Lunch Bento Boxes

Why not switch up your child's lunchbox this school year? We've come up with 5 bento boxes to make lunch more fun!

• Box 1

“Ants on a Log” – celery sticks filled with almond butter and topped with raisins

Super brownie mini muffin

Turkey, apple slice and cheese roll-ups

Berry Medley

• Box 2

PB&J Cutouts: PB&J sandwich cut into small round shapes using a cookie cutter, whole grain bread and almond butter

GPF Trail mix

Melon balls

Blueberry Pistachio Nubblers

• Box 3

Greek yogurt chicken salad with crackers

Almond butter cookie

Broccoli and purple cauliflower tops

Kiwi and raspberry flowers

• Box 4

Cucumber, carrot and avocado spring rolls

Oranges and strawberries

Cherry Chocolate Nubblers

Cheese cubes & pretzels

• Box 5

Cucumber and GPF hummus sandwiches – cut out in fun shapes using cookie cutters, with whole grain bread

Zucchini chocolate chip cookie

Carrot and jicama sticks

Apple and pear slices

Quick and Easy 100 Calorie Snacks

Snacking can be the downfall of any healthy diet. Here are a few fast and low calorie snacks to help get you through those afternoon craving without derailing your diet. 

http://greatist.com/health/recipe-baked-apples

Baked Apples (1 serving)

• 1 Apple (3 inch diameter apple = 95 calories)
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• To Taste- Ground Cinnamon

Core a tennis-ball sized apple, drizzle with honey, dust with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (or until tender but not mushy).

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chocolate_covered_bananas.html

Frozen Chocolate-Covered Bananas (12 servings)

• 4 large ripe bananas, peeled and cut into thirds crosswise
• 3/4 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 12 popsicle sticks

To melt chocolate, microwave on Medium for 1 minute. Stir, then continue microwaving on Medium, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted.Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Insert a popsicle stick into each piece of banana. Cover each piece with melted chocolate using a rubber spatula and sprinkle with coconut. Place the bananas on the baking sheet and freeze until frozen, about 2 hours.

http://mideastfood.about.com/od/dipsandsauces/r/spinachhummus.htm

Spinach Hummus

• 1 can garbanzo beans (15 oz), drained
• 1/2 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 tablespoons garlic
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

In a food processor, process beans, garlic, spinach, and olive oil. Add lemon and salt and blend. If spinach hummus is too thick, add 1 tablespoon water until desired consistency. Hummus should be smooth and creamy.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cajun-trail-mix-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Spiced Up Trail Mix (3 servings)

• 1/2 cup Whole Raw Almonds
• 1/2 cup Pecan Halves
• 1/2 cup Walnut Halves
• 1/4 cup Unsalted Shelled Sunflower Seeds
• 1/4 cup Unsalted Shelled Pumpkin seeds
• 2 tablespoons Canola Oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and toss well to coat.

Spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake, shaking them every few minutes, until toasted and fragrant, about 15 minutes.

Let the nuts cool and store in an airtight container.

But if you'd rather skip the prep and cooking, here are five snacks that are ready to eat and under 100 calories! 

• 1 1/4 cup of blueberries
• 1 cup of cherries
• 1 1/4 cup of strawberries
• 1 1/4 cup of grapes (You can also eat these frozen!)
• Green Plate Foods Nubblers

http://greenplatefoods.com/retail-nubblers.php