Some mothers raise math wizards. Others, future professional athletes. Me? I’m raising two snacking champions.
Oh yes, there is such a thing.
When the boys return home from school, they make a beeline to the pantry and refrigerator. They’re so ravenous, you’d swear they have hollow legs! I used to hover, helicopter-parent style, ensuring they were making healthy and satisfying choices. But over the years I’ve learned that if you make nutritious options easy to grab and readily available, it’s that much easier for kids to gravitate towards them.
Here are my tips for after school snacking success.
1. Create a squad of BFFs. Best Finger Foods, that is. There’s no doubt that little hands like to reach for little foods. I always have sliced vegetables, sweet berries, bite-size croissants and Mini Babybel on hand. The varying tastes and textures satisfy their need for crunchy, soft, salty and sweet. …
I love to snack. Who doesn’t? It keeps hunger pangs at bay between meals and gives me that second wind I desperately need, especially mid-morning. (Yes, I would vote to make “elevensies” a thing.) But not just any snack will do – for me, the perfect noshing food is delicious, packed with quality ingredients and most importantly, contains important nutrients such as protein, fibre and a whole lot of whole grains. And, if it’s equally easy to sneak in my crossbody bag as it is to pack in the kids’ lunch, we’ll call it a winner. …
Strength Conditioning. For your hands. Because come September, there WILL be forms to sign. Mountains and mountains of forms to sign. Last year, I briefly considered ordering a personalized stamp with my name and phone number, so I wouldn’t have to fill out my information 1,734 times.