MEAL PREP

Family fun time

Turn dinner prep into a fun family activity with these tips from Stouffer’s and Nestle:

• Don’t leave out the littles: The youngest member of your family may not be tall enough to reach the stovetop, but they can help! They can wash produce, squeeze lemons, stem herbs, tear lettuce leaves and stir.

• Keep it low-key and stressfree with recipes that take 10 minutes or less to prepare.

LUNCH

Healthy options

These lunch ideas from Crispy are wholesome and fun for kids of all ages.

• Whole-grain cereal with a side of milk, or muffins with secret healthy ingredients like fruit or shredded veggies.

• Foods high in protein like eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, beans and many nuts.

• Freeze-dried fruits, including banana, apple, pineapple and pear.

• Low-fat salad dressing or hummus is the perfect pairing for veggie straws.

APPLES

New variety debuts

The University of Minnesota apple breeding team debuted its newest apple at the Minnesota State Fair this year.

Dubbed “First Kiss,” the apple crosses the Honeycrisp “known for its juicy texture” with a University of Arkansas variety called “AA44” that was known for early ripening, according to the University of Minnesota.

— Brandpoint

EASY RECIPE

Caramel Apple Float

For a sweet spin on the classic fall staple of apple cider, try this recipe from Taste of Home.

• 1 cup chilled apple cider or unsweetened apple juice

• 1 cup chilled ginger ale or lemon-lime soda

• 1 cup vanilla ice cream

• 2 tablespoons caramel sundae syrup

• Finely chopped peeled apple, optional

Divide cider and ginger ale between two glasses. Top with ice cream; drizzle with caramel syrup. Top with diced apples if desired.

— Brandpoint