Post spring break, even the most creative snack routines start to feel stale. What once felt so easy is now feeling exhausting and I constantly finding myself asking “What do I make today?” and also hear the family saying “this again?!?”. The mental load is real, especially with our schedules packed with school, homework, sports, and other activities. It’s not just about feeding hungry kids, it’s about coming up with something they’ll actually eat, and being able to feed them without too much stress.
How?
I’m working to embrace simplicity and preparation. I strive to set aside time before the week starts to do some simple snack prep. I wash fruit, cut up veggies and portion out snacks I know we’ll need for the week. This takes the pressure off hectic afternoons when we only have a few minutes to regroup and get a snack before running off to our next activity. Having what we need prepped and staged in the fridge and pantry is a lifesaver.
Some of my favorite prep ahead snacks include overnight oats, yogurt and granola topped with fruit balsamic, and roasted nuts. I’ll also often make a big batch of hummus and then pack it into smaller containers with precut veggies or crackers.
I also try to think of easy ways to mix things up and make familiar snacks feel new again. I switch up seasonings and flavors often. Instead of classic hummus, I’ll make herby beet hummus. Instead of the typical PB&J I’ll swap out flavors of jelly, add freshly sliced bananas or even sneak in some Nutella to keep if feeling fresh.
We also have an air pop popcorn maker (best investment ever!) that allows us to quickly make a ton of popcorn that everyone can flavor and customize to their liking. We do this for movie nights, but also after school before starting homework.
Simply pop the popcorn and drizzle with a bit of olive oil and a hearty sprinkle of one of our gourmet popcorn seasonings. My kiddos typically reach for either the Parmesan Garlic Popcorn Seasoning or the White Cheddar Cheese Popcorn Seasoning, while I prefer the smoky flavor of Barbecue Bacon Popcorn Seasoning or the spicy kick of Jalapeno & White Cheddar. If you prefer sweeter popcorn, we even have a Salted Caramel Seasoning!
Check on more flavor combos in our blog.
Most importantly, I give myself permission to keep it simple. Not every snack needs to be picture perfect. The goal isn’t to impress – it’s to survive the school year with everyone fed!
Caio!
Andi
