I always loved back to school time as a kid. The smell of new pencils and erasers, the vibrant selections of notebooks and the curiosity and excitement of learning something new are memories and senses I still enjoy reflecting on. As a mother I get to relive it all, but better yet with my kids!

There is one draw back to this time of year, that is BUSYNESS.

I thought this back to school round up would be a great help in planning this season to come.

Healthy back to school snacks are a must to keeping our kids growing, learning and performing in their life with the utmost success. I admit as a mom and Dietitian it can be a challenge.

To simplify this I am excited to share a healthy snack recipe roundup.

Blueberry Bran Muffins

Veggie Egg Rolls 

Homemade Granola

Homemade Hummus

Tropical Pinwheels

Veggies with Dill Dip

Citrus Fruit Dip with Berry and Banana Kabobs

Health Smoothie

Cheese and Fruit Kabobs

Mini Mozzarella Pizza 

Healthy eating can be simple and fun! With all the ideas I gave you, you will be prepared for back to school time. 

Here are a few other simple ideas to spend quality time with your kids or “dates” like me and my little ones like to call it:

• Visit your local library. My kids love loading up on books they get to pick. Best yet, it is FREE!
• Take time out to play sports outside WITH your kids. That extra time and attention is something you both with soak in.
• Get creative together. Keep it simple bring out the markers, crayons, paints and paper and “freestyle”.
• Get outside. Make up a game, scavenger hunt, or late season gardening.
• Pretend with them. If your kids are still young enough for this, this is something cherish with my kids.
• Dance party. The kids and I love to put on music and dance and be silly together. Another simple way to savor each other, laugh, de-stress and wear out the little ones.
• Go to the park. Be present at the playground with your kids or at minimum put down your mobile device and watch them as they play and laugh.
• Movie night. Check out this new movie as a family. It is fun to experience something new together,
• Snack together. Eat these healthy snacks i mentioned to you TOGETHER. Encourage your kids to reflect on their day with you and just TUNE IN and LISTEN.

There you have it friends, 20 Back to School Snacks and Activities that make eating healthy fun, simple and delicious. Dovidenia. XO

PS- Here is a BONUS 15 more activity ideas!

The post 20 Back to School Snacks and Activities appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

This post is sponsored by Vocalpoint and Dick’s Sporting Goods ®. All opinions are my own.

A checklist always seems to help me feel more organized. As a mom, it feels like we are juggling a million things most days! Aside from having a list that helps you document what clothing, backpack and lunch pail items you need finding locations to shop that provide nearly EVERYTHING on your list is a must! No mama I know wants to be running all around town to multiple stores to complete their check list…at least not this one!

Here is the list I made for myself to take inventory of what I needed and what I already had so I could be frugal and efficient in my shopping. This back to school checklist can be printed for your own use by clicking this back to school shopping checklist link.

So here is what we need to do!

1. Print the checklist off.
2. Fill it out with what you need and what you already have.
3. Find a store that has the majority of what you need and get busy grabbing those last items for your kids!

My store of choice was DICKS Sporting Goods ®. This was a new experience for me and I have to be really REALLY honest.

I was so impressed and SUPER excited when I entered. Here is why. They had everything I needed for the kids from socks and shoes to clothes, athletic wear and even backpacks and lunch pails! I scored Nike lunch pails for HALF OFF (only $10 each).

This store was a one stop shop for me that finished my back to school checklist AND I might have found a few awesome yoga pant “must own” items for myself (shhh).

Check out my little ones they were pumped with their new gear! My big boy was excited beyond infinity for a lunch pail with his favorite color.

My middle son was VERY interested in all the compartments in his lunch pail. He is certain this will be a perfect toy carrier.

The princess of the family got a touch spoiled with a few outfits and shoes as well so she can ROCK her first day of school! Pink everything is her thing now a days!

DICKS Sporting Goods ® had the brands kids really like but also there were a lot off sales which made me happy! I am feeling prepared and ready for the fun, routine, new adventure and rewarding busyness back to school brings!

Now that we snagged our last minute back to school necessities we are ready to have a fun school year!

Yes, sissy… you look amazing and its ALL pink! Check out a DICKS Sporting Goods ® near you for your back to school needs! Dovidenia. XO

PS- I love my readers so much and I am beyond grateful for you all! Enjoy this fun give away! Enter for a chance to win one of FIVE $50 gift cards so you can shop and experience the fun too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PS x 2- If you need more back to school ideas you may love these snack ideas and organization ideas below.

Get organization ideas here.

Get Yummy inspirations and recipes here.

The post Back to School Shopping Checklist appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

Who is starting to think about Fall and all things back to school? I am so guilty! I love the Fall season and find box tops on the Hefty and Reynolds Kitchens and reboot the family. My mind is shifting to fun class projects, cute classroom snacks to make, new things to watch my kids learn and so much more! I loved school as a kid thus I know I am living through them as I prepare for that time of year each time it comes around! The one thing I know is a MUST is feeling ready for it all. This post offers 5 ways to get ready for back to school. I hope you feel more ready and less stressed allowing you to enjoy the season too!

Does anyone else feel like back to school time is like another time for new beginnings? I feel this time of year is a lot like New Years when people make new resolutions.

It is a time to get back into a schedule, create meal plans for your family, ponder kids schedules and activities and everything else in-between. I love it SO MUCH!

Here are a few things I am starting to do to get ready for back to school time:

1. Getting my grocery essentials. These are the things I am going to use to make the meals and snacks I am excited to make once we get back into the grind of Fall. These are also essentials to keep the house tidy and simplify my life such as these scented Hefty garbage bags and these amazing Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners (Can we say MESS FREE?). I feel like as I slowly get the “tools” to achieve my routines I will be more prepared thus less stressed. Less stress means more ability to enjoy this special time of year!

I'm loving that all the products I use in my daily routines can help my kids school AT THE SAME TIME! Yes it's true! Buy Hefy and @reynoldskitchens products with @boxtops4education on them to raise funds that support schools with the technology and supplies needed to equips your child's success! #ad Enter the sweepstakes daily until 8/29/17 to get a chance to win generous prizes.

A post shared by Stefanie at Simple Acres (@simpleacresblog) on Jul 28, 2017 at 3:34pm PDT

2. Stock up on grocery staples. This is such an obvious for feeling organized as a mom. I feel when I am organized in the foods I need and want to make in my weekly meal plan everything runs smoother. I love having fresh baked treats for after school for the kids on occasion.

You can use the Reynolds non-stick bakeware for a sweet after school treat such as these yummy Homemade Fudge Brownies.

3. Get your “to-do’s” scheduled throughout your week. I have found to be ready for back to school requires setting up a schedule for what and when I will achieve everything I need to do through the week. An example is when I will prepare dinners, whether they are freezer meals I pre-prep or crock pot meals I prep in the morning so they are ready by the time we are all home. Reynolds Kitchens Slow cooker liners are awesome for simplifying your meals and day.

A meal we love to make in the crock pot is our Fresh Citrus Tacos.

4. Start getting school supplies as soon as you can. Avoiding the crowds and getting everything you need a month before school starts is key. You will be able to find what you need and spread out the expense if needed. Creating fun storage containers like these Upcycled Zipper Bags is a unique touch to show your little ones you love them.

5. Give back to your schools through collecting box tops for education. All of these awesome products that make getting ready for back to school easier have box tops on them which when cut, collected and turned into your school can help give them the funds needed for technology and supplies that are needed for your kids.

Who's starting to think about how to be ready for back to school? I personally LOVE back to school for the crisp air, routines that challenge this free spirited momma but ground me and all the yummy meals and treats I make for my loves!?What's even more awesome is getting to use the products you love like crock pot liners, parchment paper for baking, baking pans (hello brownies?) and scented garbage bags that achieve my daily task needs AND help my kids school! #ad BUY Hefty and @reynoldskitchens products where you see @boxtops4education on their container to support YOUR school! Enter the sweepstakes in the link of my profile for a chance to win great prizes! Give a go EVERY day until 8/29/17.

A post shared by Stefanie at Simple Acres (@simpleacresblog) on Jul 28, 2017 at 2:55pm PDT

When you shop for back to school items look for the box tops on the Hefty and Reynolds Kitchens products you buy. It’s so amazing that the very products you would buy anyways for your daily needs would also support your children’s education!

Enter the sweepstakes now! You can enter daily to win a chance at up to one thousand dollars in funds to your school (5 will win)! You have until August 29th to enter up to once daily with 50 daily winners (for an array of prizes) are chosen. I am wishing you the happiest back to school season! Dovidenia. XO

The post 5 Ways to Get Ready for Back to School appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

The season has arrived! Crisp air in the mornings, new beginnings and goals and routine for the family. I welcome this time of year, although there’s one thing that is required to be successful.

Organization. That simple world is not always my strength. Do you struggle with juggling all of life’s “to-dos” too?

Here are 5 ways I plan to get organized for back to school!

To be quite honest, I love to plan. I love to make lists and schedules, but sometimes I still fail in the organization department.

This got me thinking to myself, what were the 5 things I could simplify my focus on to create success when back to school time comes.

Here are my thoughts.

5 Ways to Get Organized for Back to School 

1. Plan out your week. I have found if I don’t plan out every day of my week it becomes chaos. As a mom, wife, business owner and so much more the tasks needed to juggle can seem unrealistic at times. I have found if I look at all the different responsibilities in my life and components and allocate when I will achieve those through the week I am much less stressed and feel more organized. Here is a free printable weekly schedule to help you get organized in your week.

I am loving my Pilot G2 pens to write in my schedule. With all the different colors the pens offer I can color code my schedule to make it easier to know where I am in life’s busyness just with a quick glance.

2. Kids need routine. Having three young children I have often learned the hard way that routine is essential for simplicity with kids. This can be from bed time schedules to daily after school expectations. Here is a wonderful printable from an amazing mom at Meaningful Mama that can be used during your daily routine with your kids. My kids have even more fun marking off their list when they get to use their favorite colored pen.

3. Simplify your space. I always feel more organized when my home is in order. Here is a simple organizational DIY you can make for your home. 

4. Plan you family nutrition. As a Registered Dietitian I can attest that healthy family eating starts with a plan. Here is a free printable for you to use to fill in your weekly menu.

5. Write it down. Writing down goals, thoughts, things to remember ect help me keep my thoughts all in one place when often life pulls me in different directions. Below is a journal decor DIY to inspire creativity as you are reflecting upon this upcoming school year.

Journal Decor DIY 

Materials:

• notebook
• packing tape
• watercolor paints
• Pilot pens
• paint brush
• watercolor paper
• pencil

Directions:

1. Start by tracing the shape of your notebook on you watercolor paper.

2. Add art to your paper with watercolor paint and once dry, your colorful Pilot pens. I just “doodled” in a sense with no real thought in mind to the from of my journal cover. You could even have your child create the art you use to cover your journal.

3. Once paint is dry you can use your Pilot pens to create colorful details to your art.

4. Once your designing is complete cut the shape out you traced that aligns with the size of your journal.

5. Use the tape to start covering and sealing your paper onto the cover of your journal.

There you have it! A completed and unique journal to help you stay organized this back to school season. This would even be a great project for a child to express their uniqueness with their school notebooks. You can grab your Pilot  G2 pens at your local Target. Pilot G2 Pens have four point sizes and 15 vibrant colors, are very comfortable in the hand. Who doesn’t love pens of all shades to write with?! It makes planning and creating all the more fun!

You can save $0.75 on any ONE 4-pack (or larger) of G2 Gel Ink pens. Here is the coupon.

I wish you all a wonderful back to school time full of excitement as you make new memories and reach new goals as an individual and family. I hope these 5 ways to help you be organized for back to school time are a help. Dovidenia. XO

PS- You can find your pens at your local Target in the back to school and office supply isle.

Shonda Rhimes has partnered with Pilot G2 to share information about the Overachievers Grant and why she loves G2. Check it out!

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Education is invaluable to me.

Being a daughter of teachers has been a gift I truly cherish, especially as a mother myself. I was always taught that education was a valuable possession that no one could take away from me. I was taught my hard work and education would offer benefit to my life and be a driving force in opening doors to opportunities. I am thankful for the values that were instilled in me and because of them I am excited to celebrate Back to School with Purpose for my children. Join me as I share 5 Lessons I Learned as a Teacher’s Kid.

Before I go into the valuable lessons I cherish as a teacher’s kid, I first want to focus on a state of gratitude for the education I received and my children receive. There are so many schools and children who suffer because of lack of funds for much needed materials to support their education.

Education IS THE CORE of our society and the foundation of our future.

To realize that one of the most important aspects of our society and country has areas of lack is heart breaking to me. It also sparks a fire of passion for striving for better!

I have GOOD NEWS on how we all can make a difference! 

The Box Tops for Education initiative is helping get your children’s school some much needed funding. At Walmart you can get 5-for-1 Box Tops with the purchase of a single food item!

I am feeling an array of emotions about this coming school year. It is the first year ALL my children will be in school. I feel a sense of sadness as we shift to a new time in our lives and say goodbye to babyhood. I feel a sense of fear that my babies are “leaving the nest” a little more.  What emotion I feel more than all of those is HOPE and EXCITEMENT as I watch each of them grow and develop in a multitude of ways. I love seeing the smiles on their faces when they make new friends or experience something new. The sense of self pride when then overcome a hurdle and achieve a new feat is so rewarding to watch.  I just love looking in their eyes and taking their little personhood in.

What grows this, besides love and a nurturing home, is EDUCATION.

I can close my eyes and smell the cool crisp air of the first day of school, the feeling of butterflies in my stomach and sense the newness of pencils and notebooks in my hands as I am bubbling with excitement to learn new things. My first day of school feels like yesterday when I reflect.  What is even better than my memories of back to school days past is watching my kids experience it here and now.

I can truly say as being a teacher’s kid, back to school time and the anticipation of learning something new was always something I loved. 

5 Lessons I Learned as a Teacher’s Kid:

1. Learning is fun. My parents passion and excitement for education made me respond to education with excitement. I think this speaks volumes! Our attitudes towards learning impacts the way our children think about learning.
2. Everyone learns differently and that is OK. Never once did I feel less than because I am a poor auditory learner. I always received the message from my parents that differences in learning is normal and acceptable and they focused on my strengths and abilities. This created good self esteem within me.
3. Education creates opportunities. I can hear my dad’s voice saying, “A college degree will help you in the future.” This was often with the understanding that even if I did not use that education in its specific purpose there was a simple value in upper education regardless. I was taught from youth that doors open with education.
4. Education and knowledge is something that is mine ALL mine. There is such a pure value in education, wisdom and a knowledge base that enables a person to analyze life in amazing ways. I was taught that education is something that can never be taken from a person and to value it as we value ourselves.
5. Invest in others education to grow. Helping others to learn is a vital tool to encouraging self growth in character and knowledge. Teaching others something that helps their life or giving of oneself in talent or funds are a few ways to continue the cycle of education in our communities.

As you can see, for me because of my parents value in education I benefited with a very positive perspective of education and self.

We have the opportunity to do that NOW!

Imagine being able to help others by making a delicious meal for your family such as this  Lime Chicken Taco recipe, as pictured below. You GET TO HELP others JUST by BUYING the foods that carry the Box Tops for Education initiative.

At Walmart you can get 5-for-1 Box Tops with the purchase of a single food item! That is food with benefits, friends!

There are so many things to cherish in life! Our children and the precious moments life offers to learn are invaluable. Savor it mamas and seep excitement and the joy of education into their little brains and hearts.

Help support learning and the tools needed to provide the best education for our communities by visiting Walmart. Shop General Mills’ products and then clip, send and earn!

I had fun finding all the great foods I would be using in my family’s  meals all the while scoring mega box top points! Just head to your cereal, dairy and grain isles to find General Mills’ products! Dovidenia. XO

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