Owner of Seattle-based Sutton Healthy Eating presents simple ideas for her children’s school lunches at Cooking up a Storm with Tracy Butler

CHICAGO (WLS) — Tracy Butler prepared a great healthy lunch for the students on Tuesday to mark the start of the new school year.

Rene Ficek, owner of Seattle Sutton Healthy Eating, joined ABC7 Chicago to talk more about it.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Ficek made a peanut butter yogurt dip, a barbecue ranch dressing and revealed a recipe for chia pudding.

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Seattle Sutton’s Healthy BBQ Ranch Recipe

Makes 8 servings (1 ounce each)

Ingredients
– 3 tbsp buttermilk
– 1/3 cup low-fat natural yogurt
– 1 tbsp BBQ sauce
– 1/3 cup light sour cream
– 1 tbsp onion powder
– 1 tbsp parsley flakes
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 tsp dried chives

Instructions
Measure all ingredients and place in a bowl. Whisk ingredients until completely combined. Refrigerate BBQ Ranch until ready to use.

Seattle Sutton’s recipe for a healthy yogurt peanut butter dip

Makes 4 servings (3 ounces each)

Ingredients
– 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
– 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
– 2 tbsp agave syrup

Instructions
In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, peanut butter and agave syrup until smooth and lump-free. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with apples or other fruit of your choice.

Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Chocolate Chia Pudding Recipe

Makes 4 servings (4 ounces each)

Ingredients
– 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
– 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
– 1 teaspoon black chia seeds
– 3/4 cup almond milk
– 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
– 2 tablespoons corn starch
– 2/3 cup whole milk

Instructions
Mix the cornstarch with a little milk until it dissolves and set aside. Combine all ingredients except the cornstarch mixture, chocolate chips and chia seeds in a saucepan. Heat the mixture slowly until it begins to simmer. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil; then turn off the heat (205 to 212°F). While the mixture is still hot, immediately add the chocolate chips and stir until completely dissolved. Transfer the pudding to a container and gently fold in the chia seeds without overmixing. Chill the pudding before serving. Enjoy with fresh fruit or on its own.