• A Little Bug In the Lunchbag

    What is in their lunches today?

    The other day after the girls had made their lunches and after they were in bed I put in a little “bug” note for them to read at lunch.  I cannot remember where I picked up this bug note pack (maybe Hallmark?), but the bundle of notes has lasted me a long time.  The girls always enjoy getting the bug notes in their lunch box.

    Whenever I go through their lunch bags (usually to make sure they packed everything & sometimes to double clean the bags) it is pretty common for me to find a stack of these and other lunch bag notes in their lunch bag.  The notes don’t take much time to add to the lunches, but they sure mean a lot to the kids getting them at school the next day.  The bug notes are cute, unique, and have neat sayings on them.

    Each “bug” note is different

    Bug notes for the girls lunches

     

  • Adding A Little Something Extra

    Smile sandwich maker

    I picked up this sandwich imprinter at the Dollar Tree at the beginning of this school year.  The girls love getting surprises in their lunch boxes.  Usually they make their lunches, but occasionally I will make them for them if it has been a busy day or to give them a break.

    When I make their school lunches I always try to add in something special.  Sometimes after their in bed I will double check their lunches to make sure they packed everything they need and add a little something extra to it.  It could be a note, an special snack, a imprinted sandwich, or something else.  They always enjoy discovering the something “extra” in their lunches.

    I have used these sandwich imprints many times over the past few months.  It is simple and easy, yet the kids love it.  All you have to do is make the sandwich, imprint the bread, and pack it into their lunch.  It only takes a few seconds, but it is worth it because the kids enjoy it so much.

    A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is always better with a smile!

  • CONGRATULATIONS to Our Panera Bread Gift Card Winner!

    The name has been drawn for the giveaway!

    CONGRATULATIONS to

    Elena

    for winning a

    Panera Bread Gift Card!

    Thanks for making a comment in honor of our Giveaway!

    An email has been sent to you with more information*

    Enjoy your next trip to Panera Bread!

    Don’t forget to enter our next Giveaway (the next giveaway will be announced later this morning)!

    *Giveaway must be claimed within 5 business days of the prize being announced.  Failure to claim the prize within the allotted time frame means you forfeit the prize.  The actual gift card may or may not be identical to the one pictured above.

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    The girls bento boxes we picked up for them in India are now packed and ready for lunch

    The girls always love taking school lunches.  Jake and I picked up these cute little bento boxes while we were visiting India.  The girls love taking them in their lunches to school.

    A few weeks ago Karlie told me that she loves it when I pack her lunch.  Last week Brina told me she would rather take a lunch to school everyday because she likes what I put into her bag, especially when I stick in a special surprise.  Taking the time to pack lunches for the kids really does mean a lot to them.

    Lunch Box Meal

    • Sliced Pork Roast with sauteed Apple Slices
    • Cinnamon Applesauce
    • Wild Rice
    • Fresh Green Beans (steamed)
    • Water Bottle

    Bento box goodies – pork with sauteed apples, applesauce, wild rice, and fresh steamed green beans

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    Packing up a lunch for the kids

    The girls get out of school on today for Christmas Break!  It is hard to believe that today is their last day of school of 2012.  They will start back up shortly after New Years Day 2013!  This year has flown by so quickly.  I have so much to be thankful for this year.  It has been a year packed full of amazing memories, while there were some tough moments and days, the blessings far outweigh the inconviences.

    Lunch Box Meal

    • Hotdog in a Bun
    • Fresh Kiwi (fresh our friends Kiwi tree!)
    • Fresh Carrots
    • Guacamole Chips
    • Small Bag Flavored Marshmallows
    • Homemade Christmas Candy Pieces (with Sprinkles of course)
    • Wild Cherry Juice Bag

    Hot Dog in a bun

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    Packing the school lunches

    How is possible we are almost halfway through December!  Are you ready for Christmas?  I find myself rushing to get the girls lunches packed and ready the night before with all the extra activities going on this Season.  While it is really busy it is very important that the kids continue to eat healthy.  There are days when I think it would be easier to have them eat at school, but since I have one with food allergies and I have no idea how much they are eating or exactly what they have ate it probably would be more complicated in the long run.

     

    Lunch Box Meal

    • Homemade Roast Beef Sandwich
    • Fresh Red Plums
    • Fresh Green Beans
    • Fresh Broccoli Straws
    • Fruity Raisins or Mott’s Pomegranate Applesauce
    • Peach Yogurt
    • Fit & Active Blueberry Fruit Strip
    • Animal Crackers or Ritz Bitz Peanut Butter Crackers
    • Vanilla & Chocolate Oreos
    • Sweet Tart
    • Strawberry Kiwi Juice Bag

    Fresh red plums, fresh green beans, and roast beef sandwich

  • Love It – Cuisinart CPB-300 Compact Portable Blender & Chopper

    My husband bought me a Cuisinart Blender a little over a year ago and I LOVE it!  He got me a Cuisinart CPB-300 SmartPower 15-Piece Compact Portable Blending/Chopping System and it has been a huge hit with the whole family.  The best part is it is compact and comes with four 16 ounce single smoothie cups as well as a bigger blender.  I will often whip up a quick smoothie for myself for breakfast or a snack as I am walking out the door.

    I have used this blender A LOT and it has held up very well (its still in great condition).  Before this one I went through 2 KitchenAid Blenders which were much bigger and I didn’t use them nearly as often because it was harder to clean.  I cannot say enough good things about this blender.

    I have made a lot of different recipes with this Cuisinart.  The fruit smoothies are my favorite!  I have enjoyed experimenting with smoothies and  have discovered how easy it is to make smoothies at home.

    The girls will often request a smoothie for a special treat or snack too (so I am not the only one who loves the Cuisinart Blender).  I have included some of our favorites smoothie recipes.

    Smoothie Recipes

    Product Specifics

    • Sleek electronic touchpad with LED indicator lights
    • Powerful 350-watt motor
    • High, Low and Pulse controls
    • Standby mode; safety interlock and auto stop features
    • BS housing with stainless steel front pane
    • BPA-free Tritan 32-oz. blender jar, 8-oz. chopping cup, and set of four 16-oz. travel cups
    • Patented ultra-sharp stainless steel blades
    • Two interchangeable blade assemblies: blending blade and chopping blade
    • Recipe Book
    • Dishwasher safe
    • Limited 3-year warranty

     

    Blender

     Are you ready for a smoothie?

    “Love It” is a series of posts on items that I use regularly in my household that I love!  There are some items in our daily lives that make life more enjoyable, efficient, or just plain fun.  I will be sharing with you some of the products that have been given to us (or to me) that have made it to the top of my list.  It’s my way of giving a huge thumbs up!

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    A rainbow on a cloudy day always brings a smile!

    I really didn’t plan to have the two rainbows match up, but it turned out pretty well.  The girls always enjoy seeing the new chalkboard note or drawing.  One day I had appointments all day and an event in the evening so Daddy put together the girls lunches.  He left up the picture from the previous day and they definitely noticed.  Although, he did put an extra “surprise” they were happy about in their lunches.

    Homemade pizza, Raisins, Pistachios, Chocolate Fudge Coconut Oreos, Mixed-Berry Fruit, and more!

    Lunch Box Meal

    • Homemade Pepperoni Pizza
    • Mixed-Berry Freeze Dried Fruit
    • Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows
    • Pistachios
    • Cheese & Peanut Butter Crackers or Animal Crackers
    • Jelly Beans
    • Chocolate Fudge Coconut Oreos
    • Regular or White Raisins
    • KoolAid Jammers Tropical Fruit Punch

    Festival ziplock bags make the lunch even more fun for the kids!

    I was able to pick up some Snowman bags at the Dollar store to use for the girls lunches.  The first day I put them into their lunches they came home excited about the neat “Christmas” bags.  Sometimes it is the little stuff that makes a big difference.

  • Ham & Potato Casserole (Regular or Dairy & Egg Free Recipes)

    Our family had ham over the Thanksgiving Holiday so we had a little bit leftover to make some more delicious meals.  I decided to make a ham casserole recipe and it was a hit with my family.  Since I had some ham I was using up I made one casserole to eat right away and put together another one to freeze for a later meal.  It was a big hit with the whole family (two thumbs up) from everyone.  I made the dairy and egg free recipe, but I included both so you can choose what you want to do for your family.  The directions for both are the same only the ingredients between the two recipes vary slightly.

    Ham & Potato Casserole (Regular Ingredients Recipe)

    • 4 cups frozen shredded Hashbrown Potatoes
    • 1/4 cup finely chopped Onion (or 1/8 cup Dry Minced Onions)
    • 8 ounces Ham, cubed
    • 2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese (or a cheddar blend)
    • 1 can (12 fl. oz.) Evaporated Milk
    • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
    • 1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground Pepper

    Ham & Potato Casserole (Dairy & Egg Free Ingredients Recipe)

    • 4 cups frozen shredded Hashbrown Potatoes
    • 1/4 cup finely chopped Onion (or 1/8 cup Dry Minced Onions)
    • 8 ounces Ham, cubed
    • 2 cups shredded Soy Cheddar Cheese
    • 16 ounces Soy Milk (boiled down to 12 ounces)
    • 1 Egg substitute
    • 1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground Pepper

    Grease 8-inch-square baking dish.  Preheat the oven to 350° F.

    LAYER 1/2 potatoes, 1/2 onion, 1/2 ham  and 1/2 cheese  (or cheddar or soy cheese) in prepared baking dish and repeat layers. Combine evaporated milk, egg (or egg substitute), pepper,  and seasoned salt in small bowl. Pour liquid mixture evenly over the casserole.

    Cover and bake for 55 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

    Layered Ham & Potato Casserole ready to be put in the oven

    Although, we ate this casserole for lunch it would be a great breakfast or brunch recipe to use for your family or when you have house guests.  Since we have a little one that is not eating dairy or eggs I made the egg and dairy free version for our family, but I also included what you would use for a regular recipe

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    Chalkboard notes to my sweet girls!

    The girls lunches are all packed up and ready to be taken to school.  Today Brina’s says “Have a super day!” and Karlie’s “Have a great day!”  Even though it takes an extra minute or two of my time to write a note or draw a picture it is so worth it.

    Lunch box goodies!

    Lunch Box Meal:

    • Chicken Salad Sandwich
    • Fresh Broccoli
    • Fresh Carrots
    • Fresh Snow Peas
    • Fresh Plum Slices
    • Fruit & Grain Mixed Berry
    • Madagascar Fruit Snacks
    • Ritz Snack Mix or Animal Crackers
    • Strawberry Yogurt
    • Mini Oreo’s or Chocolate Cream Cookies
    • Water Bottle with 3/4 Water and 1/4 Fruit Juice

    Fresh veggies, Chicken Salad Sandwich, and more!

    Love hearing the girls comments to the various notes and drawings.  Sometimes after an exhausting day it is hard to come up with a creative message but it’s the thought that counts more than anything else, right.  What creative notes, drawings, or messages do you put in your kids lunch?