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By Peggy Jo Goodfellow, Arizona Farm Bureau

Packing a healthy lunch, day in and day out can be a real challenge.  Packing the kid’s lunches can be even more frustrating because they get so bored with the same old sandwich everyday!

When it comes to creating healthy lunchables your kids will love, the trick is to involve them in planning and preparing.

First make a list of their favorite finger foods.

Then buy containers that can be tossed in the dishwasher after school. One perfect container for lunchtime finger foods is the plastic sandwich size.  There are lots of colors available to mix and match, so don’t settle for plain… when you can have color that will bring on smiles and make lunch fun!

Here are a few favorites for kids:

Ants in a log: Fill the inside of two ribs of celery (cut to the same length) with either cream cheese or peanut butter.  Insert the ants (raisins) into the stuffing and then squish the two pieces of celery together forming the log and trapping the ants inside. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a container with pretzels sticks.

Meat, Cheese and Fruit Cubes: Cut up a variety of your child’s favorite meats, cheeses and fruit such as ham, cheddar, Monterey Jack, chicken, and fruits in season, then pack in a colorful container. Send along some toothpicks or pretzel sticks to spear the cubes or some of their favorite crackers.

Fun Snack Mixes: A selection of crackers, cereal, dried fruits, nuts and pretzels make a great snack mix. For added fun and variety mix in M & M’s, yogurt or chocolate covered raisins.

Top off each container with a food riddle, Hershey chocolate kisses or hugs, fun napkins or a fortune cookie. What child won’t love having a lunch that’s the envy of their classmates?

Check the Fill Your Plate Recipes section for more healthy recipes!

Related Articles:

• Getting Your Kids to Eat Healthy
• The Secret Weapon in the Happy Meal Wars:Parents