"An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied."Arnold H. Glasow
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Italian Cuisine: A Trip to the Island of Sardinia
The island of Sardinia perhaps most quickly conjures up the idea of sardines. A small island off of the western coast of Italy, it certainly incorporates seafood in to much of its regional cuisine. However, Sardinia has such a rich and various history ...
The Olive, History and Production
The Olive tree dates back to early ancient times in both biblical and classical writings. In these early writings, the olive oil is referenced as a symbol of both goodness and purity, and the tree represents peace and happiness. In ancient times, the ...
Understanding fats and carbs
Fats and carbohydrates are two building blocks of a healthy diet, but many people do not understand their role in proper nutrition. While the daily intake of fats and oils should be limited, these elements are still a vital part of the diet. The key is to ...
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It seems that school starts earlier every year. So it's time to start thinking about what to put in those school lunches every morning.
My children always wanted to bring their own lunches because they didn't really like what was offered in the school lunchroom. But it was sometimes a little difficult to make their lunches nutritious and tasty and also to put a little variety in their lunchboxes without spending a small fortune.
If we let ourselves, we can spend a "lot" on individual servings, lunchables, and treats for lunches. Here are a few ideas to help you meet the "Frugal Lunchbox Challenge".
Go to the Dollar Store and buy a few of those individual serving-size storage containers. These are very inexpensive and they are worth every penny.
You can use them for any number of things--like making your own fruit cups and pudding cups.
And they can also be used to hold dip for carrot or celery sticks or fill with peanut butter and pack a zipper bag of pretzels for dipping.
Also at the Dollar Store or discount store, you can pick up one or two of the small "blue ice" cold packs. They will help keep lunchbox items cold and safe. Sandwiches such as egg salad or tuna salad need to have a cold pack. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, on the other hand, can be packed without one.
Those zipper bags we all love come into their own when packing lunches! They can hold vegetable sticks, popcorn, crackers, homemade cookies, etc.
Muffins hold up well in a zipper-top bag, as do slices of banana nut bread, or most any other quick bread.
When the weather turns cool, a small thermos will come in handy for homemade soup or chili. I see lots of these for sale at garage and yard sales, sometimes for as little as 25 cents.
A thermos is also handy to hold whatever drink your child likes to take.
Try to put some fun in the lunchbox: keep a stash of small, inexpensive toys, cut sandwich bread into cool shapes with cookie cutters, write little notes to your child, cut out funny cartoons. Children love surprises.
A good routine to get into is while you are cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, put leftovers in the storage containers, or make sandwiches and place in the fridge in a designated area for lunch items. Get your kids to help--the more they are involved, the better!
Put napkins, etc. in lunch boxes or bags and place them where all anyone has to do in the morning is fill with the prepared items. Now you can all be out the door in minutes!
Here are a few recipes that will help get you started this school year:
Apple Surprise
- 1 apple
- Raisins
- Peanut butter
Cut apple in half. Carefully, cut out the core of the apple. Spread peanut butter where the core used to be and over surface of apple. Sprinkle raisins over the peanut butter.
Trail Mix
- 2 cups granola cereal
- 1 cup peanuts
- 1 cup dried apple bits
- 1 1/2 cups yogurt-covered raisins
- 2/3 cup chopped dates
- 1 cup dried banana bits
Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
A small serving of this goes a long way!
Peanut Butter Balls
- 1/2 c. peanut butter
- 2 1/2 tbsp. nonfat dry milk
- 2 tbsp. raisins
- 2 tbsp. honey
- 1/4 c. coconut
- Sesame seeds
Mix all ingredients and form into balls. Roll in sesame seeds.
This is a good recipe for the kids to help with-- they love to roll the dough into balls.
NOTE: sesame seeds are cheaper in bulk at a health food store. You can get unsweetened coconut there, also.
Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly newsletter and founder of the website of the same name. Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to find creative tips, articles, and a free e-cooking book. Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free e-course "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".
editor@cynroberts.com
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Artichokes 101: Tips for selection and cookingSacramento BeeCooked artichokes keep for a week, also, and can be heated up on the grill or in the oven just before serving. Freezing: Cooked hearts and blanched smaller artichokes can be frozen. To blanch, remove the outer petals (or bracts) so only the pale inner ...and more » |
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