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Cold "turkey" BBQ on a stale bun.

Salt saturated baked potatoes.

Chicken pot pie with still frozen peas swimming around.

Ah, elementary school lunches.

As I mentioned last week, I started student teaching and it has been awesome and terrible all at the same time. I LOVE the kids, love working with my teacher, and seeing the children grasp a new concept. I live for the AH-HA! moments.

It's the lesson plan writing that is currently kicking me in the face.

But overall, it's been a wonderful two weeks and I'm looking forward to becoming a better teacher.

Planning lunches has been no picnic either (Pun! Unintentional!). It's been a struggle finding foods that are:

• filling

• yummy

• quick

• yummy

• simple

• and yummy

Here's what I've been doing to stay on track (this could work for anyone, not just a teacher!)

• Eat SOMETHING for breakfast...anything is better than nothing. People say this all the time but seriously y'all, it's true. I have found that if I eat something small, like one Poptart in the morning, I will eat less throughout the day. I think someone intelligent calls it a metabolism boost. Anyways, it works. I love the new oatmeal Poptarts. They're super yummy and are not completely laden with sugar.

• Snack and snack often! If I eat a small little something between meals, I'll again eat less at big meals. My favorite snacks? Bell peppers and hummus (pretzels are also tasty with hummus), a little granola bar (watch the sugar!), and fruits are always a great go-to.

• At lunch time, I turn to simple quesadillas (microwave two tortillas with shredded cheese in the middle then serve with fresh avocado, light sour cream and salsa=delish!). Another Becca fav? Yogurt with granola- simple but healthy and tasty.

• For dinner, I've been turning to a small salad and either soup or a meat with veggies. Simple but effective when it comes to pleasing my taste buds and stomach.

Just trying to keep it tight for Mr. Right. :)

It's been an interesting challenge adapting to a new schedule with new food routines but hopefully it will pay off!

What is your best kept secret to keep the munchies at bay while still being satisfied? What are the foods you turn to? Please share!

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