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5 tips for better lunches with Jenn Chic

Send your kids off to school with nutritious lunches theyll want to eat. Sprouting Buy a sprouter, such as a three-tiered A. Vogel BioSnacky Original, to get kids growing their own food. It has proven to create long-lasting healthy habits.
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Send your kids off to school with nutritious lunches theyll want to eat.

Sprouting

Buy a sprouter, such as a three-tiered A. Vogel BioSnacky Original, to get kids growing their own food. It has proven to create long-lasting healthy habits. With just a couple minutes of watering everyday, fresh, home-grown sprouts can easily enhance a lunchs nutrition and fun factor. Serve sprouts with apples and almond butter for dipping or add them to just about any sandwich cheese, chicken, egg salad, tuna salad.

Containers

Keep things fresh and intact with a variety of containers that fit neatly into a lunch bag. Whether using a traditional Japanese bento box, an Indian stainless steel tiffin that stacks together neatly (such as from Onyx designed by a local mom), economical and unique options can be found in Chinatown or online. Include a stainless steel bottle of water to ensure kids stay hydrated without the sugar and overpackaging of juice boxes or canned drinks.

Shapes and sizes

Sometimes all it takes is cutting up fruit, veggies, cheese and meat in different shapes, rather than simple slices, to keep them interesting. Try tiny cubes of cheese, mini tomatoes, super-skinny carrot, cucumbers and celery sticks. Veggies can be enhanced with a simple shake of gomashio (seasoned sesame seeds). Send along a Ziploc bag of seasoning, to which the veggies can be added and shaken, to ensure overseasoning is avoided.

Make fruit fun

Use a mini melon baller to carve up apples, melons, bananas and strawberries into a bowlful of berry-sized balls. (Throw leftovers into the next days smoothie). Add blueberries to complete the party. A squeeze of lemon will keep apples from browning and add a barely detectable but delicious zing. Add a splash of maple syrup to sweeten it up with a boost of minerals or a sprinkle of hemp seeds for a colourful crunch. Serve in a small bowl with a tightly fitting lid.

A good ol thermos

Keep smoothies cool or soup, stew or pasta warm. A wide-mouthed model will make for easy serving but even better, easier cleaning. Left-over dinner time favourites can be reheated in the morning and accompanied with small containers of grated cheese, chopped arugula or sunflower seeds to add at mealtime.

Jenn Chic is market manager for the Kitsilano and Kerrisdale Farmers Markets. JennChicCooks.com | EatLocal.org

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5 more lunch bag tips from Whole Foods

1.Substitute avocado or hummus for mayo avocado serves as a healthy fat source plus provides a creamy spread for sandwiches.

2.Pep up your plain old PB&J with almond butter and fresh fruit slices fresh fruit means natural sugars.

3.Always use whole grain breads or tortillas wraps are a fun change of pace especially when they are packed with veggies.

4.Savour seasonal flavours pack a piece of fruit or cut vegetables for a crunchy snack.

5.Swap processed chips and snacks for healthier homemade options trail mix with dried fruits and nuts or whole grain chips and hummus make the grade.

Additional recipe ideas, plus a helpful planner tool are available at WholeFoodMarkets.com

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