Celebrate !
Pack a Healthier Lunchbox this School Year
Celebrate !
1 ) Have a back to school bash . This is a great way to reconnect with all the kids you did not get to see over the summer . Rent a large slip and slide or a bounce house , cook up some hot dogs , and pass out the popsicles . Enjoy one last hoorah before school starts .
2 ) Your teens and tweens will be happy with an evening bonfire to mourn the end of summer . Bring out the speakers and let them plug in their own music . Provide a fire , plenty of snacks , and enough seating for everyone .
3 ) Don ’ t forget a party for the moms . A first day of school potluck breakfast is a great opportunity for the moms to celebrate the return to routine .
Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three . This is her 16th back to school year as a parent .
Make a Time Capsule
It ’ s never too late to make a time capsule . Decorate a box with a lid and store it away with the other special items in the basement or attic . Here are a few things you can add to the capsule each year .
• A picture of your child
• A sample of their handwriting with the date
• A family letter written by mom or the child
• A questionnaire about their favorites – food , friends , activities , etc .
• A trending item like a squishy squad or PopSocket
• A weekly news or entertainment magazine
• A letter from their new teacher welcoming them to school
• A favorite book that you read over the summer
• A penny from the current year
• A small favorite item like a keychain or earring
Pack a Healthier Lunchbox this School Year
( Family Features ) When school is in session , it ’ s the perfect time to renew your family ’ s healthy eating habits by getting in a groove of lunchbox packing .
While packing a healthy school lunch day after day can seem daunting , it doesn ’ t have to be . By taking the free Power Your Lunchbox Promise , you can gain access to customizable , makeahead lunchbox inspiration like Rainbow Bento Boxes , which creatively include servings of fruits and veggies to keep kids ’ brains charged all day .
Making the promise not only signals a commitment to making healthier meal choices this year , it also helps those in need . For every promise made , health-focused partner brands will collectively donate $ 1 to Feeding America programs that support families and children . In addition to kid- and registered dietitianapproved breakfast , lunch , snack and dinner recipes , the promise website features coupons , health tips to help your family during the school year , lunchbox ideas and giveaways .
Additionally , teachers have a special section of the site where they can make the promise as a classroom and download free fruit and veggie themed classroom decor and lesson plans .
To find your lunchbox inspiration and make the promise , visit poweryourlunchbox . com .
Rainbow Bento Box Recipe courtesy of Produce for Kids Prep time : 15 minutes • Servings : 2
2 red mini sweet peppers , sliced
1 mandarin , peeled and segmented
1 kiwi , sliced 1 / 2 cup sugar snap peas 1 / 4 cup blueberries 1 / 2 cup red seedless grapes 1 large spinach wrap 1 tablespoon hummus 2 slices provolone cheese
2 ounces low-sodium deli-sliced turkey
1 / 2 cup baby spinach , chopped
Assemble two lunchboxes each with half of the peppers , mandarin , kiwi , snap peas , blueberries and grapes .
Lay wrap on flat surface . Spread with hummus and top with cheese , turkey and spinach . Roll up tightly and slice into 1-inch thick rounds . Add half to each lunchbox .
August 2018 WNY Family 27