Easy, healthy recipes to make for your kiddos (or yourself) during the back to school season. Packing lunches will never be simpler!

What comes to mind when you hear the word, “staples”? For some people, it conjures up visions of a giant office supply superstore. For others, it’s a desktop tool that keeps papers together. For me…it’s all about foods I stock in my fridge and pantry to keep everyone in my family happy and healthy.

The one staple I always have on hand is Blue Diamond Almond Breeze. Not all plant milks are alike and Almond Breeze almondmilk is my go-to choice for me and my family for so many reasons. Nutritionally, it contains an array of nutrients that are important for all of us and Almond Breeze is so versatile. It can be easily used in smoothies, main dishes, dips, soups and baked goods. You can swap Almond Breeze 1:1 for any recipe that calls for milk–this makes cooking and baking so much easier during hectic times like the Fall.

When my kids were younger, and especially during back-to-school time, I always made sure to keep their fave foods on hand for filling and healthy meals – whether it was for grab-and-go breakfast or quick snacks after school. I always loved making them chocolate raspberry smoothies (see recipe below) post-sports practice when they were thirsty and hungry.

I trust giving Almond Breeze to my kids because it’s an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin E, plus it’s a good source of vitamin A. The unsweetened Almond Breeze varieties also have far fewer calories than most milks, it’s fortified with calcium and most of all – it is delicious! Most people enjoy it for its creamy taste…even if they have no dietary restrictions.

Here are a few useful ways you can enjoy and use Almond Breeze almondmilk during the busy school year:

Smoothies are great homes for a variety of fruits and veggies, and they are a quick fix when getting kids out the door in the morning. Your kids (and you!) will love my Chocolate Raspberry Almond Smoothie [check out full recipe here!]. No added sugar is needed with the natural sweetness from the banana and berries, and your kids will get the calcium they need from the almondmilk and protein from the almond butter. This smoothie can even be thrown into the bowl of a blender the night before and stored in the fridge so that they’re ready to be whipped up before the kiddies are off to school. Be creative and add spinach or any other veggie that your children might not otherwise eat at the table.

Chicken fingers dipped in honey mustard sauce can be made in minutes with this recipe that the whole family will enjoy. You’ll feel good in knowing your kids will get an excellent source of protein that can be served warm with their favorite sides or cut up and placed atop a colorful salad.

Dips welcome the rich texture of almondmilk and kids love to dip and dunk! My Creamy Chocolate Banana Dip is perfect as an after-school snack for kids or as a late afternoon pick-me-up for parents! The unsweetened Almond Breeze almondmilk has no added sugar so the natural sweetness of this recipe comes from the banana within the dip and the fruit you choose for dunking. Almond Breeze provides calcium — a nutrient kids and adults don’t seem to get enough of. The almond butter gives protein to help you feel satisfied plus you’ll enjoy a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals from the fruit. And most of all…this dip is delish!

Soups like this Black Bean Soup are as thick as chili and provide protein and fiber from beans along with a variety of vitamins and minerals from veggies. This recipe is easy to make ahead of time and also flexible, so feel free to be creative and add your own family’s faves.

Baked goods like my Banana Almond Muffins are easy for breakfast or great as an after school snack with a schmear of almond butter! You can even make these as part of your meal prep and freeze them for a later date so that you can have healthy homemade goodies without having to bake as often.

 

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Blue Diamond Almond Breeze almondmilk and the opinions are my own.