First up is my quick and easy solution for the dreaded afterschool snack rush. Because I'm the Meanest Mom On The Planet/A Total Control Freak, I don't let my kids raid the pantry to get whatever they want {which would be total and complete JUNK}. Instead, I am always willing to cut up a piece of fresh fruit or offer them a string cheese.
Inevitably, however, these choices become ho-hum to them because they aren't "snacky" enough {Ooh, I think I just made up the word "snacky" - nice}. To combat the whining, I always have three things on hand: goldfish, whole wheat pretzels and peanuts in the shell. They are always visible and easily within reach of little hands. When a fresh-from-school face begins to frown at the mention of fruit, I simply say, "Then get yourself a bowl of snacks."
I buy all these snacks in bulk at Costco and replenish when the jars are almost empty. This makes our afterschool routine much smoother. The kids are always aware of their options and we don't end up having a struggle.
Do you have an afterschool snack simplifying idea? Sound off.
ps. On Fridays I try to make some cookies or go all crazy and let them have good ol' greasy chips or nasty fruit snacks. Yeah, I pretty much rock {but only on Fridays}.
pps. I think I might have to wash those jars after looking at these pictures. Nah-stay.
ppps. January giveaway ends tomorrow at 5 pm EST!
15 comments:
Like you, we have standards on hand: cheese sticks, fresh fruit, graham crackers, cheddar bunnies, popcorn, cheese & crackers, dried fruit and nuts of all kinds.
When we go crazy, it usually involves Nutella or Marshmallow fluff.
Our go-to snack is also always fruit. Halle gets sick of hearing me say it. Other snacks are crackers, chips and salsa and, on cold days, hot cocoa.
I love having granola for them to snack on.
Where did you get those neat jars? Love them!
I got these jars at Walmart for $6 each!
Ah, snack time, always fun for everyone, except mom! Our snacks have to vary every couple of weeks, we must have short attention spans! So, I'll go to Costco every so often and get something different that should be a variation for a while. When it's gone, I look for something else. Recently it was pomegranate arils, they do all the hard work for you at Costco and I get to bring the pretty little things home, no mess! The dried Mango strips are a big hit around here. They get a pear or banana or berries to go with their snack. They also like frozen go-gurts. I will bake on Fridays as well, cookies or banana bread or gingerbread. During zucchini season I baked a lot of zucchini bread and zucchini cupcakes. I actually still have a lot of shredded zucchini in the freezer, maybe I'll use it this week!
Oh, thanks for sharing where you got the jars! I was thinking where I might have seen something similar and I was STUMPED!!!! BTW- new subscriber here and I am loving your blog!! Now to actually get started on something resembling home organization- Arrrrggggghhhh.so frustrating. Your ideas are so inspiring for someone like me, who is completely challenged in the Home Management dept.
It's always goldfish, cheese sticks or granny smith apples. If both the kids are good at school all week, I'll make cookies, brownies or cupcakes on Friday.
So it wasn't on purpose, but somehow I ran out of all of the fruit snacks, sugary bars, and other miscellaneous junk that my kids love to have for snacks. Now their choices are fresh fruit, cheese sticks, yogurt, or homemade granola. I love watching them come home and happily gobble down something healthy for them. It has been weeks, and so far nobody seems to have noticed that all of the junky stuff has disappeared.
My healthy snack, chocolate. It's one of the great mental health foods.
String cheese, and small fruits are always a hit at my house. Love the jars!
Our go-to snacks are granola bars, chocolate milk, or fruit like bananas and apples. My four oldest know how to cook though so we also have some variety of cookies on any give day. I plan on using jars like these when we get our new kitchen built. They make me think of old time country general stores!
These snack jars are adorable! But would definitely ruined my diet :)
Too funny...my favorite snacks are whole wheat pretzels and goldfish!! I rarely share with the kiddos though!
I am a control freak also and like to have some thing waiting when my kids get home. When they run in the house and sit up to the bar, they immediatley start purging the "news of their day". I love hearing it all! Much better than the days we run off to dance, piano, or some kind of activity.
a piece of good crusty bread with homemade jelly is the usual daily request.
My Mom always let us dig through the fridge for leftovers. That way she didn't have to serve them for dinner... of course this was when we were in high school.
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