Fox 59... Breakfast for kids on the go?

As some of you saw, I was lucky enough to be part of a panel of moms discussing the top tips for Back to School. Truthfully, it did not seem like school was really happening.... until tonight! Yikes, getting kids bathed and in bed at a reasonable hour... then realizing there were forms to fill out and send in to school... and oh, yes, what to pack for lunch? Anxiety was creeping up... and took it's typical form as a tense neck and a not-so-dull headache. After getting the girls down and leaving Jarrod to get Gavin to sleep, I ventured off to Wally World to get the essentials. What do you pack a picky 7 year old for lunch.... so that she doesn't go hungry, but doesn't waste food either? This is what I came up with...

Small bottled water

Turkey slices

String Cheese

Carrots with dip

Apples

York Peppermint Patty (Snack size)

It is all packed into an adorable Scooby Doo lunch box... with several ice packs to keep it cool and fresh.

Doing the Fox 59 segment has helped my kids see that mommy may know what she is talking about! When I got home that morning after it aired, Alli and Evann were really excited! We talked about it for a few minutes and I asked them if they knew why I was on TV. They both seemed to get it... Mommy was talking to people about giving their kids healthy breakfasts so they could learn better and not be so tired. BINGO! What I wasn't expecting was how it helped them and their choices for meals. Lunch was awesome... no complaints about the fruit and veggies I had put on their plates. That night, my mom was watching them, and she was thrilled! Alli volunteered to help her with dinner, AND she selected only "healthy" items. It's as if they realized that what I have been talking to them about it actually important and not just an annoying thing that mom is making us do!

So, as school begins and you are running around doing 1000 things at once, you will probably say, the last thing I have is time to make breakfast. Well, you are right.. however, you can make some breakfast items ahead of time so all you have to do is pop it in the microwave. Here are a few more suggestions for high protein breakfasts for your kid on the go!

Egg Muffins

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
• 12 eggs
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. In a skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. In a bowl, beat the eggs. Add onion, green pepper, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir in sausage and cheese.
2. Spoon by 1/3 cupfuls into greased muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Fruit and Nuts

Almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts.... paired with any fruit is a great combo

Greek Yogurt Smoothies

Combine Greek yogurt and frozen berries

Almond Meal

Use this to make pancakes or muffins. (Recipes are provided on previous post)

Lara Bars

Found at most grocery stores... nuts and fruit in a bar... several flavors... very simple!

"That Mom"

I'm sure you've all seen her.... "that mom." The one who has her hair just right, her clothes neat and CLEAN, her children all in a row- also clean and smiling... without a care in the world... doing all the right "mommy" things. You see her when you are running to Walmart.... especially when you haven't had a shower in a day or two.... and ESPECIALLY when you realize your shirt that you thought was clean has baby pureed carrots down the front.

I know that I NEVER feel like I have it together.... and I'm not sure that I ever will. The house will never be clean enough, there will always be laundry to do, we will always be out of the one ingredient I need to make the awesome dinner that my children will refuse to eat.... we all feel it. But today, I decided to chuck all the things I "had to do" and decided to finally do what I wanted to do.

Today, I got to spend the whole morning and a little bit of the afternoon with my oldest daughter, Alli. I can't tell you the last time I've spent time with just her. It was the best day I've had in a long time. We had planned it. We knew we were going to do some fun stuff! We went to Dunkin Donuts and got breakfast. Then, we went to see Amber McKinley to get a hair trim--- not a cut! Alli was so pampered. Then, we headed to Target to buy her school supplies. Puppy notebooks and folders and everything else in the perfect shade of greenish-bluish, as well as scissors decorated with cupcakes. She also bought a new Barbie, and a treat for her sister, and her brother. Then, we headed to Applebee's for a late lunch. It was just the two of us. It was wonderful.... but it was also bittersweet. I realize how much older she is this year. Talking to her... really talking... making jokes... remembering that in all of the hulabaloo of the day, I am SO lucky to be her mom.

School is starting soon... I have taken on another part-time gig (if you don't know, I'm the queen of part-time)... time is going to fly by. I am so lucky that I was able to take some time to spend with Alli... without any siblings, phone calls, or emails to worry about.

Alli has grown a lot this summer. She is so excited about school this year! She is also excited about piano, and her friends, and we are REALLY hoping that she becomes excited about swimming!

Today, I was "that mom." The one who had it all together.... so I thought. When I got home, I realized I had missed an important meeting. Ugh! Well, at least for a little while, things went smoothly and I felt like "that mom!" Now, back to reality.
Thanks for a great day, Alli! I love you!