UltimateMama always likes to have on hand the ingredients to make simple summertime small pita sandwiches to coordinate with a healthy yet easy lunch.  This summertime lunch takes only 10 minutes of preparation.  It is not only pleasing to the eye but also to the appetite.

Simple Summertime Small Pita Sandwiches recipe:

-Package of small whole wheat pitas

-Either honey maple turkey or honey maple ham thinly sliced (1 pound)

-Wisconsin cheddar cheese thinly sliced (1/2 pound)

-Mesclun or Boston lettuce

-Hummus and/or honey mustard

Slice all the small pitas open (leave one edge in tact for easy handling or “grab and go”).  Spread hummus or honey mustard on the tops of the pitas. Add the meat, cheese, and lettuce. Serve!

All natural tortilla chips with fresh salsa as well as vegetables with ranch dressing or Greek yogurt dip accompany the sandwiches nicely!

UltimateMama tries her best to use any dinner leftovers for lunch the next day. That way she can spend more quality time building sandcastles in the summertime with her kids! A nutritious and easy lunch with last night’s grilled chicken and vegetables (roasted red peppers, green peppers, and onions) was UltimateMama’s delicious open faced avocado toast!  To make:

– Toast 2 slices of thinly sliced wheat bread

– Place sliced avocado on the toast

– Top with roasted vegetables and grilled chicken

UltimateMama likes to serve it with blueberries, peppers, cucumbers, and a few chips on the side!

UltimateMama believes Grilled Cheese sandwiches are completely underrated.  They are simple to make and have terrific nutritional value.  UltimateMama loves easy grilled cheese recipes!

Here is what UltimateMama's children (ages 1 and 3) had for lunch today:

3 year old:  Grilled ham & white cheddar cheese sandwich, peas, apple slices, milk, water

1 year old: Grilled white cheddar cheese sandwich, little pieces of ham, peas, golden raspberries, milk, water

Easy Grilled Ham & White Cheddar Cheese Sandwich recipe for one sandwich: 

-  2 thinly sliced pieces of bread

– thinly sliced ham (1 slice)

– thinly sliced white cheddar cheese (1 slice)

– Smart Balance spread (about 1 tablespoon)

Pre-heat a griddle, skillet, or frying pan.  Take a knife and spread the Smart Balance on one side of each slice of bread.  Put one of the "buttered" slices of bread on the skillet.  Then put a a thin slice of white cheddar cheese on top.  Next, add a thin slice of ham and cover with the remaining slice of bread ("buttered" side up).  When you notice the cheese starting to melt and the bread starting to brown, flip the sandwich over and finish grilling. 

**For a fun variation add a slice of tomato for extra nutrients and color!

A little parenting advice for you…this is what UltimateMama fed her children (ages 1 and 3) for lunch on Sunday:

Three year old: Turkey Meatloaf with ketchup, boiled sweet potatoes, cucumber, Stoneyfield Farm yogurt, thin slice of wheat bread, milk, water

One year old:  Turkey Meatloaf, boiled sweet potatoes diced, cucumber pieces diced, Stoneyfield Farm yogurt, thin slice of wheat bread, milk, water

UltimateMama's Easy Turkey Meatloaf recipe is as follows –

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup diced onion or green onion

1 cup of diced celery

1 cup diced carrot

2 egg whites

1/2 cup ketchup

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup bread crumbs (can be seasoned)

1 pound lean ground turkey

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Take a little olive oil and grease a loaf pan.  Pour olive oil in a skillet or pan over medium heat than add onion, celery, and carrots.  Saute for 8 minutes, then remove from heat. In a large bowl, mix egg whites, ketchup, oregano, and pepper.  Then add ground turkey, breadcrumbs, and the vegetables.  Mix everything. Pour mixture into loaf pan for baking.  Brush a little ketchup on top.  Bake in oven for 40-50 minutes.

(Sometimes sneaky chef UltimateMama finely dices some zucchini and adds that to the vegetables as well!)

This is what UltimateMama fed her kids (ages one and three) today for lunch:

Three year old:  Hamburger (broiled ground chuck), Guacamole and Gluten-free Rice Crackers, pineapple, Stoneyfield Farm organic Peach yogurt, milk, water

One year old: Hamburger (broiled ground chuck), Guacamole and Gluten-free Rice Crackers, blueberries, Stoneyfield Farm organic Plain whole-milk yogurt, milk, water

Guacamole is a great way to get nutrients into your child's body!  Quick and Easy Guacamole recipe as follows:

Quick and Easy Guacamole Recipe

Combine three-four peeled, pitted and mashed avocados with five diced cherry tomatoes (or 1/3 of one large tomato, a small onion chopped finely, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of cilantro. Mix it all together and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Quick and Easy Hamburger Recipe

Make 4-6 small patties from 1/4 to 1/2 pound of ground chuck. Broil on each side for 4-5 minutes.