Instructions: 1) Banana boat sandwiches: Open (but dont tear apart) a standard hotdog bun. Spread a layer of peanut butter on each side. Peel a banana and split it lengthwise. Lay banana into bun like a hotdog (or boat). For "passengers", sprinkle a few raisins on top.

2. Wrap sandwiches: Instead of a plain sandwich on bread, place thin layers of whatever deli meat, cheese, veggies, and condiments you like on each flour tortilla. Roll each into a tube and serve immediately, or wrap with plastic wrap and store until lunch. Kids love these because theyre much easier for little hands to eat than big sandwiches, and theyre not the usual fare.

3. Bean dippers: Roughly mash 3 cans drained pinto, black, garbanzo, or kidney beans (or use 2 cans fat-free refried beans). Add 1 can diced tomatoes with Italian or mild Mexican seasoning OR 1 to 1 1/2 cups very mild salsa. Chill and serve with any of the following dippers: celery sticks, carrot sticks, cauliflower florets, bell pepper strips, crackers, toasted pita triangles, toasted tortilla wedges, or anything else you like.

4. Fruit dippers: Blend low-fat cottage cheese and low-fat plain yogurt (about equal parts). Add a few drops of vanilla and just enough sugar (brown sugar is nice) to sweeten a bit. Serve as a high-protein, low-fat meal with pieces of apple, orange, pear, strawberry, pineapple, banana, or any of your favorite fruits.

5. Rice paper roll-ups: A variation on Vietnamese spring rolls, start these by preparing thin strips of deli ham/turkey, lettuce, napa cabbage, bean sprouts, carrot, and/or cucumber (add other ingredients such as softened cellophane noodles if you wish). Soak a round sheet of rice paper in water just until soft. Align ingredients along one end, roll up halfway, fold in ends, and finish rolling into egg roll shape. Repeat as necessary, tightly cover roll s with lightly damp towel and refrigerate. (Dont make too far ahead of time or theyll dry out.) Though restaurants usually serve these with soy, hoisin, or peanut sauce, you can let kids dip them in whatever salad dressing, etc. theyll eat.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.