Back to School Recipes

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It's hard to believe that summer vacation is about to be over. Seems like it just started. With the tax free weekend behind us, and the kid's closets full of new clothes, it is time to turn our attention to what to pack in the new lunchbox. If you happen to have one of the children who actually enjoy the school lunches, read no further, but if you have picky eaters like most of us, this is for you.

To save us from buying the industrial size tub of peanut butter and a whole roll of bologna, I have come up with some ideas to add some excitement (and nutrition) to the old brown bag. Lunchtime doesn't have to be boring. What it should be is exciting and packed with enough nutrients to power their little brains until they can get home and raid the pantry. And on a side note, make sure they get a good nutritious breakfast to power them until lunch.

TURKEY TWIRL

1 (10-inch) green flour tortilla

1 to 2 T. mayonnaise

3 oz. thinly sliced cooked turkey

3 oz. thinly sliced cheese

2 T. shredded carrot

Spread mayonnaise on tortilla. Layer turkey, cheese and carrot on top of tortilla, and roll up. You can also add some shredded cabbage for added crunch.

QUICK CHICK SANDWICH FILLING

1 envelope vegetable soup mix

1 (16 oz.) ctn. sour cream

2 (4 to 5 oz.) cans chicken meat

Chopped onions (optional)

Green peppers, diced (optional)

Grind the soup mix in a food processor or blender. Mix with the sour cream. Add chicken meat. Mix well. Add optional ingredients, if desired. Prepare sandwiches.

BACKPACKER BARS

1 C. butter

1 1/2 C. brown sugar

1 C. quick cooking oats

1 C. whole wheat flour

1 C. white flour

1/2 C. wheat germ

4 tsp. grated orange peel

4 eggs, lightly beaten

2 C. whole almonds

1 C. chocolate chips

1/2 C. chopped dates

1/2 C. chopped dried apricots

1/2 C. shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Cream butter with 1 cup brown sugar. Stir in oats, wheat flour, white flour, wheat germ and orange peel. Press mixture into bottom of an ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Combine eggs, almonds, chocolate chips, dates, apricots, coconut and remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar. Mix gently, but thoroughly. Pour over butter mixture. Spread evenly in pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes and cool before cutting into bars.

YOGURT DIP

1/2 C. vanilla nonfat yogurt

1/2 C. sour cream

1 to 2 T. firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

Mix well in a bowl. Cover and chill. Serve with cut-up banana, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, strawberries and pineapple.

Cool Webiste

Since we are on the back to school theme, I have located a great website to help you with recipes the kids will love, activities for rainy days and tons of other stuff to do with your kids.

The Idea Box (www.theideabox.com) is an early childhood website devoted to making your life easier. With recipes for snacks and lunches that the kids WILL eat to suggestions on what to do on that rainy Saturday when you are stuck indoors.

Have you ever wondered what the hec your child is singing? When you ask, the response is "I learned it at school". Well, here at The Idea Box they have pages of kids songs with all the words! So you can learn the song and surprise your child when you chime in and sing along. But be prepared for a strange look because you know us parents are very uncool.

Go take a look at this website and lunches will be less boring, rainy weekends will be full of fun and you will be well versed in childhood songs. You can also post your own ideas to share with other visitors to the site.