Whether you have a child heading back to school or you’re looking for a way to save a buck & eat healthier, sacked lunches don’t have to mean pb&j! Taking your lunch saves money & your waist line, and can be fun too.

Check out some of these recepies  from www.parenting.comfor a wonderful brown bag surprise!

A colorful, super-healthy lunch choice. Spread white bean dip on a whole-wheat or spinach tortilla wrap. Layer with lettuce, sliced tomato, cheese, thinly sliced cucumber (or pickle if your child is a fan), avocado and other favorite vegetables. Roll up the tortilla. Then slice into 4 1-inch cross-sections to make the wheels.

While your child would no doubt enjoy diving into a meal of sticky sweet fruit leather, this guilt-free version offers nutrients and energy to keep her going for the second half of the school day.

Spread blueberry or strawberry-flavored cream cheese on a whole-wheat tortilla wrap. Top with fresh blueberries or sliced strawberries and roll tortilla.

This kid-favorite gets a healthy makeover to fuel your child’s busy body all day long. Make these the night before to save time in the morning. Top English muffin halves with jarred marinara sauce (if your child won’t object, add chopped steamed broccoli or spinach to the sauce.) Sprinkle pre-shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Let cool, then wrap up.

My family loves my chicken pot pie! I get rave reviews every time I make it. It is so simple to throw together I often make it for new moms or sick friend, and get asked for the recipe every time.

So I have decided to share it with you. Sharing this will certainly strip me of my credibility as a” cook “because it is just so simple, but I am willing to risk it!

You will need:

Two store bought refrigerator pie crusts 9″

Can each of cream of Mushroom & cream of chicken

1/4 cup milk or water

Cooked chicken or turkey left over or purchased from the deli

Bag of frozen mixed veggies

One onion small & diced up

S&P

To make:

Pre  heat oven to 425

Place one pie crust in pie plate on bottom set aside

Mix soups , milk, veggies, onion, chicken & s&p to taste in bowl

Fill Pie crust

Top with second crust

Cut steam slits in top crust

Bake at 425 for 20 min or so (until crust is done & inside is bubbly)

Tips:

Use a cookie cutter to cut shapes in top crust before putting it on top

Also try Cajun seasoning instead of s&p mmmm with a kick

Mix it up & try any filling you like, you cannot go wrong when its warm & creamy between pie crust

Try adding one store bought item to your dish! It really isn’t cheating if it saves you  time & you get to enjoy your cooking experaince! Short cuts are ok!

Well summer is winding down & fall will soon be here. But before you start your canning & pie making try a fun outdoor fondue party to close out summer in style!

What you will need

Fresh fruit from your local market

Marshmallows

Nuts

Raisins

Chocolate

A bit of h2o

A fondue pot or double broiler

Metal skewers

How to do it

Simply add a bit of water & zap your chocolate in the microwave or use a fondue pot & fallow directions on your pot.

Gather your dippables & kissables

Dip & enjoy your fruit family & friends

-Happy summers end

XOXOX

” We are not building a rocket ship here people. Just cooking plain & simple”

-Emeril Legasi

Burgers Anyone….

I found these super cute cup cakes at one of my fav sites for kid friendly recopies & just had to share them with you!

What a great way to celebrate an out door end of summer BBQ ! These and other fun ideas www.familyfun.go.com not only tasty, but fun, & you will be the hit of the party when you show up with these.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
	Hamburger Cupcakes
	2 vanilla wafer cookies
	1 Keebler Grasshopper cookie
	Yellow and red icing in tubes
	Green tinted coconut
	Slices of green gumdrop (optional)
	Orange juice or lemonade concentrate
	Sesame seeds
	1 baked cupcake
	White icing
	Multicolored nonpareils
	Hot Dog Cupcakes
	1 circus peanut
	1 caramel square
	Yellow icing in a tube
	Green tinted coconut
	Cut-up green gumdrop (optional)
	Orange juice or lemonade concentrate
	1 baked cupcake
	White icing

A few tips

Dip you knife in hot water between frosting dips to ensure a great frost

Don’t go crazy trying to replicate a design -You may not be the best with fondant,  or the selection of candy could be limited in your area. So check out the examples & get inspired, make your own cute cake

Cup cakes are fun but flimsy so don’t get too heavy on top

Frost your cakes them transfer them to the tray or container they will be served or transported in to decorate. Then you don’t have to move them twice & risk a wreck–try a shallow grocery box lined in foil for easy travel &  a strong base. Then use the high sides to tent the foil for riding in the car.