Appple Sandwich Snack

Can you believe it is already September?  This summer really flew by and now fall is right around the corner.  Two big events that we always associate with September are being back in school and apple season!  The fall is such a magical time of year, and if you are lucky enough to live in a place that has apple orchards, then you know how wonderful it is to have all those delicious apples in season.  Apple picking is a great family activity, and there are so many ways to use apples.  Apple crisp, apple sauce, apple cake, and the list goes on and on.  But when the kids get home from school and are super hungry, we love whipping up these yummy apple sandwiches.  They are great because they are a serving of fruit, have protein, and are fun to make with the kiddos.

 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Apples
• 2-3 tbsp Peanut Butter (or any type of nut butter)
• 3 tbsp Granola
• Raisins

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Remove cores from apples and cut into 1/4-1/2″ thick slices
• Spread two apple slices with nut butter
• Top one slice with granola and raisins.  You can use any type of toppings here (for a dessert apple you can use marshmallows, mini chocolate ships, crushed graham crackers, etc).
• Place second slice on the one with toppings so they stick together.
• ENJOY!

 {image via}

Back to School Supplies

It is back to school time, which means it is important to make sure your kids re equipped with all of the right school supplies and accessories.  When it comes to school lunches and snacks, lots of people opt for brown sacks and paper bags, but they all end up in the trash at the end of the day which isn't very good for our environment.  This year, why not try some great reusable items from Our Green House!

 

We have so many awesome eco friendly items that are perfect for packing lunches and snacks!  They are all easy to clean, and with lots of fun patterns and designs, your kids will love bringing these items to school every day!

Check out all of our back to school items HERE

Back to School Slow Cooker Oats

One of the many challenges that comes with back to school time is getting into a morning routine.  Getting everyone up, dressed, fed, and out the door can be quite a task, especially after a long relaxing summer.   When it comes to weekday breakfasts, the easier the better!  That is why we love breakfasts that you can prep the night before, like this delicious steel cut oatmeal with bananas.  It is so simple and hardy, but the best part is that when you wake up in the morning your meal is all ready!

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup Quaker Steel Cut Oats
• 1 cup banana chips
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 cups whole milk
• Finely chopped walnuts for topping
• Banana, sliced

Instructions

1. Grease slow cooker or use a slow cooker liner.
2. Pour 1 cup Quaker Steel Cut Oats into slow cooker and add 1 cup banana chips, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 3 cups whole milk. Stir to combine.
3. Put the lid on your slow cooker and cook on low for 3 hours. I always make sure to set my timer, so I don't forget about it!
4. Stir and turn the temp down to warm. Keep the lid on the slow cooker and allow to cook overnight or about 6-8 hours.
5. In the morning, give the oatmeal a good stir and taste it to make sure it is to your liking. Adjust the flavor as needed. If it is too dry, add warm milk until it is the consistency you prefer. Serve with chopped walnuts, banana slices, and a sprinkling of cinnamon. Enjoy!

 {recipe and image via}

Back to School: How to Stay Organized!

It is that time of year again: back to school!  Getting back into the school routine can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be!  We love finding ways to make the transition back to school a little simpler, and here are some of our favorite ways to keep your family organized all year round :)

We love the idea of a backpack station at the back door with a hook and bulletin board for each child.  Kids can learn to hang up their backpack, and your can add each child's weekly schedule or important papers to the board so they aren't forgotten.

 

To get your kids excited about doing homework, try making a fun homework station!  Add fun school accessories and have the station only be available for school related projects.

Are your kids always super hungry when they get home from school?  Create a snack drawer full of healthy snacks so that when your kids get home they can pick their own pre-approved option!  You can also use this drawer to let kids help pack their own lunches for school.  

How do you stay organized when it's time to go back to school?