It’s that time of year…..backpacks, lunch boxes and bus stops.
Some of you have kids in school while others are back at the office with less vacation time as summer comes to an end. I’ve found that lunch boxes aren’t just for kids. My husband and I utilize them almost daily, more so him, and making and packing lunches is a huge part of my week.
I have a husband that spends long days at work, so I am packing a lunch and dinner for him most days. In addition, I have a busy schedule with cross country season underway and my juggling of different jobs; thus I have to have meals planned in advanced. Some days I have more time to prepare dinner and lunches, while at others times I only have 15 minutes to consume dinner.
With kids that are young and impatient, dinner has to be ready when they are ready (we’re working on patience), so lunches are typically a sort of leftover, or already prepared and only need to be warmed up. Even with my kids both at home, I still have lunches prepped and ready for them, because our days are busy and I am running to and from clients and practice / classes.
I love lunch box containers that offer room for multiple dishes, without needing multiple containers. Lunch Bots containers are great. I love that they are stainless steal, it’s better than plastics and more sturdy then glass, and it is less toxic. Better for you and the environment. Easy to add everything to one container, saving room in the lunchbox and making it easy to eat for the kiddos. These Lunch Bots containers come in different sizes as well, making them great for adults or kids. The dividers keep food from touching or sauces running into desserts. Win!!
These bento containers from LunchBots are available in 1 – 5 sections , so if you are like me and like many options for lunch or different dishes, then you’ll be sure to find the right size for you. They are lightweight and you don’t have to worry about them breaking.
My biggest request when it comes to food, is snacks!! I am always being asked “can I have a snack?” from my toddler or from husband “I need something to snack on.” My go to snacks are energy bites or energy cookies and cut veggies with hummus or fruit and nuts. Making a batch of energy bites to last 1-2 weeks is helpful when the toddler or hubby or even I need a quick bite, but don’t have time to make something or we don’t want to consume a packaged snack with all the added ingredients.
These No Bake Coconut Peanut Butter Energy Bites are perfect for all. I loved using Barleans energy blend with chia, coconut, flax and panax ginseng. Ginseng is a natural energy booster that has been used for centuries. It gives you an energy boost, without the side effects of caffeine and its great for boosting physical endurance and promotes mental clarity. I love to add the blends to oatmeal and smoothies, but it’s also great baked into breads or cookies and even energy bites. The Energy Blend from Barleans is a great source of fiber, antioxidants and Omega-3s.
Great for adding to the lunch box. A quick energy bite that is only 5 ingredients and sweetened naturally. It’s tasty enough to be treated as a treat, but healthy enough to use for fueling workouts and supplying antioxidants, fiber and healthy fats.
No Bake Coconut Peanut Butter Energy Bites
Prep: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3/4 c Crunchy Peanut Butter
- 3/4 c Shredded Coconut Flakes unsweetened
- 3/4 c Rolled Oats
- 1/4 c Barleans Energy Blend Flaxseed
- 3-4 Tbs maple syrup or honey
Directions: In a medium mixing bowl combine all ingredients and stir together until well combined. (The mixture shouldn’t be crumbly, but more thick and easy to roll into balls). Roll into bite sized balls and store in air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Serves: 20-25 bites
I think we can all agree we need extra energy. It’s probably one of the biggest complaints among my clients. So save energy using the LunchBots lunch containers, so you only have to wash one dish, or better yet its dishwasher safe!!
No Bake Coconut Peanut Butter Energy Bites, a healthy energy #snackwithbarleans Share on XI also used Barleans culinary coconut oil and their energy blend to make these Vegan Chocolate Chip Energy Cookies. They are naturally sweetened with coconut sugar and applesauce, making them an okay treat to add to your kids or even your own lunchbox. I love that they have some hidden superstars, like the panax ginseng, chia and ground flaxseed.
It’s easy to use Barleans superseed blends in baking. All you need to do is sub 1/2 cup flour for 1/2 cup of their blends. Taste isn’t altered. Their culinary coconut oil, is a tasteless oil, so it’s awesome for stir frying and baking as well. If you don’t like the coconut oil after taste in your food, but love the MCTs, then you have to try the culinary coconut oil from Barleans.
I loved having these cookies for a healthier treat post dinner and they worked as bribery for R 😉 She didn’t even know they weren’t actually a “real” chocolate chip cookie. Although, to us they are more “real” because they are made with whole ingredients and are free of any ingredients we can’t pronounce.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Energy Cookies
Prep: 15 minutes Bake Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 c whole wheat flour or unbleached flour
- 1/2 c Barleans Energy Blend
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 c coconut sugar
- 1/4 c applesauce
- 1/2 c coconut oil, softened (I used Barleans Culinary Coconut Oil)
- 1/4 c almond milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 c chocolate chips (I use EnjoyLife)
Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease. 2. Combine all dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. 3. Cream together applesauce and coconut sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add in coconut oil, almond milk, and vanilla extract. 4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix with hand mixer until well combined. *batter will be thick. 5. Stir in chocolate chips. 6. Spoon batter onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 9-12 minutes.
Serves: 2 dozen cookies
Vegan Chocolate Chip Energy Cookies with @barleans superseed blend Share on XDon’t forget to try this Beet & Cucumber Slaw too!! The dressing is made with Barleans Flax Oil and is a honey Dijon dressing. It’s great to add to lunches with half a sandwich and some energy bites to get through the afternoon slump.
And make sure to check out Instagram. I am hosting a giveaway. You could win a bag of the Energy Blend from Barleans and a LunchBots container.
Disclaimer: I am part of the Barleans Blogger team. The FTC requires that I disclose this. Although I was compensated by Barleans for this post and given free product, I have been using their products long before being compensated. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hope you all have a great week!!
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit