It’s back to school time (for some) and you know that you can save a bunch by making your own school lunches, but your kids refuse to go through another term of your not-so-famous P&B sandwiches. Now you can spice up their lunchboxes, give them healthier options and save yourself some cash with these awesome school lunch ideas. Bento Box Susanyuen Borrow this great idea from Japan and give your kids a selection of fun treats to choose from. Place a burger bun filled with healthy greens, mayo and sandwich meat in the center of their lunch boxes. Put four or five cupcake papers around the bun and fill them with berries, cherry tomatoes, cheese squares, nuts and other snacks. Having a selection of healthy, fun treats will make lunch far more interesting. Breadstick in a Blanket celebratemag.com Cut a breadstick to fit into the lunchbox. Lay a piece of sandwich ham or turkey roll on the counter with the breadstick in the center. Add tomatoes, sprouts, lettuce and other greens. Roll the ham up and secure with a toothpick. Fruit fondue dev.onehandedcooks.com.au Fill a skewer with pieces of fruit. Add a tub

Fast food restaurants are slated to be cheaper than cooking at home, but with a little imagination and culinary wizardry, it’s possible to create nutritious, tasty family meals for under $10. These meals contain fewer trans fats and calories and are more nutritious than you’ll get at the drive through. Bubble and Squeak This is an old English classic that can turn just about any leftovers into something awesome. You can use leftover meat and vegetables from last night’s meal or start from scratch with new ingredients. Make a pot of mashed potatoes. Add the leftovers or some sliced cabbage and onions. Season with salt and pepper and add a cup of grated cheese. Now spoon some of the mixture into a heated, oiled pan. Press down to make little patties. Serve hot. Fish Cakes This is a great recipe, especially for young kids. It’s easy peasy to make and you can make extra fish cakes for freezing. Cut a pound of potatoes into small squares and boil. Mash the potatoes and add a can of salmon. Be sure to remove any bones. Add salt and pepper to taste and form the mixture into eight separate

Do you ever have one of those culinary experiences you can’t forget? Like, months and years later you’re still remembering a taste, smell, what the room looked like? I had one of those last summer, and it led me to my new obsession: infusing my own vodka. The wife and I were on vacation with friends in Tofino, BC. First of all, I totally recommend Tofino if you haven’t been there. I tried and definitely failed at surfing, but the good food and the beauty of the surroundings was enough to sell me on the place for life. If you go in the off season, say Spring or Fall, or even Winter if you’re brave, you’ll also get great deals, as we did. It was chilly and Springtime, but the beach was still amazing, and the sun still shone most of our visit. Great stuff. But most importantly, on the third day we visited a local restaurant whose name I forget—it’s a main one though, sorry guys!—and sampled my customary drink of choice, the Caesar. This time, though, when I ordered, the waitress asked me a life-changing question: “Do you want it