Pumpkin Spice Quinoa Snack Balls

September Healthy Year Challenge: the Declutter Challenge!

We are almost 3/4 of the way done with the Happy Healthy Mama Healthy Year Challenge! Can you believe it? Let’s take a quick look and see what we’ve focused on each month for this amazing year-long challenge.

January:  Cut the Sugar Challenge

February:  Eat More Plants Challenge

March: Healthy Sleep Challenge

April: Move More Challenge

May: Use Less Plastic Challenge

June: Gallon A Day Water Challenge

July: Mindfulness Challenge

August: 31-Day Smoothie Challenge

What a great ride it’s been! Thanks to every person who’s joined and focused on 2016 being a healthy year for your mind, body, and soul.

Are you ready for the September Challenge? As you probably surmised from the title, September is the Declutter Challenge month!After spending all summer with the kids in the house, I am ready for this challenge. Gone are the lazy days of summer, with long days spent outside and having too much fun to care about the state of the house. The busy school schedule is back and it’s time to declutter!

Now, I know some of you may be thinking that decluttering has nothing to do with health. I’d like to politely disagree with you. Research has shown that there’s a link between clutter and our emotional health. It makes sense, doesn’t it? I know I can feel my stress levels rise when there is clutter everywhere I look in my home. And when my home is clean and clutter-free? I feel peace.

Studies have also shown how a cluttered space can negatively affect our ability to focus. Clear home, clear mind. Think about how this could have a positive effect on our relationships, our children’s ability to focus on homework, and so much more.

I want to be clear about one thing. This challenge is about decluttering, not cleaning. Sure, cleaning a space may come naturally when we are decluttering, but my main focus is going to be decluttering. The definition of declutter is to “remove unwanted items from an untidy or overcrowded place.” That’s what we are going to focus on. Getting rid of what we don’t need, the things that are weighing us down, so we can have a tidy space in which to live and breathe.

It’s also about setting up systems or ways of living so we don’t have to have a “declutter challenge” every month. Decluttering a space means nothing if it returns to its cluttered, untidy state a few days or even a few weeks later. Let’s focus on how we can change our habits to make a decluttered life our reality.

As I thought and researched how I wanted to execute this challenge, I realized the above all else I wanted this to be doable without a huge life disruption. I wanted a realistic challenge that even the busiest person could manage. I settled on having one large decluttering task to accomplish each week (1-2 hours time to complete) and one small decluttering task each week (15 minutes or less to complete). The large task can be a weekend project that you complete all at once, or something that you do a little each day. Whatever works for your life.

I knew that for me, a one-task-a-day-challenge just wouldn’t work. I would get behind, stressed, and would ultimately be setting myself up for failure. Only two tasks a week allows for flexibility and gives some leeway for those days when we don’t have any extra time to devote to house tasks. Yes, it’s still a commitment, but a commitment everyone should be able to complete if it is a priority.

There’s one more part of the challenge. Along with the two decluttering tasks a week, we are going to commit to 10 minutes of general decluttering before we go to bed every single night. Toys, mail, school papers, whatever it might be, take care of it. Either throw it away or put it where it belongs. This doesn’t have to be a singular task, unless you live alone, of course. Get the whole family involved. Set a timer. Make it fun. Just make sure you do this every night. This is one thing I typically already do, and it makes a world of difference.

Each Thursday this month I will give you an update on how I did with my decluttering tasks for the week. I’ll share before and after photos and I would love if you shared your photos, also! You can email them to me at thehappyhealthymama {at} gmail {dot} com or post them on my Facebook page.

After sharing the results from the week, I will also give you the tasks for the next week. Included will be action steps to help you have a solid plan to execute your declutter challenge. Let’s get started with this week’s tasks!

Week 1 Decluttering Challenge Tasks

Big Task: Take Control of Papers

Papers are the biggest culprit of unwanted clutter in most people’s houses. If you let it, paper can overtake just about every room. This week, we are going to put a stop to the paper problem.

Get Rid of Paper Clutter Action Steps

1. Gather every single piece of loose paper in your house. Look in every room. The top of the fridge. On your desk. In the junk drawer. Get all the loose paper! It’s really important that you get it all.
2. Start to sort the paper. You’ll need to sort it into three main piles. You can use boxes or containers of some sort for this if you prefer. This is especially helpful if you aren’t going to finish this part in one sitting. These are your piles: a.) to throw away/recycle b.) action items c.) to be filed
3. Start with pile #1. Throw away or recycle all of the papers you no longer need. Be generous with this pile! You probably don’t need to keep as many papers as you think. Is the information available online? Toss it! Is the information out of date? Get rid of it! Is it something you “might need” someday? You probably won’t! Make sure you are shredding anything that has your personal information.
4. Move on to pile #2. These are the items that need your attention. Just take care of them now. Pay the bills, sign the permission slips, fill out the registration form. Just do it now and then put the paper where it needs to be. If you don’t have a “home” for these types of papers, create one! Some papers will need a “holding space.” Where will it be in your home?
5. Finally, tackle pile #3. These are the papers that need to be filed. Be very picky about what you file, because these are papers that will take up a permanent space in your home. Only file what you absolutely need to hold onto.

Small Task:  Declutter your Purse (or Wallet)Having a messy purse and/or wallet can weigh us down. A purse that is free of clutter weighs less (so it’s easier on your body to carry) and is more functional. Let’s clear out those purses!

Declutter Your Purse Action Steps

1. Take everything out of your purse and/or wallet.
2. Make a decision about every item you take out. Ask yourself these questions: Can I throw this away? Does this need to stay in my purse? Is there room for this in my purse? If the answer is no to all of these questions, you need to find the item’s home and put it there.
3. Take action on all items. Only keep things in your purse that absolutely need to be there and find a home for everything else that can’t be thrown away.

I’m really looking forward to the results that will come from this challenge and I hope you are, too. Remember, in addition to these two tasks, we are also going to spend 10 minutes each night taking care of general clutter around our living space. Let’s do it!

The post September Healthy Year Challenge: the Declutter Challenge! appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.

source http://happyhealthymama.com/september-healthy-year-challenge-the-declutter-challenge.html

The 31 Day Smoothie Challenge Results

It’s the 31st day of August, which means I just finished my 31 Day Smoothie Challenge! Of all of the Healthy Year Challenges I’ve done so far, this has been the most fun. Having a new smoothie every day kept me on my toes and what a great way to eat a wide variety of fresh, vibrant foods. I just loved this challenge!

I’ve felt GREAT this month. I’m not sure how much I can contribute to drinking a smoothie for a meal every day, but it’s the only thing I’ve changed. My energy levels have been high, I’ve felt powerful in my workouts, and overall just feeling well. I know how I feel is directly correlated to what I’m eating, so it’s safe to assume the smoothies were a big part of my fantastic month.

Now I wanted to share some readers’ results! In my newsletter this week, I called out for those that completed the challenge to let me know how it went so I could share it, and these are the replies I got. Thanks to those that took the time to email me and let me know you did the challenge and how it went. It’s great to hear from you and know you’ve join in! I love this community.

Hi Maryea! Thanks for doing these challenges. I have needed to make my health a priority for a long time now, but always put my family’s needs first (not that that’s a terrible thing, but I can’t neglect my health either!) I have tried to do all of the challenges you are putting out there. The smoothie challenge has been good. I am not normally a smoothie person, but I liked almost all of these. I normally eat bagels or cereal (don’t judge!) for breakfast so this was a big change from my routine. The best part is I lost 4 pounds this month! I wasn’t really expecting that. Thanks again. 

-Christy

This was the 1st monthly challenge I committed to and only missed one day of a smoothie meal.  I will say I look forward now to my morning smoothie.  It leaves me satisfied and full, but not heavy  so I am able to get through my morning workout.  It allowed me to “eat” while reading books to my kids while they eat breakfast.  I can see continuing to drink smoothies most weekday mornings and using your recipes over and over again.  My favorite was anything with chocolate and peanut butter :).  I realized I do not like cucumber or parsley in a smoothie.  At one point my kids were cheering me on to finish because I refuse to waste good ingredients.  It was SUPER convenient having the shopping list to go along with your recipes and the variety was awesome!  I also loved how much your recipes made…I’ve made some that fill only 1/2 a glass.  Most of yours left me with leftovers in my Vitamix.  

This was a fun challenge!  Thanks for your effort putting it together.

-Heather

This challenge was easy for me because I usually have a smoothie for breakfast anyway. What I really loved was having new recipes to try! I was kind of stuck in a rut making the same smoothie almost every day, so thanks for pushing me to try new ones.

-Alison

Thank you for sharing your smoothie recipes for the 31 Day Smoothie Challenge! There have been times when I didn’t feel like making a smoothie [I hate to cook and sometimes I’m even too lazy to blend a smoothie. Sad but true.] but I really want to complete the challenge. I haven’t miss a day yet! I started at a different time because we were on vacation and then I forgot about it, but I started 2 weeks ago and it’s going great. I definitely feel better when I eat breakfast instead of skipping like I often do, and I haven’t skipped for 2 weeks now. I’m excited to finish it up. 

-Meredeth

This is what I learned from doing your smoothie challenge:

1. ) A better blender would be such a blessing. I had to add more liquid than your recipes called for because my blender couldn’t handle all the frozen fruits or raw vegetables. 
2. ) I love smoothies! Even when they weren’t totally smooth, they were amazing.
3. ) I need to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. I am feeling good! 

I have one week to go. Thanks for your recipes and grocery lists!!

-Sharon

Wow! I’m almost done with the 31 Day Smoothie Challenge! I never want to see another smoothie again. JUST KIDDING! I’ve actually really enjoyed this challenge and all the different recipes. You’ve pushed me out of my comfort zone a lot. I NEVER thought I would put swiss chard in a smoothie and like it, but I did. I swear drinking the smoothies for lunch everyday gives me so much energy to power through the afternoon. And while I haven’t lost any weight, I think my shorts fit better. Maybe?! I think so! This was a great choice for a challenge and I’m happy I did it. Thank you!

-Deidre

Thanks again to everyone who shared their results. If you didn’t join in this round, that’s okay, you can start this challenge on your own at any time! Grab a friend if you want and get started! All you need to do to get access to 31 plant-based, high protein (without any protein powder) smoothies, click below and join my email list. It’s totally free and you’ll get instant access to the recipes and grocery lists. You’ll also be on my list to get my weekly newsletters that include stories, inspiration, and healthy living ideas. It’s a win-win!

Click Here to Subscribe, Join the Challenge, and Get the Smoothie Recipes

 

The post The 31 Day Smoothie Challenge Results appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.

source http://happyhealthymama.com/31-day-smoothie-challenge-results.html

Applesauce Breakfast Cookies

Stop Doing This When My Kid is Crying

When my four-year-old son Luke wants something, he wants it. He wants it and he wants it now. “No” is a hard word for him to hear. Anyone who’s ever witnessed Luke’s response to my answer no when he really wants something understands that he ranks up there with the best of the preschoolers. The boy has a voice and a face; yes, he’s a world-class actor and anyone would be convinced that the world is, indeed, about to end.

We are focused on teaching him to accept no with grace, but, to say the least, it’s a work in progress. Understanding that no means no is a difficult lesson for kids to learn, but as a parent, isn’t that my job?

I want my son to grow into a young man, who, because he wasn’t pacified every time he was disappointed or upset that he didn’t get something he wanted, can accept the answer no in all arenas of his life. It’s a life lesson, people, and one I think a few boys in the news lately may have missed when they were four, five, and six.

This is his adorably pathetic pouty face he tries before he realizes the answer really is no.

So when I do tell my son no and he throws a massive fit, I try to stick to my guns. I don’t give him what he wants because he’s crying, even though there are moments I want to more than anything. Moments when all the moms are looking at me and my face is burning and I feel like crying right along with my boy. Really, it would be so much easier to give him what he wants. That piercing cry, that loud scream:  anything to make it stop!

Instead I am steadfast in my answer. Four year olds are not equipped for logic, so I don’t try to reason with him too much. In a moment of desperation, I might threaten him (No screen time for a week!), but I don’t give in.

I wait for the wave to pass, and, depending on the severity of his response, when possible, I insist we leave. It’s not always possible.

I’m the evil one who insists he wear sunscreen.

I understand this his temper tantrums are uncomfortable for everyone around, not just me. But please, for the love of God, don’t you try to get him to stop. Even though it may seem like I don’t, I’ve got this.

Two times inside of a month seemingly well-intentioned folks have stepped in during his outbursts thinking they could save the day (and perhaps the ears of everyone around). Now, if they would have tried to distract him with jokes or an activity to take his mind off what he wanted, I wouldn’t be writing this.

Instead, they bribed him with treats.

Don’t they see this is undermining my parenting, reinforcing his behavior, and teaching him the exact opposite of what I’m trying to get him to learn? Is peace and quiet more important that bringing up boys who are not rewarded for bad behavior?

The first time was at tennis camp. Luke’s session was first, and then we had an hour to wait while my seven-year-old daughter Meghan had her session. Luke wanted my phone, but I told him no. There were other boys his age also waiting, and they were all playing without devices; there was no reason he couldn’t play along with them. There’s plenty of green space to play where we go to tennis. I’d much rather him run and play with other boys than space out in front of a screen. There’s a time and place for that, but this day wasn’t it.

He cried, and cried, and cried. He even used phrases that sounded cute coming out of his four-year-old mouth: I’m just so disappointed! It took every ounce of willpower I have not to give him my phone to stop the madness.

After a lot of crying, he finally stopped. But as we were walking out, there was something else he wanted Who knows what it was—I can’t remember now. These events tend to blur together after a while. And again, when I said no, he whaled. The tennis coach approached us and said, “Ah, Luke, you’re having a bad day, aren’t you? Here, have a sucker. Take two.” He handed my son two brightly colored Dum-Dum suckers before I could even register what was happening. Yes, he stopped crying. I bit my tongue and forced a smile. I like the tennis coach and didn’t have the courage or energy to make a scene, but really, inside I was fuming. 

The next instance was a few weeks later. Meghan started school and Luke and I were going to have a lunch date at Panera Bread. He loves Panera Bread and it should have been a fun afternoon. But when Luke asked if he could get a chocolate chip cookie and I said no, the fun ended. Crying ensued. It wasn’t his worst fit, for sure, but he wasn’t happy. The man behind the counter took one look at him crying on the floor and he said, “I have some broken chocolate chip cookies I can’t sell, can I give them to him?”

So let me get this straight. My son just asked for a cookie and I said no. But now he’s crying so I should give him the ones you are offering? Is that your logic? Maybe you didn’t hear him ask, so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. Through clenched teeth I responded, “No, thank you, I just told him he couldn’t have a cookie.” The young guy looked at me like I was the worst mother in the world for denying my son a cookie. I didn’t feel the need to explain that the sugar-filled yogurt he was about to get was already more than enough sugar for the day, plus we have a one-treat-a-day rule and he’d be getting a homemade chocolate treat with his sister after dinner. Not that it was any of his business why I said no to the cookie. Just wait, young buck.  You’ll get it, one day. Just. You. Wait. 

Either way, this has got to stop. If my son is crying, please don’t feel like you or I have to do whatever it takes to make it stop. I get it. No one wants to hear it. Believe me, I don’t want to hear it. I wish there was a way to magically make it stop. But not at the expense of forming my son’s character.

Before you get all judge-y and think I’m some sort of overly strict mom who never says yes to anything, please know that I’m not. I firmly believe in the wise words, “Say yes when you can, no when you must.” My children hear yes more than no; I’m sure of that. But no is a necessary part of childhood and my kids have to learn how to deal with it. All kids need to learn this important life skill. 

Parenting is hard work, but those well-intentioned people are making it harder. Luke is one tough kid and parenting him has challenged me in ways my pre-children self never could have imagined. But I’m trying. I promise you, I’m giving it my all. Please, let me keep doing it in the best way I know how and if his crying is bothering you, get some earplugs. Don’t offer him candy or cookies to shut him up. 

The post Stop Doing This When My Kid is Crying appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.

source http://happyhealthymama.com/2016/08/stop-doing-this-when-my-kid-is-crying.html

A Side-by-Side Blender Review (video)

Check out the blender review video below to see which powerful blender will best help you with your healthy lifestyle goals!If you are trying to live a healthy lifestyle, but don’t have the right tools, it can be frustrating. So many of the best, healthy, real-food recipes out there rely on certain kitchen gadgets, such as a powerful, professional-level blender. If you’ve ever tried to make a green smoothie with a regular blender and it felt like you were chewing a salad, you know what I’m talking about.
A high end blender is a big investment, though, and purchasing one should not be a quick decision. I get these two questions all the time: Is a big, expensive blender worth it? Which one should I get? I made a video showing a side-by-side blender review to help answer the questions you might have before making a purchase.

I looked at three of the most popular high-end, professional-level blenders in this video: the Vitamix, Blendtec, and Ninja Ultima.

Let me tell you a little bit about my video editing skills before you watch this. They are basic. Third grade level. I aged myself at least five years trying to make some simple edits to this video. I’m working on my video skills, though, and I’m hoping in a few months I’ll look back at these old videos and be amazed at how far I’ve come. Bear with me, for now, though, because in the end you’ll get a good idea of which of the three powerful blenders I compared that I recommend the most.

Blender Review Video

 

As you can see, my recommendation stands the same as it’s been for years now. I love my Vitamix and I’m even more convinced now that it’s the best blender that money can buy. While I had my friends’ blenders on loan, I tried several different tests, beyond what you see in the video. While for many tasks they all performed the same or similar, the Blendtec or Ninja did not outperform the Vitamix one time. Not once. Below I’m going to go through the pros and cons of each blender I compared, according to my experience with them.

Happy Healthy Mama’s Top Blender Pick: The Vitamix

Pros of the Vitamix:

• Exceptional blending power–>If you want the smoothest of smooth, this one is for you!
• 7 year warranty
• Manual controls
• Simple to use with one switch and one dial–easy to control the speed
• Better at low speed tasks like chopping
• Comes with a tamper stick, so you never have to stop the blender to keep food moving
• The container has a pour spout
• Always steady on the counter–no jumping around and you don’t have to keep your hand on it ever

Cons of the Vitamix:

• Pricey (but a worthy investment for a healthy lifestyle)
• Not great for small batches (less than 1/2 cup)
• Loud
• Heavier than Blendtec (but also a pro because it makes it steadier)
• Sometimes cleaning under the blades is tricky. (Although overall cleaning is easy–I put soap and water in the blender and turn it on.)

Also Outstanding Options:

The Blendtec

Pros of the Blendtec:

• Exceptional blending power
• A lot of programmed settings
• Most lightweight of the three I tested
• 8 year warranty
• Cleaning under the blades is easier than the Vitamix

Cons of the Bendtec:

• No tamper stick, so  there are times when foods needed to be scraped down a few times during blend. (Lots of starting and stopping the blender.)
• Can’t completely control blending speed, so difficult to blend at low speeds
• At times the blender jumped around on the counter (because of its light weight)
• Seemed to need more liquid than the Vitamix to make a smoothie
• Pricey (but a worthy investment for a healthy lifestyle)
• The settings didn’t always work–more time was needed than the preprogrammed amount
• Loud

The Ninja Ultima

Pros of the Ninja:

• Most affordable of the three blenders
• Competitive performance for the price

Cons of the Ninja:

• No tamper stick, so  there are times when foods needed to be scraped down a few times during blend. (Lots of starting and stopping the blender.)
• Loudest of the three blenders
• Smoothies were the least smooth and it had the most trouble with a variety of tasks
• Needed more liquid to make a smoothie than the Vitamix
• Only a 1-2 year warranty (depending on the model you get)
• Very heavy and bulky, making it difficult to move around the counter (There were also suction cups on the feet, which I found annoying)
• The awkward design of the lid made it difficult to use

Overall, I feel any of these three blenders are a great purchase. In the end, it will come down to personal preference when you choose. If price is a big consideration, the Ninja may be what you’re looking for. It performs well even if it wasn’t quite at the level of the Blendtec and Vitamix. The Blendtec and Vitamix are both great blenders, so look at the pros and cons and decide what features are important to you. Good luck in making your purchase!

Links to products in this post are affiliate links. At absolutely no extra cost to you, if you purchase using my links I will receive a percentage of the sale. That helps keep coffee in my cup during my late-night blogging sessions, so thank you for supporting Happy Healthy Mama and my mission to help others life a healthy lifestyle.  

The post A Side-by-Side Blender Review (video) appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.

source http://happyhealthymama.com/2016/08/blender-review-video.html

2 Weeks of Healthy School Lunch Ideas

When it comes to school lunches, my biggest concern is that my kids have nourishing food to eat while they are at school. I want them to have healthy school lunches, but I don’t care if they are cute or packed in a clever way, and you better believe I’m not going to spend time turning their food into art. My hat is tipped to the moms who do that, but for me it falls under the category of “ain’t nobody got time for that.” My goal is to keep their school lunches as simple as possible while keeping them as nutrient-dense as I can.

I have two kids to pack lunches for this year. Meghan is in 2nd grade and brings her lunch to school everyday, and while Luke is in preschool, he’ll be attending full day Monday through Wednesday. Meghan would be happy with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day, but Luke wouldn’t eat one if I sent it. They are very different eaters and I’m sure your kids are, too. These healthy school lunch ideas are designed for variety. Even though Meghan wants a PB&J everyday doesn’t mean I should send that everyday. Even though I do send favorites often, I try to mix it up so they are getting different food combinations each day.

The last two years I have perfected the art of sending the right amount of food. At Meghan’s school, they are given 15 minutes to eat. This includes the time it takes to walk into the cafeteria and sit down and chatting with friends. Whenever food would come home uneaten, I heard, “I didn’t have time.” Older kids may need more food, but the amounts shown are what I’ve found to be perfect for her. I will find out this year if Luke needs a different amount as he’ll have more time to eat.

Two Weeks of Healthy School Lunch Ideas

Day 1

• High Protein Energy Bites
• Baby carrot sticks
• Strawberries
• Hard boiled egg

The High Protein Energy Bites are made with chickpeas, almonds, peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips. Although they seem like a treat, they are packed with nutrients. I’m so glad both my kids like hard boiled eggs, as they are also packed with nutrients and a good protein option. Every lunch I try to include a vegetable and fruit, and usually the vegetables are raw as that is my kids’ preference.

Day 2

• 2-ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes with almond butter
• Grapes
• Trail mix
• Broccoli

My kids are fine with eating these 2-ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes cold. They are perfect with a smear of nut butter! These can be made ahead of time, making packing this lunch super easy.

Day 3

• 5-ingredient blender muffins
• mango
• cucumbers
• baby carrots

The blender muffins are made with nut butter, eggs, and banana, but are customizable to be nut-free and vegan. There are so many flavor combinations you can make of these and we never get tired of them. They make an easy lunch box option and some fruits and veggies round out the lunch.

Day 4

• Spinach leaves
• Hummus
• Carrots
• Red peppers
• Apple slices
• Almonds
• Horizon Organic Snack Crackers

This is the closest I can come to get my kids to eat salad. For whatever reason, they prefer everything separated and to eat it plain. They dislike any salad dressings, but hummus is okay. If your kids like salad dressing, include that instead. I prevent the apple from getting brown by adding lemon juice. Both of my kids love, love, love crackers. I guess that’s most kids, right? My kids consider crackers a special treat, and I let them have some with their lunch about once a week. I always opt for organic when buying store-bought crackers. These ones from Horizon are a favorite and it’s a bonus that they have a decent amount of calcium and protein.

Day 5

• Carrot Cake Oatmeal Muffin
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Blueberries
• Cucumbers

Whole grain muffins do not have to be just for breakfast! They can make a nutritious lunch addition, as well. Shown is my Oatmeal Carrot Cake Muffins, but there are so many different healthy muffin choices for a healthy school lunch, you’re sure to find a favorite for your kids. I love having muffins in the freezer so I always have them for a lunch option if needed.

Day 6

• Corn tortillas
• Red bell peppers
• Horizon Organic Shredded Mexican Cheese
• Black Beans
• Raisins

Just like my kids eat their salads deconstructed, they also prefer their tacos that way. They don’t mind room-temperature black beans, so these are straight from the can (drained and rinsed) with a little salt added. When it comes to animal products, organic is very important to me. Horizon Organic cheese is a great, reasonably priced brand that I feel good buying knowing their cows are treated humanely and given a diet of grass and organic hay and feed that is not contaminated with pesticides.

Day 7

• Banana
• Horizon Organic cheese stick
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Broccoli
• Hummus
• Chocolate Chips

This is a “little of this, little of that” lunch that works well. Once in a while I add a special treat of chocolate chips into their lunch and it’s always met with huge appreciation.

Day 8

• Chickpeas
• Whole grain naan bread
• Blueberries
• Red peppers

These chickpeas are pan fried in a little bit of oil with salt. They are so delicious like this! My kids prefer these warm, so I send them in a insulated thermos. Whole grain naan bread is another favorite. You should be able to find whole grain naan bread at most well-stocked grocery stores.

Day 9

• Hard boiled eggs
• Strawberries
• Horizon Organic Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
• Pumpkin seeds
• Cucumbers

Hard-boiled eggs make another appearance. If you aren’t convinced of their nutritional status, check out this post. Lots of nutrients in eggs! The crunchy treat in this lunch is the Horizon Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers. My kids beg me for these. When they see I buy them, squeals in the kitchen. It’s kind of crazy how much my kids like crackers. Of course, there’s fresh fruits and vegetables to round out the lunch and a few pumpkin seeds, which are a great source of zinc.

Day 10

• Horizon Organic macaroni and cheese
• broccoli
• grapes

Good ol’ mac-n-cheese. If I’m being honest, I have to tell you I love it as much as my kids. I often make homemade macaroni and cheese, but for a quick lunch option, I love a boxed version. I look for it to be totally organic (both the wheat and the cheese, not just the wheat) and Meghan loves the shells and white cheddar. I send it in an insulated thermos to keep it warm. Grapes and raw broccoli round out the lunch.

In order to make lunch packing as quick and easy as possible, I typically cut fruits and vegetables ahead of time. Then I have different varieties ready in the fridge to mix and match to create a healthy school lunch for my kids. I use an easy formula of protein source+fruit+vegetable+another add-in if needed to make lunch packing simple.

School lunches are important because the nutrients our kids get from lunch are fueling their learning for the rest of the day and also helping build their immune system to keep them healthy and in school! I hope these healthy school lunch ideas inspire you to create lunches that are nutritious and your kids love!

Horizon Organics definitely help me create lunches that make my kids happy. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter , or Pinterest for more organic meal and snack ideas for kids! You can also sign up for their newsletter here.

If you like these ideas and think your friends could use them, please share on Facebook or Pinterest! Thanks so much, friends.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon Organic. The opinions and text are all mine.

The post 2 Weeks of Healthy School Lunch Ideas appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.

source http://happyhealthymama.com/2016/08/2-weeks-of-healthy-school-lunch-ideas.html