Lunch for Kids - Day 3

Most days, my girls will take very similar lunches. It's just easier on me that way. The only things that change are their individual needs and preferences. For example, Tuesday's lunch for Bayberry includes lettuce and salsa, which Picky Eater didn't want. Also, there will be times when I notice one of them is lacking in a certain nutrient and will use lunchtime to correct that imbalance. Mostly, though, they're going to be very similar.

Here's Tuesday's lunch for Picky Eater:

From top right, clockwise: Homemade Cream Cheese Fudge Brownie (recipe follows!); Apple slices (rubbed on a lemon wedge to keep them from browning); Homemade Refried Beans, Sour Cream, and shredded cheddar cheese; Homemade Pink & Purple Tortilla Chips, which were a blast to make. Juice to drink.

And Bayberry's Lunch:

Same thing, only with shredded lettuce. :) She also gets a small container of salsa, and a bottle of juice.

Cream Cheese Brownies

What You Need:

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips
• 6 oz softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour

How it's Done:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x11" baking dish.
2. Stir together the 1/2 cup melted butter, oil, and sugars until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add the 2 tsp vanilla extract and sea salt. Stir in the cocoa powder and flour until everything is smooth and combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
3. Sprinkle the batter with the chocolate chips.
4. Beat together the cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, 1 tsp vanilla, one egg, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 Tbsp flour. Dot the batter with the cream cheese mixture and use a knife to swirl it together.
5. Bake 45 minutes or so, until center is set. Let cool completely before slicing. I sliced mine into circles with a biscuit cutter.