Tuesday's Tip: Snacks

In honor of school starting soon, here's another forehead-slappingly simple tip for you. 

My kids are snackaholics, I won't lie.  Like most kids, they would definitely prefer to snack all day, rather than adhere to the 3 meals, 2 snacks a day schedule I attempt to follow.  And with the impending advent of school, I will be needing more portable snacks for the kids.  I love the grab-and-go convenience and portion control afforded by individually packaged snacks, but you are definitely paying for convenience. 

So, why not individually package them yourself?  Well, why not?

Here's what you do (not that you need instructions, do you? really?):
1. Buy (or make) snacks.
2. Check the serving size.
3. Place a serving (or more or less depending on your needs) into a snack-sized ziploc bag, or small reusable container.
4. Repeat until all of the snack is in individual portions
5. Display prominently on the snack shelf.

The key is to do this ahead of time, so that when seconds count, and it's time to grab a snack and head out the door, you're not left scrambling for the cheez-its and baggies.

Are you wondering what kinds of snacks you'd package this way?  Well, anything, really.  Gorp, goldfish crackers, teddy grahams, chex mix, popped popcorn, cheez-its, Club cracker sticks, raisins or other dry fruit, nuts, dry cereals, carrots, grapes, homemade granola bars.  You could do applesauce, yogurt, canned fruit, or even jello or pudding if you have the refrigerator space.

That's it!  Have you slapped your forehead yet?  Go ahead and do it now, if you haven't already.