Healthy Peach Crisp and Healthy Lunchbox Ideas

Healthy Peach Crisp

Ingredients:
-2 large peaches, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup old fashion oats
-2 tbsp wheat bran
-1 tablespoon cinnamon, divided
-1 tbsp brown sugar
-1/4 cup quinoa, cooked
-1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1/2 tsp coconut oil, melted
-1/2 tsp honey
-Optional toppings: greek yogurt, cool whip, cinnamon

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Peel and slice peaches, place in dish and sprinkle with cinnamon.

3. In a small bowl, mix together oats, wheat bran, rest of the cinnamon, brown sugar, quinoa, and vanilla. Add this mixture to the top of the sliced peaches.
4. Drizzle coconut oil and honey on top of the crisp.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
6. Top with some Greek yogurt, cool whip, and cinnamon.
7. Enjoy!

September= Back to school time!!

It is the time of the year to get into the swing of school! It is also time to whip out those lunch boxes for your kids (maybe you, too). Make this year healthier with what you pack in your kids lunch box. Pack foods that will keep their brain running for the rest of the school day. Many pre-packaged, processed foods will have them crashing an hour after lunch and may effect their grades and mood.

Here are some examples to pack into that lunch box:

-Drinks: water is always the best choice. When it comes to juice boxes there are some good juice boxes out there. Look for no added sugar, 100% natural juice, and one that can provide vitamins and minerals. Ex: Honest tea, Vita Coco Kids, Apple & Eve, Whole foods Fruit Punch

-Yogurt: It is a great choice, but many kid's yogurt is full of sugar. Choose plain yogurt and add your own flavoring, for example: honey, fresh fruit, dried fruit, or make a ranch dip for veggie dippers.

-Fruit: Try to pack fresh fruit as the first choice, but fruit purees and dried fruit are just as good. For example: Del Monte's Fruit Burst Squeezers the fruit puree pouches are easy to pack, contains some veggies as well as fruit, no artificial flavors, no high-fructose corn syrup, and a good source of Vit C.

-Snacks: Whole grain crackers or pretzels, homemade veggie chips, freeze-dried fruits and vegetables (Company: Just Tomatoes, etc.), healthy chips (Brands: Food Should Taste Good, Popchips, Baked Lentil Chips, Beanitos, Sunchips, and Humbles), air-popped popcorn (toss with cinnamon, parmesan cheese, or other flavor add ins), nuts, string cheese (part-skim), and veggie with dip (PB, Greek yogurt ranch mix, or hummus).

-Sandwich: Skip the packaged and make your own with low-sodium deli meats and cheese, tuna, natural peanut butter, no-sugar added jam, grilled chicken, and hummus and veggies. Add sliced veggies, mustard, fruit slices, avocado, and spices to dress up the sandwich. Use 100% whole-grain bread, sandwich thins, wraps, rolls, English muffins, etc.

-Energy bars: Many are filled with sugar! Look for one that has 150 cal or less, less than 10g of sugar, 140mg or less sodium, at least 3g of fiber, and at least 3g of protein.  For example: KIND bars, Quest bars, Lara bars, Cliff kids, Nature Valley, or make your own.