For most of you, school is either back in session or literally just around the corner. I saw a kindergartener the other day at the store who had his head on the cart after his first long day of school – poor kiddo! And unfortunately with all the processed food and allergies kids have these days, you have be creative to solve a growing child’s hunger pains.

That’s why I was happy to partner up with BJ’s Wholesale Club to give you some practical, simple ideas to take your lunch from “blah” to “oohh la la” and keep your child happy and energized all day.  They sent me this super fun Lunchbox Makeover Kit with healthy snacks and a very hip lunchbox, all of which can be found in your local BJ’s store. Go HERE to find a BJ’s Wholesale Club near you.

Our first mission to makeover the school lunch – Spice up the Sandwich! There are plenty of ways to sneak in nutrients while providing variety. Let’s check out the recipe ideas.

Idea #1 – Nutritional Nuts: Many schools have banned the traditional peanut butter sandwich due to allergies. Substitute with delicious cashew or almond butter, and top with fresh fruit slices like bananas or strawberries.

Idea #2 – Pump up the Protein: Use Sabra hummus and a healthy deli meat such as Applegate smoked turkey for a protein punch and add slices of avocado and tomato plus lettuce for crunch.

Idea #3 – Sweet and Savory: Switch up your sandwich by adding a surprise ingredient like fruit. Take an Arnold’s Sandwich Thin, add a few tablespoons of cottage cheese and sprinkle on pineapple chucks and blueberries.

Idea #4 – Last Night’s Leftovers: Use leftover chicken or purchase a rotisserie chicken and add lettuce, tomatoes and easy microwavable turkey bacon for a twist on the traditional BLT.

You can also freshen up your kiddos’ snacks with some fun surprises!  BJ’s has all your favorite grocery list items in stock for this Back to School season.

 Here are a couple of tips:

• Eat with your eyes: Kids eat with their eyes so choose colorful fruits and veggies. And fresh is always best!

• Kids love playing with their food: Healthy dips and yogurt are great choices for the lunch box because children love eating with their hands. Give your child individual packs of Sabra Hummus or Wholly Guacamole.

• Serving sizes: All types of snacks such pita chips and natural popcorn can be found in easy to send to school small packages. You can also create your own snack bags when purchasing snack items such as organic banana chips and gluten, nut and soy free BJ’s Wholesale Club fresh baked cookies. The traditional Snyders 100 Calorie Mini Pretzels and SkinnyPop Popcorn are always winners with kids.

• Know your child’s schedule: Choose snacks that are low in saturated fat and sugar and high in nutrients like low sugar yogurt, nuts, colorful veggies like carrot sticks, red, yellow or green bell pepper strips, fruit salad, cubes of low fat cheese, and guacamole with RW Garcia Organic Tortilla Chips.

Remember to stay hydrated. I know for us, I have to literally set an alarm on my phone to remind me to drink!  That’s why you should send a canister of water to school with your child if at all possible. Make it fun for them by giving them a packet of Crystal Light so they can mix it on their own. Milk is a better option than juice (it has almost 8 times the protein as a juice box!). But if you’re going to send juice, make sure it’s 100% juice like Honest Kids juice pouches.

I love this California Innovations lunchpack too, as you really keep those juices cold with its insulated bottom pouch!

If you’re giving them an after school snack, hopefully you’ve tapped into the power of the smoothie! Hubby makes them for me and Asher and sneaks in all kinds of green, leafy goodies. Tricky, but it works!

Of course all lunches need a note from mom (or dad!), so don’t forget the most important ingredient when you pack their lunches.  😉

Remember too that BJ’s is coupon friendly! They have an in-store flyer called the BJ’s Journal and there are basically coupons on every page.  And did you know that BJ’s is the only warehouse club to accept all manufacturer’s coupons?  Here are a couple tips for using coupons at BJ’s:

• Stack store coupons and manufacture coupons on the same item

• If three items are wrapped together in clear plastic and you can see each item has its own barcode, you can use three manufacture coupons on that item!

• BJ’s mails out their store coupons but they’re also at the store entrance; you can also print them online at BJs.com if you’re a member.

BJ’s can really be a one-stop-shop for all your Back to School needs!  So eat healthy, be creative, and clip your coupons as you makeover your kiddos’ lunch this year at BJ’s Wholesale.

This post is sponsored by BJ’s. As always, all thoughts & opinions are 100% my own.