Today's Tip: Smart Snacking!

School is well underway and one thing that is key to keeping your sanity through all the drop-offs, pick-ups and of course, the WAITING at practices or games is good, healthy snacks.

Protein-Packed Picks - Stock up on snack bars with lots of protein and fiber -- these are hunger-fighting machines. Try brands like Larabar, KIND, Luna, Pure Protein, or my favorite are the bars from Quest Nutrition (www.questnutrition.com). Find a small cooler and a couple ice packs so you can pack good on-the-go snacks like mini-Babybel wax-enclosed cheeses or light string cheese, or individual containers of Greek yogurt such as Chobani (look for brands low in sugar). And don't forget - jerky is a great, go-anywhere, protein-loaded snack food.

Produce Power - Also in your cooler you can make a habit of including fruit such as apples, pears, grapes or plums. Pick up some small cups of mandarin oranges in juice or other individual fruit or applesauce cups.  Take a little time to cut up some veggies too - baby carrots, sliced cucumbers, bell pepper strinps, snow or sugar snap peas and jicama sticks. Great when you need to do some quantity crunching. I always keep a jar of salsa on hand for dipping - not good for when you are driving around but while waiting it works great. You can also get small individual containers of hummus to toss in the cooler.

Sweet Spot - Everyone needs a little sweet treat but avoid candy bars from the vending machines or snack bars! Keep low-calorie sweet stuff handy - like hard candies and small lollipops. They take awhile to eat, so you're less likely to go overboard with them. Mini-size Hershey Kisses are a good choice, but only throw in 1-2 pieces because you know what happens when you throw in the whole bag! :)  A new fun snack for me is the Cascadian Farms Cinnamon Crunch cereal - put a little in a snack-size Ziploc for a crunchy sweet snack.  And don't forget about trail mix - make your own out of what you like the best (almonds, mini-chocolate chips, raisins, walnuts) and watch the serving size!

Healthy Hydration - Water, water, water!  Keep a refillable water bottle close to you so you can refill and reused rather than throw away multiple water bottles.  Make a jug of iced tea and fill your bottle with that before you head out the door.  Or make a lemonade in your bottle - fill it an inch or two with lemon juice, add water, ice and Truvia to taste. 

The only way all this will work is if you PLAN.  The night before, think through the following day and what all you will need to plan for.  Take snacks for yourself and your kids...think of all the money you will save not doing the drive-thru or running into the convenience store all the time.  There are days when that is the only option, but it should be the exception rather than the rule.