Back to school helper

By Staff
August 22, 2004
School days have certainly meant busier days for the whole family. I'm sure you are like myself and looking for time saving ideas that will keep everyone smiling from morning till night.
Sometimes there's no time to sit down and eat breakfast. Here is a hand-held breakfast item they can eat in the car, on the bus or on their walk to school.
Cereal Yogurt Bars
2 cups Raisin Bran Cereal
3⁄4 cup flour
1⁄4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄2 cup (1 stick) margarine
1 container (8 oz.) strawberry low fat yogurt
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons of flour
Mix cereal,3⁄4 cup flour, sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl. Cut in margarine mixture to resemble coarse crumbs. Press 1⁄2 of the mixture firmly onto bottom of inch square baking pan.
Mix yogurt, egg and 2 tablespoons of flour until well blended; spread over crust. Sprinkle remaining cereal mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut bars.
For those children that like to carry their lunch to school here are some helpful tips for packing their lunches.
Make your own ice packs by filling zipper-style plastic bags3⁄4 full with water and freezing. Tuck them into the lunch box in the morning.
Let the kids help make their own lunches the night before. They are more likely to eat what they fix themselves.
Keep box fruit drinks in the freezer. Take them out in the morning and put in lunch boxes. They will be thawed in time for lunch and will keep other food cold.
Kids like to trade food and share with friends at lunchtime. Send along a small covered plastic container of dressing with an assortment of cut-up vegetables or even just baby carrots so they can join their friends and "party" with veggies and dip.
When you are packing the sandwich and celery sticks into the school lunch box, also include a little something special, like a note that says, "Good luck on your test" or simply "I love you."
Try the following sandwich that adds a new twist to the plain ham and cheese.
Hawaiian Ham &Cheese
2 slices honey wheat bread, toasted
1 tablespoon fat free mayonnaise
6 slices deli style shaved smoked ham
1 canned pineapple ring, drained
1 2 percent milk cheese single
Spread toast slices with mayonnaise. Cover one of the toast slices with ham, pineapple and 2 percent cheese single; top with remaining toast slice.
When my children get off the bus and walk through the doors from a hard day at school, they want to know what they can snack on.
Let older kids use the microwave to fix popcorn, heat up soup or make some other easy snack.
Tape a note on the refrigerator to let them know what's available for snacking.
Have this quick and easy dip ready for them when they come rushing in.
Fruit Bear Dip
1 container (8 oz.) plain low fat yogurt
2 tablespoons strawberry jam, jelly or preserves
Teddy Bear Graham Cracker snacks
Swirl yogurt and jam in small bowl. Refrigerate. Serve as a dip with graham snacks.
If you would like more helpful hints on making your school day easier, contact your local extension office or our office at 482-9764.