Raise your hand if you’ve been working out and making healthy choices in preparation for swimsuit season.

Raise your hand if you intended to work out and eat healthy to prepare for swimsuit season.

If you fall into the latter category, this easy tip might help you avoid the drive-through during the busy weeks ahead. I got this idea from one of my Zumba ladies who happens to be a busy mom of 6, yes 6 kids! Thanks, Jennifer!

Grab-N-Go Mini Subs

I have been keeping my refrigerator stocked with these homemade mini-subs for the last couple of months. They have become my family’s healthy go-to alternative to fast food and drive-through pizza.

For me, they make a nice, small lunch after a busy morning of teaching classes. My kids love them as an after school or bed-time snack. They can even be dinner when in a pinch my teenage son grabs one after he comes home ravenous from practices.

What you will need:

Start with one loaf of French bread from a grocery store bakery and meat and cheese from the deli. We prefer turkey, ham, roast beef, hard salami, Swiss cheese and white American cheese. I have the meat sliced thin and the cheese sliced into sandwich slices. You will also need your cutting board, a bread knife and Saran Wrap.

Step 1:

Cut the loaf in half the long way. Layer the meat and cheese of your choice. My family prefers two layers of cheese and I usually do half the loaf turkey and cheese only and combo the other half. I don’t add any mayo, butter or mustard as my kids prefer them plain. They last longer that way and I don’t need the
extra calories anyway.

Step 2:

Cut the now giant sub sandwich into about 5 sections. I usually cut the sections in half again or leave one or two full sized. I typically get about 8-10 subs of various sizes out of one loaf of French bread. Because we go through them so quickly, I tend to prepare two loaves at a time.

Step 3:

Smash the subs down slightly and tightly wrap in saran wrap removing as much air as possible. This will help the flavors fuse together and keep them fresh for days, if they last that long. Throw them in your refrigerator and watch them disappear!

Taking it one step further:

Make grab-n-go baggies of grapes, carrots and chips to pair with your subs for a complete on-the-go meal or easy access snack for the kiddos. Enjoy!