Let’s face it: trying to get out the door in the morning can be a challenge, especially come fall which means back-to-school. Between running around the house looking for the shoe that the dog hid, trying to herd the children into the car, and somehow managing to look presentable by the time you get out the door, often times packing a lunch, let alone a healthy one, is a challenge. Take a new approach: pack your lunch at the same time you pack the kiddos’ either the night before or while they’re eating breakfast. Here are 5 lunches that you can make in a snap that are healthy options for both you and your little one. It is as simple as these four steps:

1. grab both the little cartoon lunchbox and your eco-friendly re-usable lunch tote

2. assemble the lunches below and make 2: 1 for them + 1 for you

3. toss in a few extras for you – bigger people need a bit more than the little ones

4. optional: toss in a little lunch note for the critter to brighten their day…and off you go!

NOTE: we recommend using fun names – a recent Cornell University study on 186 four year olds found that when were given carrots called "x-ray vision carrots" they ate nearly twice as many as they did when they were simply called "carrots".

Nut Butter + Banana Jammer

• whole wheat bread with 2 tbsp almond/peanut butter, sugar-free jelly, and ½ sliced banana

• 1/2c sugar snappers (sugar snap peas)

• A little extra for you: other ½ banana, extra 1/2c peas

"Chilled" Cheese + Cherry Tomato Squirters

• whole wheat bread toasted with light mayo or mustard and ½ can tuna

• 1/2c cherry tomatoes

• 1/4c choco-rocks (dark chocolate raisins)

• A little extra for you: extra 1/2c tomatoes, 2 slices reduced-fat cheese (make it a melt!)

Turkey-Lurkey Logs + Broccoli Trees

• whole wheat tortilla with sliced turkey and reduced-fat cheese (all rolled up)

• 1c raw broccoli florets + non-fat ranch

• little cup of apple saucers (sugar-free applesauce)

• A little extra for you: 1c spinach in the wrap, extra 1/2c broccoli

Dippers Delight

• grilled chicken fingers, 1/2c assorted raw veggies, sliced whole wheat pita bread, and hummus or non-fat ranch dip

• ½ sliced apple and non-fat greek yogurt with cinnamon + splenda/stevia

• A little extra for you: other ½ apple, extra 1/2c veggies

Super-Spy Sammy + X-RAY Vision Carrots

• egg salad on whole wheat english muffin made with non-fat mayo/mustard/relish and spinach

• reduced-fat string cheese

• 1/2c baby carrots

• A little extra for you: apple, extra 1/2c carrots

These five healthy, quick-assembly lunches are easy enough so the children can help you make them, which is fun for them and gives you an opportunity to teach them about making nutritious food choices. So the mornings may still be a bit crazy, but rest-assured, you and your little one will have a stress-free lunch (packed with love) come lunch time.