When the school year starts, so do busy schedules. From drop off and pick up at school, to the endless trips to and from sports and after school activities-your weekly calendar quickly fills up. Since we haven’t figured out a way to be in two places at once, carpooling with friends is the easiest and best way to get your kids where they need to be and to save a little of your sanity. So how can you rock the carpool this year? Here’s five tips that every carpooling parent needs this school year.

1. To keep you and the other moms in the carpool on the same page, download a carpooling app like Cozi or Manage Carpool. These apps let you create calendars and schedules for everyone on your carpool list, and if there is an emergency, the apps will let you send a text message to everyone on the passenger list. So no more searching for numbers in your contacts.

2. Make sure you are never late for your carpool duty by setting alarms on your phone to remind you when you’ll need to leave each day. I set alarms for just about everything, and believe me, they have saved me more times than I can count. Even if you are busy or distracted, when the alarm on the phone goes off, you know it’s time to leave.

3. Grab a few hooks with suction cups on the back and attach them to the car windows. Just be sure to place the hooks low on the window so the driver’s view is not obstructed. This way kids can hang their book bags on the hooks and can keep them off the floor. This hack is perfect for a little extra room, especially if kids are carrying multiple backs or the weather outside is wet and messy. Now the kids’ bags will stay dry and clean.

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ou and your family are super busy! During the week, you need to plan a dinner that is delicious, your entire family loves, and often, one they can eat on the go. From after school activities, practices, and games, you still need to find time to give your family a delicious dinner. So, forget going to a drive thru restaurant and try making these two recipes. With a little prep earlier in the week, you can still offer up dinner to your family.

Taco Pop Tarts

Ingredients:

·         2 boxes refrigerated pie crusts (total of 4 pie crusts), at room temperature

·         1 tablespoon olive oil

·         1/2 onion, thinly sliced

·         1/2 pound ground beef

·         1 tablespoon taco seasoning

·         1 cup frozen corn, thawed

·         1 cup canned black beans, drained

·         1 cup shredded cheddar

1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

·         Preheat oven to 350 F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

·         Working with one crust at a time, unroll onto your work surface and cut into six 3″ x 4″ rectangles. Repeat with the remaining crusts; cover with a towel to keep from drying out.

·         In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil until hot but not smoking. Sauté the onion for 5 minutes. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until completely cooked through (no pink remaining). Add the taco seasoning and stir to combine. Add the corn and beans and cook for 2-3 minutes more. Remove from heat and let cool until warm.

·         Place six pie crust rectangles on one of your prepared baking sheets.

·         Top with a spoonful of the beef filling, followed by a handful of shredded cheese.

·         Top with six more crusts and gently press around the edges. Use a fork to crimp and seal; make a few small incisions in the top to allow steam to escape. Brush with some of the beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Repeat with remaining crusts and fillings.

·         Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve immediately or let cool and freeze for longer storage.

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When my kids get home from school, they are starving. But we usually don’t have much time to sit around and have a few snacks. From rushing off to after school activities to making sure we aren’t late for a game or practice, snack time usually gets cut short. So, if you are running around with your kids and everyone in the car is hungry, here are three yummy snack options. You can pass them pack in the car or toss them in their bags. Just make these snacks early in the week and you’ll have happy snackers all week long.

Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars

Ingredients

·         3/4 cup Peanut Butter

·         1/2 cup Honey

·         3 cup Cheerios

Instructions

·         Line 8×8″ pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.

·         Cook peanut butter and honey over medium heat stirring constantly until completely melted and blended.

·         Remove from heat and stir in cereal. Mix until evenly coated.

·         Place mixture in prepared pan and press in place.

·         Refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting into bars.

·         Store any remaining in refrigerator.

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Mornings are always busy in our house and sometimes getting everyone ready and at the breakfast table for a well-balanced meal doesn’t always happen. So for those super crazy mornings where everyone in your family is running out the door, here are three recipes for delicious and filling breakfasts. With these on the go breakfast ideas, you’ll know everyone has eaten a delicious breakfast, even if they have to take their meal in the car.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl. Mix together until well incorporated. Cover and chill in a refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Grab about a heaping tablespoon full of the mixture and press it into a ball with your palms. Repeat with the remaining oat mixture, making about 16 energy bites.

Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

 

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