umommy: Back To School

Next Level Meal Kit Delivery

, by umommy

My 9-year-old came home from school yesterday, dropped his bag in the hallway (why can't he remember to hang it up is beyond me), and strolled into the kitchen for his usual after-school snack. I joined him as this is often the best time for us to catch up and talk about his day.

While he's munching away on some grapes, I ask him about his new snack routine at school. "Do you have it before lunch? Are there assigned seats? Is it a working snack?" You know, nosey mom questions. That's when he told me the kids said they felt bad for him.

Me: "Why do they feel bad for you?"

9 yo: "Because they asked why I never bring chips or Doritos for a snack and I told them we never have that at home."

Me: "That's true. It's okay to have it once in a while, but too much junk food is not good for you."

9 yo: "I told them that. Then they asked if I've ever had Burger King or McDonald's and I told them never. They couldn't believe it and that's when they said they felt bad for me."

Me: (wheels turning) "They just don't understand because maybe that's what they have often. We just never go to those places when there are so many great restaurants to choose from around here. It's okay to have that stuff once in a while. But like junk food, too much fast food is not good for you."

9 yo: "I know. Then they asked what is my favorite thing we have for breakfast. I told them Belgium Waffles. They all agreed... Food from scratch is the best, right?"

Me: "Right. And yeah, it's hard not to like Belgium waffles."

My 9-year-old really doesn't care what others think or say and will be the first to set you straight. I know his classmates were probably more curious than really shaming him for never eating that crap. We don't deprive our kids of treats and we try to limit how much processed foods they eat. This is just another sad reminder why there's a childhood obesity problem. I'm now scheming ways we can start getting these other kids excited about real food.

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, by umommy

In Back To School, lunchbox

Back-To-School Playbook Redux

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, by umommy

In Back To School, Easy Lunchboxes

A Page from My Back-to-School (BTS) Playbook

Since I’m still in denial that summer is over (as I mentioned I would be doing in my previous post), I haven’t been thinking too much about Back to School, or BTS as retailers have dubbed it. But I did get a wake up call when I was recently interviewed for a story in the Boston Herald on lunch packing ideas (yes, that was a humble brag!).

You’ll find your fair share of articles on ways to shake up PB&J, healthy after school snack ideas, or how to re-invent the “sandwich.” I thought I’d share a couple of pages from my playbook when it comes to packing my kids’ lunch. And because my boys hate sandwiches (with the exception of PB&J and different versions of it), you won’t find a sandwich idea in the bunch!

Leftovers are key. Pasta, soups, rice dishes and stews reheat well. Make an extra batch to serve for lunch the next day.

Go-To Weeknight Dish: Pasta with Rosemary, Sausage & Tomatoes

Tip: Fill a thermos container with hot water for at least 10 minutes before filling it with food. It will help keep the contents warmer longer. We spring a little extra for the vacuum insulated thermos food jars. They keep the food hot longer and never leak.

Always pack fresh fruit and veggies. Raw baby carrots are convenient for sure. I find slicing an apple is more likely to get eaten than if I were to pack an apple whole. My boys might not always eat all of their fruits and veggies I pack, but it sends them a message about what makes a healthy meal.

Sliced apple trick from The Kitchn

Tip: Apple corer/slicer will be your best friend. Core and slice an apple and then assemble it back together and hold together with an elastic band. It will help keep the slices from browning!

Pack breakfast for lunch. My boys love hot oatmeal. I add diced apples, raisins, nuts and a touch of brown sugar and cinnamon.

Our favorite steel cut oatmeal brand (it's the uniformity of granulation!)

Tip: Soak steel cut oats the night before. You’ll have perfect oats the next morning when you are packing their lunches. Just add your mix-ins, reheat in the microwave and pack in a thermos container.

I’m a big fan of Easylunchboxes. The bento-style container helps me organize what to pack. The single lid is great for younger kids, especially when lunch is less than 30 minutes long.

Easylunchbox compartments make it easy to pack lunch quickly

Tip: I save small condiment containers whenever we order takeout. They are perfect for holding dips/sauces, dressings and usually fit neatly right in the Easylunchbox.

I try not to introduce new foods at school lunch. This often results in a barely-touched lunchbox. I want to make sure they have a good meal to get them through the day. I ~~torture~~ introduce them to new recipes on the weekends.

Pizza from Pizzeria Bianco: not your everyday hot lunch (but sure wish it was)

Tip: Give yourself (and your kids) a break and let your kids buy hot lunch at school periodically. My son looks forward to Fridays when he can buy lunch (which happens to be Pizza Day at school).

It’s tempting to turn to convenience foods or tried and true (PB&J) when it comes to packing lunches. Establishing healthy eating habits takes a little bit of work – but not much. Maybe an extra five minutes. Seriously.

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, by umommy

In Back To School, kitchen appliance

March of Dimes/Macy's Shop for a Cause

When I started this blog a few years ago, I figured I would blog about a couple of recipes, maybe a restaurant review here and there. I was new to the blogosphere and had little foresight that blogging can extend far beyond a snarky post, a flash giveaway, and some food porn. Blogs and social media can be used for good, helping others in need by amplifying a message to the masses.

That is why I am thrilled to participate in the March of Dimes/Macy’s Shop for a Cause Campaign. If you aren’t familiar with the March of Dimes, they’ve been around since 1938, working to prevent birth defects, premature birth, infant mortality along with advancing maternal and health research. Did you know 1 in 8 babies are born too early? These babies face an increased risk of serious medical complications or death. The March of Dimes is helping moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies.

Save 25% on the 25^th and Help Babies

So here’s the fun part – March of Dimes has partnered with Macy’s for a special Shop for a Cause fundraiser. Here’s how it works:

Buy a $5 Macy’s savings pass and use it to get 25% off regular, sale and clearance merchandise throughout the store as well as 10% off furniture, mattresses and area rugs. The pass is valid in all Macy’s stores on Saturday, August 25, 2012.
Macy's will donate 100% of the $5 cost of the savings pass to the March of Dimes to help give more babies a healthy start in life.

When to buy passes:

August 15-24: buy passes in-store (good for in-store purchases only)
August 25: buy a $5 savings pass online at macys.com (good for online purchases only)

When to shop:

August 25: use your passes online or in-stores (depending on where you bought them)
August 24-25: Two stores in Massachusetts will hold an exclusive Two-Day Shop for a Cause - Boston (450 Washington Street, Boston); Berkshire (170 Old State Road, Lanesboro).

And you have to admit, there’s still more back-to-school shopping to be done (hell, I’m still trying to catch up and get some summer shopping done). I thought I’d help and share some ideas when it comes to kitchen gear for back-to-school meals, school clothes, and some arm candy for being a rockin’ mom:

OXO Pop Containers: great storage solution for cereals, grains, and snacks.

Zojirushi Rice Cooker: Set-it-and-forget-it for perfect rice for weekday meals.

OXO 3-in-1 Avocado Tool: sliced avocado for sandwiches or quac never has been easier.

Bodum Coffee Press: for the extra boost parents need during the school year.

Zoku Quick Pop Maker: fresh & healthy smoothie pops in 7 minutes for after school snack.

Levis, Mechanics Tee, Chuck Taylors: coolest kid on the playground.

Coach Carryall: perfect for PTO meeting to weekend getaway.

You can also check out more picks on my Macy’s Shop for a Cause Pinterest board here.

Go to Macy’s this Saturday (or online at macys.com), buy a savings pass, get your BTS shopping done, save 25%, help babies. Doesn’t get better than that.

This post was inspired by my participation in a compensated program initiated by Women Online/TheMission List to raise awareness about the March of Dimes/Macy’s charitable fundraiser. All commentary, opinions, and fabulous finds are, of course, my own.