This can be made a day ahead, it’s great for that first day of school when time is running out and they need to eat breakfast in the car.

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup brown sugar packed

1/2 cup peanut butter or Nutella or both 1/4 cup of each. (Please keep in mind peanut allergies you may want to omit the peanut butter).

2 cups of Corn Flakes

1 cup of Rice Krispies

Heat the syrup and sugar over medium heat. Stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; add the peanut butter or Nutella or both. Stir well. Add the cereal, then press into a 9 x9 greased baking pan. Cover and refrigerate. Slice up and add a box of juice, away you go!

Hands my get sticky, so bring wet wipes.

A thermos for your kid’s lunch box is the fastest way to make a great lunch for you and them. It also offers a variety for them instead of sandwiches day after day.

If you are not using a homemade soup there are many soups with low sodium that taste delicious. Heat the soup up the night before or that morning. Your child can eat it cold. Cold soup is very good. Just let your child know they get to eat it cold. Add a fresh bun, and a slice of cheese and some snacks.

Fast, quick snacks

Slice up an apple or peel and section an orange. Put it in a re-usable container or baggie. Fruit is so much easier to eat when sliced and peeled.

Sliced up green or red peppers and have a container of ranch dressing for dipping.

A mixture of dried fruits, crackers and sliced cheese, sliced up pickles, popcorn (pop the night before), celery with Nutella, cheese wiz, jam or if no peanut allergies, peanut butter spread into it, or ranch dressing to dip in.

There are so many things we can add as healthy snacks to our kid’s lunches. It doesn’t have to be store made or expensive.

I will add to this list as the year goes on, adding new ideas to keep them eating healthy!

Have a great first day back and I hope these ideas save you both time and money.

marina10@telus.net