Five Minute Back to School Lunches

Make it a Muffin

Kids love muffins.  Make them bite sized for easier handling.  Try these recipes.

Morning Glory

One Bite Apple

Sandwich Bar

Lay out the lunch fixin’s for the kids to make their own.

• Bread (buns, wraps, bread)
• Cold Cuts
• Cheese
• Veggies

Tip:  Not big on bread.  Make a lettuce wrap. 

Veggie and Fruit Kebobs

Cut up in season fruit and vegetables and allow your children to choose their own. Have them make up their own snacks of veggies and dip or put together a sweet fruit salad. Make it fun by giving them skewers to make a kebob with any of the fruit, veggie or sandwich items.

Super Soups

In a pinch?  Go ahead and use a low sodium canned soup and add some lean meats and in season veggies to that soup. 

My kids love this Leek and Potato Soup.  It is great at this time with added sweet corn off the cob. 

Pack it Up

Choose the right containers to pack up lunches.  Thermos brand containers are great for keeping things warm or cold.  Bento boxes are ideal.  

Snacks for a Summer Road Trip

The August long weekend is approaching us and a lot of families planning to head out on a family a road trip. Along the way there is not a lot of choice for food.

It is great to have some food on hand or even pack a picnic of options.

A few ideas using all of our in season produce:

Curried Chicken Salad with Peaches. Switch it up and serve it on Romaine lettuce leaves, half a pepper or cucumber rounds.

With all the choice of fresh fruit, pack some straws and make fruit Kabobs. For a little sweetness add some sponge cake to the pattern.

If you have a chilled vessel, Peach Milkshakes are a favourite in our family.

Raw veggies served with hummus or a homeade herb dip is a good way to refuel.

All recipes are on Foodlandontario.ca

Be sure to pack wet wipes and a few road trip game ideas!

A Summer Picnic

Summer is in full swing and I am enjoying every minute of it.  Summer is the perfect time for a picnic.  Whether you are dining on the sidelines of an evening soccer game, feasting alfresco in your own back yard or lounging by a lake, I have some healthy go to recipes, games and packing tips to help you fill your basket. 

Fresh and in season strawberries are the taste of summer.  My kids love smoothies -- portable, fruity and fun.  I really enjoy this sweet recipe from Foodland Ontario.  It’s not too late to pick your own berries, a fun day out in itself.  Be creative and add new recipes when you have the time.  Teach your kids what foods are in season and promote them eating local.   This Wheat Berry Salad with Bacon and Peas can be made up the night before. 

MITK TIP  - freeze juice boxes or water bottles the night before to use as cold packs in your basket.  Use Thermos bottles to keep smoothie cold. 

Where to go, where to go?  Do you have a summer to do list of places you would like to see or things that you would like to do with your kids.  Why not set out on an adventure and pack up some healthy, locally sourced food for picnic fun. 

Still stuck for the perfect picnic spot?  Ottawa Magazine has compiled a list of the top 10 picnic spots in the city. 

Keeping the adventure alive is easy when you incorporate outdoor games and activities.  We often pack in Frisbee, hacky sacks, skipping ropes and bubbles.  We also play charades and compass games.  Scavenger hunts are fun too.

Wherever you land and whatever you pack, have a wonderful and fun-filled summer picnic. 

Mother’s Day Ideas and Inspiration

Mother's Day Ideas

CTV Morning Live - May 6, 2013

Julie prepares a Foodland Ontario Pizza Party Salad, makes stepping stones and shares ideas for Mother's Day gifts and crafts

Decorate the House

Festively decorate the house with balloons, streamers and a big bouquet of flowers on the dining room table.  This will be sure to surprise her.

Extra Touch

These helium balloons are so much fun.  Hang family photos and messages on ties.  What a beautiful idea.

A Homemade Mother's Day Card 

All you need for this activity is a pair of scissors, coloured construction paper and markers or crayons.

Cut the piece of paper into a shape, like a heart. If your child is old enough to write, have them write a message on the card. If they cannot write, you can write "Happy Mother's Day," on the front of the card. On the inside, let your child draw a bunch of pictures. Stickers can also be added.

Keepsake Box 

For this Mother's Day craft, you have a number of different options. Your child can either decorate a shoe box with paint, construction paper, markers or stickers. Or, you can purchase a wooden box that your child can paint and decorate themselves. These boxes are often affordably priced and sold at most craft stores or online.

For an extra personal touch to this homemade Mother's Day gift, you and your child can add a few more item. Have them draw a picture for their mother or add in a few family photographs.

Stepping Stones

Stepping stones for the garden, especially those that include dates or hand prints are gifts that Mom with cherish.  This is an easy craft.  All you need is a little imagination and some special love for mom. 

 

http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/steppingstones/a/040201a.htm

Framed Family Drawing

A simple drawing from your child can make a great Mother's Day gift. What you will want to do though is put the drawing into a picture frame. If you do not have an extra picture frame around your house, many dollar stores sell frames for certificates, which can fit most blank sheets of drawing paper or computer paper.

As for what your child can draw, colour, or even paint, have the theme be family oriented. They can draw a picture of your family. Finger paints can also be used to make a page of your child's handprints. Multiple paint colours can be used to create a colourful masterpiece. If your child can write, have them write a simple note, like "I Love You Mom." Remember, be sure to frame the final result.

Decorated picture frames

Grab that camera and be on the lookout. Surprise Mom with a picture frame holding a photo of her and her little ones in a tender moment together. You provide the photo, and let your children decorate the frame. Purchase easy, plain wooden frames for your kids to decorate; these can be found at any craft store. Let children paint, add stickers, write words or glue sequins all over.

Make a Mother's Day Appreciation Jar

Purchase a small decorative jar with a lid to serve as the container. Cut dozens of slips of plain paper. On each paper, write the reasons why you love Mom. Ask your children to write messages of appreciation and love to their mother as well.

Make an Easy 'Love' Book

This craft is all about finding ways to tell Mom you love her. Purchase a decorative journal (or create your own simple book) and help your kids write all the ways they love their mom on the book pages. Be sure to throw in your own special messages of love.

Older Children

Have  older children pick out a book by one of Mom's favourite authors and have them write a short dedication that tells her how much they appreciate her and how she's earned time to relax and enjoy. 

 
Have the kids volunteer to do community service with mom. It's a great way to spend time with together and teaches the kids about helping others. Depending on Mom's interests, sign the kids and Mom up to volunteer at the local animal shelter, soup kitchen or retirement home.  

 Make dinner for Mom

I love this pizza party salad from Foodland Ontario . 

Extra Touch

Make an easy arrangement of twigs and decorate your dinner table with your favourite pictures of Mom.