MaMas -- don't you hate the no-nut rule schools are posting? Well, maybe not if you're child is allergic, then I sympathize. But I also got creative. Check out my CTV link above (under MaMaGoGo) to see me on CTV Morning Live gabbing about the yummiest alternatives to PB&J this side of the Pacific.
Super Sandies... deeeeeelish!
1) Sunflower Seed butter and Jam – easy peasy alternative
2) Tahini and Pumpkin butter, with dried fruit – raisins, dates, apricots
3) Cream Cheese and Marmalade
4) Almond butter and Banana
5) Chocolate Avocado Spread – w/ mashed banana on lightly toasted wholegrain bread
6) Hummus and Cheese – w/ a thick slice of tomato
7) Apple butter and Cashew butter
8) Garbanzo Cream Cheese and Celery
9) The Hawaiian: pineapple, turkey slice, tomato spread and cheese
Interesting Bread:
--multigrain and sprouted grain always best
--flying saucers with English muffins
--cube it or make shapes
--wrap toasted sandwich in paper towel then tin foil to keep it warm.
Once you’ve packed the sandwich, add any of the following to make a full course lunch:
--fruit and veggies: sliced apple, cucumber, carrots, snap peas, etc.
--seaweed treat, dried kale, etc.
--fruit/veggie bars
--pistachios, high in protein/good fat, fun to eat and rarely on the banned list
--organic cheese sticks
TIPS:
--many alternatives to peanut butter these days. Here’s a list of some of these “butters” and combo butters: tahini (sesame seed), sunflower seed, almond, cashew, almond/cashew, hazelnut, almond/flax, almond/pecan, cashew/pistachio/brazil nut, pumpkin butter, apple butter
--if it’s a nut-free school, ask about the exceptions and if alternative eating arrangements can be made
--put butter on before jelly to keep bread from getting soggy from wetter ingredients like jam, and to add a little extra sustenance for picky eaters (plus it adds flavor)
--many sandwiches can be frozen in advance, but don’t freeze veggies
--cut into fun shapes or cubes for ‘pop in your mouth’ fun
--for dairy butter it’s important to use organic. The Pesticide Action Network of North America says non-organic butter is ranked first as the food most contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (“POP”), a class of some of the most dangerous toxic chemicals. The chemicals enter the loop when a cow eats chemical laden feed, it then becomes concentrated in the milk and concentrated further when milk is manufactured into butter.
Eat up kidlets!