Good morning! It’s Spring Break from pre-school and it’s 40 degrees. This morning we are having our regular breakfast of eggs and sausage in the cast iron skillet and then we need to find something to do to get all the energy out. All the wiggly little legs and arms are just ready to get out of the house.

This week we’re planning to de-clutter to get ready for a yard sale and our big move to Mississippi – AND I thought we would use these days at home to try out some new lunchbox recipes.

This weekend I realized I am complete denial, you guys. Veggie straws are NOT healthier than chips or crackers! I mean, I knew that. But my picky eaters CRAVE the crunch. They are made with canola oil (I will be writing about cooking oils soon) and most of the affordable versions are NOT organic.  Why is this a big deal?  Conventional potatoes are #12 in EWG’s “dirty dozen” produce items for pesticide residue.  I love this infographic on Pinterest about pesticides and produce.  Buying organic seems may seem like a financial hurdle sometimes, but even just making small changes helps!  Eating seasonally, shopping farmer’s markets or co-ops or even growing your own.  We need some better crunchy options and my kids refuse carrots and celery (although we’re still trying) – so –

This week we’re trying several new things:

• Stovetop organic popcorn made with Avocado oil and/or grass-fed butter (yes, GRAINS – but they are gluten-free and we’re stepping down slowly. This has good fats and is non-GMO. Plus, it’s such a cheap snack! With one bag of $5 kernels I can make 10 or more batches of popcorn. WIN!)
• We are making some chicken thighs in the crock pot with taco seasonings and some gluten free tortillas to make some homemade “taquitos” (I love the frozen kind, y’all, just not the ingredients)
• THESE pancakes in a mini-size for snacking/breakfast/lunchbox
• every week we make a batch of deviled eggs with coconut oil mayo – my girls LOVE them and boy wants to love them
• And, we are going to try ants on a log this week. I realize this sounds silly – but maybe that will trick my kids into eating celery?

I will put these recipes on the blog this week!

For dinners we have some BBQ planned – probably brisket which I love because it’s 1) so tasty and 2) sugar-free. We are also doing several crock pot meals because SPRING BREAK. Anna and Amanda, one day I’ll get on the Instant Pot train, and then I will need all your recipes! And we’re having salads – BIG salads just like Elaine on Seinfeld.

I hope all my family and friends have a fantastic week, remember that every day is a day the Lord made, rejoice and be glad in it!

<3

Shannon