Lunch Box Trays

Am doing what I can to offer fruit, veggies, rotate grains, and not fall into the prepackaged, highly processed lunch food rut.  100 Days of Real Food has been absolutely inspirational as well as highly informational!  Once one starts doing the research to know what they are consuming and feeding their family, it is impossible to be indifferent.  For me it has become an issue of conscience, which has greatly impacted my health and the health of my man clan.
There is no denying that in this culture of highly processed foods and beverages we all need ideas to get beyond the sandwich and chips!  I did not get to this place overnight.  This is doable with a day of prep work.  Get those fruits and veggies washed and cut, a batch of muffins baked. Choose supper options like homemade deep dish pizza or chili that will transport well to school the next day. You can do this.

 If your children "don't like" anything that is not processed....start introducing fruits and veggies at home and remove the processed foods as home snacking options. I also sat down at the computer with my guys and looked through lunch ideas on PINTREST.  We made out a list of fruits, veggies, baked goods, entrees, snack treats.....it was a brainstorming session.

 I find that the trays shown here (purchased at Walmart, BPA free) work well, but only if you can find a lunch box they are able to fit in flatly. The lunchbox available at the above link has made these trays work well and other items still fit in the lunchbox easily.

Homemade flat bread (Naan) with pizza toppings to make a pizza-"lunchable"
Fresh veggies, granola bar, banana milkshake and a muffin as well.

Nitrite free hot dog
blueberries, strawberries
kids Cliff bar,
celery bites
cherry tomatoes

Snow Peas, Carrots
Hummus
Raspberries
Blueberries
Cheese
(Just snack)

chocolate chip energy bites
Hormel Natural Ham and cheese
gluten free crackers
PB Rice Crispy Treat
Blueberry Muffin
carrots and cherry tomatoes
honeydew and strawberries

Deep dish pizza
baby carrots
PB Rice Crispy Treat
Gluten Free Crackers
WW Chocolate Chip Cookie

Guiltless Delicious Granola Bars

This recipe hits it out of the park....When enjoying these, I have to remind myself that they are healthy!  Truly a treat and an indulgent one at that!!!!

THIS RECIPE AGAIN PROOVES THAT HEALTHY CAN BE VERY YUMMY!!!! 


I chose to use my homemade granola in place of the nut mixture to incorporate the crispiness of the baked granola.  Also I used olive oil in this recipe because I find coconut oil to be a strong flavor.  I am thrilled however to have finally found a granola recipe that pleases my man clan. 

Combine in small sauce pan. Heat until pourable. Do not boil.
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup olive oil
2/3 cup local honey
1 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter


Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2 cups quick oats
1 cup (total) of your choice sunflower seeds, flax seeds, dried fruit bits, carob chips
(I use 1 cup of my homemade granola)
1 cup organic brown rice cereal crisps
(Erewhon Organic Crispy Brown Rice found in organic food section at Walmart)
1/8 -1/4 cup carob chips (optional)


Pour honey, oil and PB mixture over oat mixture and combine well...refrain from eating it by the spoonful warm...Soooo delic!  The best decription yet is..."it is like the combination of a peanut butter rice crispy treat and a granola bar."
My inspiration for this recipe came from Laura at Heavenly Homemakers....

Peanut Butter Crispies



1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 cups peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
4 cups Organic Brown Rice cereal (I use this same cereal in my granola bars)
1 good handful (about a 1/2 cup) of mini-chocolate chips

In a large pot on the stove top, melt the coconut oil and peanut butter on low heat. Then, add in the honey and stir well.

Remove from heat and fold in rice crispy cereal.

Once everything is well-incorporated, pour onto silpain or 13x9 pyrex. While it is still warm I added the chocolate chips and pressed them down a little so they stick. Looking wholesomely yummy!!!  Thanks, Amanda for posting!