18-Way PB&J

End of summer nears. School looms. Regular ol' PB&Js bore. Check out these variations on a classic.

The Great PB&J Makeover, courtesy Welch's

Simple Banana Smoothie

Whip up a smoothie in no time, as a cool summer treat or a healthy snack. Super easy and you can mix and match until you get the drink your child adores.

Combine in a blender:

1 frozen banana

1 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

A dash of sugar

A pinch of cinnamon

*Variations: Other varieties of fruit (C suggests his favorite, blueberries!), frozen yogurt, Splenda instead of sugar, 1 Tbsp. flaxseed oil or 1 Tbsp. brown rice protein

Piquing Interest in Healthy Food

Sometimes HOW you serve the food up can stir up enough interest that the food gets eaten, even if it's HEALTHY! How you ask? Mommy's muffin tin special. A muffin tray with 6 sections and something healthy in each of the sections. It's all in the presentation momma!

*Variation: Ice cube tray, school lunch tray, divided container (such as Lock & Lock), an ancient piece of Tupperware from the depths of the cupboard, big brother's lunch box in preparation for back to school...you get the idea.

*Variation: Theme Lunch Ideas

Preschool Portion Control

Some handy tips from Gerber for keeping your preschooler's portions in check. To help children understand their bodies, use phrases like "Is your belly telling you that you're full?", "Has your tummy had enough?" or "Is your belly still making its hungry growling noise?"

Preschool Portion Control

Making Homemade Applesauce

When I think of fall and back to school, I think of apples! Making your own applesauce is a very simple process and one you can easily involve your preschooler in. Make a real trip of it and pick your own apples in the orchard or support your local farmer's market. A plastic knife or butter knife can further chop down apple slices.

We use this recipe from AllRecipes.com Note: The type of apple you use might affect how much sugar the recipe needs. We recommend "Pink Lady" apples, and use a little less sugar than the recipe calls for.

Sarah's Applesauce

Farmer's Market

**Next time you hit the farmer's market, let your child choose something new to try. If they are part of the process of selection and preparing, they are more likely to try it. This is how C learned to like spaghetti squash.**