Back to School! New schedules and routines provide the perfect opportunity to start fresh with new habits that will ensure you and your kids are fueled and ready for a great year. Find your new rhythm and let's go.
The Fresh Start Effect is real!
What is one nutritional habit you're ready to reset this fall? Please respond and let me know!
Keep reading for meal inspo, recipes, and time saving tips….but FIRST..
Know that this season of busy, juggling multiple school and sports calendars is temporary. You WILL figure out how to feed your kids breakfast and get dinner on the table. You CAN do it from a grounded, confident state versus a frantic, 'Am I doing this right?' place with this one tip. Practice a short mindfulness break.
“But I don't have time!”
You have 15 seconds. Stop. Take 3 deep breaths. Think about what you are about to do. This short mindfulness break helps you move into a mindset of “I am doing the best I can in this situation,” “I don't need to be perfect, it just needs to be done,” and appreciating the fact that we have full and satisfying lives no matter how busy they are.
Find your new rhythm - if weekends are too busy for prepping and planning, is there a day during the week? Release the idea of a 7 day plan, and go for 3-4 days at a time. Identify the nights you can sit down as a family to eat and do your best on the other days. Double recipes to have leftovers. Use theme nights, for example, Mexican on Monday. Precut vegetables and fruit.
Easy breakfasts:
Think Protein + Fiber + Fun. This formula has endless possibilities and ensures kiddos are fueled for a full day of learning.
If you have time to prep:
*Breakfast burritos - so many healthy options in shells these days - Siete almond flour shells are big. Fill with scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, cheese. Roll up and cut in half and refrigerate.
If you have 10 min:
*Greek yogurt + fresh fruit + honey or nut butter drizzle
*Kodiak protein waffle sandwich topped with scrambled eggs and precooked turkey sausage patty or with nut butter
*Premade Egg Bites (Costco) with a side of fruit
*Snack plate – sliced hard boiled eggs, nuts, string cheese, granola
Smart snacks for a strong mind and body:
*Veggie sticks and dip - hummus, or whipped cottage cheese - add spices or everything but the bagel seasoning. Assemble into
snack boxes for grab and go.
*Apples and/or bananas + nut butter + chia seeds
Protein balls *Bento boxes/snack plates - clean out the pantry and fridge! deli turkey meat, cheese, olives, nuts, dried fruit, pickles, crackers
*Turkey roll ups around cheese stick + apple
*Rice cake + nut butter + all fruit jelly
Remember that mindfulness break? Go ahead and take one now.
Pick one or two new things to try and see how they go over.
Here's to a school year full of energy, better concentration, and happy eating - food is more than fuel, it's an investment in your kids potential.
