Try this recipe for a wonderful taste explosion!  See your Hy-Vee Dietitian for come back coupons, free nutrition walk/tours and answers to questions in the store aisles.

Avocado, Arugula, Tomato and Walnut Toast

All you need

2 slices of whole grain bread

1/4 avocado

1/3 cup baby arugula

4 cherry tomatoes, sliced lengthwise

1/4 cup California walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

1 teaspoon balsamic glaze

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

All you do

1. Toast bread in toaster or toaster oven. Scoop out avocado flesh and mash in small bowl with a fork. Spread mashed avocado evenly onto each toast slice.
2. Top avocado with arugula leaves, tomato slices and chopped walnuts
3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, then sprinkle with salt and pepper before serving.
4. Makes 2 servings.  Nutrition facts per serving; 250 calories, 14 g fat, 258  mg sodium, 27 g carbohydrate, 6.5 g fiber and 3 g protein.

Use My Plate to guide food choices and fill the bento box,

Have kids pack their own sack lunch with a lunch stations like this on your counter and

in your refrigerator.

• Purchase a Bento Box or similar style lunchbox
• Use silicone cupcake liners for dips or sauces
• Get kids involved in meal planning and lunchbox choices! Sit down with kids and make a list of their favorite food items then post this list for inspiration.
• Make food fun!

-Cut sandwiches into shapes using cookie cutters

-Make fruit/veggie skewers or sandwiches on a stick, pack fresh grapes in a small sandwich bag

-Add raw veggies to a salad dressing container

-Make pinwheels by wrapping sandwich contents in a tortilla and roll it

-Hide notes of encouragement or “I love you” in the lunchbox

-Include a small treat like a few marshmallows or animal crackers

-Kids love to dip! Contact your local Hy-Vee dietitian for healthy dip recipes. Some ideas may include hummus, sunflower seed butter, guacamole, bean dip, yogurt ranch dip, vanilla Greek yogurt or spinach dip.

• Have kids help make homemade ice packs: soak a sponge in water, put it in a plastic bag and freeze overnight! As the “ice” melts the sponge will reabsorb it for repeated use.
• Think outside the lunchbox-don’t feel obligated to serve only typical lunch food items. If your kid loves breakfast foods, serve them a peanut butter waffle sandwich in place of a regular sandwich to increase lunchtime excitement. If your kid enjoys snacks, turn snack foods into a meal!
• Utilize “meal planning bins” to speed up your morning. Take time on the weekend to prep fruits, veggies, sandwiches, etc. into plastic bags. Fill refrigerator bins with items from different foods groups. In the morning simply grab a bag from each bin to put in the lunchbox.
• Encourage water or milk as a beverage