Power-Packed Lunchbox Ideas. Packing and prepping wholesome lunches doesn’t have to be a chore. You can kick health into high gear this school year with new ideas to make creative, nutrient-rich meals.
Fit to satisfy various dietary restrictions, the Power Your Lunchbox program offers kid-friendly options and allergy-sensitive selections. The program, which is dedicated to helping families make healthier lunches during the school year, features more than 80 registered dietitian-approved, family-tested meal ideas with produce as a focal point.
Consider skipping the typical sandwich, chips and apple. Instead, it only takes a few minutes to embark on a creative approach to lunch. Get the kids involved by having them use small cookie cutters to make fresh fruits and vegetables into fun shapes. Try complementing the produce with wraps or soups to add extra excitement to the typical lunchbox fare.
Regardless if your child is a picky eater or is on the more adventurous side, bento box lunches such as Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad Bento Box and Turkey Taco Salad Bento Box can prove to be satisfying, power-packed meals.
For more lunchbox inspiration, visit poweryourlunchbox.com.
Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad Bento Box
Prep time: 20 minutes
Servings: 1
- 16 ounces rotini pasta
- 6 mini sweet peppers, sliced
- 3 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup matchstick carrots
- 1/2 cup sesame ginger dressing
- 1/4 cup chow mein noodles
- 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup steamed edamame
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water.
- In large bowl, mix pasta, peppers, oranges, green onions, spinach, carrots and dressing. Toss to coat well. Top with chow mein noodles.
- Place in lunchbox with kiwi and edamame.
Turkey Taco Salad Bento Box
Prep time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1
- 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/4 cup cooked turkey meat, seasoned with taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoons shredded cheese
- 4 cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 2 tablespoons guacamole
- 1 ounce tortilla chips
- Assemble taco salad with lettuce, taco meat, cheese and tomatoes.
- Place in lunchbox with guacamole and chips.
SOURCE:
Produce for Kids (Family Features)
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Make Your Movie Night Pop. Invite your friends and neighbors over, spread out some comfy seating, and dim the lights. Whether it’s a kids’ birthday party, an adult gathering, or nearly anything in-between, hosting a movie night in the comfort of your own home – or on a projector in the yard – can be the perfect escape. Of course, tasty snacks only add to the fun.
Make Your Movie Night Pop
Light and airy popcorn is a movie watching staple and one you can feel good about eating. At only 30 calories per cup, whole-grain, freshly popped popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories, non-GMO, gluten-free, contains no artificial additives or preservatives, and is sugar-free.
Enjoyed a handful at a time or as part of creative, flavorful snack recipes – like Popcorn Pepperoni Pizza Dippers, Sweet, and Salty Popcorn Party Mix, Maple Bacon Popcorn Mix, and Truffle Popcorn – popcorn offers plenty of versatility to fit nearly any theme. Find more recipes perfect for serving at your next movie night at popcorn.org.
Make Your Movie Night Pop
Sweet and Salty Popcorn Party Mix
Yield: 14 cups
10 cups popped popcorn
2 cups miniature pretzel twists
1 cup pecans
1 cup peanuts
2 cups rice, wheat or corn cereal squares
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Heat oven to 300° F.
In large bowl, combine popcorn, pretzels, pecans, peanuts and cereal squares; set aside.
In medium saucepan over medium heat, heat butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir mixture until it begins to boil. Boil 3 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Note: Mixture will foam.
Pour syrup over popcorn mixture and stir until evenly coated. Pour mixture onto large, rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. Bake 30 minutes, stirring twice during baking. Stir mixture several times as it cools. Store in airtight container.
Make Your Movie Night Pop
Popcorn Pepperoni Pizza Dippers
Yield: 16 squares
Nonstick cooking spray
2 eggs
1/2 cup tomato and basil reduced-fat cooking cream
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
10 cups popped popcorn
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup thinly sliced pepperoni, coarsely chopped
marinara sauce, for dipping
Heat oven to 350° F. Spray 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In large bowl, whisk eggs, cooking cream, parmesan cheese and black pepper. Stir in popcorn, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
Spread mixture in prepared pan, patting down with spatula or spoon.
Bake about 15 minutes until set and lightly browned. Let sit 5 minutes. Cut into 16 bars. Serve warm with marinara sauce.
Make Your Movie Night Pop
Truffle Popcorn
Yield: 10 cups
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon, plus 2 teaspoons, white truffle oil, divided
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
In large, heavy-bottomed pot with lid, combine olive oil and 1 tablespoon truffle oil. Add about three popcorn kernels.
Heat over medium-high heat until one kernel pops. Add remaining popcorn kernels; cover.
Once corn begins to pop, shake pot constantly over heat.
When popping slows, remove pot from heat and transfer popcorn to large serving bowl.
Melt butter and mix in remaining truffle oil. Pour mixture over popcorn; toss.
Sprinkle parmesan cheese, salt and pepper over popcorn; toss to distribute evenly.
Serve immediately or store in airtight container.
Make Your Movie Night Pop
Maple Bacon Popcorn Mix
Yield: 2 quarts
6 slices thick-cut bacon
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
8 cups popped popcorn
2/3 cup pecan halves, coarsely chopped
2/3 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon maple extract
Heat oven to 400° F. Line jellyroll pan with foil. Place wire rack in pan. Arrange bacon in single layer on rack. Bake 15 minutes until ends of bacon start to curl.
Remove and reserve 2 tablespoons bacon drippings. Brush bacon with 2 tablespoons maple syrup; bake 15 minutes until browned. Cool then coarsely chop bacon.
In large bowl, combine popcorn, pecans and cranberries.
Combine butter, black pepper, maple extract, remaining maple syrup and reserved bacon drippings. Cook over low heat until butter is melted. Drizzle over popcorn mixture and mix thoroughly.
Spread popcorn mixture in jellyroll or roasting pan.
Bake 5 minutes. Toss in bacon pieces. Serve warm.
SOURCE:Popcorn Board
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Originally posted on July 4, 2019 @ 9:46 pmShare ThisRelated Posts:Pop Up a Movie Night SnackRaspberry Goodness from Morning to NightQuick, Easy and Delicious School Night MealsFed Up YouTube MovieClara Sci Fi Romance MovieEnjoy Summer Movie Favorites at Home
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Eco-Friendly Ways to Keep Your Home Cool. When it’s hot outside, heat can seep into your home and make it unbearable. However, there are sustainable, eco-friendly solutions to maximize comfort and cooling when the thermometer creeps upward without racking up an outrageous electric bill or large carbon footprint.
While some options for keeping your home cool involve an upfront investment, over time they’ll save money, and the environment, for years to come. If you’re looking for ways to cool your home during even the hottest days, consider these ideas from the experts at Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating.
Adjust Ceiling Fans
Installing ceiling fans in your home can help keep temperatures moderate and cut down on your cooling bill. For best results, those ceiling fans should be adjusted seasonally. During warm weather months, fans should rotate counterclockwise at a higher speed to push air downward instead of up toward the ceiling, which can lead to a more comfortable temperature in your home.
Upgrade Your Air Conditioner
If your home’s climate control is lacking, it may be time to invest in a new HVAC system – particularly if your current one is more than 15 years old. An energy-efficient option like Mitsubishi Electric’s sleek and modern MLZ One-Way Ceiling Cassette is designed for easy installation and saves energy by monitoring room conditions to make automatic adjustments to maintain the temperature you choose. To improve your indoor air quality, the MLZ uses reusable air filters, which are easy to remove, wash and reinstall. In Dry mode, the unit makes the air feel fresher by removing excess moisture.
Additionally, these ceiling cassettes can be programmed to operate around your life using a remote control, smartphone, or tablet. Whether going for the day or on an extended vacation, you can monitor your system from an app, ensuring you won’t return to a home that’s blazing hot.
Reduce Incoming Sunlight During the Day
Direct sunlight coming into your home through windows, doors, or skylights can increase the temperature. To help reduce unwanted heat as the sun rises higher during the day, consider closing your blinds or installing light-colored blinds that reflect rather than absorb the sun’s heat. Other options such as blackout curtains or reflective window panels can have the same effect, helping reduce the warmth trapped inside.
If closing all your blinds or covering every window isn’t an option or makes you feel claustrophobic, focus on any south- or west-facing rooms in your home, as these are typically the trickiest to keep cool during the warmest hours of the day – usually from late morning until early evening. Exterior window shades and awnings can also be useful options if you’re looking to reduce the amount of heat that enters your home, but still want to take advantage of the natural light.
Change Your Light Bulbs
Since warmer weather also equates to more sunshine, turning off the incandescent lights in your house when possible can cut down on extra heat and save on your energy bill. Though the soft yellow glow of incandescent light bulbs can create a nice ambiance, it also gives off a lot of heat. Swapping out those old light bulbs for more efficient, LED bulbs can cut down on the amount of heat your light fixtures emit. If you can’t replace them, minimizing their usage – particularly when having a light on in a room is unnecessary – can make a difference.
Strategically Plant Trees and Shrubs
Planting trees or shrubs near sunlight-facing windows can make a big difference when it comes to the temperature inside your home by shielding the sun’s rays. While planting trees strategically around your home is more of a long-term plan, the benefits can also last for many years to come in terms of shade, added curb appeal, and the overall betterment of the earth.
Start by focusing on west-facing walls, where the sun is typically the strongest. Choosing trees native to your area can decrease maintenance, and those that bloom in spring and drop leaves in the fall offer year-round benefits by providing both shade and heat in accordance with the season. Vines and other tall shrubs are options for quicker results, but they may also require more long-term maintenance.
Reduce Appliance Usage
To help minimize running appliances and equipment that generate a lot of heat, like stoves and ovens, choose to cook outdoors or opt for quick meals you can prepare using the microwave, which doesn’t heat the house to the same extent. While grilling and eating outside more frequently may require an awning or gazebo to stay cooler, it can beat the alternative of warming up your oven, and ultimately your home, for an extended period of time.
Reducing your usage of other heat-producing appliances such as computers, dishwashers, clothes dryers, curling irons, and hair dryers can also help keep interior temperatures comfortable and energy use low. Try using these appliances earlier in the day to minimize the extra load placed on your air conditioner.
Keeping cool during warm weather months doesn’t have to be complicated. Take advantage of these measures to reduce your home’s heat load and energy bill. Find more tips for cooling your home at mitsubishicomfort.com.
SOURCE:
Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating
Power-Packed Lunchbox Ideas
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Originally posted on July 25, 2019 @ 4:59 amShare ThisRelated Posts:Family-Friendly Ways to Rethink Favorite RecipesPet-Friendly HomeKid-Friendly Recipes for At-Home Learning5 inspiring ways to bring the beauty of nature into the homeeco-friendly projectsCreate a Pet-Friendly Workplace