I’m just over a week away from the start of the 2016-17 school year, and that means I need to pull myself together a little bit (actually, a lot) and get organized. Summer vacation turns me into such a peaceful, go-with-the-flow eater, so it can be a harsh adjustment to get back into the habit of prepping food ahead to take to work with me. Meal planning is a huge help after a long day of work, as is a stockpile of healthy homemade snacks.
This will be my 6th year teaching middle school, and I’ve found that a fridge/freezer full of snacks can be a lifesaver on busy days. Whether you are a teacher, student, parent, or just the average person who needs to feed him/herself (so, um, everyone?), you know how badly snacks are needed in life. I could eat an entire bag of chips after work and be just as hungry as when I started, or I could grab a homemade energy bar and be good to go.
Here are five of my go-to snacks. I’m planning to make them all this week and stick them in the freezer so I’ll have snacks for a few weeks. My favorite part about a big snack stock-up is that I can pack a different snack (or several different, as is usually the case) in my bag every day. Instead of spending one whole week eating peanut butter balls, I can have a little variety in my life. If you do have kids, I’m sure they will love getting something special packed in their lunchbox every day, too. I sure do, and I’m the one packing my lunches.
Snack 1: Peanut Butter Oat Balls
Snack 2: Whole Wheat Fig Bars
Snack 3: Peanut Butter Energy Bars
Snack 4: Oatmeal Raisin Carrot Cake Cookies
Snack 5: Whole Wheat Banana Bread, baked into 12 muffins or cut into 8 squares.
What are your favorite snacks to have on hand for back-to-school, or regular old adult life? Leave a comment below, or snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram with #bakedgreens. Enjoy the last days of summer, Friends!