Lunch, lunch...love it a bunch

I'm running out of titles for lunch posts, obviously! So, what's for lunch today?

Turkey, cheese, and lettuce on a whole wheat sandwich round, cantaloupe, and sugar snap peas...yum!!

Strawberries are BACK!

This time of year, there are plenty of signals to let us know warmer weather is just around the corner. One of my favorites is seeing strawberries on sale at the grocery store. This week, I found them for $2.00/quart (not organic - that is pretty hard to come by in this area, especially this time of year, unfortunately). My kids can easily go through a quart in a day, but I try to at least stretch one to two days.

Lunch - turkey & cheese on whole wheat, midget dill pickles, and STRAWBERRIES!

Strawberries are full of nutritional goodness. Did you know just one medium-sized strawberry contains 12% of the vitamin C you need in a day? They are easy to serve because all you have to do to prepare them is wash them well and remove the hull.

Now I can't wait to go pick local berries!

Crunchy lunchy

(That title sure is cheesy...even for me!)

I took Grayson to the grocery store with me today, and I let him pick out exactly what he wanted for lunch this week. He picked whole wheat wraps with romaine lettuce, cucumbers, cheese, turkey, and raspberry vinaigrette.

Crrrrrrunch!

He has all of the food groups in this one wrap, which makes me very proud of my 7 year old. If we teach our kids what they need to know about nutrition and lead by example, they will learn what they need to keep their bodies healthy...which will help them for a lifetime!

Chicken salad makeover!

Who doesn't love a good chicken salad sandwich for lunch? If you add in mayonnaise, it sure will taste good but it might not be so good for you. I make a version of chicken salad that my family loves, with a healthy kick!

Avocado Chicken Salad served on Arnold Sandwich Thins Fill'ems

Avocado Chicken Salad
Leftover chicken breasts, shredded (2 breasts should be about right)
1 avocado, diced
1 tomato, diced
Red onion (to taste), diced
Lime juice, onion powder, chili powder, salt & pepper - all to taste

Mix together well - it is ok if the avocado gets mashed up, it serves as the mayo you're not adding. Do not omit the lime juice - it keeps the avocados from browning.

My family seems to prefer this version, and I serve it frequently for guests as well.

Back to school...back to reality...back to packing lunches!

The kids had 11 days off from school for the holidays (wow!), and today is their first day back. I had a break from making lunches there for a while, but now I have to get back in the groove. For Christmas, my mom gave me some new containers that I've seen other bloggers use that I really wanted to try out, so today is the day. The Lock & Lock container is really cool for making the most out of a small space and packing an efficient lunch box.

Today's lunch:
-Turkey & cheese on whole wheat
-baby carrots
-peaches (frozen, we'll see how that works out by lunch time...an experiment)

Sandwich is cut into quarters and stacked. I like that it is deep enough to do that. 

This is what it looks like closed. I made sure Harper could open it before sending her off to school with it. 

I can't wait to experiment some more with new things to put in this! It has 2 other small dividers, so the options are endless!

Quickie snow day lunch

We had a snow day last week, and I wasn't prepared to be at home with the kids - even the bread I had was stale! We made do with a nice, hot lunch on the fly!

Grilled turkey & cheese on whole wheat and black beans mixed with salsa and chili powder.

New week, new lunch

Last night, I asked Grayson what he wanted for lunch today - the choice between a sandwich or a salad. He said he wanted both. At first, I told him to pick one, then I said...what the heck, you can have both! Sometimes the simplest ideas make the most sense.

Turkey & cheese on whole grain bread,  salad with mixed greens, cucumber, carrots, turkey pepperoni, mixed nuts, and cheese

Hitting the trail

Even though it can be a very delicious and healthy snack, pre-made trail mix can really be expensive! Grayson and I decided to make a batch of our own yesterday. We got to decide exactly what was in it, and he loved being able to make something on his own. We mixed everything together in a large Rubbermaid bowl, and I'll dish it out all week in smaller lunchbox containers. 

Yesterday's mix contained:
-Whole grain goldfish
-Mixed nuts (peanuts, cashews, almonds, walnuts, etc.)
-Yogurt covered dried mango
-Sesame seeds
-Dark chocolate chips


What do you like in your trail mix?

A look at this week's school lunch

I have noticed some small, baby-step improvements to our elementary school lunches. I'm still packing for the kids daily, but I did send an email to the person in charge of food services thanking her for the small changes. Big changes still need to be made, but I don't expect overnight miracles. I also hope to see more changes in the middle and high school level.

Here is the menu for this week (click to enlarge):

What do you see that is good? What can be improved upon? How does this compare with your kids' school lunch this week? Are you doing anything to change your school lunch? If so, what? I want to help make more changes, but I get overwhelmed with where to even start...I'd love suggestions!

Chicken noodle soup

My kids really love soup, even when the temperatures are in the 90s like today! There are many canned soups out there today that are pretty healthy, but there is nothing like a good homemade soup. Good thing soup is so easy to make!

 
Last night, I made a big pot of chicken noodle soup which should last for several days of lunch for the kids.

Ingredients:
-Organic, low-sodium chicken broth
-Diced carrots, celery, and onions
-Cooked, diced chicken
-Whole wheat "egg" noodles (regular pasta, just shaped like egg noodles)
-Season to taste
(Adjust quantities for the amount you're making.)

Gently boil the vegetables and spices in the broth for about 15 minutes. Add noodles and follow directions for cooking time. Add chicken at very end of cooking process. That's it! Of course, you can add other vegetables if you like. Cheap, easy, delicious, and healthy.

Product review: My Square Meal

The lovely women at My Square Meal were kind enough to send me one of their lunch containers to try out. "The Lunch Ladies" are former teachers and now moms who have seen the challenges of packing delicious, healthy, and Earth-friendly lunches for their kids. In response, they designed this super cool container that hold small portions for small eaters. No more wasted food or plastic baggies!

I have to tell you, I was really excited to pack Harper's lunch for today! This is right up her alley. She is a great eater, but doesn't want a large quantity of any one thing. 

Today's lunch was:
-Ham & cheese on a whole wheat English muffin
-apple slices
-carrot sticks
-almonds
-string cheese
-pretzels
-whole grain Goldfish

If I had done all of these foods separately, I would have had 6 different containers or plastic baggies. This hinged box kept it all together without a million things to wash or throw away. And because of the way the box is designed, every item stays put in its designated spot. It reminds me of a lunch tackle box! Pretty cool, indeed!

The Lunch Ladies also sell bags specific for this container that can even be personalized. Visit their Web site or "like" them on Facebook to learn more about this awesome product!

Warm it up!

Not every packed lunch has to be a sandwich or some other "cold" item. I pack a lot of items that are warm as well. A child-size thermos is the perfect way to keep a delicious lunch hot until lunchtime. Today, I packed Grayson a thermos filled with whole wheat pasta and marinara sauce. I cooked a box of noodles last night, so all I have to do in the mornings is heat it up. Quick and easy!

There are plenty of simple options for warm lunches such as healthy soups or dinner leftovers. Plus, there is something my kids really enjoy about using a thermos, so it ads a little excitement to lunch!

Lunch in pictures

I figured we could all use a little inspriation this time of year!

Harper's whole grain tuna salad wrap 

Harper's fruit of the day - red grapes

She also wanted an egg!

Grayson wanted his tuna salad straight up with a side of apples and whole grain Goldfish.

Second day of school lunches

Since I forgot to take picture of the first day of school lunches, I figured I could make up for it today. This is my daughter's first year of school, so now I'm packing two lunches instead of one. It is going to take me a few days to figure out how much to pack for her, and the best types of food to send (she is a much slower eater than her brother, and she's not used to having a time limit to eat). Trial and error!

Harper's lunch:
-Egg salad on whole wheat bread (2 hard boiled eggs, light mayo, mustard, relish)
-Carrots & apple slices
-100% juice box
Not pictured:
-Wheat crackers & cheese
-Annie's fruit snacks (for snack time)

Grayson's lunch:
-Turkey w/ light colby jack cheese on whole wheat
-Apple slices
-2 dill pickles
Not pictured:
-Light string cheese 
-Water bottle with a splash of 100% juice
-Wheat crackers & cheese
-Annie's fruit snacks

In other exciting news, the containers from the EasyLunchboxes system fit perfectly in Grayson's lunch box, which came from Target. There is enough room for an ice pack, and there is a front pocket big enough to put the other lunch items. Cool!

First day of school!

My kids started their first day back at school today. For Harper, it was her first day ever! Oh boy, was I a mess this morning! Thankfully, she was all smiles. :) I completely forgot to take pictures of first day lunches! They both had turkey and low-fat cheese on whole wheat bread, apple slices, baby carrots, pretzels, and a 100% fruit roll up. I'll definitely take pictures tomorrow!

I know we started back earlier than most, but I hope everyone has a happy and healthy school year!

Thinking about school lunch (again)

Since my son entered the school system in 2008, I have felt very led to encourage positive changes in our schools' lunch menu. But to tell you the truth, I feel extremely overwhelmed. I don't know how to begin or even how to communicate.

School starts back on Monday, and looking at the lunch menu makes me want to start trying again. I pack my kids' lunches daily, but I feel for those kids who don't have that option.

I started on my mission last spring, and I blogged about my nutritional findings (check out the month of April). But now I'm stuck. I don't know what else to do, and I want some advice!

Here's the menu for Monday:
Stuffed Crust Pizza
Fresh Veggies w/Low Cal. Dressing
Chilled Applesauce
Cookie (Low Fat)

I appreciate the low cal/fat offerings and the fresh veggies, so this day isn't too bad although I'm sure the pizza is processed junk and most kids will pick the chocolate milk filled with HFCS to drink.

I'd love your thoughts!

Chicken salad, part II

I made enough chicken salad this week to last a few days, so I "reformatted" it to make it a little different for another day of lunch. Instead of a pita, I served this straight up with some whole wheat crackers on the side (not pictured). I also packed cucumber slices drizzled with vinegar and a 100 calorie cheese cube pack. Not to mention a Clif Kid Twisted Fruit for a fun snack and a V8 low sodium can to drink. It is easy to make a main dish one time and switch it up the next day to make it brand new again!

All of this was served in a fantastic container from EasyLunchboxes. Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway to get one of your own!

Another day, another lunch

I'm having a lot of fun trying out different combinations with the EasyLunchboxes system I received early last week, and so is my son. Sometimes, getting a new "toy" to play with inspires new ideas or the rebirth of old ones.

Yesterday's lunch was chicken salad and spinach on mini whole wheat pita bread and baby carrots with ranch dip (a HUGE treat around here, leftover from a previous take out order). I also included a string cheese and a pineapple fruit cup (packed in juice). Which reminds me, I need to make a run to the farmer's market!

I made the chicken salad with 1/2 mayo and 1/2 plain yogurt, diced cucumber, dill pickle relish, and some seasoning. Grayson really enjoyed it, and it didn't take long to make at all.

Don't forget to sign up for the EasyLunchboxes giveaway!!!

Lunch on the easy side

Packing lunches for your kids doesn't have to be time consuming and hard. I love reading blogs featuring Bento-style lunches, and I'm envious of the parents who put those together for their kids. But most of the time, I just don't have the time to be that creative.

Being pressed for time doesn't mean you have to be pressed for healthy food. This lunch (turkey and cheese on whole wheat, baby carrots, and strawberries) took me no more than 5 minutes to make, and my son loved it.

The Bento-style lunch boxes, such as the EasyLunchbox system, are still a fantastic option for the mom who isn't putting together a fancy lunch. They are great for holding a lot of food with only one package to keep up with.  I've noticed a couple of things about these that I really like - they don't get spotty in my dishwasher like many plastic containers and I don't have to struggle to get the lids on or off (they fit like you want them too).

Don't forget to sign up for the EasyLunchbox giveaway!

Summer lunches

Grayson goes to a day camp during the summer where the only option for lunch is fast food, so I still pack his lunch every day. Today's lunch menu: turkey and cheese wrap on a whole wheat tortilla, 100 calorie cheese cubes, tomato slices (from my dad's garden), and a dill pickle.

Because he is at camp all day, I like to pack him a couple of extra snacks to have throughout the day. Luckily, this insulated container with the Easy Lunchbox system has plenty of extra room for some preztel crisps, a Simply Fruit fruit roll up, and a 100% juice Capri Sun. But the bag is not so big that a child can't manage it. 

I'll try to post a few more lunches we've done lately, but in the meantime, don't forget to enter the latest giveaway!