In just a few short days the kids will be heading back to school, and parents everywhere will be breathing a collective sigh of relief. Summer vacation can be tough on us moms and dads! Sure, it was great not having to get up at the brink of dawn these past few months. And, I’ve especially enjoyed not having to fight those homework wars. But I have to admit that I’m really looking forward to getting back into my own groove again.

This school year is going to be a bittersweet one for me. In less than a week, Mini SGCC will be beginning her senior year in high school. I can hardly believe it! It seems like only yesterday I was telling you that she was just starting high school ^[1]. There have a lot of changes and challenges in our family these past three years, not the least of which has been my beautiful child’s journey to become the extraordinary young woman she was meant to be. It’s exciting and scary at the same time.

I’ve tried to be a good role model for her, sometimes with success, and sometimes with miserable failure. In spite of our many similarities, we are very different people, and my choices are not always going to be her choices. One of the hardest things for me to learn has been when to keep my mouth shut. I’m still working on that.

These days, our lives revolve around the SAT, the ACT and college applications, while trying to maintain some kind of balance. My head is spinning. So is Mr. SGCC’s. Mini SGCC seems to be taking it all in stride as she hurtles forward a mile a minute.

Although I often feel powerless on this e-ticket ride to my daughter’s future, one thing I do have some control over is the food goes into her body. It’s no surprise that teenagers have the worst eating habits, especially in times of stress. But, I’ve found that if I keep tasty, healthful and easy food choices on hand, Mini SGCC will usually indulge in them. These Whole Grain Krispie Granola Bars are one of her favorites.

Regardless of your kids’ ages, one universal challenge that comes along with a new school year is getting them to eat something reasonably healthy for breakfast in the morning and as snacks throughout the day. Granola bars are a popular choice. But, the store bought kinds are often dry and dense, bearing a striking resemblance to toasted sawdust. Most kids do love cereal bars, but many of them contain high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated palm oil, which are deal breakers for me!

My way around this dilemma is to whip up these wholesome and incredibly delicious whole grain granola bars from scratch. They’re made with rolled oats, dried fruits, nuts and crisped brown rice, glued together with honey, pure maple syrup and almond butter. Trust me. They are addictive!

The beauty of this recipe is that it takes very little time and effort to put together. Just mix the ingredients in a bowl, press into a pan and bake. Any combination of fruits and nuts will work here, as will any kind of nut butter. I’ve made these bars many times using both almond butter and peanut butter. I prefer them with almond butter, but Mini SGCC likes the ones with peanut butter best. (It figures!) Use whichever works for you.

Get your kids – and yourself – off to a good start this school year with Whole Grain Krispie Granola Bars. Served with low-fat yogurt for a nutritious breakfast or tucked into their backpacks for a mid-day snack, these bars score an A+!