Snack Solutions for Kids
I can see it like it was just yesterday, the backpacks being drug across the floor as my children walked into the kitchen looking like they were rolled in a dust pile from playing on the playground.
“MOOOM, I’M STARVING!”
Fortunately, I quickly learned that having healthy snacks on hand in the fridge or pantry made my life much more pleasant and it kept me from worrying about them eating so much junk food. (Small Mom win!)
Here are a few of our favorites.
I can see it like it was just yesterday, the backpacks being drug across the floor as my children walked into the kitchen looking like they were rolled in a dust pile from playing on the playground.
“MOOOM, I’M STARVING!”
Fortunately, I quickly learned that having healthy snacks on hand in the fridge or pantry made my life much more pleasant and it kept me from worrying about them eating so much junk food. (Small Mom win!)
Disclaimer: I’m not a nutritionist; just a mom and former kindergarten teacher that wanted to have some healthy choices for her kids to have on hand. My daughter, Riley, has learned even more smart tips now that she’s babysitting school aged children. These ideas are a conglomerate of things I did and things we’ve learned from other Mama’s through the years.
Here are a few of our favorites.
Sweet
There is nothing better than cold (or frozen) grapes after a long, hot day in a Louisiana classroom. Fruit is a big winner at our house. I also love dehydrated fruits.
As long as the apples were cut, my kids would devour them. If I left them whole, they would rot! Why is that???
To keep apples from turning brown, add a little lemon juice to the container. Using a peanut, sunflower or almond butter “dip” is a great way to add some protein too.
Also, if you are making a lunch with fruit as a side, mixed fruit is not too popular with kids for some reason. They much prefer tiny compartments with a variety of separated food.
And if your children have a sweet tooth, Trader Joes has chocolate covered bananas and strawberries that you can keep in the freezer. Let’s be honest, this Mama LOVES these too. It’s just enough to curb my sweet tooth.
Sour
Tart fruits such as grapefruits, oranges, green apples or tart cherries are a great alternative to sour patch kids!
***Cut grapes in ½. Sprinkle with some lime juice. I haven’t personally tried this but Riley says you will love it if you like sour candy!
Greek yogurt is delicious!
Lemon and Lime sparkling water is a refreshing treat too!
Salty
Baked carrot chips or kale chips are a great go to snack if your kiddos need a salty fix.
Here is a great recipe to try.
Trail mix and Veggie Straws are another great choice. You can always add dark chocolate chips to mix the sweet and salty flavors.
Hummus with cut up veggies such as carrots, celery, or bell peppers is also a healthy snack! You can put small baggies of different veggies in your fridge snack bin and the individual packs of hummus in your pantry snack bin! These are great for snacks or lunches!
Sweet Potato Fries have been a family favorite of ours.
Wash and dice your sweet potatoes. Put in a bowl; mix with olive oil and Lipton Onion Soup Mix, salt and pepper. Spread on a cookie sheet. Bake at 400 until brown and crisp on the bottom, about 15 minutes, then flip and cook until the other side is crisp, about 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Riley uses her air fryer instead of the oven to make these. Whatever your choice, it’s a healthy snack!
High Protein
My son needed protein ASAP to improve his mood. I would cut up ham or turkey along with cheddar cheese and he would devour it! You can also roll the meat slices. My kids called these “meat roll-ups” and ate them right up.
Celery or apple slices with peanut butter is also a winner. Peanut butter also comes in individual serving sizes. Be sure to check the sugar amount in the peanut butter if this is important to you.
Thin slices of salami make a great “chip” to dip in warm Brie.
I also search the Internet for great snack, lunch, and dinner ideas. Here is a blog I love with one of my kids favorites!!
Snack Bins
I had a large, plastic basket in the bottom of my pantry for the non-perishable snacks. Had I had more pantry space, I would’ve had the individual hummus cups in a bin, the individual, peanut butter cups in a bin, etc…you get the point. I didn’t have the space back then for it to be beautiful, so I did the next best thing and made it practical!
Here are my tips when choosing a bin:
Clear if possible. That way you can see when you are running low and add the items to your grocery list.
Needs to be large enough to hold a weeks worth of snacks. I really didn’t want to go to the store more than that! Who has that kind of time?
These are just a few quick go-to ideas that I hope can help you!
As for storage bins for the refrigerator or pantry, check these out!
Here is another choice from The Dollar Tree. These are not as large but work great if space is limited.
Don’t over think this! Start with something you have around your house and change it if it isn’t working.
We Mama’s have enough on our plate!
The last point I’ll make is make sure your children know that this is where to go for snacks after school. Labeling is a simple way to alleviate having to show them over and over!
Here are a few of our favorites:
We have more pantry organizing ideas in this blog. Take a look!
Meal plans can be simple as well. Here’s a great example of how to maximize your meals and minimize your groceries. I’d love to tell you that this is my meal plan, but I’m just not that good at the cooking thing! A dear friend of mine created this genius meal plan and thankfully shared it with me.
Being organized with food will take a little more planning on the front end but you will gain so much time during the week not having to run to the grocery store more than once or staring at the fridge waiting for a dinner idea to come to you. Trust me, I do not like to cook so planning was awful but needed!
Keep it simple!
Good luck y’all! I’m cheering for you!
Want to have a little fun with us while gaining some organizing tips? Join Martha-Carol and her daughter, Riley for Cocktails with Chaos on Thursday nights at 8:30pm on Facebook!
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All Things Dorm and Preparing Your Student for the Big Move
AGGHHHH! My son is heading to college and moving in the dorm. I’ve got to start thinking about the dorm essentials he will need. Having the right dorm essentials helps your student feel as if they have a home away from home. I hope this list helps answer some questions and eases your worry a bit. You’ve done a good job getting them to this place, they will be great. Time to let them fly!
AGGHHHH! My son is heading to college and moving in the dorm. I’ve got to start thinking about the dorm essentials he will need. Good news, I’ve done this once already. Easy peasy right? Not so much. In 3 short years things have already changed a bit. Not to mention, the girl versus boy thing is very different. (My son could care less about matching his bedding with his roommate’s bedding and doesn’t need the cutesy headboards, matching towels or monogrammed anything! Lucky me! ) So, I did what I do best and found good resources to gather information and advice. I already had a fabulous list given to me three years ago by a mom of four (Thank you Kathy!) so I had a really great baseline to start. Next, I contacted my parent friends with kids who did this just last year-very helpful! And my secret weapon, an LSU Resident Assistant who has been in the dorm for the past three years. Her job is to help dorm residents thrive and survive so this was really helpful!
My updated checklist is in PDF printable form on the Free Printable's section of our website. Here is the link to that.
In addition to that list, here are a few other tips.
Read your “Living on Campus” handbook for your school. Each school will have varying rules about what they allow.
GET A MATTRESS TOPPER! The beds are uncomfortable. If your student is going to be in a humid climate, the RA suggested getting one with a case or getting a waterproof mattress cover to put between the topper and the sheets. She said that there have been cases where the mattress topper absorbed water when the rooms were not climate controlled (Holiday breaks) leaving all of the students bedding wet for a period of time.
Command hooks are great. Some schools want you to use push pins instead. (Command hooks can pull paint off the walls if not installed correctly.)
2 power strips cannot be put together. (Power strip plus extension cord) because it’s a fire hazard. Order a power strip with a long cord if you plan on raising the bed high.
Get lightbulbs that stay cool to the touch to prevent fires.
Fairy lights are a great way to spruce up a room as well as gently light up a space without bothering a roommate who is sleeping. There are even some that sync to music or sound.
A first aid kit with cold meds, allergy meds, acetaminophen and other non-prescription medicine is important to have on hand. Living with new people and new germs means more minor sickness.
Tell your son/daughter to get to know the RA. This person can be a much-needed ally if there are roommate or neighbor issues.
A carpet or rug and a bulletin board of some sort to hang photographs can make the place feel much more like home. Rugs also give friends a softer place to sit when they visit.
Get a hanging bathroom caddy if they have a hall bathroom. That allows them to hang the caddy on a hook versus sitting it on the floor where it gets wet.
Collapsible storage or under bed drawers are great for holding food or extra clothes. If your child can’t come home to swap out seasonal clothing, these containers are extremely helpful for storage.
Steamers or wrinkle release spray to help when they need to look presentable.
Furniture with storage is also great. My daughter had a stool to climb into her bed that also stored her shoes.
Your son/daughter will want a card holder that sticks to their phone, so they don’t forget their room key! Here are a couple of options.
Some schools give these out free on the first day!
It’s a great idea to pack everything in large storage bins and label the bins. Bring a dolly and/or wagon to help get the bins from the car to the dorm room.
Patience is a MUST because things move slowly on move in day.
Pack water and snacks too.
Some other advice that might be helpful.....
Please don’t get your feelings hurt when they want to unpack and “nest” on their own. Remember, this is the first time they’ve had their very own space! It doesn’t mean they don’t love you when they push you out the door. (Can someone please remind me of this when I bring my son to his dorm? I have a lump in my throat already!) Kids let your parents help a little. It makes us feel better knowing there are sheets on your bed (even if you don’t sleep on them!)
Make a deal with your son/daughter that you won’t call them every day. Instead, set up a time and day that they check in and let you in on what’s going on. I was so relieved when my daughter would text me and just say, “I’m alive.” My son will most likely not check in as often as I would like so I’ll have to be satisfied with once or twice a week. We Mama’s worry....Sigh.
Leaving my daughter at school was the hardest part for me. Plan something fun to do that night such as a nice dinner out or visit with friends (if we can!) It helps ease you into them being gone. And trust me, when they come home for the holidays and bring their mess and laundry back with them, you will be counting the days until they go back to school. HA!
Having the right dorm essentials helps your student feel as if they have a home away from home. I hope this list helps answer some questions and eases your worry a bit. You’ve done a good job getting them to this place, they will be great. Time to let them fly!
Preparing our kids to move into their college dorm and sending them off on their own can be emotional and a hard thing to do. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, give us a call so we can help you get organized and prepared at 225-205-6400.
Remember to hug those kiddos a little tighter this weekend, and have a Happy Father’s Day!
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College Dorm Evacuation Tips and Solutions
“Mom, I have 24 hours to move out my dorm. They are closing school and moving classes online. What do I do?”
Did you get this call this week? My sister did and panic set in because my niece is in school 16 hours away. Quick decisions had to be made.
I know many of you are facing the same issues so thought I would share our solutions.
“Mom, I have 24 hours to move out my dorm. They are closing school and moving classes online. What do I do?”
Did you get this call this week? My sister did and panic set in because my niece is in school 16 hours away. Quick decisions had to be made.
Does she drive home with all of her things? Does she fly home and only bring the necessities? How long will she be home before she needs to head back? Weeks, months? There is so much unknown!
I know many of you are facing the same issues so thought I would share our solutions.
My sister decided to store my niece’s non-essential items in her college town. (In my barn!). We got lucky because my niece is at LSU and all of our family lives here giving her lots of options. I know many of you do not have a barn option so you may need to get a small storage unit, or a borrowed a garage, attic or basement.
The storage unit might seem extreme, but you can rent these by the month. They typically cost around $100 a month for a climate-controlled unit.
For storing and transporting items, I recommend 56-66 quart bins. If your child is packing and moving on their own, they might want to choose smaller bins that they can easily carry, but they will need more since less will be stored in them. Plastic is a better option than cardboard because cardboard attracts bugs. If you use portable plastic drawers in the dorm, wrap them in plastic wrap (available near packing supplies in stores.) or use painters’ tape to make sure they stay closed during transport.
Here is our advice on how to pack those bins:
Pack items that will not be used at home separately from the essentials they will need. Essentials mean clothes, makeup, hair items, shoes and any perishables. (If your child is flying home, have them give perishables to a friend.) Text books, notebooks and the outrageously expensive calculator need to be easily accessed when classes begin again.
Separate what you put into the bins by use:
Linens (Bedding, curtains, towels.)
Kitchen items(coffee pots, dishes, utensils, pots, pans, plastic ware.)
Accessories and decor
Clothes and personal items that they will bring home.
If your child isn’t returning to the dorm, they might consider selling or giving the dorm items to someone that will need it. (Dorm fridge, twin xl bedding, etc.). We have been passing dorm items down from one cousin to the next. My son is next on the list and we are so appreciative to already have these items!
Please let us know if you have any questions or if we can help you in any way during this difficult time. Your student will be stressed and possibly anxious. We hope this helps give you some guidance and a little peace in the chaos.
We can be reached at info@chaosorganizing.com
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The Effects of Clutter on Our Children
Numerous studies have confirmed my theory that clutter and chaos can have negative impacts on children’s lives. Excessive visual, olfactory and tactile stimulation may cause our senses to work overtime. If our senses are already working overtime just by being in a room, then how is a child supposed to focus on what’s important?
Look around your home, what message are you sending to your children?
Do you ever walk into your home and feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, and possibly anxious? In a 2016 study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology scientists declared environments can have a negative effect on a person’s wellbeing.
That made me wonder, what effect is all of our "stuff" having on our children?
Back in my teaching days, I planned my classroom centers with specific goals in mind. Certain areas were stimulating, bright and full of manipulatives and activity (ex. a math center), but I also planned areas with empty walls, calming colors and no clutter (ex. The reading center). It was interesting to me how children sought out the calming space, sometimes more than the active space. I also noticed the difference in the behavior of the children in these areas. Children in the bright areas were active, chatty, engaged. This area also had more emotional outbursts, aggressive behavior and chaos. Children in the reading center, which was less chaotic, were found to be quieter and calmer. There were fewer outbursts of emotions and less negative behaviors in these areas. This wasn’t a true scientific experiment, yet I saw first-hand that clutter and stimulation effect children’s behavior, sometimes in a negative way.
What does your child’s homework space look like?
Numerous studies have confirmed my theory that clutter and chaos can have negative impacts on children’s lives. Excessive visual, olfactory and tactile stimulation may cause our senses to work overtime. If our senses are already working overtime just by being in a room, then how is a child supposed to focus on what’s important?
Look around your home, what message are you sending to your children?
This sentence makes one thing come to mind, the cardboard box. Why? Because how many times do we buy things for our children only to watch them be more fascinated with the cardboard box? What makes us buy these "things" is great advertising that makes us believe our kids will be better, smarter and have much more fun with "____" item when in truth, the best gift you can give them is your time and a cardboard box. Ok, maybe a few markers or crayons too. Let the fun begin.
They don’t need more THINGS. They just need YOU.
Which brings me back to the message we send our children. If you are constantly needing new things, new stimuli, new stuff to feel happy, then your children could possibly be observing and learning that behavior, instead of learning that happiness comes from within. They too may be feeling overstimulated and anxious from all of the "stuff" you love to buy them.
Help your family win their day by having a clutter free home where they can play, focus and feel stress free.
Don’t know where to start? Call us for a consultation where we can help you formulate a plan! 225-205-6400
We at Chaos Organizing wish you a happy, clutter free Valentine’s Day!
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Win the Day, Win a Moment, Win Some Peace
I am sitting here with a book to read (one of three) about business ...not the fun side of things for me but something I am learning. I flipped to the middle (hoping something would catch my attention) and the sentence I read was “How are you helping me win the day?” I had an Oprah Aha moment. That’s it! That sentence expresses EXACTLY what I’m trying to help people do. Win the day! Win a moment! Win some peace!
“How are you helping me win the day?”
Many times I am asked to tell the Chaos Organizing Story. Truthfully, it’s not that exciting. The short version: I was a teacher and while I loved being a teacher, I knew I should be doing something more. I couldn’t explain the feeling; it was just something I knew. It took me three years of praying to discover that my passion for organizing could have a purpose. I had a gift that I could share. Fast forward almost seven years later…Chaos has a team of organizers helping clients find peace in their homes, one closet at a time! Or something like that. LOL
I am sitting here with a book to read (one of three) about business ...not the fun side of things for me but something I am learning. I flipped to the middle (hoping something would catch my attention) and the sentence I read was “How are you helping me win the day?” I had an Oprah Aha moment. That’s it! That sentence expresses EXACTLY what I’m trying to help people do. Win the day! Win a moment! Win some peace!
I get it. The lack of peace that comes with having a busy career, kids, husband, pets and a home to maintain can be maddening. As I brought my 2nd child home from the hospital (2 under 2…crazy!) I felt overwhelmed at the thought of managing it all. But I had a secret weapon in my back pocket that many do not, I had the help of an organized mother and sister who had been down this path. By adopting systems they already had in place, the shift from a family of 3 to 4 went relatively smoothly. Don’t get me wrong, my house was not perfect. There were crazy amounts of toys all over the place. But my keys, purse and sunglasses had a home enabling me to get out the door for work right on time! (Win!) My laundry was not sitting in the dryer, but hung in my closet categorized by color so I could get dressed at a moments notice for any occasion. (Win!) My shoes were put away each night so I could find them in the morning. (Win!) Certain toys were put away in labeled bins allowing me to rotate the chaos of toys floating around my house. (Win!) The best part, we had routines. As a teacher, you have no idea how much peace that brought me. Our morning routine, after school routine and evening routines were posted on our refrigerator and followed most of the time. (Huge win) These routines changed each year as the kids got older but the basics were there and the kids knew them by heart.(Big win!)
So as you sit there feeling overwhelmed in the midst of your after Christmas chaos, happy that school is back in because the lack of structure was getting to you, just know that I understand and want to help you win the day, win the moment, win some peace with a little help from someone with the gift of organization just like my Mama helped me. Now go find a home for your keys.
Reference: Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller
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