School is back in session and schedules are hustling and bustling, especially in the morning! Check out some super-fast and super-healthy breakfast ideas! If you're still buying back-to-school supplies, or need some more organization tips, we also have some stress-free back-to-school tips for you!

Snacks are another back-to-school issue! We want to make sure our kids are getting healthy options at school, and when they get home, but we don't always have a lot of time for food prep. Here are some healthy snack options for lunches and after school!

Healthy Lunch Boxes
While an apple or carrot sticks are a fabulous snack for kids at school, they may be traded for cupcakes and cookies. Packing fun, healthy snacks will help ensure your kids are getting a full, nutritious meal at school!

1. Trail Mix: Trail mix is a fabulous healthy option because it allows kits to get involved in their snack! Bring kids to the grocery store and let them peruse the dried fruits, cereals, granola, and maybe just a few chocolate chips, to make their own special mix! Have them name their trail mix and choose a special container to fill each morning when packing lunch!
3. Oatmeal Mini-Muffins: 1 3/4C. Bisquick, 1/2C. quick oats, 1/2C. sugar, 3/4C. milk, 1 egg, 2TB vegetable oil, 2C. fruit/mix-in (blueberries, raspberries, raisins, mashed banana, chocolate chips etc). Bake mini muffins at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
4. Chocolate (Pudding) Covered Strawberries: Low-fat or fat free pudding pack with a side of fresh strawberries for dipping!

Healthy After-School Snacks
When the kids come home from school, it's important to have lots of healthy options for snacking. Raw veggies and dip are a steady go-to, and slicing fruits into pick-able pieces makes them more enticing. Another fun idea is freezing! Not only does this keep foods fresh longer, but it can really get kids excited about eating healthier foods!

1. Juice & Fruit-sicles: Add whole fruit to favorite juices and freeze! The finished product is a tasty treat with a healthy surprise. Try blueberries in fruit punch, or raspberries in white grape juice! And as fall settles in, don't forget apple cider with apple chunks frozen inside!
2. Smoothies & Hot Cocoa on a Stick: Blend 1.5 cups strawberries with 2 whole bananas and 1 cup low-fat yogurt (vanilla or a favorite flavor). Pour smoothie mixture into popsicle molds for a fun frozen snack! This also works with hot cocoa with frozen marshmallows! Use water instead of milk & freeze for a cool twist on a hot drink!
3. Mini-pie popsicles: sprinkle a thin layer of crushed graham crackers into silicone or foil cupcake wrappers. Top with your favorite yogurt and swirl in preserves. Cover with foil and poke a popsicle stick through. Freeze for 2-3 hours for a treat that is fun to look at and eat! Try Honey graham crackers, vanilla yogurt, & blueberry preserves. Cinnamon graham crackers, banana yogurt and cool-whip swirl. Chocolate graham crackers, vanilla yogurt, and chocolate chips.

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