Tip: Mini Sandwiches

** sandwiches are much more mini than they appear in photo

A few days ago my 5th grader, my baby, my sweetest of sweetest of children, informed me that although she loved her sandwich that I packed in her lunch box (a whipped pb&j), that by the end, she was just plain tired of it. She said no matter the sandwich, she may start out thinking, 'Yum! This is SO good!' but by the end she is thinking, 'I am soooo bored with this sandwich, I can't take one....more....bite!'

According to my children one of my jobs as the momma is to be the boredom buster. Therefor I made this for her lunch today, in an attempt to do my job.

I found these mini sandwich thins at my local grocers. I sent in each child's lunch box a Turkey and Cheese, a Whipped PB&J, and a Cheesy Tuna Sandwich, all in mini form.  Of course this same concept could be done with a regular sandwich loaf of bread by making a variety of sandwiches and quartering them.

Maple Syrup and Toasted Walnuts over Yogurt

Yogurt is such a good healthy side for the lunch box and adding fresh fruit is not the only possible healthy addition.

Pure Maple Syrup has many health benefits. Pure maple syrup has manganese, which disarms free radicals. Pure maple syrup is good for your heart (thanks to the zinc),  and it is good for the immune system (also due to zinc and the manganese).

This yogurt side would be tasty with any toasted nut but I chose walnuts because... well, I was out of pecans. But walnuts is the go-to nut when you want to most nutritious option. Walnuts are rich in the B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants. Walnuts also lower bad cholesterol. I have heard that raw nuts are healthiest but OH how toasting nuts brings out the yummiest of flavors! The walnuts can be toasted the night before, cooled, and placed in an airtight container. But it doesn't take too long to toast them and cool them off.

(tips on toasting walnuts here) 

Maple Syrup and Toasted Walnuts over Yogurt

Vanilla yogurt (light, fat free, Greek)

toasted walnuts

1 tsp. Pure Maple Syrup

Spoon yogurt into small container with a tight lid. This can be done the night before placed in freezer. Top with toasted walnuts (to taste) and pour Pure Maple Syrup atop.



Apple Pie Snack Mix

November most definitely screams Apple Pie and this crunchy snack mix would go perfect in the lunch box and it's sooooo good!

Apple Pie Snack Mix

3 cups Cinnamon Chex (if generic existed, I would have used it)

3 cups Rice Chex (I did actually use generic here)

1 cup toasted walnut pieces

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 T. molasses

3 T. butter

1 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

2 cups freeze dried apples, coarsely chopped if needed

8 oz. vanilla yogurt raisins

In a large bowl mix cereals and walnuts. Set aside.

In a small bowl combine sugar, butter, molasses and spices. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, then microwave for 30 more seconds.

Pour over cereal mix and toss until evenly coated. (or as best as you can, I never feel like I can toss quickly enough for a good coating)

Microwave for 4 minutes but stop every minute to toss. After 4 minutes of cooking, spread on cookie sheet to cool. When cool add apples and yogurt raisins and toss one last time.

Store in airtight container.

**recipe adapted from this recipe

Banana Dog with PB&J and Strawberry Relish

Easy, convenient, healthy, delicious, and colorful. That's how I would explain this Banana Dog. The kids love it and so do I. (I devoured mine while waiting for this picture to load)

Banana Dog with PB&J and Strawberry Relish

• whole wheat hot dog bun
• banana
• PB and J, mixed (I used Simply Fruit Black Raspberry) about 1 T. each
• 1-2 diced strawberries

Smear PB&J mix on both sides of hot dog bun. Add banana and diced strawberries on top. Wrap tight in plastic wrap and then foil.

The Triple Decker

I am not thinking this picture is showing off the three slices of bread, but that is what this Triple Decker sandwich has. Does it make a difference? I say, YES!

I used Pepperidge Farm Very Thin 100% whole wheat. If I were packing lunch for my boys, I would probably do a regular bread, but since this sandwich was for my girls, I went very thin.

The Triple Decker

3 slices of bread

(and then you choose), I used:

sliced turkey

cheese

turkey bacon

lettuce

tomato

mayo

mustard

Layer it up, wrap it up, and pack it! (because you don't really need directions on how to put it together, do you?)

Enjoy!

Sides: Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Rice Crispy Treats

 I adore Fall and I adore Fall treats, especially pumpkin flavored goodies. I am having a hard time giving a hoot about what sandwich I am stickin' in the lunch boxes because I can't take my focus off the goodies.

I was so excited to see Pumpkin Spice Mallows at my local grocery store, which I hear is not in all areas. (I couldn't even find the product on Kraft's website) If you are anxious to try some pumpkin in your rice crispy treats, I have seen this recipe that I haven't tried yet, but will, and I have high hopes for it)

Here goes-

Pumpkin Spice Crispy Treats

1/2 stick of butter

1 10 oz bag of Jet-Puffed PumpknSpice Mallows

6 cups rice crisp cereal

6 oz dark chocolate chips (their recipe called for candy corn)

Over medium heat in a large pot, melt butter and marshmallows, stirring constantly. As soon as the marshmallows melt, remove from heat and add cereal. After fully incorporating, add chocolate chips. Add to 8 x 10 pan that is lined with foil and sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Pat down. Let cool for about 30 minutes.

Tip: Using left over Frosting

My mother did this when me and my 10 brothers and sisters were growing up and we loved it. Lucky for my kids, we recently attended a surprise birthday party for my sister and my other sister made too much frosting and sent me home with a bunch. (woops!! I may have been the one that influenced her to double her recipe. Not on purpose, I promise!)

But when you have left over frosting and don't want it to go to waste, you can make delicious and sweet snacks or sides in the lunch box by making a Graham Sandwich. Frosting too soft? Then use it as a dip with Graham Snack Stix.

The Life of the Lunchroom

After a birthday that involved cupcakes with Mustache Pops, I couldn't resist...

The next day the chocolate mustaches on a stick went in the lunchboxes.

It was a hit!

Score 1 for the mom.

Molds found here.

Sides: Banana Snack Cake

This snack cake is so simple, so few ingredients, so moist. Frosting is not even required!

This is another great after-school snack or side to stick in a lunch box. Or both! Since it's made in a 9 x 13 cake pan, you'll have enough for a couple of days, easy.

I found this recipe on www.allrecipes.com but made some changes according to reviews.

Banana Snack Cake

• 1 yellow cake mix
• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 tsp baking soda

Mix all three ingredients well. Pour mix into a 9x13 pan that has been spraying with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350° for about 35 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. May be served as is or topped with whipped cream.

The frosting pictured is 4 oz. cream cheese (softened), 8 oz. whipping cream and 1 box of sugar free banana pudding. Can use regular pudding. Whipped together until creamy.

Egg Salad, Salsa and Cheddar Sandwich

I made this for my high schooler because eggs, salsa and cheddar cheese are her 3 favorite foods. When she came home she said, "I opened my lunch box and looked at the sandwich, everyone at the lunch table looked at it in disgust and I told them that 'I think my mom has pushed it too far this time'. But then I took a bite... and boy was it good!"

If you or your kids love eggs, salsa and cheese too, I hope you'll give this one a try. I don't even love those foods (but I like them a lot) and I enjoyed this sandwich.

Egg Salad, Salsa and Cheddar Sandwich

• 2 boiled eggs
• 1-2 tsp mayo (just enough for the egg to bind)
• a spoonful of salsa
• 1 slice of cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper
• whole wheat or multi-grain hamburger bun

Take a fork to the boiled eggs and mash. Add just enough mayo for the eggs to bind. Add salt and pepper. Put slice of cheese on bread. Add about half the egg mixture, then top with salsa, then add the rest of the egg. This is to prevent the salsa from making the bread soggy.

sandwich tip-  actually 2 eggs make this quite a bit of filling and 1 egg isn't quite enough, so three eggs should make 2 sandwiches perfectly. but that may be a matter of preference.

Fall Snack Mix

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

I recently saw this right here and I just had to share it here on Lorinda's Lunch Box Lowdown.

What a sweet side for the lunch box. A side and a treat, all in one. What I love is that like all things trail mix, you mix and match as you please. Don't like it? Leave it out. Have a better idea? Add it in. Mine is a tad bit different than her's, who got the idea here, but she didn't make it exactly the same either.

Here is what I added, no measurements here-

Fall Snack Mix

pretzels

candy corn

semi-sweet chocolate chips

raisins

baby Goldfish

my Sweet and Salty Peanuts

I would love to hear what YOU would add (or take away) from this Fall Snack Mix.

5 Layer Dip

A 5 Layer Dip (or a 7 Layer Dip, if that's how many layers your recipe has) can easily take the place of a sandwich in a lunch box. Especially if you have the right sized container to make the right amount of dip. My containers hold 8 ounces which is "a gracious plenty" (as my mother-in-law says) for my children.

A 5 Layer Dip for a lunch box is a great thing to make when you are already making the dip for an event but it's also easy to make after any Mexican dinner night, when you already have these ingredients on hand.

If you don't already have your own favorite recipe and would like to try my simplified version, here goes-

5 Layer Dip

refried beans

guacamole

sour cream, with a little taco seasoning mixed in

shredded cheese

salsa

Evenly spread each item in order on a container. Serve with chips.

Sides: Sweet and Salty Peanuts

I have been putting nuts in my childrens lunch boxes for quite some time but I am telling you, since buying these cute tins, I am enjoying it even more.

 Cute tins + healthy + tastey = what-are-you-waiting-for??

(p.s. My older boys were home when I was baking them and the spices had the house smelling so good they were about to go crazy.)

Sweet and Salt Peanuts

1/4 cup sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. allspice

1/2 tsp salt (if using unsalted nuts)

1 egg white

3 cups peanuts (other nuts would work), divided

Preheat oven to 250°F. Mix sugar, cinnamon, allspice and salt (if using) in a small bowl. Beat egg white in large bowl until foamy. Add 2 cups nuts. Toss to coat well. Add spice mixture. Toss to coat nuts evenly. Spread nuts in single layer on lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake 1 hour, stirring once half way through. Cool slightly and break apart. Cool completely. Add the 1 cup of peanuts that were reserved. You can store in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Pumpkin Snack Cake

Fall is so close I can taste it! No really, I can, because I decided I was baking something Pumpkin, even if we aren't technically there!

This recipe is so easy and yet so delicious. You can stick it in a lunch box or have as an after-school snack. It will be a winner either way.

And know that you are serving something with great health benefits!

Pumpkin is low in fat and calories and rich in disease-fighting nutrients such as:

• Alpha-carotene
• Beta-carotene
• Fiber
• Vitamins C and E
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Pantothenic acid

Make sure to use dark chocolate, to add even more health benefits.

Pumpkin Snack Cake

1 box of Spice Cake Mix

1 15 oz. can of pumpkin

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. In large mixing bowl add Spice Cake mix and add can of pumpkin. Stir until well incorporated. Add chocolate chips and stir. Spray a 9 X 9 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Crustables

Have you seen the Uncrustables in the freezer section at your grocery store and thought, 'By golly, that's just a PB&J without the crust...frozen...' and it's true, that is all it is. No secret recipe there.

But I say, don't waist any part of the sandwich, leave the crust on! Removing the crust can leave the child still hungry after lunch.

Making and freezing a PB& J is a wonderful idea though. I like to come home on grocery shopping day and use a whole loaf of bread to make PB&J's to stick in the freezer. It's wonderful to know that you have sandwiches already made for those days that you just don't have time, just snag from the freezer and toss into the lunch box. Of course, making your own (as opposed to buying Uncrustables) saves money and even better, you have the wheat or white option and can pick your own jelly; We always use an all fruit jelly but even better, I can choose raspberry, black cherry, etc. I don't think you get those options using the pre-made kind.

Oh, I just must write it out in recipe form. :)

Crustables

• Make a PB&J
• Place in ziplock sandwich bag
• Freeze

Viola!

Cucumber Sandwich

 I recently was putting together basic turkey sandwiches for my kids when I realized that I was out of my typical green addition, which is usually spinach and sometimes lettuce. While staring dumbfounded in the fridge, I spotted some cucumbers and went with it. After school my littlest one told me several times that she just loved cucumbers on her sandwich. So a Cucumber Sandwiches it is!

The original Cucumber Sandwich comes from Great Britain and comes on very thin bread that has a very thin layer of butter to prevent the bread from getting soggy by the cucumber. The inspiration for this sandwich is the American version which uses cream cheese instead of butter and crusts may remain on, because America can be rebellious like that. I am even going so far as to use a bagel because I am rebellious like that. Sometimes I love traditions, and sometimes I love to break tradition.

Cucumber Sandwich

for the benedictine spread-

• 2 pickling cucumbers, shredded and squeezed dry using paper towels
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened (I use light)
• 1/2 onion powder
• 1 T mayo

Zip all 4 ingredients in a blender until smooth, place in a small container and return to refrigerator until ready to use.

Sandwich-

per sandwich

• Whole Wheat Bagel Thins
• 2 T. Benedictine spread
• 1 pickling cucumber
• pinch of dill weed
• salt and pepper

Spread Benedictine spread on both sides of bagel, top with sliced cucumber, then dill weed and salt and pepper. Best results when made the night before and refrigerated over night.

** Because this sandwich is so light, I like to add a boiled egg to the lunch box on Cucumber Sandwich days.

Sides: Granola Bars

Granola Bars make a great addition to the lunch box or can be a filling after school snack. I think I finally found the recipe, the one that will get ingrained into my brain, the go-to recipe that I have memorized for all of our Granola Bar needs. I found this recipe just a few weeks ago in the local newspaper and I have made it several times already. This one is a keeper and can be easily played with, swapping one nut for another, one fruit for another, etc.

I use fat free sweetened condensed milk which changes the calories and fat, but just a smidgen. But the taste is the same. I also usually love to use mini chocolate chips but in this case I think a burst of chocolate is better than barely there.

Granola Bars

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
• 1/2 dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup dried berries
• 1 can (14 oz) fat free sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 325. Line 9 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, sides and all.

Mix all ingredients in bowl. Put in pan and pat down until firmly packed. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool to room temperature. When bar is firm, remove from pan and slice into 16 1X4 inch bars. Can be frozen or stored in air right container for up to a week.

Jalapeño Popper Sandwich

I am so excited to share this tastey sandwich. Obviously this one might not be for the young ones but the cream cheese tames the jalapeño so it's not too spicey for my family. And the bacon... oh the bacon. The moderation... why do we have to moderate? Using light cream cheese and only 2 slices of bacon makes this sandwich come in at 8 grams of fat and 190 calories. On days like this, the rest of the space in the lunch box is filled with fruits and veggies only.

Jalapeño Popper Sandwich

• 8 oz light spreadable cream cheese
• Jalapeño, 3-4 to taste, canned or roasted, diced
•  bacon
• whole wheat bagel thin

Make the cream cheese spread in advance by dicing jalapeño's and stirring into cream cheese and returning the mix to the cream cheese container and returning to the refridgerator. This will make enough jalapeño cream cheese for about 8 sandwiches. Per sandwich, spread about 2 Tablespoons cream cheese mix on bagel, top with 2 slices of bacon, top and wrap to send off to lunch.

Peanut Butter and Black Grape Bagel

My husband goes through food phases, as I assume we all do. His latest is Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream and black grapes. Not together though, just so you know. But hmmmm... I'll have to ponder that one.

This sandwich just makes sense. If peanut butter and grape jelly works, why not peanut butter and grapes?

Grapes are quite nutritious.  Grapes contain a large variety of nutrients, and are particularly rich in minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium, as well as vitamin C. In addition, grapes are very rich in antioxidants, one particularly beneficial antioxidant is resveratrol, which helps prevent a number of dangerous health conditions but most importantly it slows down the aging process.

Please pass the black grapes!

Peanut Butter and Black Grape Bagel

makes 1, easily multiplied

1 bagel (I used whole wheat bagel thins)

Peanut butter, or any nut butter of choice

7-8 black grapes, halved

Spread peanut butter on both sides of the bagel, top with halved grapes and combine.

Lunch Box Mishaps. They happen.

 Do you remember these cute tins? The ones you can buy here?

They have come in handy and have been quite the addition to our lunch boxes.

The other day as I unloaded and cleaned out lunch boxes, in 2 out of 3 lunch boxes I could still hear the nuts rattling around in the tin, so I set them aside assuming they just didn't get to their nuts before lunch was over. It happens. The next morning I put them back in lunch boxes.

After school both children let me know that they were disappointed when they opened their tins and only had shells.

Woops!

Do you have a lunch box mishap? I'd love to hear about it!