This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dixie. The opinions and text are all mine. This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

Back to School Traditions – Friday Night Family Barbecue

I’d like to say that I made a fancy sign for them to hold on their first day of school (does holding up fingers count?) or made them a special first day breakfast (um – cereal?), but the thing is, our lives our busy and sometimes we just have to make an effort to enjoy more moments just with each other.

As life with a family of 5 gets hectic, I find that it’s important to stop stressing about the small things. (like how I look in the picture above after a full day of mommyhood and having a kid photographer)

The truth is, my kids do not need a “Pinterest Worthy” back to school picture in order to remember their first day of school. They will remember my smile after taking a goofy shot to send Grandma and Moms lingering embrace.

My kids do not need homemade cinnamon rolls or waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream, although it does sound good.

My mantra this year is to stress less and enjoy the moments more.

What my kids need is – ME.

Without the stress of making picture-worthy events. Without the stress of rushing to clean up and do dishes. Without the need to impress anyone.

They need to have me in the moment, cherishing time with family. I’m lucky to have them in my life and need to take time during the busy moments to embrace the moment.

So in lieu of all the extravagant back to school traditions, we are kicking it back to the basics this year with an end of the first week of school Family Night Barbecue.

It didn’t take much planning at all.

Steps to Organize a Family Night BBQ for Back to School

STEP 1: Ask your family what they would like to eat on the grill.

STEP 2: Get the kids to make a table decoration.

1. Grab a piece of card stock
2. Fold in half.
3. Let them write the words and
4. Decorate it.

STEP 3: Assemble a tray with Dixie plates and silverware, vegetables, fruit, and any needed buns.

If you have more time you can also make a side salad using these simple recipes for Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe, Potato Salad, or Old-Fashioned Three Bean Salad.

STEP 4: Grill.

Doesn’t everyone grill and serve certified Angus beef filet mignons on paper plates?
(That way my choice! The kids wanted hot dogs)

STEP 5: Sit down and enjoy the meal.

My husband walked through the door just as I was setting the food on the table…

WHAT? Filet Mignon on paper plates???

You bet honey!  A delicious meal and no one’s doing dishes tonight

STEP 6: Talk about your first week of school

• What are your classmates’ names?
• What is your favorite subject to learn about so far?
• What do you hope to learn this year?
• In 3 words, how would you describe your first week of school?

STEP 7: Then clean up! Which takes only a few seconds!

STEP 8: GAME TIME… because we saved time on clean-up using Dixie Plates – we were able to play a game of Spot It before snuggling up with a good back to school book and heading to bed.

Back to School BBQ Ideas

• Steak and Mango Salsa Flatbread
• Healthier Potato Salad
• Kale and Orzo Pasta Salad
• Salad Bar Ideas
• Delicious and Easy Appetizers

Family Notes:

Although we typically use glass plates, it’s really nice to bring out the disposable Dixie products for a really quick cleanup. Back to school can be hectic and stressful. Those extra few minutes that would have been spent doing dishes were instead spent snuggling with kiddos.

It’s important to find the balance. My kids need me present in the moment. Family gatherings should be cherished and enjoyed by all!

Dixie believes nothing should interrupt family moments. Gather around your loved ones, linger a little longer, and be more here.

You may also enjoy these activities…

Every day it’s something you have to think about when you have kids and what you’re going to send with them to school or even at home too.

Here are some of our favorite lunch box ideas for kids. We’ve gathered our top lunch box idea PINS just for you!

Don’t forget to pin it for ideas all school year long!

School Lunches can become a little boring at times to make for kids. Day by day we take a peek in the fridge and pantry and try to decide what to put into their lunch box that they might actually eat. Having a plan for what you’re packing each day can be one of the keys to success.

Being organized and creative are two elements that will be a big hit with your kids.

Finding ways to get them involved in the kitchen like in making homemade sushi, alphabet soup or even tuna salad without mayo can be a lot of fun.

Top Lunch Box Ideas on Pinterest

Follow The Educators’ Spin On It’s board Help for Packing School Lunches on Pinterest.

Let’s be honest though sometimes it’s hard to come up with new ideas. Pinterest can be such a great source for finding inspiration for kid’s lunches. I thought it might be fun to feature my top kid’s lunch box ideas for you to get ready for back to school time with your family.  

Be sure to FOLLOW our Pinterest board for the latest Lunch Box Ideas!

Top Lunch Box Ideas for Back to School

We’re sharing our top most pinned and favorite lunchbox ideas for back-to-school that have been featured on our boards. Take a peek and see which one inspired you to pin too so that lunchtime can be a little bit easier this year for school.

Using a Printable Magnetic Lunch Chart from Martha Stewart can make meal planning easier. Getting kids involved can encourage better eaters.

Many of us are looking for budget friendly ideas for lunch. Brown Bag School Lunches on a Budget from Snack Picks.com shares her tips for staying on track with lunches.

Sometimes finding one ingredient your child loves is a way to start sneaking in healthy ingredients.  Here are 13 Ways to use Tortilla for Back to School Lunches from Evolving Motherhood.

Encouraging your child to help pack lunches using Simple Solutions for Healthy School Lunches from The Educators’ Spin On It can be a huge time saver. I’ve even included a list of what to shop for to keep in containers for quick access for snack time too.

These cold lunch ideas for kids will make lunchtime as fun as it is yummy. Fifteen different lunch ideas that can be put together ahead of time so packing your child’s lunch will be a breeze every day.

Finding fun ingredients that kids enjoy can be a challenge.  Here are Lunchbox Ideas that Kids Love from Family Fresh Meals.

25 Best Back to School Lunches from Remodelaholic with her favorites for what to include in these adorable Bento Boxes!

One peek in a school cafeteria and you’ll see it’s getting more difficult to expose your child to healthier items.  Here are 100 Healthy, Delicious and Easy Lunchbox Ideas from Family Fresh Cooking to get you started.

Take moment to print off this Printable Lunch Box Idea List. While you’re there check out the 1000+ Bento Lunch Ideas from the Bento Gallery at Wendolonia.

Here’s an easy way to have a whole month of lunch planned with 30 Days of Lunch Boxes from Peanut Blossom.

Finding new ways to make lunch can be so much easier with these 50 Tips and Tricks for Packing School Lunches from Love from the Oven

A month of school lunches already planned from  you makes the job a no brainer, love this Month of School Kid Approved School Lunches from Mom Endeavors.

Many schools have begun to request peanut free foods for the lunchroom.  Here are 15 Peanut Free Lunch Ideas from Smart School House.

Don’t forget about planning for After School Snacks. Here are 20 On the Go Healthy Snack Ideas from Let’s Lasso the Moon.

Tips for Success for Packing School Lunches

Think about it, we need to pack a school lunch for 180 days, trust me we need resources to turn to! That’s not even counting all the other days we’re just home with our kids on the weekends and summertime. 

My biggest tip as a mom of 3 and a teacher for over 10 years is to make healthy choices with your child for their lunches.

• Get Kids Involved– The more you encourage them to be involved the more they are likely to eat what you packed. Have a few things they can help put into their lunches when you’re packing them. Click here for ideas
• Easy Open Containers– Select containers and items that they can open independently. Sometimes that means practicing at home before hands for a few days.
• Label Lunch Box & Containers– It’s the easiest way to ensure all your costly lunch items are returned to their owner if they get left anywhere.
• Pack Healthy Items– Make healthy choices with the items you’re choosing, it’s brain power for your child as they are learning throughout their school day.
• Avoid Peer Pressure– You will hear all sorts of stories about what each student is allowed to bring to school in their lunches.  Go with your instinct and pack what you know is best for your child’s health.  Many prepackaged items are packed with sodium and ingredients that our kids don’t need to consume.
• Pick a Fun Theme– Sometimes it’s fun to pick a theme for lunch.  Cookie cutters, napkins and toothpicks can be the easiest way to add a little fun.

Pinterest can be an amazing source to come up with new ideas for Lunch for Kids with so many parents pinning new ideas they read on sites and also bloggers pinning their own ideas. It’s a WIN WIN for parents.

To find even more ideas be sure to FOLLOW our Helping for Packing School Lunch Pinterest Board at The Educators’ Spin On It. 

Lunch Box Options for Kids

Here are a few of my favorite lunch products to pack lunch with!

Disclosure: Amazon affiliate links for easy shopping for you. 

Wishing you the best as you begin your school year with happy tummies and growing minds!

Click now for more Back to School Resources for Parents

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company, all opinions are mine alone. #AFreshIdeaForAfterSchool #CollectiveBias

School’s back in session and I’m going to admit as a mom, I’m missing the conversations I had all summer with my kiddos. We’ve started a new little routine that has been rocking our after school time together and building up their confidence.  These after school snack ideas will make your time together a part of your day you look forward to as you hear about their school day with these printable water bottle labels that will help your child feel like a superstar!

After School Snack Ideas

Our after school snacking is usually the first time after school that I get to spend time together with my kids over a meal. It’s my special time where I get to hear about their school day and all that happened. Sometimes they need a little bit of encouragement to share with our Back to School Table Talk Printables

I came up with this little idea for creating fun snacks with your kiddos to put a smile on their face and help build up their confidence. First thing we do to prep for our after school time is head to the store on our weekend to purchase DASANI® water to help create a cute after school snack with my kiddos!

Banana Sushi Recipe for After School Snack

My kids come home from school pretty hungry and I’m always looking for new ideas of what to give them that they’ll like and a little fun too. One thing we’re started to do is get creative with our after school fruit. We’ve started to make fruit sushi with bananas and granola with protein.

It’s so easy to do and lots of fun as we prepare them together.  It’s that time together where I get to hear about their school day.

Banana Sushi Ingredients

• Banana
• Favorite Nut Butter Spread (We used cashew butter)
• Granola with Protein
• Optional Add a dried fruit too for my fruit flavored fun!  

Banana Sushi Directions

1. Place granola into a ziplock bag and have your child smash it into tiny pieces.

2. Place granola onto a plate for rolling your banana onto.

3. Cut banana in half and then Peel the banana

4. Spread peanut butter around the banana.  (Greek vanilla yogurt is a favorite too)

5. Take the peanut butter covered banana and roll around in the granola on the plate.

6. Set granola covered banana onto new plate and with your child you can slice it into sushi sized pieces. (They can go into the fridge too for a cold snack) 

6. Enjoy your Banana sushi with your DASANI® water bottle that you’ve added a special water bottle label to celebrate your child.  PRINT HERE

Your child may also enjoy making with you these Peanut Butter Balls or Granola Bites.

After School Water Bottle Labels

That smiles arrives quickly after we get started that I’ve missed all day! Our special after school water bottles messages send that sweet smile over the moon with cuteness and they gleam the rest of the afternoon!

DASANI®

I’m so proud of them and how well they’re doing as school kicks off and I hope to continue throughout the school year.  Look for more themed water bottle label printables to come soon with MORE THEMES!

Fruit Kebobs Recipe After School Snack

Sometimes during our school week, we have a lot of fun making fruit kebobs together too.  We just gather our favorite fruits and assemble them together. Consider adding a few of your favorite nuts for something salty to go along with them.

Making fruit kebobs sneaks in a little bit of sorting, patterning and counting too!

BTW Moms, have you tried DASANI® sparkling water? Just the little bit of sparkle I need to pick me up for an afternoon of fun with the kids.  Plus it goes well with our fruit kebob after school snack!

Ingredients for Fruit Kebobs

• Grapes
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Any fruit that your child loves works!

Fruit Kebob Directions

1. Prep fruit together by selecting from the fridge and washing.

2. Place fruit into a few bowls for sorting.

3.  Use a skewer stick place fruit onto them in your own special pattern.

4.  Enjoy your fruit kebob and be sure to hydrate with a special after school DASANI® water.  Don’t forget to add your special after school water bottle label {PRINT HERE}.

For a special treat, you can also make this delicious fruit dip with your child!

After School Table Talk Printables

PLUS add a After School Table Talk Discussion from below {PRINT HERE} 

While we’re snacking together on our fruit kebobs I have made a printable activity for after school conversations.  {PRINT HERE} It helps us to talk about the school day without having to always ask “How was your day at school”  You can print them out and add them to popsicle sticks and keep in a container for them to grab from during snack time.

Fruit kebobs are so easy to snack and chat about the day with! Brings that SMILE every time!

Here are a few more fun ideas for Back to School with kids!

What is your favorite way to connect after school during snack time with your child?

Disclosure: This is a sponsored campaign with Glad®

I’ve discovered a little secret…

When I let my daughter pack her lunch she eats it all at school and comes home with empty containers and a full tummy!

I know you’re thinking that’s easier said that done, she’s only 6. How could she pack her own lunch and make all healthy choices?  It’s simple.

Solutions for Healthy School Lunches with Kids

We’ve found an easy solution. We use the Glad® Food Storage containers to hold each food group for her side items and her sandwich. She selects them each morning to put in her lunch box. 

We’ve been working on food groups & nutrition with our Little Hands that Cook with Books Series so she’s learning quite a lot about which belongs in each group. When we’re making a list or shopping we’re always looking to build our rainbow of choices too! 

At the beginning of the week once we’ve done our shopping we fill up the containers together and store them.

Items to keep on hand for Lunch Boxes and After School Snacks

Here are some yummy items we add to our containers.

Fruits ~ strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe, watermelon, mandarin oranges, & dried fruit

Vegetables ~ baby carrots, celery, edamame, cucumbers, cauliflower, grape tomatoes, & tossed salad

Dairy ~ String cheese, cubed cheese, yogurt fruit & veggie dips, & yogurt parfaits

Protein ~ rolled meat and cheese, beef jerky, bean salad, & chicken salad

Grains ~ pasta Salad, rice cakes, Goldfish , Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies, Pretzels, Crackers, homemade granola bars trail mix

Easy Snack Time Solution

When After School Time arrives, she’s looking for a snack. We’ve got it all set. She has a spot in the refrigerator and in the pantry to store her snack choices. That has already been created on the weekends with me and just the right portions.

Now half the fun is making things together that inspire her to eat her food all gone. Here’s our recipe for making our own version of Heart Healthy Energy Bars, which are a big hit at our house and at afterschool playdates.  Here are few more helpful go to recipes to make your own snacks together. Put the recipes onto recipe cards and allow your child to choose one or two each week to make with you. 

You’ll treasure that cooking time together and they will be more interested in eating it if they’ve made it!

Here are some delicious recipes we add to our containers

Recipes to Make Together for Special Snacks

• How to Make Homemade Lara Bars
• Homemade Larabar
• No Bake Energy Bites
• Cheerio Treats
• Banana Nut Granola
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
• Homemade Granola Bars
• Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
• Banana Nut Cheerio Energy Bars
• Homemade Trail Mixes
• Popcorn Trail Mix
• Kids Trail Mix

Breakfast Solutions with Kids 

• Jumbo Breakfast Cookie from Cheerios
• Place cut fruit or dried fruit the night before in a container to put on yogurt or oatmeal in the morning
• Holds yogurt from larger containers to save money and plastic.
• Keep fresh cut fruit in containers

Of course, we can always use our containers to store playdough, paint, crayons, and beads for some after school fun too! You get the idea, the options are limitless. I’m so glad Glad® sent us our storage containers to test out. It’s made our school lunch and snack planning so much easier on our family of 5.

I have partnered with The Glad Products Company through DailyBuzz Moms to help promote their Food Storage products. I have been compensated for my time commitment to review this product. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments. Thank you GLAD!

Lunchbox Ideas for Kids Pinterest Board

We’re always looking for fun things to cook with our children, inspiration for school lunches and recipes to try out.  We invite you to check out our pinterest boards.  Let us do to work for you so you don’t have to spend much time online and be able to spend more time with your family. 

Follow Us as we pin ideas from some of our favorite kid food bloggers on these 3 Food Boards!

What are your favorite back to school healthy school lunches recipes?

You can share your own Back to School recipes, tips and ideas within the “Mom Made” promotion on Glad’s Facebook page!

Don’t forget to include a LUNCH NOTE! Here’s our free printable.

Click now for more ideas for Back to School Lunches

Welcome back to “Around The World in 12 Dishes”. We’ve arrived in French Polynesia on our journey around the world, (loosely) following in Phileas Fogg’s footsteps, exploring 12 different countries with our children, by cooking 12 dishes with them. One for each country visited.

Here’s where we’ve traveled so far on our Cooking Around the World.

Now we’re heading to the beautiful islands of French Polynesia! 

Learning about French Polynesia with Kids

We decided to make Coconut Bread for our Dish. It’s a moist and sweet bread with very few ingredients.  According to our research, coconut bread is popular at both breakfast and lunch in Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora. 

French Polynesia consists of 121 islands and atolls (75 inhabited) in the South Pacific Ocean. The total land area is 3,521 square kilometers. The population of 278,786

The capital is Tahiti. Some other important atolls, islands, and island groups in French Polynesia are: Ahē, Bora Bora, Hiva ‘Oa, Huahine, Mai’ao, Maupiti, Meheti’a, Mo’orea, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Taha’a, Tetiaroa, Tupua’i and Tūpai.

Tahitian Island Cooking by Jean Galopin

The recipe we chose came from the cookbook Tahitian Island Cooking by Jean Galopin. We weren’t able to find the book but would love to get our hands on it one day to find more Tahitian recipes. 

Tahitian Coconut Bread Recipe

Cook Time:

35 minutes but you need to let the bread rise 3 hours first so plan ahead!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 and 1/2 cups of water
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 8 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons yeast
• 2 cups coconut milk

For the Recipe, we followed Click here. 
Here’s another version too!

My daughter was in charge of measuring all of the ingredients for this recipe. They were pretty simple and I was there to assist her if she needed help.

Here she is pouring the water, measuring the flour, and stirring the ingredients in both steps.

Then the fun part begins when it’s time to knead the bread. She had fun getting sticky and gooey and learned that flour does help the process. Although it might not be the most proper form of kneading, she really was starting to understand the process. Then we waited and watched how the dough changed because of the yeast in it.

We let it rise for 3 hours so we had some time for learning about the islands.

Next on our list to make is this moist and flavorful Coconut Cake topped with a sweet and creamy coconut buttercream frosting.

Learning How Foods Were Brought to the French Polynesian Islands

While our bread was rising we took some time to talk about where the French Polynesia Islands are located. We discovered how many islands there were. My daughter still remembers her cruise to the Western Caribbean from a few years ago so it was fun to talk with her about island hopping and all that there is to do and see on an island.

One of our day trips was focused on the foods of the islands, this was probably our favorite of all the islands we visited.

One thing that we talked about was how the food got to the island.  Since all the islands of French Polynesia are of volcanic origin, what created isolated and sparse islands, far away from any continent? Where could the food come from? 

We discovered there were so many plants but that most of the fruits and vegetables were imported and acclimated by people. There were two groups that sailed to the islands.

• Polynesian immigrants -who may have come from Southeast Asia- brought on their canoes the typical fruits of their region that they needed to survive during their long trip across the Pacific Ocean: banana trees, coconut trees, breadfruit trees… Those plants are considered today by many people as indigenous.

• European colonists then brought many species that they had gathered all around the world and acclimated them with success to the Polynesian climate. That is why we can find today in Polynesian gardens, orchards and mountains either European strawberries, African watermelons, Brazilian guava trees, or grapefruits from Borneo…  

Source: The Tahiti Traveler

We learned about the names of the Fruits and Vegetables that can be found on the islands. It was fun to see how many are also found in Florida and in India… all very close growing to a similar relation to the equator.

We checked on our globe the latitude of each place we have our family.

Becky at Kid Citizen World inspired us with her post about food and Maps, go check it out. See how much you can learn with cooking!

Once our bread was done rising we gently popped it into the oven for just 35 minutes. When it came out of the oven my daughter was so excited that it really looked like bread that she made on her own. We all had a taste test and it was so yummy.

I can imagine it with even some delicious island fruit on top for breakfast or lunch or perhaps with this Jam.   

We had so much fun making this bread together and learning about the islands of French Polynesia. We even checked out a few Tahitian videos online and read a few books about the Islands.

Plus we made a small bungalow craft and a little science lesson about coconuts while the dough was rising. Now it’s your turn to share with us!

How to join the fun!

• Cook a dish from French Polynesia: The goal is to explore this country through FOOD and activities if you wish. Make a typical dish (sweet or savory) from the country with the kids, take photos and have fun!

• Typical dishes: Poisson Cru, Poulet (Chicken) Fafa, Po’e, Pork Curry with Tarua (Taro), .

• Make a craft: you can make a country-related craft with the kids [optional!]

• Fun fact: Those things that look like mailboxes outside the homes of Tahitian residents are not for mail but for French bread delivery. Residents get a fresh loaf dropped off twice a day. But they must go to the post office to retrieve their mail!

Just in case you’re not quite ready for Summer to be over take one last peek at these beautiful islands of French Polynesia!

Want more ideas for cooking with kids? Try these kid-friendly recipes…

Disclosure: Amazon Affiliate Links to Products

She loves kiwi, gingersnaps, and cream cheese, so this has become one of her afternoon make-it-myself go-to snacks.

Kiwi is a fruit with a thin fuzzy brown skin and bright green insides. The tiny black seeds are edible. We often find them in the store hard and set them on the counter to ripen. They become soft to the touch when they are ripe.

Often, I will cut them in half and serve them as a snack with a spoon (using the outer skin as a natural bowl) Kiwifruit are also nice sliced on top of fruit pizza and can be added to a fruit salad too. I personally am not a big fan of kiwi. (they taste too tinny to me and I’m not fond of the aftertaste) But, just because I don’t like something, doesn’t mean my kids won’t.

We try to eat the rainbow and diversify our fruits and vegetables. Kiwi adds in the much-needed GREEN!

Warning: This recipe is PACKED with flavor. So much, that my picky preschooler won’t even touch it. We made this recipe using strawberries in place of the kiwi. Another alternative is to use original graham crackers in place of the gingersnaps.

Here are some additional recipes for kids to cook.

Kiwi Gingersnap Mini Tarts

Ingredients Needed:

• 8 Ginger Snaps
• 1/8 cup of Cream Cheese
• 1 Teaspoon Local Honey
• 1 ripe Kiwifruit

Directions to make Kiwi Gingersnap Mini Tarts

1. Measure out 1/8th cup of cream cheese. Set in a small microwave-safe bowl and bring to room temperature. You can let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes or try softening it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds.

2. Use a small spatula or spoon. Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with the cream cheese.

3. Count out 8 gingersnap cookies. Spread a small amount of cream cheese mixture onto each cookie. Repeat for all 8.

4. Have an adult peel the kiwi fruit. Using a cutting board, cut the kiwi into thin slices.

5. Top each cookie and cream cheese tart with 2-3 thin slices of kiwifruit. My daughter says you can eat any leftover kiwi that doesn’t fit on the cookies.

6. Arrange on a pretty plate and serve with a cold glass of milk. 

2 Kiwi Gingersnap Mini Tarts = 1 serving.

This article is part of Cooking A-Z Series. Other K is for Kiwi Recipes:

• Kiwi Gingersnap Mini Tarts from The Educators’ Spin On It
• Frozen Fruit Kabobs from Sugar Aunts
• Kids Fruit Smoothie from Mum in the Madhouse
• Fruit Salsa from Still Playing School

Did you miss letter J for Jam?
We made Strawberry Jam Surprise Muffins!

You may also enjoy these kid friendly recipes…

Muffin Recipe Ideas for Back to School Breakfasts

Yes, my three kids and I head to the kitchen this time of year to make dinners, snacks, and back to school breakfasts that will freeze well.

The baby is the most enthusiastic helper.  He sees me headed to the kitchen and grabs his wooden spoon, waving it in the air, screaming “BAKE, BAKE, ME BAKE TOO!”

The preschooler is a fan of pouring and mixing.  He is my “rule follower” in the kitchen and doesn’t like it when we make up our own recipes. He likes the predictability of old favorites and requests them often.  (This is the kid who declares Wild Rice Soup to be his absolute favorite meal in the whole wide world )

The grade schooler is the real chef.  She is able to grab a recipe and make almost anything from scratch all on her own.  She is not afraid to try new things and experiment with new flavor combos.  It is fun to see her read a recipe. You can almost see her baking in her head. Then, three minutes later she will say, “I could substitute a half cup of whole wheat for white flour, change out some oil for apple sauce, and reduce the sugar to make this healthier.” (I just sit back and watch thinking – WOW, is she a mini-me or what?)

All four of us in the kitchen: total chaos! But oh, so much fun!

Why Back to School Baking?

The first few weeks of school are a little hectic. Getting 3 kids up and school ready, brushed teeth and hair, shoes on, lunches packed, and breakfast eaten, all before 7:15 in the morning can be a little tough for one Momma to do.

I NEED a quick and healthy breakfast that requires little preparation and fills up hungry tummies.

Store-bought bakery items tend to be very sugary and expensive, so I try to use these in moderation.  I also wonder how many preservatives are in each package, as they tend to last much longer than the baked good we make at home. The only way I can control what goes into the food we eat is if we make as much of it as possible

Hard-boiled eggs are a great way to get protein in and can be made ahead of time. Pair it with a glass of milk, a healthy muffin, and fresh fruit and we’re set for early mornings!

Egg + Muffin + Fruit = YUMMY Breakfast

How Do You Find the Time?

Let’s be real. It takes time to shop, prep, cook, and clean. Making your own food may be more healthy. Making your food may be more budget-friendly. But making your own food is more time-consuming.

I try to set aside two mornings or evenings a week to bake. Then, I plan several meals that freeze well to make: lasagna, baked chicken, and enchiladas are good to make ahead and reheat meals. I then set up a baking station on a kitchen counter.  

Here is a picture of ours from yesterday. It’s nothing fancy, but it works. I re-use the same bowl and measuring spoons, washing them out between batches.

I let each kid choose what muffins/cookies/scones they want to make that week.  

That child gets to have 1:1 parenting time together to make their recipe. The other two kids read quietly in the living room for their turn. We adapt the recipes to what we have on hand. 36 muffins (Each kid makes 12) are too much for even our family of 5, and so I freeze half of each batch for another week week. 6 muffins go into each freezer bag.

That way, we don’t get tired of eating the same thing all the time and there is always a healthy snack or breakfast available for those busy days.

Some of our favorite breakfast muffin combinations

• Blueberry with Grated Orange Peel
• Lemon Blueberry
• Vanilla Raspberry
• Salted Caramel Pumpkin Muffins
• Vanilla Walnut
• Blueberry Streusel
• Strawberry Banana
• Orange Strawberry Jam Muffins
• Oatmeal
• Zucchini
• Chocolate Zucchini
• Cranberry Orange
• Lemon Poppy-seed
• Apple
• Apple Walnut
• Peanut Butter and Jelly

Click here for 30+ Muffin Recipes for Kids!

This week, we had purchased coconut milk and so my seven year old asked to make coconut raspberry muffins. I was game to try something new and they came out fabulous!

Want even more ideas with raspberries? Try these delicious Raspberry Oatmeal Bars! They start with a oat-maple syrup crust that is layered with tart, juicy raspberries and topped with a buttery crumble.

Raspberry Coconut Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of beet root powder (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 cup of coconut milk
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 egg beaten
• 3/4 cup frozen raspberries

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F.  Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, combine flours, sugar, beet root powder, and salt.  Mix well.
3. In a small bowl combine coconut milk, oil, and egg.  Mix well.  Add to dry ingredients. Mix only until blended.
4. Gently fold in frozen raspberries.
5. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
6. Cool to room temperature before serving

Amazon affiliate links below.

What is even more awesome – is that we found a book to go with this muffin – Raspberries! A story about a baker and his raspberry adventures! We’ve put it on hold at the library and look forward to reading it soon!  

Being able to extend an activity with a good book helps create life-long readers!

Are you looking for more back to school resources?  We recommend:

• Meet the Teacher Tips for Parents
• Back to School Printables
• Back to School Resources for Parents
• How to Write a Placement Letter

What is your families go-to healthy breakfast recipe?

Which Indian recipe will you make first?

How to Cook Indian Food with Kids

Cooking is a great way to bond with your kids and teach them valuable life skills. It can also be a fun and educational experience, especially when you’re cooking Indian food.

My husband’s family is Punjabi from New Delhi located in Northern India and over the past 20+ years, I’ve spent many hours and had so much fun learning to cook Indian dishes with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. The variety of recipes and types of spices incorporated into the recipes made in Indian homes throughout the world are delicious.

It’s been fun watching these Indian kitchen skills passed on to our three children, my nieces and nephew. With generation-to-generation learning, one thing I observed is that many talented Indian home chefs don’t always use measurements, it’s also been a learning curve to get things just right in taste.

Benefits of Cooking Indian Recipes with Kids

Cooking with your kids has many benefits, including:

• Encourages healthy eating. Indian food is typically made with fresh, healthy ingredients, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. By cooking Indian food with your kids, you can help them develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.
• Teaches kids about other cultures. Indian food is a great way to teach kids about other cultures. When you cook Indian food with your kids, you can talk about the history of India, its people, and its cuisine.
• Helps kids develop math and science skills. Cooking involves measuring ingredients, following instructions, and understanding how different ingredients interact with each other.
• Enhances family bonding. Cooking together is a great way to spend time with your kids and bond as a family. It’s a fun and relaxed activity that everyone can enjoy.

Here is our collection of 70+ Fun and Easy Recipes for Kids to Make

Tips for Cooking Indian Recipes with Kids

Here are a few tips for cooking Indian food with kids:

• Choose simple recipes. When you’re cooking with kids, it’s best to choose simple recipes that don’t require a lot of ingredients or steps. This will help keep the kids engaged and prevent them from getting frustrated.
• Prepare the ingredients ahead of time. This will help make the cooking process easier and more efficient.
• Let the kids help with the cooking. Kids love to help in the kitchen, so give them a chance to do so. Let them measure the ingredients, stir the pot, and taste the food.
• Take advantage of an instant pot. Many savory Indian dishes can be easily made more safely in an instant pot.
• Make it fun! Cooking Indian food should be a fun experience. Play some Indian music, dance around the kitchen, and enjoy each other’s company.

Kitchen Tools Recommended

Here are a few kitchen tools that I have found to make it easier to cook Indian recipes with my kids. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Onion chopper
• Garlic Mincer
• Bamboo Wooden Spoon Set
• Instant Pot
• Bamboo Wooden Cutting Board
• Morter and Pestle Set
• Kids Knife Set
• Skillet with Lid
• Glass Blender with Small To Go Option
• Cast Iron Round Griddle
• Chakla Belan and Polpat Belan
• Masala Spice Box for Kitchen

Once you’ve cooked your meal it can be fun to serve on a Thali Plate.

Easy Kid-Friendly Indian Recipes to Try

Here are a few easy and kid-friendly Indian recipes that you can try with your kids:

• Chicken Tikka Masala. This is a classic Indian dish that is sure to please kids. It is made with chicken that is marinated in a yogurt and spice mixture, then grilled or roasted.
• Dal Makhani. This is a hearty and comforting lentil dish that is pretty quick to make. It is made with black lentils that are simmered in a tomato and cream sauce.
• Aloo Gobi. This is a simple and flavorful dish made with potatoes and cauliflower. It is typically served with rice or flatbread.
• Naan. This is a soft and fluffy flatbread that is perfect for using to eat these delicious dishes.

One thing I’ve observed over the years is that there’s a difference between the foods you can get at your local Indian Restaurant or Buffet compared to what an average Indian family cooks for lunch or dinner. I wanted to share with you our family’s favorite Indian dishes that we eat every week.

In this guide, I’ve linked each recipe to the recipe and a how-to video. Something I wish I could have had access to 20+ years ago when I started learning how to make Indian recipes. This is truthfully for my children to use as they learn to make each of our family’s favorite Indian dishes. I hope you enjoy making them for your family with your children.

There are many ways to get the kids involved in these tasty recipes. Plus so many of them are made using whole foods like lentils and beans.

Disclosure: Please use all caution when cooking with your child. You know your child and their skills best to avoid accidents with heat or sharp objects. Many tasks are still adult-only tasks, use your discretion.

Vegetarian Indian Recipes for Kids

There’s a huge variety of vegetarian options for making Indian recipes with your child.

• Rajma Chawal (Kidney Beans with Rice) watch video
• Dal Makhani (Black Lentils with Rice) watch video
• Chole Chawal (Garbanzo Beans with Rice) watch video
• Chana Masala Bhatura (Garbanzo Beans with Fried Round Flat Bread) watch video
• Baingan Bharta (Eggplant) watch video
• Bhindi Masala (Okra) watch video
• Paneer Butter Masala (Paneer with Creamy Tomato Sauce) watch video
• Palak Paneer (Spinach with Paneer) watch video
• Kadhi Pakora (Onion Fritters in a spiced yogurt sauce) watch video
• Indian Sprout Salad (Sprouted Lentils and Garbonzo Beans) watch video
  – How to Sprout Lentils watch video
  – Benefits for Sprouts
• Vegan Rice Pilaf aka Pulao (every home makes it differently) watch video
  – Holy Cow Vegan
  – Delicious Magazine
  – Dassana Veg Recipes
  – BBC
• Boondi Raita (spiced yogurt side dish) watch video

The best part is that most of these start the same way with the base as you create these aromatic curries. This method creates that explosion of flavors we seek in Northern Indian food.

Children can measure the spices. Measuring out the beans, lentils, rice, or water can be a helpful task too. To make the base for many of these your child can help with using the Onion chopper or Garlic Mincer.

Sometimes you use a glass blender to blend curries, which kids love to push buttons.

We use our Instant Pot with many of our dishes which also helps with younger children and keeping them safe from hot pans.

Non-Vegetarian Indian Dishes to Make

Many kids are drawn to these traditional Indian chicken dishes. Mixing the marinade and blending the sauces are tasks the kids will enjoy.

• Butter Chicken (chicken in creamy sauce) watch video
• Tandoori Chicken (marinated chicken legs and thighs grilled) watch video
• Chicken Curry (chicken with curry) watch video
• Chicken Seekh Kebab (minced chicken on a skewer) watch video
• Biryani Chicken (One pot yogurt dark chicken with rice) watch video

Indian Flatbreads

Many Indian dishes are served with a flatbread. Traditional you would eat the food with this instead of a utensil. Kids love this feature!

• Naan (leavened, teardrop-shaped flatbread) watch video
• Chapati or Roti (whole wheat unleavened flatbread) watch video
• Paratha (stuffed Indian unleavened flatbread) watch video

Naan is a leavened bread (meaning it uses yeast), while roti is an unleavened bread (meaning it doesn’t). The different ingredients give a far different texture: naan is soft and chewy, while roti is dense and thin.

Indian Appetizers

Appetizers are probably my most favorite part of exploring Indian food! India is famous for it’s street food and these are my top picks for Indian Appetizers to make with your child.

• Samosas (pastry with a savory potato filling) watch video
• Golgappa (deep-fried, breaded ball filled with mashed potatoes, chickpeas, and a spicy mint-cilantro water and sweet chutney) watch video
• Pakoras (fried vegetables in a spiced batter) watch video
• Dahi Papdi Chaat (yogurt, crispy pooris, sev, and chutneys) watch video
• Aloo Tikki Chaat (crispy potato patties topped with yogurt and chutneys) watch video

We love products from Haldiram’s at the local Indian Grocery store for snacks to keep around the house with Chai.

Indian Drinks

• Indian Chai
• Mango Lassi
• Thandai
• Anar lassi

If you’re having appetizers, I’d suggest making Indian Chai for a warm drink. It’s a very common tradition of inviting guests for chai and snacks in India. Traditionally chai is made from black tea mixed with strong spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, black peppercorns, and milk. We use a chai masala from the store. You can watch the video to see how to prepare it.

There are a few other drinks the kids may enjoy. Mango lassi is a huge favorite with kids and adults. (watch video)You can also make Thandai, a traditional Indian drink that is made with milk, nuts, seeds, spices, and saffron. (watch video)

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Indian Spices

To make your cooking easier, here are a few spices we keep on hand from our local Indian grocery store. You can also grab them on Amazon with the link provided.

• Garam Masala
• Turmeric Powder
• Red Chili Powder
• Dal Makhani 
• Chana Masala
• Rajma Masala
• Green Cardamom
• Black Cardamom 
• Cumin Seeds 
• Chat Masala
• Butter Chicken 
• Tandoori Chicken 
• Biryani Masala

Indian Recipes on Pinterest

I’ve shared with you my favorite North Indian Dishes, you may also want to explore these South Indian Dishes too. So many new dishes and spices to discover with your child as you explore the cuisine of all of India.

Here’s more in-depth information about Exploring Indian Culture Through Food.

Want more ideas for inspiration, take a look at the 17 Best Indian Cooking YouTube Channels To Follow.

So next time you’re looking for a fun and educational activity to do with your kids, try cooking some Indian food. You might be surprised at how much you all enjoy it!

While your food is cooking, take a moment to do this fun India Virtual Field Trip with your child.

This India Virtual Field Trip Contains…

• Virtual Field Trip Journal Page 
• India Flag and Fun Facts Coloring Page
• India Map Coloring Page 
• Map of Asia Coloring Page 
• India Landmarks Fill in the Blank

We can’t wait to see which Indian Recipe you try first with your child!

You may also enjoy these kids’ activities…

Amazon Affiliate Links included in this article.

Steak and Mango Salsa Flatbread

The night before:

What is my favorite thing about this recipe is that you get to enjoy grilling Certified Angus Beef® twice! The night before, select a nice large steak of your favorite cut to grill. We like thick cuts slightly over 2 pounds medium to well done.  Before serving it to your ravenous family, slice of a portion and hide it in a covered dish in the fridge. (If I serve the whole steak, my family would eat it).

If you have a few beef fans in your house, I recommend storing it in a container that you cannot see inside and labeling it something like asparagus or brussel sprouts. Hey, some of us need to go to drastic measures to keep some steak left to make Steak and Mango Salsa Flatbread. We grill extra steak routinely so I can get more protein into my every day. I use the “hidden” steak to top my salads and lunch& time, to toss into our breakfast roll-ups and add to our grilled flatbreads.

How to Make the Mango Salsa

Make ahead of time – or assemble last minute. We’ve done it both ways and both are tasty. The overnight version lets flavors meld better. Let the kids help assemble and mix this mango salsa. Any extras are great scooped up with corn chips!(You will only need a large spoonful for the Steak and Mango Salsa Flatbread)

Ingredients needed:

• 4 medium tomatoes
• 1/2 sweet onion
• 1 green pepper
• 2 hot peppers
• 1 cup chopped mango
• 1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro
• pinch of salt.

Directions:

1. Wash and chop all ingredients.

2. Combine in a medium bowl.

3. Cover and let sit overnight in the refrigerator for flavors to combine.

How to Make the Steak and Mango Salsa Flatbread

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 prepared thin flatbread
• 1 tablespoon Mango Chipotle Yogurt Dressing
• 1/2 cup of prepared mango salsa
• 8-10 thinly sliced steak strips.
• 1/2 cup of shredded Monterrey Jack.

Directions:

Heat up your grill

1. Spread a thick layer of Mango Chipotle Yogurt Dressing on the flatbread.

2. Evenly top with mango salsa and steak strips.

3. Sprinkle cheese on top.

4. Grill covered on medium heat for 4-6 minutes until the cheese has melted and the flatbread is lightly crispy on the edges.

This recipe has been entered into the Food and Wine Conference Certified Angus Beef recipe contest.

I cannot tell you how much I love my Weber Genesis Grill. It has lasted for over 5 years and we use it almost every night during the summer months so that we don’t heat up the inside of our house when it is 90+ degrees outside.

My friends came over for a playdate this week and I fired up the grill to make pizza. They were all impressed with my grill skills and wanted to know everything about it.

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Here’s how to make it!

You all know that my kids and I LOVE to garden, we are also in the kitchen cooking all the time,

and

I’m a steakhouse kinda mom.

SO, I decided to create an original recipe inspired by  Rosen Shingle Creek dining options A Land Remembered – Steakhouse to be entered into the contest AND I used what we had in the garden: fresh Kale and cherry tomatoes. It is my original recipe to the best of my knowledge!

(I sent the little guy to get all the veggies, since he likes to take all the “balls” off the tomato plants no matter what color they are. Back inside he helped wash everything in the sink and also insisted upon “cooking” too! He added the vegetables, stirred, and mixed it all up! We call it Garden to Table)

This Kale, Orzo & Feta Summer Salad would make a great side dish to a grilled chicken breast!

Kale, Orzo & Feta Summer Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of thin sliced Kale
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 cup of crumbled feta
• 1 cup of cooked orzo
• 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes
• sprig of fresh basil finely chopped
• dash of crushed red pepper
• juice from 1/2 fresh lemon

Directions:

1. Mix together thin sliced Kale, olive oil and salt in a medium size bowl, let stand for 30 minutes.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and mix.
3. Salt and pepper to taste
4. Refrigerate 2-3 hours before serving for best flavors.

For more healthy summer-time recipes:

Healthier Potato Salad
Steak & Potato Breakfast Fajita
Sweet Potato Brownie Cookie

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