Plano, TX August 2023

Kids & Pets Make Life Worth Living!

Being a mother has been my greatest achievement in life. I am blessed to have three incredible children who make me proud on a daily basis. Watching my daughters grow into admirable young adults who care about their community and strive to make the world a better place is humbling. Children are not merely the hope for a brighter tomorrow, they are the foundation upon which our society stands. Their innocence, curiosity, and boundless potential have the power to shape the world in ways we can only imagine. It is bittersweet as they grow up and prepare to leave the nest, but I know they are going to do amazing things.

We recently took a family vacation to Universal Studios in Orlando, and I was able to share in the laughter, playfulness and simple joy of their youth. Although my girls are embarking on adulthood, we all embraced the opportunity to be childlike and carefree with my youngest who is ten years their junior. It was a magical time and a memory I will not soon forget.

As my girls transition out of the house, we often turn to our four-legged family members for comfort. Pets provide us with unconditional love, the opportunity to learn, grow and develop essential life skills in a nurturing environment. My son, although he hates feeding and cleaning up after them, adores our personal zoo. The bond between kids and their furry friends is often deep and meaningful, fostering qualities like empathy, responsibility, and companionship.

Our dogs, Artemis and Hulk, supply us with endless entertainment. Hulk, our seven-pound Chorkie, thinks he is a “big dog” protecting the household while Artie, the rambunctious Australian shepherd mix, runs amuck attempting to catch the flames from the fire pit and all things that fly. Vinny and Rocket, our loving cats, are our snuggle buddies who are known to the entire neighborhood. Rocket loves to garden with the couple down the street while Vinny heads up the cat crew with his buddy next door, Louie.

Our children and animals bring a unique balance of responsibility and reward to our lives. I know that not everyone desires to be a parent and there are people who are not animal lovers, but the presence of kids and pets in the community adds to the quality of life for all of us. This issue highlights local resources for kids and pets.  Enjoy!

August 2023

PUBLISHER

Angi Burns | angi.burns@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Katelyn Reed | katelyn.reed@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Kathy Moreno | kathy.moreno@citylifestyle.com

STAFF WRITERS

Alisa Hauser, Megan Hernandez

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Schuyler Wick, Rachel Webb

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Matthew Charney

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

ANGI BURNS, PUBLISHER @PLANOCITYLIFESTYLE

Don’t Sweat It, Beat the heat wIth BIg D MechanIcal toDay!

We are the premier comfort experts; our team specializes in high efficiency solutions for your business and home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning. No matter the weather―if it’s too hot or too cold― we have you covered. We have a solution for all your needs with 40 plus years of experience in the industry. We combine our superior service with top of the line products to offer our customers the first class experience and peace of mind that everyone deserves. Investing in your comfort is our top priority.

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

For our special Kids & Pets issue we asked our readers to submit photos of their kiddos with their precious pets. We received some excellent submissions! If you do not see your child and pet featured here, please check out our social media @planocitylifestyle or visit citylifestyle. com/Plano for more photos. 1: Walker & Carter Gray with 12-week-old Bogey, a lab/shepherd mix. 2: Yellow lab Vanilla Moon with Madalynn and Maverick. 3: Brock and his French bulldogs, Feebee and FooHee. 4: Everly and her foster puppy, Cara Lee. Cara Lee is available for adoption through DFW Pup Patrol. 5: Addison the first day she adopted her Doberman, Saint Roux. 6: Jackson with Macaroni the pig. 7: Cristiano

Want to be seen in the magazine?

Tag your Instagram photos with @planocitylifestyle

with his cockapoo, Bandito.

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Plano Celebrates a Successful DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Summit!

The Plano Chamber brought together a passionate community of changemakers, thought leaders, and advocates for an inspiring morning of dialogue, insights, and empowerment. The theme, "DE&I 360: Workplace, Community, and Our Sense of Belonging," guided discussions and fostered a greater understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our lives.

Plano Celebrates 150 Years!

It’s a milestone year in Plano! Residents flocked to Haggard Park on June 3rd to celebrate 150 years of the City of Excellence at Plano’s 150th Birthday Celebration! Happy Birthday Plano, Texas!

Mobility City Opens in Plano!

Welcome to Plano Mobility City - North TX! Mobility City is a mobility equipment sales, rental, and service franchise that serves communities across the country. Located at 9720 Coit Road, Suite 180, Plano, TX 75025.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Plano

Photography by Plano Chamber of Commerce

12

local experiences The best places and things to do in our area.

ARTICLE BY KATHY MORENO

Grab the kids, pack your bags and hit the town for some end of summer fun. Use our list to locate family-friendly adventures that will raise your heart rate, excite the little ones, and help you create lasting memories together.

FOWLING WAREHOUSE: Fowling is a unique and entertaining game that merges football with bowling and is perfect for small or large groups. 1714 14th St., Suite 300, Plano, TX 75074

LAZY DOG: Your furry best friends are not only welcome to hang out on the patio, but they also have a special menu. How cool is that! 8401 Preston Road, Plano, TX 75024

THE TEXAS POOL: Come swim in a historic 168,000-gallon saltwater pool shaped like Texas with a diving board, two water slides, an island and a shallow wading area. 901 Springbrook Drive, Plano, TX 75075

CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE: Where the magic of Crayola comes to life! With 60,000 square feet of attractions, Texas’ most colorful family destination for interactive, creative play! 6121 West Park Blvd., Plano, TX 75093

CHEEKY MONKEY: No need to fret about the weather outside. This is the perfect solution to keep the excitement going all day long with an indoor playground. 8300 Preston Road, Suite 150, Plano, TX 75024

Want to recommend a local experience?

Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.

PETS IN PERIL

ARTICLE BY MATTHEW CHARNEY, DVM

VETERINARY EMERGENCY GROUP IS THERE WHEN YOUR PET NEEDS IT MOST

One afternoon Mary Roberts found her cat, Nestor, acting panicked and breathing very rapidly. Not knowing what to do, she called Veterinary Emergency Group and spoke to Dr. Victoria Falen on the phone within seconds. Dr. Falen agreed that Nestor’s behavior sounded concerning, so Mary brought him straight into VEG, where he was seen by Dr. Falen right away.

Mary was able to stay with Nestor the entire time he was there, through diagnostics and treatment. Ultimately, Nestor was diagnosed with feline asthma and was eventually safe and healthy enough to get home. Afterward, Mary wrote that, in spite of her concern about her feline friend, this was the “best experience I have ever had at any kind of veterinary emergency or urgent care… I feel extremely confident leaving my kitty there to be monitored. Y’all were superb!”

This is the kind of experience VEG aims to provide every pet parent.

While Mary Roberts knew right away that Nestor was not acting normally, sometimes the signs that something is wrong can be a little more insidious. Knowing what to look for when your pet is sick is extremely important, and can mean the difference between life and death in some situations. There are a few telltale signs that can let you know if your pet may be having a problem.

At VEG, we encourage owners to become very familiar with their pet’s normal breathing rate, activity level, appetite, weight, and “body condition” (overall build or shape). Rapid changes in any of these can potentially indicate a serious illness. If your pet is breathing consistently faster or shallower than normal, if they are eating significantly less food than is usual, or if they have a notable behavior change, such as hiding or avoiding the family, something may be seriously wrong.

As pet owners, we must pay special attention to these subtle clues, as they may be the only signs that we get that something is wrong, as animals have no other way of telling us.

The best thing to do if you are worried is to call!

There are also a number of situations where a visit to the ER may be necessary. Some of them are obvious, such as wounds/bites, repeated vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, or collapse, but others are less obvious. A sudden swelling on the face could indicate a venomous snake bite or a serious allergic reaction, and a swollen belly could indicate fluid in the abdomen that should not be there.  Even non-life-threatening issues like limping or an ear infection could be painful or uncomfortable enough that the kindest thing is for them to be evaluated sooner rather than later. The best thing to do if you are worried is to call!

Veterinary Emergency Group’s mission is “helping people and their pets when they need it most,” and that is at the heart of every decision that we make. We have been in Allen since February 2023 and are focused on providing care to North Texas pets when it is most needed. We handle all types of cases, from vomiting to complex surgeries, treating any animal that will fit through our door — tails to scales.

Unlike a traditional veterinary emergency hospital, we have no “back.”  We keep our patients with their owners during their entire visit, as we recognize that no one knows that pet better than its owner. By focusing on the human-animal bond, we are able to keep both pet and owner more comfortable during their visit, and are also able to truly work with pet owners, not just for them. This collaborative approach is helping VEG transform veterinary emergency medicine.

Does today’s economy, inflation and job uncertainty have you concerned? The best way to fight all of this is through business ownership. But what about the risk? Well, franchising reduces the risk by providing you support, proven systems and a track record of success. The conversation is FREE. I have over 30-years of experience in franchising. I can help. Let’s talk.

Nonprofit of the Month: Kids Edition

ARTICLE BY ALISA HAUSER

JOURNEY TO DREAM

Today’s teens face extraordinary challenges with lifelong consequences before they’ve fully developed the skills to cope with them. No young person should be alone in managing these challenges, from processing everyday stresses to facing homelessness.

For nearly 20 years, Journey to Dream has offered comprehensive services for youth navigating the tough teen years.

It all started with school programs and escalated from there. “Each time we go into schools we’re like ‘ok now we need to add this component’ because schools just don’t have the bandwidth,” says CEO Nesa Grider. “Every time we dig in, we find that in the 14-19 age range there’s a huge gap in services.”

The organization has grown to reach 15,000 young people annually and includes residential and school programs.

KYLE’S PLACE

For teens experiencing homelessness and trauma, Kyle’s Place is a residential campus that offers the essential elements of “home”: stability and guidance.

The only youth residential campus in Denton County for teens ages 14-19, Kyle’s Place provides stability and a family-like experience where youth can cultivate a positive identity, discover the life skills necessary to thrive in adulthood, and take ownership and plan their future.

Kyle’s Place provides a safe, caring place to live, clothing and nutritious meals, and life skills training including counseling and academic support, as well as medical and mental health care.

DREAM INITIATIVE

Knowing your true self and believing in your ability to achieve a goal are two crucial, yet sometimes difficult, lessons of adolescence. Journey to Dream’s in-school programming helps students explore their strengths and identity, preparing them to become confident, productive adults who can give back to the community.

The Dream Initiative teaches social and emotional skills, problem solving and communication skills, and mental health awareness and coping skills, as well as strong study and healthy eating habits.

how to get involved

DONATE: “Imagine you had 19 teenagers living at home and those are the type of donations we need!” laughs Grider. The organization is currently preparing for the upcoming school year and appreciates monetary donations, gift cards, and clothing items such as jeans, shirts, shoes, jackets, and undergarments.

ATTEND: Eat, Drink and Be Giving is a free event on November 4. This elaborate party provided by a donor is held in an airplane hangar in Addison and is all about amplifying the mission.

For more information visit journeytodream.com/ get-involved

WHAT’S NEXT FOR JOURNEY TO DREAM?

They’re launching Pathways for ages 19-25. “Just because you turn 19 doesn’t mean you’re an adult,” explains Grider, who’s always had a heart for empowering youth. “This independent living program will provide assistance with budgeting, resumes, and finding jobs. It will give teens that little extra launching pad they need.”

How 'Bout that Heat?

ARTICLE BY KATELYN REED

BY SCHUYLER WICK

PHOTOGRAPHY

A lot has changed since Brian Edwards first crossed paths with Jared Whitehead in the ‘90s. Phones have gotten smaller. Televisions have gotten bigger. Dallas has gotten hotter. Jared is much taller.

In their early days of knowing one another, Dallas was better known as “Big D” and, as Brian puts it, “Jared was just a little kid.”

The two met when Brian began working with Jared’s dad, Andrew Whitehead, helping him install and maintain HVAC systems. Brian was actually a roofer at the time, but saw that Andrew, who was suffering from a hip injury, was struggling, and jumped into action. He’s worked in HVAC ever since. When Jared was old enough, he spent his summers helping his dad too.

Before long, the three men were more than just coworkers, they were family. Brian is married to Jared’s older sister, Tonya.

Although the brothers in law haven’t always worked together, they’ve always remembered those

early years fondly. Last summer Jared and Brian were drawn back to the beginning, and the dream of starting their own HVAC company was born.

They had a clear goal: to be the premier comfort experts for DFW. The two knew they would offer clients the best possible customer service, but they needed a name. After throwing around a dozen ideas, Brian, a huge Dallas Cowboys fan, had a definite favorite: Big D Mechanical.

Since its inception, Big D Mechanical has combined superior service with top of the line products. Brian and Jared have spent the past few decades honing their HVAC expertise and together they bring 40 years of experience to every job they encounter, whether they’re keeping homes cool in the summer or ensuring offices are warm and cozy during the winter. They specialize in high efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions for both businesses and homes.

Brian Edwards and Jared Whitehead

While technology and relationships and jobs have changed since the guys met in the ‘90s, one thing that hasn’t changed is Texas’ tendency to serve up sweltering summers. As any Texan can attest to, there’s nothing worse than having your air conditioning curl up like an armadillo on the side of the road in the middle of July. Fortunately, Brian and Jared have a few tips and tricks up their sleeves.

1. Fresh Filters. Replace your filters according to the specifications of your system. Not only does this improve the overall efficiency of the system, it provides the best possible air quality. Generally speaking, systems that require a 1” filter should be replaced every 30 days, 2” filters need replacing every quarter, and 4” filters should be replaced semiannually.

2. Room to Breathe. While outside equipment is designed to withstand the elements, overgrown shrubs, trash, grass, and debris can spell disaster for it. The space around and under the system should be completely clear. Brian notes, “It can seem like a lot of extra work, but your HVAC system is the most important appliance in your home.” Keeping the area around your system neat and tidy is a small investment in your comfort.

3. Regular System Maintenance. Whether you’re a home or business owner, it’s crucial to stay on top of regularly scheduled maintenance with your HVAC provider. This should include cleaning the condenser coil and checking proper operation to achieve top performance. Jared notes, “It’s also important to check and clear out condensate drain lines. Failing to do so could potentially cause thousands of dollars in damage to your ceiling or flooring.”

If you don't have an HVAC provider, Big D Mechanical is ready to serve. Check them out online at https://bigdmechanical.com/ or call (469) 773-HEAT.

Nonprofit of the Month: Pets Edition

CANINE COMPANIONS

ARTICLE BY ALISA HAUSER

With Canine Companions, anything is paw-sible! Canine Companions believes in the joyful, transformative power of the human-canine partnership.

Lives are transformed after people with disabilities – from children to adults, including veterans – are matched and working with a service dog. A Canine Companions service dog can not only open doors, pick up dropped items, turn on the lights, and alert people to important sounds, but they can also increase confidence and independence.

Beyond much-needed physical assistance, the love, loyalty and paws-itivity of a canine partner can make a profound, lasting impact. A student achieves their dream of attending college. A veteran gets a good night's sleep. A patient can endure a procedure.  “It’s neat to see the impact the dogs have on independence and confidence,” says Courtney Craig , Public Relations and Marketing Specialist. “Participants can go places they wouldn’t have before because they have their dog.”

HOW DOES IT WORK?

“If someone has a disability and they think a canine companion would benefit them, they fill out the application request form on the website,” explains Craig. “Dogs are like people: they have their own personalities and it’s important to get the right match. We get a full picture of an applicant's lifestyle and disability to see how a dog can benefit them.”

While it costs approximately $50,000 to raise, train, and provide ongoing support to the human-canine team, each dog is provided to the recipient completely FREE of charge.

JOIN THE FUN AT DOGFEST | SEPTEMBER 30TH AT THE SOUND AT CYPRESS WATERS

Celebrate the incredible joy dogs bring to our lives at this free community event featuring vendors, sponsors, live music, and special activities for children and their dogs. Learn more about how you can be a part of this incredible organization through donating, volunteering, or even being a puppy raiser.

From puppy to hero, Canine Companions lead with independence.

To learn more about Canine Companions and how you can support the cause, visit canine.org/location/ south-central

Veteran Michael Sampeck Sets His Sights on a New Mission

LASER FOCUS

ARTICLE BY MEGAN HERNANDEZ

Michael Sampeck has extensive experience with firearms and missions, but these days he's usually armed with a laser gun and his missions often involve birthday cake.

A veteran who served in the Marines, Sampeck spent part of his time in service in North Carolina. During this time, he visited the original Battle House, an ultimate laser tag experience for family, friends, and coworkers. He developed a great appreciation for the brand and its vision. After he ranked up as sergeant, he retired from the service and returned to Texas to earn his degree in marketing, but thoughts of Battle House stayed with him.

He set the gears in motion to open his own franchise of Battle House in Plano, but had to face a few roadblocks. In the midst of the loan process, his bank merged with another bank, complicating proceedings. To top things off, the shopping center containing Battle House was sold.

In spite of these obstacles, Battle House Plano opened with a bang. “Opening Day was on Black Friday and then the grand opening did really well,” Sampeck reflects. “It was a great turn out and a lot of people were saying ‘This was so much

fun!' and 'This was more of a workout than I thought it was going to be!’”

Battle House Plano offers realistic armor and firearms inside a 15,000 square foot building. Their top priority is for every participant to have fun while being safe.

“With Battle House, it is definitely a word of mouth because people realize that it is not traditional laser tag,” Sampeck shares. “It’s tactical. It’s still the same technology as traditional laser tag, but it looks cooler and the main attractions are the missions and arena.”

Reflecting back on his journey, Sampeck believes that in order to own a successful franchise such as Battle House, one needs to be resilient, confident and not afraid to fail. Someone needs to have a strong connection with their mentors and they have to have commitment.

Sampeck's wife, mentors, family and church group definitely provided him with a supportive community during the difficult days before opening. “You need to surround yourself with people who are going to support you, but they are going to tell you some hard truths,” Sampeck adds. “You need someone who’s going to poke holes in your projections or in your business model.”

If Sampeck could give his younger self a piece of advice, it would be this: "The path is not always straight, but that’s okay. It will work out — have a good head on your shoulders and have some faith."

To learn more about Battle House Plano, visit battlehouselasercombat.com

Backyard Chickens

Chickens have become increasingly popular as pets in both suburban and urban areas during the last 20 years. Backyard chickens may seem to be an unsuspecting animal to keep as a pet but the tried and true egg producers are back in fashion as food costs are soaring and families are looking for more food independence in light of recent supply chain shortages.

There’s a lot to like about raising chickens in your backyard. Surprisingly, chickens are relatively low maintenance. And bonus – unlike dogs, they don’t need to be bathed or groomed, and they don’t shed on your clothes or require training. Could backyard chickens be the perfect pet/producer to add to your home?

Things To Consider Before Getting Chickens:

First, check local town ordinances to ensure that keeping chickens is even allowed in your neighborhood or if there is a limit to the number of chickens you can keep at once.

Make sure you have the space for a henhouse or a full-size chicken coop. It has to hold a feeder and water containers, a roosting area, and a nest box for every three hens. A proper coop should be large enough that you can stand in it to gather eggs and shovel manure comfortably, but a simple hen house can be quite a bit smaller. Plus, any housing must be sturdy enough to keep your chickens safe from all the predators out there. Gorgeous coops are aplenty on places like Pinterest if you’re building your own, but many pre-made options are available through various farm supply stores as well.

Chickens need food and water daily. Feed is about $20 per 50-pound bag, but prices vary depending on your location and the quality of the feed. How long a bag lasts depends on the number of chickens you have.

Hens will lay eggs through Spring and Summer and into the Fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day.

Everything you need to get started on your backyard coop.

A sample of recently sold properties in Plano.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

A Plano Scavenger Hunt: The Best of Plano

1309 E. 15TH ST., PLANO, TX 75074

Cities in Texas are often considered some of the best places in the States to live. On this fun-filled Plano scavenger hunt, wind through the storied streets in search of iconic landmarks and plentiful green spaces. You can do the interactive scavenger hunt at any time. Explore the culture & history of Plano.

2023 Small Business Cohort

LEGACY WEST: 5908 HEADQUARTERS DRIVE, PLANO, TX 75024 | 12:00 PM

Support local small businesses at Legacy West every Saturday and Sunday from 12-6 p.m. Every Saturday is Small Business Saturday at Legacy West! Vendors will be set up in the breezeway between Starbucks Reserve and Mendocino Farms at Legacy West. Your favorite small businesses are back on Sundays! Support the 2023 Legacy West Small Business Cohort by shopping local.

Free Summer Camp

“Vampires Werewolves & Aliens in Space!”

ART CENTRE THEATRE: 1400 SUMMIT AVE., SUITE E, PLANO, TX 75074

Free Art & Drama Camps are a great way to tap into your child’s artistic flair! This program is funded by The City Of Plano & in partnership with Unique Pieces. This free camp theme consists of Aliens, Robots, Zombies, Werewolves, Vampires, Astronauts, Space Monsters, and many more.

David Koechner Special Presentation

PLANO HOUSE OF COMEDY: 7301 LONE STAR DRIVE, SUITE A-110, PLANO, TX 75024 | 7:30 PM

David Koechner stars as Tush on CBS’s “Superior Donuts” and is also well-known for his role as Todd Packer on “The Office.”  Koechner got his first break as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live.” Koechner also performs live standup comedy across the country and creates original content videos for his YouTube channel, “Full On Koechner.”

Legacy West + Witty Kids Discovery Walks

ART CENTRE THEATRE: 1400 SUMMIT AVE., SUITE E, PLANO, TX 75074 | 10:00 AM

Time to get creative! Come explore the outdoors of Legacy West with children’s author, Rebecca Clark! Witty Kids Discovery Walks are fun walks that are full of opportunities for outdoor learning. Author Rebecca Clark brings her children’s book to life by creating a space for children to use their imagination by exploring ideas.

AUGUST 15TH

Disney Trivia Night

LEGACY HALL: 7800 WINDROSE AVE., PLANO, TX 75024 | 7:00 PM

Put your Mouseketeer knowledge to the test. Ohana means family, so bring everyone out for a magical night at Disney Trivia! Dress up in your BEST costume because there will be a costume contest at the end of the evening with Hall Pass prizes!  Don’t forget to grab a bite to eat at one of the nearly 20 eateries and bars.

AUGUST 18TH

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Plano

Havana NRG

LEXUS BOX GARDEN AT LEGACY HALL: 7800 WINDROSE AVE., PLANO, TX 75024 | 7:00 PM

Enjoy a summer fiesta with one of the hottest Latin bands in the metroplex. Celebrating 20 years of great success, Havana NRG continues to be one of the strongest up-and-coming Latin orchestras in the world. Havana NRG proves that they are a new breed of Latin band and are taking their collective cultural roots to new levels of performance and direction!

AUGUST 19TH

Jon Wolfe

LEXUS BOX GARDEN AT LEGACY HALL: 7800 WINDROSE AVE., PLANO, TX 75024 | 6:30 PM

A seasoned performer, Jon Wolfe has performed in front of some of country’s biggest stars and sold out audiences all over the country. Enjoy world-class country music from the American heartland, informed by the great singers that inspired Wolfe — like George Strait, Garth Brooks (a fellow Okie), Clint Black — yet fired by his own contemporary energy and vision.

AUGUST 25TH

Monster Club Misadventures

DARK HOUR HAUNTED HOUSE: 701 TAYLOR DRIVE, PLANO, TX 75074 | 4:30 PM

After rummaging through his grandparents’ attic, your friend excitedly told you on the phone about some “…wicked awesome stuff I found! I think it was used to cast spells in the olden days!” There’s just one problem: He started dabbling in the dark arts before you could get there and now he’s vanished!

Bento Box Pinwheel Sandwiches

If you’re looking for a delicious, nutritious, and colorful addition to your child’s bento box (or your own!) look no further than our recipe for pinwheel sandwiches. Totally customizable, these yummy swirls are sure to delight even the pickiest of eaters.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 large tortilla, any flavor (burrito size works best)

• 3-4 slices of deli meat such as ham or turkey

• 2 slices of cheese or 2-3 tablespoons of shredded cheese

• 1/2 cup of softened cream cheese (mayo, hummus, etc. may also be used)

• 1/2 cup of your favorite greens

METHOD:

Lay your tortilla flat and spread with a thin layer of cream cheese or mayo. Next, layer on 3-4 slices of deli meat followed by 2 slices of cheese or 2-3 tablespoons of shredded cheese. Top with your favorite salad greens.

To roll, start with the edge closest to you by folding over approximately 1" of the tortilla so it sticks, and then roll it up as tightly as possible, tucking in the fillings as you go. Once rolled, slice it into 1” wide pinwheels and place them in a bento box with an ice pack to keep them cool. Add a separate cup of ranch, mustard, or your favorite dip. Enjoy!

VARIATIONS:

California Club: use mayo as your spread and layer in turkey, crispy bacon, chopped tomato, leaf lettuce, and avocado

Greek Salad: use hummus as your spread and layer in feta cheese, chopped tomatoes and red bell peppers, sliced Kalamata olives, and baby spinach

Sun-dried Tomato: use either a sun-dried tomato or spinach tortilla and spread with cream cheese before layering with sundried tomatoes, baby spinach, fresh basil leaves, minced garlic, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese

ARTICLE BY KATHY MORENO

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