More back-to-school/lunchbox ideas with these unusual but delicious cookies. An after school snack (or afternoon coffee break!) of chocolate chip cookies is both iconic and nostalgic. Who doesn’t want a cookie or three to look forward to and get them through the rest of the day? My daughter always wants a sweet treat in her lunchbox, so I use it as a way to sneak in some healthy goodness. Cookies are a great vehicle to “hide” healthy ingredients in. While these have butter, sugar and chocolate chips (because I want them to actually taste good!!), they are also full of whole wheat pastry flour, oats, almond meal and an extra dose of protein from pureed lentils, which I promise you can’t taste. And if gluten-free or nut allergies are a concern, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with substitute ideas at the bottom of the recipe.
Overnight Oatmeal Chia Bowls
It’s August here in Georgia and for my kids that means back to school. That also means early mornings of making breakfast and packing lunches. I’m always looking for quick and easy meals not only for them but for myself as well. I also love make ahead dishes that are just as good on day five as they were the day I made them. This is one of those recipes. I also love it because it allows for each person in your home to add their favorite toppings so that you never have to hear, “but I don’t like that!”. Cause who really wants to start the morning hearing those words? This recipe is also a great way to start your morning with whole grains, fiber and even a good source of protein. I actually used a nutrition app to plug in these ingredients and will share those nutrition facts at the bottom of the recipe.
Overnight Whole Grain Waffles
If you subscribe to the blog, then you know that we are dedicating August and September to new breakfast, lunch and snack ideas, just as summer comes to an end and a new school year begins. This month started out with a bonus post of Toasted Coconut, Millet and Banana Muffins. (Subscribe to receive bonus posts every month!) Full of whole grains, honey and banana goodness, they make great snacks and on-the-go breakfasts. Next up, a whole wheat yeasted waffle batter that is made up at night and then stashed in the fridge until the next morning for a quick and easy breakfast your family will love. Because, who doesn’t love waffles? And leftover waffles can be frozen for your own healthy version of those ones you pop in the toaster, or used in lieu of sandwich bread to mix up the ol’ PB&J.