It's back to school time! In the flurry and bustle of the first days of school, it's really helpful to have breakfasts, brown bag lunches, and dinners already planned so you can focus on studying and getting supplies ready. So read these articles for the best back to school ideas, pick the recipes you like, and stock up on the ingredients so you can be ready to cook at a moment's notice - and be done in another moment!
1. Make Ahead Breakfast Recipes
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The name itself means you are breaking an overnight fast and need to replenish your body's energy stores. And on school mornings a healthy breakfast is truly essential. These quick and easy recipes will help you fill up your freezer and fridge with delicious food to get the day started right.
2. Brown Bag Lunches
Linda Larsen
Get tips and tricks for making the best homemade lunches that your kids are sure to eat - not trade! Learn how to pack a safe lunch, why the size of the food you pack is important, and why you should let the kids make their own sandwiches.
3. After School Treats
Linda Larsen
Start your own 'first day of school' tradition by offering a wonderful snack to your kids when they get home. Children are always hungry after a day at school, and lunch was hours ago! These quick and easy recipes will satisfy their hunger and are nutritious too.
4. Wrap It Up!
Linda Larsen
Cold wrap sandwiches are perfect for lunchboxes. The bread stays nice and firm (soggy bread was one of the banes of my childhood), the sandwiches are easy to eat as long as they are firmly held, and you can transform almost any ingredient into a wrap sandwich.
5. Dorm Room Cooking
Linda Larsen
If your college-age child is allowed to cook in his dorm room, use these tips, tricks, and easy recipes to make the experience safe and rewarding.
6. Healthy After School Snacks to Pack
Linda Larsen
Since many children don't go home between school and after school activities, particularly sports activities, too many fill up on packaged snacks and sweets that just don't prepare them for physical activity. Here are some ideas and recipes for nutritious snacks you can pack so they can fuel their bodies for sports activities with food they'll love.
7. My Favorite Crockpot Recipes
Linda Larsen
These wonderful crockpot recipes are not only my favorites; they're yours too! From Crockpot Chicken Supreme to Wild Rice Stuffed Turkey Breast, these recipes are all tried and true, foolproof and delicious.
8. Long Cooking Crockpot Recipes
Linda Larsen
School and work days plus commuting time usually add up to at least 10 hours, so crockpot recipes that cook in 5-6 hours, even on low, just won't work for many families. These delicious and healthy recipes all cook for 10-12 hours so dinner is ready when you are.
9. Make Ahead Sandwich Spreads
Linda Larsen
Sandwich spreads that can be made ahead are a boon to the busy cook. Not only can they be packed into lunchboxes, but they keep well in the fridge for several days so hungry teenagers can make their own sandwiches. And they can be served as appetizer dips! I always have one or two ready to go in my fridge.
10. 30 Minute Meals
Linda Larsen
If you aren't cooking dinner in the crockpot, these 30 minute meals will come to the rescue. In less time than it takes to drive to the take-out window, you'll have a delicious and hearty dinner on the table; it costs less too, and you'll save on gas! There are no losers with this method ...
