If your school is like many around the country, you are trying to reduce the amount of sugary treats at school. We are organizing more activities and less eating. Fourth grade is raising money for a child with a special heart...giving a heart for Valentine's Day. The kinders are playing games with chopsticks and sweet tarts and broken heart cards. We are requesting parents to not bring in candy treats this year. We are also limiting the sugary treat to one cookie or brownie type dessert. For classroom parties here are my suggestions, no recipes needed, little to no added sugar and very delish:

• Heart Shaped Fruit: take slices of apples, oranges and grapefruits and use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make them into heart shapes.
• Sliced strawberries: they have a natural heart shape
• Large Strawberries dipped in melted dark or white chocolate
• Assorted Heart Shaped Tea Sandwiches: ham and cheese, cucumber and cream cheese, cheddar cheese and apple, peanut butter and jelly, tuna fish. Use whole grain breads.
• Mini Red Bell Peppers stuffed with a garlic and herb soft cheese.
• Mini whole wheat bagel with cream cheese and strawberry jam or a fruit flavored cream cheese.
• Gelatin treat made with unflavored gelatin and a 100% fruit juice like pomegranate or cranberry. Add a bit of evaporated milk for a creamy look and texture.

If you are looking for a recipe with a bit more temptation to it...

Beth Ann Bentley is the publisher of iLunchBox.com, a Nutrition Educator and the mother of four school-aged children.