Sponsored by Revolution Foods.
It's back to school time here! People frequently ask how the kids manage school since our business requires a lot of family travel. I shared some of our frustrations and schooling solutions last year. We've taken a blended approach by keeping our son in public school and using the district's contract learning program when we feel it's appropriate, opting out of certain things that don't work for him and supplementing with our own curriculum at home. There were a few bumps along the way, but we got into an awesome groove by the end of the year. We've been continuing our at-home lessons through the summer and it's been such a joy. Sometimes I really do think that I could teach them myself at home.
Then I remember that I have FOUR kids. That's a whole lot of human brains to wrangle.
For the time being, I squeeze as much impactful learning as I can into the quiet moments when the baby's asleep and the toddler's at preschool. It's just the two big boys, a box of craft stuff and a big table full of healthy lunch foods for a casual pick-and-choose meal.
We've been working with Revolution Foods, and their Lunch Bundles have helped me really focus on the kids in these important moments. We stock up on their grab n' go lunch kits for a quick meal at home or on-the-go. Here are some of my favorite picks that are included in their boxes.
Healthy Lunch Foods for an Epic Family Platter
- Turkey slices
- Cheese
- Crackers
- Trail mix
- Kettle corn
- Chocolate-covered pretzels
- Veggie crisps
- Almonds
- Chickpeas
- Flax chips
- Dark chocolate raisins
- Dried bananas
- Soy nuts
- No-nut butter
That's 14 different healthy lunch foods in total when I open up all four box varieties (they even have three gluten-free boxes just for people like me!). I love that there are boxes entirely without cheese and without nuts, so kids who have sensitivities can steer clear. My boys all have a favorite. My perky little 4-year-old is all about the Sundipper flavor because he loves no-nut butter and would eat pouches of that all dang day if I let him.
This guy always picks Superfood. I think his choice is largely driven by the dark chocolate raisins, but he eats the whole thing up so I'm a-okay with that!
To make sure they eat a full meal, I'll often plate everything and have us sit together to enjoy lunch while I ask them questions from one of those conversation card kits. I love having an excuse to hear everything on my kids' minds, and they love having my complete, undivided attention. I think they're also big fans of being able to choose their own bites. I'm learning that self-expression and choice are BIG things for kids, and I really try to incorporate those aspects into most of what we do.
When they're done, they settle back into their crafty fun and I sit down with a Revolution Foods Dinner Hero kit to figure out what we'll eat when Nate and the preschooler get home. I just add a protein to the kit's sauce, spices and rice blend and – BOOM – I'm the lunch and dinner hero. As if that wasn't enough, I've got pancakes up my sleeve for tomorrow's breakfast (Revolution Foods makes an easy solution for that, too, all without artificial flavors or colors).
Head on over to the Revolution Foods giveaway for a chance to win a month's supply of Revolution Foods! Then hop on to Facebook or Instagram and tell me your best parenting hacks with hashtag #HowDoYouHero.