Lunch Time

Can you believe how fast the summer has flown by? It seems each year the summers get shorter and shorter and back-to-school shopping gets earlier and earlier. However there is no avoiding it, September is practically upon us and it's time to get back into the everyday routine. Here's a few tips that I shared earlier this morning with reporter Heather Ford at FOX 5 San Diego on how to get kids going in the morning. I hope you find them helpful!

We didn't stop there -- we also found the cutest, not to mention "green," lunch boxes and yummy, healthy snacks for kids lunches.

Start your kids off with a healthy, nutritious breakfast filled with "BRAIN FOOD." That means plenty of protein and filling whole grain fiber. The best foods to start the day with include:
• Eggs – they help with memory retention and are a great source of protein
• Oatmeal – sustains them through the morning and helps with retain information
• Berries – antioxidants in berries (blueberries and strawberries) boost cognitive function
• Yogurt – great source of protein and calcium, which helps the brain stay awake and alert
• Water – to avoid dehydration, which can lead to poor concentration

Below are a few tips that you can do the night before to get your kids out the door and to school on time!

• Pack backpacks the night before with homework, supplies and books
• Lay out the next day’s outfit the night before complete with underwear, socks and shoes.
• Set-up a grooming station by the door (including a low-level mirror) so your kids can check her face and hair before leaving the house in the morning.

• Keep an emergency kit in the car with an extra set of clothes for the spills that can happen en route to school. It might be helpful to also include a stain guard and hairbrush.
• Make it fun! Create a song to sing or a game that helps your child stay focused

and on the task at hand. It’s easy for them to lose track of time.
• Set an alarm that rings 15 minutes before you’re supposed to leave the house. It’s a great reminder to you and your child to finish up the last of the preparations and get ready to go!

I searched high and low -- here's the short list of the cutest lunch boxes! They get an extra bonus if they were "green!"

Hottest Lunch Boxes

1. PVC-free Lunch Bag from Four Peas – cute styles for any grade schooler. Available at Magical Child in Encinitas or www.fourpeasonline.com. Retails for $18.

2. Disney Princess Lunch Tote – great for the preschool set. Available exclusively Disney Store and www.Disneystore.com. Retails for $12.50.
3. Goodbyn Lunchbox – individual compartments so no plastic bags needed. Dishwasher safe. Comes with 275 stickers so kids can decorate their own – no two will be the same. Available at www.goodbyn.com. Retails for $34.95.
4. RuMe Jr. – good for the older kids, can hold personal items and also

lunches. Available at www.rumebags.com. Retails for $10.95.

5. Stephen Johnson -- a variety of adorable styles. Available at www.stephenjosephgifts.com. Retails for $14.99.

6. Ju-Ju-Be Belicious – great for the Tween set. Available at boutiques throughout San Diego and www.shopjujube.com. Retails for $25.

Reusable snack bags

Instead of using plastic snack and sandwich bags, use the new reusable bags that can be washed with just soap and water. Itzy Ritzy Snack bags – available at USA Baby and www.itzyritzy.com. Retails for $9.99 each.

Reusable water/drink bottles

1. Contigo Autoseal Kids Mug – Available at www.gocontigo.com. Retails for $15.99 for two.
2. Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottles – Available at Magical Child in Encinitas. Retails for $20.

• Label items since you will be reusing them and they can get lost or left behind. Cute varieties are available at www.appliedlabels.com. Back-to-school packs retail for $34.
• It might also be handy to have two lunch box sets since most kids tend to leave items behind at school.

Easy, Healthy Snacks

Organic, low-sugar snacks are all the rage these days. Mamas are searching for snacks that are tasty and budget-friendly. From one mama to another, here are a few snack suggestions that will be sure to delight even the pickiest eaters.

• SMASHIES – portable, organic, low-sugar apple sauce in a squeeze pouch. No mess, no spoon required. Available at Whole Foods and www.amazon.com. Retails for $9.99 for 10-pack.
• Revolution Foods PopAlongs – better than chips, baked and not fried and made with whole grains. Available at Whole Foods, Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us. Retails for 99 cents each.
• Revolution Foods Grammy Sammys – yogurt filled sandwich bar. Retails for $3.99 at Whole Foods (launches Sept. 2009) and www.revolutionfoods.com.
• Kashi TLC Tasty Little Cereal Bars – packed with real fruit, whole grains and fiber. Available at major grocery stores. Retails for $3.69 a box.
• ZESPRI Kiwifruit – nothing better than real fruit! Just scoop and eat. Available at Vons and Ralph’s. Retails for about 50 cents each.
• ATTUNE Probiotic Bar-- they are in the same refrigerated case as yogurt but have less sugar than most kid’s yogurts AND deliver probiotics that help boost digestive health and immunity and calcium as well. They come in chocolate or granola bars. Available at major grocery stores. Retails for $1.69 each.
• Stretch Island FruitaBu – provide one whole serving of fruit and it’s fun. Often it’s the presentation that makes kids eat and this one is super fun! Available at major grocery stores. Retails for $3.99.
• Annie’s Naturals Cheddar Bunnies -- the ultimate preschool snack! Organic and no trans-fat. Available at major grocery stores and Whole Foods. Retails for around $4 per box.

Back-to-school has never been easier or more fun! Happy Shopping, Happy Snacking!

Lunch Time