That Mom Life – Back to School Edition

Summer break will go by faster than we would like, and before we know it, school schedules will be back in swing. Between sports practices, curriculum nights, and everything else that comes with back-to-school season, life can feel *a little* chaotic.
And then comes the added stress of meal planning—making sure the kids have healthy lunches and a halfway decent dinner on the table. It can be daunting, believe me, I know! But with a little prep and intention, you can make things a lot smoother during the hustle and bustle.

🍴 A Few Tips to Keep the Household Fed and Healthy:

1. Cook in Bulk Double your batches to create plenty of leftovers and reduce how often you have to cook during the week. We love a good Sweet Potato Chili around here. It’s hearty, budget-friendly, and customizable. Top with shredded cheese, Greek yogurt (in place of sour cream), or any extras you love.

Got venison in the freezer? Swap out the beef or turkey—it’s a great way to use your hunting-season haul! Bonus: leftovers store perfectly in glass meal prep containers.

2. Healthy Grab-n-Go Snacks

Muffins are a perfect grab-and-go option, but store-bought ones are often packed with sugar and additives. My kids love my homemade zucchini and pumpkin muffins—a little veggie, a little sweet, and super convenient.

These bake beautifully in a silicone muffin pan (and clean-up is a breeze!). 

Check out my favorite protein muffin recipes below. You can use Level-1 Protein or skip the protein powder altogether.

For more healthy snacks and recipe ideas, head over to the Fit In The Mitt page for weekly recipe  inspiration and more!

3. Get the Kiddos Involved in the Kitchen

Kids are much more likely to eat the healthy meals they help make. My kiddos love helping in the kitchen and with their kid-safe prep knives it teaches  them kitchen basics early on.

4. Make School Lunches Fun and Functional

If your kids can’t heat up their lunches at school, a Bento Box with a Thermos is a game-changer. My son loves packing leftovers, “walking tacos,” and little extras like hummus and veggies, fruit, or an RX Bar. The compartments keep everything neat and easy.

5. Prep Ahead = Stress LessIf you’re someone who buys all the fresh fruit and veggies… only to throw them out uneaten—same, girl. Try washing and chopping them up right away, so they’re easy to grab during the week.

A few staples I like to prep ahead:
– Hard-boiled eggs
– Cooked ground meat
– Roasted vegetables or potatoes
– Plain rice

Having these basics on hand can make mealtime way easier.

I am a business owner, have 3 kids and a husband who travels a lot for work, trust me, I GET THE STRUGGLE MOMMA!

đź’Ş Now for the Moms:

Stay-at-Home Moms Use this season to make yourself a priority again. If you fell off your workout routine over the summer, now’s the time to get back into it. It’s great for your physical health and mental clarity. And hey, it’s nice to do a workout without kids running in front of your kettlebell mid-air!

Working Moms If your kids have evening practices, bring a set of dumbbells and squeeze in a quick parking lot workout while you wait! Not your thing? Go for a walk around the field or neighborhood—fresh air and steps in = win/win. Bonus points if you grab another mom to join you (hello, adult convo!)

One of my favorite options for busy moms? Our FITM App, with workouts accessible from anywhere, all at your fingertips!!!

Need Help With Nutrition or Fitness?

If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed with it all—I’ve got you.

I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach/Personal Trainer (NASM) and would love to help you on your health and fitness journey. I’m on a mission to help moms (and dads!) feel confident in their skin and live a healthy, happy life.

Schedule a 1-1 call and let’s see what the best fit is for YOU!!! 

Back-to-school season can be a bit overwhelming at first, but it’s also a fresh start. Use it as an opportunity to get back into a rhythm—not just for your kids, but for you too.

Here’s to a healthy, happy school year ahead! 💕
– Nicole
Fit In The Mitt