Can You Go Without Fast Food On A Busy Weekend?

When the schedule fills up, I admit it, our family SUV has been known to cue up in the fast food drive-thru line.  Between 2 kids' soccer games, a trip to the museum or zoo, a jaunt to the farmer's market, and visiting with friends and extended family, sitting down to a meal at the dinner table isn't always possible.  Instead of wasting money on unhealthy fast food options, with a little planning, you can make sure your family eats well on the go.

I like to make our weekend "fast food from home" on Friday night.  More often than not, one of my kids will have an 8:00 AM soccer game, meaning we have to have all 6 of us out of the house by 7:15.  There's no way I'm going to be able to make all our food that morning, so I prepare it the night before. 


Here are some ideas for "fast food from home" that are healthy, satisfying, and good for the budget.

Breakfast
-Mini bagels with cream cheese (try strawberry cream cheese too!)
-Granola or fruit filled cereal bars
-Apple slices with yogurt dip or peanut butter
-Yogurt tubes
-String cheese

Lunch/Dinner
-Plain old peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are boring, but kids will be much more likely to eat them if you cut them into fun shapes using large cookie cutters or even just trim off the crusts.  Try the same thing with ham/turkey and/or cheese.
-Create your own "Lunchables" by cutting meats and cheeses with small cookie cutters and pairing them with different kinds of crackers.
-Don't forget the side items!  Bring carrots and celery sticks and small cups of ranch dip or peanut butter.  Baked chips, pretzels, clementines or tangerines, fruit leather, goldfish crackers, animal cookies, or vanilla wafers are excellent finger foods that travel well.

Tips
-Be sure to pack plenty of juice boxes and water bottles.  Freeze a couple of the juice boxes to keep everything cold.
-Pack enough ice packs or ice cubes in zip top bags to keep everything cold for the whole day.
-Bring an extra plastic shopping bag for your trash.
-I like to pack everything in my medium sized soft-sided cooler.  It's easy to transport, holds a lot of food, and doesn't take up too much precious cargo room in the car.
-Throw in a pack of baby wipes, even if you don't have a baby.  They clean sticky fingers much better than napkins.
-Unpack the cooler as you get home (even if you're exhausted-and you will be!)  Cleaning out a cooler that's been sitting around for a few days is bound to be really gross.

With a little planning and preparation, you can save your family money and feed them healthy food even if you have a crazy schedule.

For more cool ideas to manage your life check out www.InMyNewHome.com

Dorothy Dandridge's Hollywood Hills Mediterranean Mansion For Sale

Harvest Apple Bran Muffins

Are You A Helicopter Parent?