For the kid in your family who doesn't eat sandwiches for school lunch, here's a healthy lunch idea that will fill their tummy with plenty of nutrition to fuel them through the school day. Make this easy on yourself by serving my Black Bean and Vegetable Enchiladas or Greek Yogurt and Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas for dinner with a double batch of Mango salsa. Set a bit of salsa aside and you have lunch ready for your kiddo the next day. Round it out with a cheese stick for protein/dairy, corn chips for grains, and vegetables to make this a

I made this salad for dinner this week, fully intending that my husband and I would eat fifty percent of it. Boy was I wrong! The kids devoured this salad before I got much of a helping. I will most definitely be doubling the recipe next time. It went over so well that my two school-age kiddos asked for me to put it in a wrap for their school lunch the next day. I always feel like such a champion in the kitchen when my kids approve of a new recipe, not to mention a SALAD recipe. I hope you

Anyone else out there have sandwich-haters in their family? I think I burnt my kids out on sandwiches long ago in their school lunches, so now I have to get pretty creative when packing their lunches. Here's one that my son loves. He likes that everything can be scarfed down in 5 minutes time before running out to recess. I guess sandwiches take more time to eat? Whatever the case, his lunchbox comes home empty when I pack it this way, so I call that a win! String Cheese and Turkey Roll-Ups Kid's School Lunch idea for kids who will

A few months ago, I was trying to think of a new menu item for Taco Tuesday when a childhood memory of one of my favorite Mexican joints in Sheridan, Wyoming popped into my mind. When I was a kid, I used to love eating at a place called, “Pablos.” I’m sure it was anything BUT authentic, and, as is always the case in small towns, it went out of business a long time ago. Regardless, I always ordered the same thing: Macho Nachos. It was a massive platter of all the good stuff. I re-created it for my family a few

This tuna dip has a flavorful and nutritious twist that appeals to all ages. For my anti-sandwich eaters, I serve the mix as a dip with crackers, and they love to pack it in their lunchbox on school days. Hearty Tuna Dip With Crackers 10 oz. Canned Tuna in water3/4 Cup Greek Yogurt (plain, unsweetened)1/4 Cup Real Mayonnaise2 Cups celery (chopped)1 Red Bell Pepper (1 1/2 Cups chopped)2 Dill pickle spears (chopped)2 Tablespoons fresh parsley (minced)2 Tablespoons green onions (chopped)6 Cups Whole grain crackers Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Serve as a dip with whole grain crackers.Refrigerate for

Today I am officially 37 weeks and 5 days pregnant with my fifth baby. I found out at my last appointment that baby boy is breech, so I will most likely have to deliver him at 39 weeks. Thus, I have just 11 days left until I have my baby! To say that my nesting is in full swing would be a severe understatement. I find myself compulsively cleaning or doing laundry whenever I have the energy to do it. But the main compulsion lately is freezer meals. Since this is my fifth baby, I don’t expect to have the

When I served this colorful salad for dinner last night, my 3-year-old exclaimed, “It’s a Wainbow Salad!” That it is. And it tastes just as good as it looks. This salad has everything—sweet, savory, chewy and crunchy. With fruits and vegetables, the best nutritional guideline is to eat all the colors of the rainbow. This salad has you covered. You can leave the chicken out and serve it as a lighter side-salad, or keep it in and make it a main dish. Enjoy! Mandarin Chicken Kale Salad Salad6 Cups loosely packed Kale2 Cups Romaine Lettuce1 1/2 Cups Carrot Ribbons ((See

Have you hit a rut in the sack lunch department? My kids are getting tired of the same 'ol deli sandwich or PB&J and I refuse to buy the expensive pre-made Lunchables® they beg for. Thus, we are making our own, tastier version. It's a simple, filling, and healthy lunch for the school day. Semi-Homemade Lunchables A healthier and tastier version of pre-made Lunchables® 2 slices deli sliced ham (or turkey)2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (sliced)8 Whole Grain Crackers (Wheat Thins or Triscuits)1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Lay sliced cheese on top of sliced deli meat. Roll up and cut into

It’s 4:00 PM. Not “time” for dinner yet. But your stomach is burning and growling so loud you think everyone around you can hear it. You know the feeling, but did you know that a hormone in your body is flooding messages to your brain that you need food? There are lots of hormones involved with the way our bodies recognize hunger and fullness, but the four main ones are Insulin, Cortisol, Ghrelin and Leptin. There’s also convincing studies that suggest the amount of sleep a person gets can alter how each of these hormones work. So, let’s get down to it,

Light and Creamy Potato Salad 8 Cups Potatoes (cubed)2 Cups Celery (chopped)1 Red Bell Pepper ((1 1/2 Cups), chopped small*)3/4 Cup Dill Pickles (chopped small)1/2 Cup Carrots (chopped small)Dressing:1 Cup Greek Yogurt1 1/4 Cup Mayonnaise (Regular Fat)1/3 Cup Green Onion (chopped fine)3 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley (chopped fine)1 teaspoon Salt1/2 teaspoon Pepper Boil potatoes until the cubes are soft yet still hold their shape. Strain and then pour potatoes into a large serving bowl. Put it in the fridge or freezer to chill while preparing remaining ingredients.Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.Add remaining vegetables to potatoes. Pour