As the school year starts up again, new routines (school lunches, weeknight dinners, afternoon snack attacks!) threaten to send your kitchen into chaos. Follow this advice to get organized and start the year a little less stressed.
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1
Start a snack station
Wendell T. Webber
Clear a pantry shelf that's low enough for your kids to reach. That way everyone can help themselves to snacks like granola bars, dried fruit, packs of nuts, and other healthy treats. Keep small snacks corralled in clear plastic bins without lids so that you can see at a glance what's stored inside.
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2
Stock up on staples.
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Make sure you've got a pantry packed with your must-haves and a fridge full of favorites like Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips in classic or Buffalo so you don't have to head to the store every time you want to whip up a quick meal.
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3
Get clever with storage bins.
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Fill a clear storage bin with resealable plastic bags, twist ties, brown paper bags, paper napkins, and any other disposable items you use for school lunches. When you go to pack up, you won't have to waste time searching for supplies.
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4
Make lunch food easy access.
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Clear out a low fridge shelf for lunch items that need to be chilled — Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips, sandwiches, juice boxes, veggies. In the morning, just add the fridge items to the kids' pre-packed lunchboxes. On the same shelf, include easy-to-grab snacks like cheese sticks and single-serving yogurts. Each weekend, chop up veggies like carrots, celery, and bell peppers and portion them out into small storage containers. Your kids (and you!) are more likely to reach for the veggies if all the prep work is already done (and if you know you'll be eating tasty chicken to accompany said veggies).
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5
Use undercover containers
Container Store
Wish you had just a little more pantry space? Hook an under-shelf storage basket like this one from The Container Store onto a pantry shelf and fill with overflow goodies.
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6
Hang a menu.
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Hang the week's menu in the kitchen so your kids can get excited for the night's they're eating Crispy Chicken Parm (and have time to mentally prepare for whatever veggie-forward meal you're planning). You can also jot down any grocery items that are running out.
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7
Designate a lunchbox zone.
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When the kids get home from school, they can drop off their lunch bags in a specific area. Place all room-temperature snacks in the lunch bags the night before school; in the AM, add the items from the lunch shelf in the fridge.
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8
Keep healthy snacks in plain sight.
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Leaving out pre-washed fruit will make it easier for the whole family to make healthier snack choices after school.