Lunch Box Ideas and More!
From how to save on groceries to packing the perfect lunch and preparing dinner with ease
From the LifeMinute team
Already stressed about the busy back-to-school schedule? Erin Chase, the mom-slash-chef behind 5dollardinners.com, shares her best kitchen shortcuts to help you get through the hectic season with ease.
Who doesn't want to slash some money off their grocery bill this Fall? Favado, a new grocery savings mobile app, allows you to quickly view all sales for the local grocery stores in your area. It shows you the available coupons so you can combine the sale price with the coupon price and make sure you are paying the absolute lowest possible for all the items on your list. "It's also a really handy tool for meal-planning and planning your weekly shopping trips because you can compare prices across different stores," says Erin, "I love this app because it helps you make sure that you are not overspending on groceries each week." You can download Favado for free in the Google Play Store or App Store.
You want to feel good about what you are giving your kids for lunch. Erin loves Santa Cruz Organic Fruit Spreads, nut butters and fruit pouches. "Their applesauce pouches are the perfect addition to any lunchbox or a fantastic afterschool snack," she says. Each one is USDA certified organic and has no artificial ingredients or added sugar. To avoid a soggy PB&J sandwich, Erin says put peanut butter on each piece of the bread and then add jelly in the middle. For more great recipes and ideas for organic living, visit santacruzorganic.com.
To add a cute little addition to your kids' lunchbox, Erin adores these notes from Lunchbox Love... "I love that my kids have positive messages, jokes, fun facts and riddles in their lunch," she says. Each card comes with a fun fact and a positive message such as "I feel lucky to be your Mom," "Be kind," and "A cloud can weigh more than a million pounds." There are enough messages to last the entire school year, and each pack is just $2.99. Right now you can even save 40% off when you use the code LUNCH40 at sayplease.com.
Once the lunches are packed, you're probably already thinking about dinner... For a simple dinner solution, Erin turns to HamBeens soup mixes. They are dried beans with a seasoning packet you can quickly just load in a slow cooker, making it the perfect meal for a busy mom to prepare. The mixes are hearty and delicious, packed with protein and fiber. You can find the 15-bean soup from HamBeens in the dry bean section of your grocery store. In the mood for a spicy twist? Try HamBeen's other varieties, including Cajun, to kick it up a notch.
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