Back to School with Balance Bar mini energy bars (review and giveaway)


Balance Bar back to school Bonggamom
Balance Bar back to school Bonggamom
Want some tips on ways to balance your Back to School routine?  Balance Bar has them!

August is winding down and families are officially in “Back to School” mode, which includes packing lunches, soccer games, play-dates, homework and so much more! Balance Bar® in partnership with the Macaroni Kid parent network surveyed more than 5,000 parents of school-aged children and found that 61% of parents thought that Fall (aka Back to School) is the busiest time of year for their families.

What else did we find from this survey? Check it out:

  • 77% of parents said they have 3 or more activities/events per week on average once school starts.
  • 80% of respondents said once school starts, they will be planning more meals and attending more sporting events for their kids.
  • And 57% of parents said they try to have one meal together each day as a family to help balance their schedules.
  • 79% of parents reported that they pack their kids’ school lunches.


To help parents, Macaroni Kid provided some tips on how to better prepare for a school day and balance everyone’s schedules:

  • Do a run through.  Are your kids starting a new school or a new routine? Do a run through. Wake up "school time," brush teeth, get dressed, pack lunch, have a school-appropriate breakfast and maybe even drive or walk to school.  Then, take those packed lunches and head to the park for a final summer break picnic.
  • Plan the menus.  Give your kids several options in each category and let them weigh in on what they'd like to find in their lunchboxes... you won't have to guess each morning and they are far more likely to eat it if they've had a hand in selecting it. We love Balance Bar® minis to pack along for snacks!
  • Clean your closets! Nothing gets you and the kids ready for smooth mornings like purged, well-organized closets.
  • Start a good sleep routine early. Kids love to stay up late in the summer time (and who can blame them) but it makes for tougher mornings if kids are used to going to bed later and sleeping in past "school time" wake up.
  • Set goals with your children for the upcoming school year. Whether it's academics, sports, or extracurricular activities it's great to help kids get motivated for success in the new school year.


One of my Back to School challenges is finding snacks that I can pack into their lunchboxes for a quick, healthy mid morning energy boost.  I always have Balance Bars, but they can be pretty filling, so I never quite know whether to pack them as a mid morning snack (too much?) or as a quick lunch (too little?).  That's why I love new Balance Bar mini energy bars.  They come in mini snack sizes (about the same size as the candies people pass out for Halloween -- now there's an idea!), so I can pack one mini energy bar along with a piece of fruit or cheese.  The kids think it's as good a treat as candy, and I know it's healthier than candy, so it works for both of us.  Find healthy snacks.... now that's one thing off my mile-long Back to School checklist!

(For more information about Balance Bar mini energy bars, head to the Balance Bar Facebook page, or follow @BalanceBar on Twitter).






Join the Balance Back To School Twitter Party
Balance is having a Twitter party on August 20th at 2PM EST.  Tweet with hashtag #back2schoolbalance to join and learn about great ways to balance your Back to School routine.
Balance Bar back to school Bonggamom




Win a Balance Bar Back to School Prize Pack
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a box of assorted Balance Bar mini energy bars and a reusable snack pouch.
Balance Bar back to school Bonggamom
Balance Bar back to school Bonggamom


Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post with a tip for balancing your back to school routine.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Follow bonggamom on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Pin this giveaway on any of your Pinterest boards with the hashtags #back2schoolbalance(1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

5) "Like Bonggamom Finds" on Facebook and write this on my wall (1 entry):
I entered the Balance Bar Back-to-School giveaway! http://ow.ly/o1FQw #back2schoolbalance

6) Tweet this once per day (1 entry per day)
You could win a @BalanceBar Back-to-School gift pack!  Enter on @bonggafinds by 9/1 at http://ow.ly/o1FQw #back2schoolbalance

7) Join any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for every giveaway you join)

The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on September 1, 2013; I will draw a winner at random on September 2 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.

Disclosure: I received product samples for review. Back to School tips (in italics) were provided by Balance Bar. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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73 Comments, Leave yours here:

Steph on August 18, 2013 at 9:26 AM said...

I always make a plan the night ahead. Books are out, papers are ready to get faxed in, clothes are clean, etc.

Steph on August 18, 2013 at 9:28 AM said...

I follow on Blogger (Steph)

Steph on August 18, 2013 at 9:29 AM said...

I entered the BIC giveaway.

Steph on August 18, 2013 at 9:29 AM said...

I entered the Sara Lee giveaway

Steph on August 18, 2013 at 9:29 AM said...

Tweeted https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/369134016953196544

Steph on August 18, 2013 at 9:30 AM said...

I follow on Pinterest (Steph E.)

Steph on August 18, 2013 at 9:31 AM said...

Pinned the giveaway http://pinterest.com/pin/229331805998179871/

Jennifer Young on August 19, 2013 at 6:53 AM said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer Young on August 19, 2013 at 6:54 AM said...



I like to prep as much as possible. We still have 2 1/2 weeks left before school, but we already have all our supplies and things we need. Plus my girls are also already going to bed and waking up on their "school schedule". I'm hoping it makes the transition easier.

jenniferyoungcoupons@gmail.com

Jennifer Young on August 19, 2013 at 6:55 AM said...

I Follow bonggamom on Blogger

jenniferyoungcoupons@gmail.com

Jennifer Young on August 19, 2013 at 6:55 AM said...

I Follow bonggamom on Instagram (@jyoung175)

jenniferyoungcoupons@gmail.com

Jennifer Young on August 19, 2013 at 6:55 AM said...

I Follow bonggamom on pinterest (Jennifer Young- jenniferlry)

jenniferyoungcoupons@gmail.com

Jennifer Young on August 19, 2013 at 6:56 AM said...

I liked you on Facebook and wrote on your wall!
https://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/332625630206240

jenniferyoungcoupons@gmail.com

Jennifer Young on August 19, 2013 at 6:57 AM said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/JenniferYoung12/status/369458017751662592


jenniferyoungcoupons@gmail.com

Steph on August 19, 2013 at 8:07 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/369462315445280769

justicecw on August 19, 2013 at 11:37 AM said...

We start our son on his school sleep schedule a couple of weeks before school starts so he is not so shocked. Thanks for the chance, justicecw@hotmail.com

justicecw on August 19, 2013 at 11:37 AM said...

I am a blog follower
justicecw@hotmail.com

justicecw on August 19, 2013 at 11:38 AM said...

I follow on pinterest = justicecw
justicecw@hotmail.com

justicecw on August 19, 2013 at 11:38 AM said...

I entered the wordlock giveaway
justicecw@hotmail.com

justicecw on August 19, 2013 at 11:38 AM said...

I entered the Bic giveaway
justicecw@hotmail.com

justicecw on August 19, 2013 at 11:39 AM said...

Tweeted at https://twitter.com/justicecw/status/369528961467809792
justicecw@hotmail.com

justicecw on August 19, 2013 at 11:39 AM said...

I entered the sara lee giveaway
justicecw@hotmail.com

justicecw on August 19, 2013 at 11:40 AM said...

I entered the wallmonkeys giveaway
justicecw@hotmail.com

Jennifer Young on August 20, 2013 at 5:50 AM said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/JenniferYoung12/status/369803457126883328

Steph on August 20, 2013 at 8:52 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/369849289880530945

chadro on August 20, 2013 at 10:46 AM said...

be organized thats the only thing I know

bison61 on August 20, 2013 at 3:22 PM said...

prepare the night before-school work has to be done and in backpack, school clothes laid out

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Jennifer Young on August 21, 2013 at 6:42 AM said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/JenniferYoung12/status/370179077761540097

jenniferyoungcoupons@gmail.com

Steph on August 21, 2013 at 9:16 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/370217451843108864

Jennifer Young on August 22, 2013 at 7:01 AM said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/JenniferYoung12/status/370546158629699584

jenniferyoungcoupons@gmail.com

Steph on August 22, 2013 at 8:04 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/370561540832755712

Steph on August 22, 2013 at 8:14 AM said...

I entered the Wallmonkeys giveaway

justicecw on August 22, 2013 at 10:56 AM said...

8/22 tweet at https://twitter.com/justicecw/status/370605169144111104
justicecw@hotmail.com

Jennifer T. on August 22, 2013 at 2:48 PM said...

I do as much as possible the night before. I also get up before my kids so I have a chance to gather my thoughts and plan for the day before I'm bombarded with their schedule.

Jennifer T. on August 22, 2013 at 3:36 PM said...

I follow on Blogger.

Jennifer T. on August 22, 2013 at 3:38 PM said...

I like Bonggamom Finds on FB and posted.
https://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10201958519550831

Jennifer T. on August 22, 2013 at 3:38 PM said...

I entered the Ruum giveaway.

Jennifer T. on August 22, 2013 at 3:38 PM said...

I entered the Sara Lee giveaway.

Jennifer Young on August 23, 2013 at 6:12 AM said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/JenniferYoung12/status/370896292513198080

Steph on August 23, 2013 at 8:44 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/370934551477886978

justicecw on August 23, 2013 at 10:05 AM said...

8/23 tweet at https://twitter.com/justicecw/status/370954990824611840
justicecw@hotmail.com

Jennifer Young on August 24, 2013 at 6:04 AM said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/JenniferYoung12/status/371256493586145280

jenniferyoungcoupons@gmail.com

Steph on August 24, 2013 at 9:25 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/371307244794556416

justicecw on August 24, 2013 at 12:18 PM said...

8/24 tweet at https://twitter.com/justicecw/status/371350646709952513
justicecw@hotmail.com

phxbne on August 25, 2013 at 7:12 AM said...

I start a day by day planner to know what the school week looks like

phxbne on August 25, 2013 at 7:13 AM said...

Follow bonggamom on Pinterest Michele Daley

phxbne on August 25, 2013 at 7:13 AM said...

tweet https://twitter.com/phxbne/status/371636427508838400

Jennifer Young on August 25, 2013 at 7:14 AM said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/JenniferYoung12/status/371636739049132033

jenniferyoungcoupons@gmail.com

phxbne on August 25, 2013 at 7:17 AM said...

entered Sara Lee

phxbne on August 25, 2013 at 7:17 AM said...

entered ruum

Steph on August 25, 2013 at 8:50 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/371658620452081664

Jennifer Young on August 26, 2013 at 6:25 AM said...

tweeted! https://twitter.com/JenniferYoung12/status/371986607634542592

jenniferyoungcoupons@gmail.com

Steph on August 26, 2013 at 11:08 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/372057936148721664

justicecw on August 26, 2013 at 11:59 AM said...

8/26 tweet at https://twitter.com/justicecw/status/372070629303795713
justicecw@hotmail.com

Steph on August 27, 2013 at 7:44 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/372368628873560064

Jennifer Young on August 27, 2013 at 10:07 AM said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/JenniferYoung12/status/372404879085420544

moushka on August 27, 2013 at 5:45 PM said...

We take the week before to start getting back to bed on time and getting up in the morning. We also plan out what will be worn the first week and kind lunches they will have.

moushka on August 27, 2013 at 5:45 PM said...

Blog Follower!

moushka on August 27, 2013 at 5:45 PM said...

Pinterest Follower!

justicecw on August 27, 2013 at 6:16 PM said...

8/27 tweet at https://twitter.com/justicecw/status/372527988132163584
justicecw@hotmail.com

Jennifer Young on August 28, 2013 at 6:49 AM said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/JenniferYoung12/status/372717367786102784

jenniferyoungcoupons@gmail.com

Steph on August 28, 2013 at 9:40 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/372760522757656577

Steph on August 29, 2013 at 7:11 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/373085298470559744

Jennifer Young on August 29, 2013 at 8:07 AM said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/JenniferYoung12/status/373099402987978752

Steph on August 30, 2013 at 9:35 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/373483650207059968

Vanessa on August 30, 2013 at 7:34 PM said...

I do the same thing every day so I make sure we don't forget anything. momlovesdeals at gmail dot com

Vanessa on August 30, 2013 at 7:35 PM said...

I follow on Pinterest. pinterest.com/momlovesdeals/
momlovesdeals at gmail dot com

Vanessa on August 30, 2013 at 7:36 PM said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/Mom_Loves_Deals/status/373635040862687232

Vanessa on August 30, 2013 at 7:37 PM said...

I entered the Sara Lee cakes. momlovesdeals at gmail dot com

Steph on August 31, 2013 at 7:54 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/373820620946956288

Unknown on August 31, 2013 at 9:25 PM said...

We pack lunches the night before and keep a calendar of everyone's schedule on the fridge

Ttrockwood(at)yahoo(dot)com
Ttrockwood

Steph on September 1, 2013 at 10:04 AM said...

Daily Tweet https://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/374216208473530369

bonggamom on October 1, 2013 at 9:57 AM said...

Congratulations to the winner: #61, Jennifer Young!

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