by Jamie Born | Feb 2, 2017 | Make It
Tired of the same PB&J every day for lunch? Try out some of our favorite non-sandwich, healthy lunch ideas your kids will absolutely love. Feeling inspired by the Bento Box
lunch, many of these recipes include smaller portions than a traditional sandwich, so you have more space in the lunch bag for complimentary, healthy snacks.
Don’t forget to check out 13 adorable ways to make your kids’ lunches special.
Kids Lunch Ideas That Aren’t Sandwiches
1. Pizza Pinwheels
Who doesn’t love pizza? This pizza pinwheel recipe is so easy to make and create perfectly pop-able, perfectly delicious lunches! The best part is everyone loves cold pizza, so you can make these as a side for dinner and throw the leftovers into the lunchbox for the next day. Pro tip: sneak in some veggies!
2. Chicken Salad served with Crackers
Now this is just as delicious for an adult snack as it is for a kids lunch, so be sure to make extra! This chicken salad recipe throws in cranberries, apples, and pecans making is just sweet enough to keep kids interested.
3. Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs
Oh yes, now you can send your kids off to school with mini bacon cheeseburger skewers! Can you say “most popular kid in class”? Because that’s exactly what’s about to happen.
4. Homemade Lunchables (Tacos, Cheeseburgers, Pizza!)
Lunchables are AMAZING, but often not the healthiest option to send with your kids to school (even if they do beg for them daily). So why not satisfy their cravings and add in additional fruits and veggies with DIY Lunchables?
5. Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
When you’re trying to pack lunches, get kids out the door, and get ready yourself, easy is key. These Ham and Cheese roll-ups are the perfect quick alternative to your daily sandwiches.
6. Kid-Friendly Pasta Salad
The best thing about pasta salad? It’s a make it and save it for later kind of food. Which makes it perfect for kids’ lunches if you can find a pasta salad they’ll actually eat. Ta-da! This kid-friendly pasta salad will have them asking for more!
7. Sandwich Kabobs
Who doesn’t like food on a stick? These lunch kabobs are a great way to get out of that PB&J habit, but they’re also a fun activity you can do together! Prep lunch the night before and give your munchkins some hands-on training in building their own lunches. Try all 6 easy lunch kabob options!
8. Energy Bites
Healthy snacking, tiny balls of deliciousness? Yep, that’s what we got right here. The most brilliant way to get your kids to eat healthy is to disguise the healthy stuff as junk food. They’ll be begging you for their favorite flavor of these energy bites!
9. Nutella and Banana Sushi
An easy sweet treat for your kids that is packed with flavor and fun to eat! This snack is great because instead of one big treat, they get a few tiny ones and it make it seem like they’re getting the better deal. If they ask for more, you can always say “but you already had 9!” Give the Nutella and Banana Sushi a try this weekend!
10. Taco Pop Tarts
Okay, we know that tacos and Pop-Tarts are two delicious foods separately, but together? Even better! Hear us out. This Taco Pop Tart recipe makes one of the messier foods you love preparing into a delicious little hand-held pocket. It’s why we love Hot Pockets, isn’t it?
11. Quinoa Taco Bowl
Is the whole family cutting back on the carbs but still looking to get that taco fix? Send the kiddos off with a little container of this Quinoa Taco Bowl for a healthier alternative to everyone’s favorite dish!
lemontreedwelling.com
12. Chicken Ranch Wrap
Simple and quick are our favorite keywords! This quick and easy Ranch Chicken Wrap recipe is just what you need on busy mornings. Whip it up, wrap it up, and round them up – you’re out the door.
13. French Toast Roll-Ups
Delicious and dunkable are two traits your kids love! These French Toast Roll-ups are great for breakfast on the go or an afternoon snack.
There you have it! A whole collection of brand new lunch time recipes to try that will help keep you sane and your kids satisfied. If you’re not the best at planning on the fly (we definitely aren’t), make sure to download our meal planner printable and throw some of these options in there while they’re fresh in your mind!
Did we miss some of your favorite options? Tell us in the comments!
by Vicki O'Dell | Jan 29, 2017 | Make It
In a perfect world we would all have a personal chef and dinner would be on the table when we came home in the evening. Piping hot, satisfying and healthy.
While we don’t live in a perfect world a slow cooker gets us a bit closer. Add the ingredients in the morning before heading out the door and arrive home to the delicious aroma of a fully cooked meal. Add a side salad or some crusty bread from your favorite bakery and you can have your family fed before they can even think about asking, “What’s for dinner?”
Check out these 12 Slow Cooker Soup Recipes for tons of inspiration
- Homemade Minestrone Soup – Minestrone soup is loaded with tasty veggies, like spinach and zucchini. It’s also protein packed with red kidney beans and great northern beans. You’ll be full for hours from this healthy, nutritious soup!
- Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup – The ultimate comfort food and cold/flu panacea. Make it for yourself, your family or a sick friend and don’t worry about spending all day on it. Toss the ingredients in the crock pot and snuggle on the sofa until it’s done.
- Slow Cooker Potato Soup – Served plain or piled high with garnish this recipe is one you will turn to again and again. Put the ingredients in the slow cooker and it’s ready to finish off 6-8 hours later.
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup – A perfect warmer upper on a chilly day. This soup will fill you up and warm you from the inside out.
- Crock Pot Vegetable Lentil Soup – Are you looking for a hearty vegetarian soup? Look no further.
- Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup with Turkey Kielbasa – Add more veggies to this if you like. It’s a great way to clean out the crisper drawer at the end of the week.
- Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup – What’s better than hot soup? Hot soup with cheese! This thick and creamy soup will fill your tummy in no time.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup – Put it all in the slow cooker and when you walk in the door in the evening you will have dinner ready to serve. This is a super easy recipe that the whole family will love.
- Slow Cooker Broccoli and Cheese Soup – Are you a big fan of Panera’s Broccoli and Cheese Soup? If so, you will LOVE this recipe. Can’t live without the bread bowl? You can find a recipe to make them right here – Homemade Split Peas Soup in a Bread Bowl.
- Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Soup – If you aren’t sure what to do with the left over Christmas or Easter ham this recipe will save the day. Loaded with fiber and protein you will stay full a long time.
- Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup – Pair this soup with a loaf of crusty bread and you are all set for the evening meal.
- Slow Cooker French Onion Soup – A rich beefy broth loaded with caramelized onions and herbs and topped with an amazing Gruyere cheese topping! Who could ask for more?
Which one are you going to try this week? Let us know in the comments!
by Vicki O'Dell | Jan 25, 2017 | Make It
Did you know you can save energy at work and home by wearing a scarf? It is said that by wearing a scarf you can lower the thermostat by 5 degrees.
Even if you aren’t always cold it’s nice to have a pretty scarf to wear when you go outside in the winter.
Crochet is a very relaxing and usually affordable hobby. Even the luxe yarns can be used in a small project like a scarf and not break the bank. Check out our Free and Easy Crochet Scarf Patterns for inspiration.
Free and Easy Crochet Scarf Patterns
Crochet Scarf Pattern from Yarnspirations – It doesn’t get much easier than this! Basic chain stitches along with double and single crochet are all you need to create this pretty scarf. So easy to make you’ll want one in all of your favorite colors.
Double Wrap Infinity Scarf – Not only can you get the directions to make this beautiful crochet scarf pattern but there is also a downloadable FREE e-book of free scarf patterns. Bonus!
One Hour Scarf – One hour? Really? This pattern uses four yarns at once so not only does it work up quickly but it is also super thick and loaded with wonderful texture.
Easy Ribbed Infinity Scarf – This is a simple scarf to make, in fact you only need to know three crochet stitches: slip stitch, chain and half-double crochet. Using a soft chunky yarn guarantees you’ll never want to take it off.
Chevron Infinity Scarf Pattern – The perfect crochet scarf pattern for those among us who still love a good chevron pattern.
Braided Crochet Scarf – Three. Three. Three scarves in one! It’s a simple concept but it looks complicated. Simply create three small scarves and then braid them together. Genius!
Chunky Rib Crochet Scarf – Using two strands of yarn together creates a beautiful chunky scarf that is sure to keep you warm no matter the temperatures. The best part is the button that keeps it around your neck and not flapping in the wind.
Soft as a Lamb Scarf – Nice, soft yarns are fairly expensive but you can enjoy them for less when you create something simple like this scarf. The stitches are shell stitches which give this scarf a pretty texture.
Crochet Chevron Scarf Pattern – A subtle chevron stitch lends texture and pattern to this elegant scarf.
Snapdragon Stitch Scarf – Add to your stitch repertoire with this beautiful scarf. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks at first. The V stitch is simply a combination of other basic stitches.
Easy Woven Crochet Cowl Scarf – At first glance this looks super complicated but you are going to be amazed at how easy it really is. This scarf is one you will always get compliments on.
Which one of these is first on your list? Let us know in the comments!
by Vicki O'Dell | Jan 24, 2017 | Make It
Teachers receive lots of lovely gifts for Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Day or at the end of the year. Lots of times it’s things like bath and body products, socks, or a water bottle. Why not put a little extra thought into it – you have plenty of time Teacher Appreciation Week is May 1 – 5, 2017 – and give your child’s teacher something she will really enjoy.
The first order of business is to get to know your teacher. This can be a challenge if you have several children but there are several places online where you can download a “Get to Know Me” questionnaire. But you can also get to know her during parent teacher conference (what is or isn’t in the classroom when you visit?), by asking your kids about her (what does she drink during the day?) or by helping out in the classroom if you are able.
Now that you know the teacher a little better you can plan to gift her with something that is more useful to her. Is she a big coffee drinker? Maybe you can get a mug and a gift card to her favorite coffee place or surprise her by dropping a coffee and a snack off at the school.
Is she saving for a big-ish purchase like a food processor or an Instant Pot? Get together with several, or all, of the parents, and take up a collection to purchase a larger gift.
How about the wine loving teacher? We love this Sangria gift idea.
Many people don’t realize that teachers spend a good deal of their own money to supply the classroom. Why not give him a tumbler full of classroom supplies to see him through the end of the year? A basket with dry erase markers, pencils, Sharpie markers in fun colors, tissue or even a ream of paper.
Even if you are on a tight budget (who isn’t?) you can find out what your child’s teacher likes to drink and gift her a soft drink, soda or pop (whatever you call it in your area) with a cute tag.
Besides teaching teachers do a lot of schlepping. Books, papers, supplies. To the car, the house and back to the car and the classroom. A totally awesome tote bag would be a totally useful gift to help with all of this.
And don’t forget, teachers like to eat too. How about a gift card to a favorite restaurant or a month subscription to a site like Blue Apron. Either one will make her evening easier after a long day at school.
How do YOU show appreciation to your child’s teacher? What gifts have you given that went over really well?
by Vicki O'Dell | Jan 22, 2017 | Make It
No one is quite sure where the taco originated, but it is thought to have started with the Mexican silver miners. Thank you silver miners!
Because who doesn’t love a yummy taco?
But if you are the kind of person who likes to know what is IN your food, or you have an allergy to pre-packaged taco seasoning, we’ve got you covered with this DIY version.
One “batch” is enough for 1 lb of ground beef or turkey, so if you want some to store be sure to make plenty extra. Just store it in a small air tight container and use as desired.
Perfect for camping!
Make Your Own Taco Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. Chili Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/4 tsp. Dried Oregano
- 1/2 tsp. Paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp. Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp. Sea Salt
- 1 tsp. Black Pepper (optional)
Mix all the spices together and store in an air-tight container. The optional black pepper increases the spiciness based on your family’s tastes and preferences. If you don’t like spicy foods, simply leave the black pepper out and/or adjust that tablespoon of chili powder down.
The amounts listed above make up about 2 Tbsp. of homemade taco seasoning mix — the perfect amount to replace one store bought 1.25oz packet
Is it easier than you thought? What else do you use taco seasoning for? Let us know in the comments!
by Angie Holden | Jan 5, 2017 | Make It
We all have that pile of stuff that doesn’t really belong in a drawer (because if you hide it, how are you going to remember you own it?) and makes everything looked too cluttered if it’s just sitting out. So what do you do with it? Bins! Bins are a great answer to so many organizational problems. Throw everything and anything you need in them and your shelves instantly look organized, even if they’re not.
This quick tutorial will walk you through making your own adorable burlap bins, so you can keep your decor tidy and consistent without breaking the bank! Let’s face it, buying all the bin you need can be really expensive. This DIY organizational option is not only cute, but you can customize the template to make custom burlap bins in whatever size you need.
Supplies:
- Stiff felt sheet in white (12 x 18)
- Burlap (a tighter weave version is best)
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Marker
- Faux Leather ribbon
- Sewing machine and thread
- Letter stencil
- Layout the stiff felt sheet and draw a 4 inch by 4 inch square on each corner with a marker.
2. Cut the 4 inch by 4 inch square from each corner.
3. Use a ruler to bend the stiff felt in a straight line on all four sides.
4. Lay the felt onto the burlap and trace with a marker.
5. Cut out the burlap. Make sure that the marker lines are cut off of both the felt and the burlap.
6. Add any word to the front with the letter stencil and a permanent marker.
7. Cut the faux leather ribbon into 1 inch strips.
8. Sew onto the ends of the burlap bag.
9. Immediately sew all the way around the edges with a zig zag stitch.
There you have it! Your very own, homemade burlap bins to use for all the make-up, hair products, or crayons you want. These are seriously perfect for every room in the house.
Leave us a comment and let us know how you’ll be using yours!
