The summer is coming to an end and it’s time to go back to school. Your little one may be heading to nursery or after-school activities, so you need to make a balanced (and tasty) playground snack for them to enjoy.
Ensuring your children have everything they need and are ready to go back to school while also maintaining your own workload can be stressful, but it doesn’t need to be. A few days before school starts, establish a few habits that will help you throughout the year.
• Plan when snacks will be needed: in order to be prepared, you need to know your family’s plans each week. Consider using a family planner or calendar if you don’t already, and encourage everyone to add their activities to it so that you have full visibility. You’ll then be able to plan ahead and prep snacks and treats for everyone. For example, if your children are at after-school clubs on Wednesdays, they may need additional snacks to keep them going until dinner. If you know about this ahead of time, you can prepare these on the weekend and free up your time in the week.
• Use Cookidoo®: bookmark those recipes that your child loves and are easy to make, or create your own collection of snack time favorites. Save time by adding the ingredients to your shopping list to make sure they’re always on-hand.
• Stock up on Seasonal staples: if you have items like dried fruit, butter, flour, sugar and baking powder in your fridge and cupboards, homemade snacks will only ever be a few minutes away.
Additives, colorings, preservatives… store-bought cakes and cookies often contain things you don’t want your little one to eat. By using your Thermomix® to cook healthy and natural foods, it’s easier to control what your child will snack on. And it will keep your costs down!
• Celebrate strawberry season. Why not use your Thermomix® to make jam for Peanut Butter and Jam Thumbprint Cookies or PB&J Muffins? It’s cheaper than buying a pack at the supermarket. And guaranteed to please your family!
• Selecting your own ingredients (butter, flour, etc.), allows you to ensure the quality of your little one’s food. Choose recipes that meet your child's dietary needs and make notes to adapt ingredients to suit your family.
There’s no need to juggle making snacks and getting dinner ready. Start on the weekend for a more relaxed experience. For example, use your Thermomix® to make Braided Milk Bread on Sunday afternoon. Leave it to cool, then wrap it in cling wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for 2 to 3 days and is as great at breakfast as it toasted for sandwiches.
If you make jams, cookies, pastries, bread, etc. in advance, you’ll have plenty to choose from at snack time.
Go a step further and ask your child to help select recipes. You’re certain to have great fun! If they are old enough, try browsing Cookidoo® to select recipes that can turn into tasty school snacks together.
Preparing a 100% homemade snack is great, but keep it fresh using a colorful container or little snack box that’s easy to slip into your child’s backpack. Choose modern and/or customizable designs, made with materials that are easy to clean and reusable. These boxes protect cookies and cakes, prevent liquids from leaking out and keep fruit ready to eat.
Your child’s eyes will light up when they unpack their snack at school: “My Daddy/Mommy made this for me with their Thermomix®!”
