They want to eat: Peanut butter and fluff. Cupcakes with squiggles. Zero celery.
You want them to eat: Turkey on whole wheat. An apple. Pretzels.

With back-to-school battles over homework and bedtime looming on September's horizon, many moms would rather surrender than fight over what kids eat -- or throw away -- in the school cafeteria. The good news: It's easier than ever to "think outside the box" when it comes to the school lunch box. It doesn't have to be a choice between what's "good for you" or "fun for you." Consider these ideas for a midday meal with kid appeal and a nutritional punch:

1. Cheese Dinosaurs
Order cheese sliced extra thick; then use dinosaur or farm animal cookie-cutters to cut the slices into kid-friendly shapes. Pack with crackers or bread. Remember: Less is more. Children like mini-sized waffles and donut holes, so use the same concept in packing lunches. Pack two mini bagels (or for the less expensive version, cut a bagel in half), spread with humus and raisins instead of the standard PB & J, or try cocktail-sized pita breads stuffed with hummus and/or cheese.

2. Oodles of Noodles
Instead of sandwiches, send kids off to school with a plastic container filled with Sesame Noodles. It's an Asian-inspired pasta salad that's perfect to eat at room temperature. Try this recipe:

Quick Lunchbox Sesame Noodles

1 lb. spaghetti or linguini, cooked
4 tbs. parsley (or cilantro)
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup humus
2 tbs. rice vinegar
2 tbs. cooking sherry
3 tbs. white or brown sugar

In food processor: Blend parsley and garlic until fine. Add soy sauce, oils, vinegar, sherry, and sugar. Add enough humus to make slightly thick. Blend 'til smooth.

Add to pasta. Can top with chopped scallions, sesame seeds, and/or peanuts.

Note: Add a dash of orange juice if sesame/peanut sauce is too thick.

3. Fruit Kebabs
When it comes to pleasing kids, how things look often matters as much as how they taste. A child who won't touch a plain old apple might well eat a fruit kebab with chunks of cantaloupe and grapes alternating with mini marshmallows on a wooden skewer.

4. Stick to Veggies
Alternate baby tomatoes with green and yellow pepper chunks on small wooden skewers or toothpicks.

5. Make Your Own "Lunchables"
Pre-packaged lunches are loaded with fat and sodium, but you can make your own for less money. Invest in a few sectioned leftover containers (a small, plastic, fish tackle box will also do) to pack the food in. For mini pizzas: Arrange round crackers, shredded cheese,  and a small amount of tomato sauce packed in doubled plastic snack bags. Add a small juice box or water bottle, baby carrots, and a fun-size candy bar. 

7. Retro Jell-O
Remember the gelatin salad molds of yesteryear? You can adapt this 50's classic for today's lunch box and sneak in some veggies without your kids even noticing. Just add grated carrot and tiny chopped pieces of celery to Jell-O; mold in small plastic containers.

8. Stuffed Apples
Scoop out the core from an apple; stuff with humus, cream cheese, or other spread. Top with raisins or chocolate chips.

9.Post-it Lunch
Similar to eating by a "color code," this strategy encourages kids to think in terms of food groups. Together, make a chart with four columns and the headings: Sandwiches, Fruits, Snacks, and Desserts. Have children fill in each column with items of their own choosing. Then tell them that each day, you'll pack one item from each group, reminding them that they will be eating foods they chose themselves!
10. Your own invention.......