Back to school...packing the lunchbox! (No bake cookies too!)

Can you believe it is August already? Where did the summer go? If you have children, it is time for them to head back to school. Yes, it's waking up early and coming home hungry time again too!

This post is dedicated to those of us who will be packing those lunchboxes again. I have been thinking about some quick and easy lunchbox ideas.

We can prepare a few things ahead of time to make our mornings a bit easier and save a few dollars too! Here are my ideas: 

Lunchbox snacks:

Instead of buying prepared muffins, make your own. You can either make them from scratch or buy a bag of muffin mix from the grocery store that will cost less than $1.00 (you will get 6 regular sized muffins or 12 mini muffins from this bag).

Place 1 regular sized muffin or 3 minis in a zip top, plastic bag or a plastic storage container and send your child to school with something homemade with love.

Looking for a healthy cookie? 

Try these: No bake walnut cookies. These can be made over the weekend and can be stored in an air tight container for the week! 

No bake walnut cookies 

• 1 cup walnuts
• 3 tbsp raisins or 4 large dates 
• Honey

Mix 1st 2 ingredients in food processor or heavy duty blender and pulse as you add the honey.
This will make a sticky mixture.
Roll into bite sized balls and store air tight on the counter or in the fridge.

Lunchbox meals:

Lunchables are a great way to send your child to school with an easy meal. However, they can get pricey! Instead of buying them, make your own!

Using a plastic Tupperware fill it with Ritz crackers, sliced cheddar cheese, pepperoni slices and slices of turkey (all cut small enough to fit onto the cracker). Pop in a fruit drink or small bottle of water and your child will have an enjoyable lunch.One thing you may want to invest in are small packages of mayo and/or mustard for your child to add to the sandwich before they eat it. No one likes soggy bread.

 To purchase Tuppeware for school lunches: Sheila Tolbert 

Check out these items made just for kids: For the lunbhbox

Lunchbox drinks:

Personally, I am all about sending a bottle of water as a drink. However, there are other options. Kool Aid has these drink tabs that your child can add into a bottle of water that will give it flavor and fizz.

You could also send instant iced tea or lemonade mix in a plastic bag or container for your child to add to the bottled water.

*photo:tupperware