In addition to a well stocked pantry, a well stocked refrigerator is helpful, too.  Ensure you have plenty of string cheese, healthy fruit and cut veggies on hand to pack in lunch boxes. Added bonus: Cut veggies can double as after-school snacks and be added to dinners to boost veggie counts!

Try this spin on the traditional cut veggie tray!

Chopped Veggie Salad:

• 2-3 c. Chopped Veggies of Your Choice, e.g., celery, carrots, peppers, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower.
• ½-1 c of your favorite Italian dressing or vinaigrette or homemade lemon dressing!
• 1 c cubed mozzarella or 2-3 sticks of string cheese sliced into 1-inch pieces
• ¼-1/2 c. pine nuts (optional)
• Small can pitted olives (optional)

Combine chopped veggies and dressing in a zip top bag. Seal and let marinade in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.   Pour marinated veggies into serving bowl, toss in mozzarella pieces, olives and pine nuts. Serve alone as a tangy veggie side dish with pizza or pasta or spoon ½ c over salad greens to boost your veggie consumption!

Homemade Lemon Dressing:

Juice of 1-2 lemons

• 1 Tblsp Lemon Zest
• ¼- ½  c. Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Whisk together. Enjoy over veggies or add fresh rosemary and use as a marinade for chicken!