat, powerhouse of protein and rocking carbs.
There is always the classic sandwich. Pick your child's favorite fillers and make it the night before. Use a cookie cutter to make the sandwich way more fun to eat.
Whatever the lunch you want to think of lean protein and complex carb.....Something to fuel the brain fast and sustain the energy for a long road of learning ahead.
Dinner
This one is particularly tough because there is so much happening after school and unless you have serval hours mid day to prepare something a quick drive through becomes way more realistic then a family sit down dinner. The good news is Whole Foods is lowering their prices and their to go items are pretty damn good. You can get anything from brick oven pizza and burgers to sushi and a there's a nice vegan selection on the hot bar as well. On a chilly winters day their soups never disappoint and the scones pair well and are worth the cheat!
But for a homemade meal there is always the option of prep the night before but your night before was just as hectic then that just does;t work does it?
Another option is using your crock pot. I think I received 3 of them when i got married. They are great though and a really sneaky way to toss in a ton a veg without the family knowing! What's your favorite slow cooker recipe? Share it in a comment below. I love to make chicken pot-pie or 'pat-pai' if you ask my husband. It's super quick and easy. Cook up 2-3 chicken breast flavor to taste, chop and toss in the pot, Add your favorite veg ( I will sometimes use the frozen mixed veggies bag or left over chopped broccoli ). Add a can of your favorite style cream of chicken soup (no salt added) and flavor to taste. Fill the pot 3/4 full with water or my personal favorite bone broth (huge bang for your buck), and simmer all day. When returning home top with your favorite gluten free bread/biscuit mix and let cook about 20 mins. more, or whip up and sever on the side (see the ultimate bread recipe blog for our favorite bread).
Another great option here is fish. You can grill it inside or out, or bake it in the over. Fish generally take about 10--12mins to cook. Pair with rice and veg and you've got a great home cooked meal in about 20mins. With any luck you'll have some left for lunches the next day.
These are just a few ideas. Gang there are a ton of idea and options available to you. Checkout some of my favorite sites and books for more ideas.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31172125-vegan-for-everybody
https://www.pinterest.com/pktchanggourmet/back-to-school-recipes/?lp=true