PRE-PREPARING FOR LUNCHES

Putting together bagged lunches can be really hectic in the morning.

You can actually save a lot of time by preparing a lot of the items before you need them.

When you go shopping, pick up larger packages of snack items like pretzels, chips, vegetables, and even cereal.

When you get home, break each larger package into small zip lock style sandwich bags.

Now when you are ready to make your lunch all you have to do is make a fresh sandwich and grab a few bags of your pre-prepared snacks.

Lunch is ready to go!

Cool Lunch Desserts

When preparing food for lunches, purchase a bunch of smaller containers with airtight lids.

Now just make up a batch of Jell-O or pudding and pour into each container along with some fruit (not fresh pineapple) or marshmallows, cover and refrigerate.

Now when you are packing lunch, just grab a container of Jell-O/pudding and toss it in the lunch bag.

This is a lot cheaper than purchasing pre-made desserts for your kids.

SANDWICH HELP I

If you are tired of fixing your kids the same old boring sandwiches, try this for a change.

Grind up some leftover ham, about 1/2 cup or so.

Add to that some Drained crushed pineapple, about 1/4 cup.

Now mix in about 1 tbs of Brown Sugar and a dash of cloves.

Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Spread onto bread and you have a wonderful Hawaiian sandwich!

This will make 2 sandwiches.

Silly Sack Lunches

When you are packing lunches for the kids, have a little extra fun! Write down a joke or drop a clipping from the comics into their lunch. It will give them something to smile about and share at school.

For your spouse or older kids, (even though they might still like comics....) pick up a page a day calendar for a topic that they might like, or a puzzle book/word find book. Each day drop a page in their lunch for a change of pace with the lunch break.

Hot Lunches

You have some wide mouthed insulated containers that you use for soup for lunches, but you can't always think of a soup to put in it.

Why limit the choices to soup? I will make up a can of the current favorite spaghetti or ravioli and place in the container. I will reserve any leftovers for a later date.

Want something different?

Place some rice in the container with your favorite topping.

How about some home made spaghetti or alfredo?

The options are endless for a not so boring lunch!

Quick Lunch Fix

My daughter does not like the hot lunches at school. I hate trying to get lunches ready every day, and she likes getting them ready in the morning. I came up with a system that works great for both of us.

I set up some plastic bins in the pantry with labels like Sweets, Crackers, and Fruit Snacks. When I shop I make sure that I pick up a variety of items for each bin. Sweets can be cookies or candies. Crackers can be Triscuits, Popcorn/Rice Crackers. Fruit Snacks can be fruit leather or chews.

I set a drawer in the refrigerator that I place baggies of veggies, ready to go and containers of yogurt, fruit, cheese and pudding.

Now when she is ready to make her lunch all she has to do is make her sandwich and go into each container and pick one item for her lunch box. From the fridge she grabs a fruit and a vegetable and cheese or pudding.

I keep juice boxes in the freezer, so when she grabs one it keeps the rest of her items cool until lunch time.

Balanced lunch of her choosing and I am happy.

Mini Sandwiches

Do you get tired of making up a great big sandwich and having your toddler eat about 1/4 of it before saying that they are done?

I am not sure to this day how many partial sandwiches that I have thrown away.

I found this little tip to be very helpful!

Most stores carry mini loaves of bread that are used for making appetizers and cocktail sandwiches.

Pick up a loaf and now you have the perfect sized sandwich bread for your toddler.

Back Packs & Lunch Boxes

Don’t skimp on the back pack and lunch box. These items are used and abused every day. By spending the money on a good brand name that may even have a warranty, you will save in the future by not having to replace as often.

Once again, let your kids pick out he color or style, that way they won’t get “lost” on the first day.

Make sure that your child understands the operation of the pack and the lunch box before they make it to school and find out that they are unable to operate it for some reason. (My daughter had a plastic container that she was unable to open by herself)

Check zippers and pouches frequently for tears or holes.

MINI SANDWICHES

Do you get tired of making up a great big sandwich and having your toddler eat about 1/4 of it before saying that they are done?

Most stores carry mini loaves of bread that are used for making appetizers and coctail sandwiches.

Pick up a loaf and now you have the perfect sized sandwich bread for your toddler.

Easy Lunch Prep.

It is back to school time! I found a quick and easy way to prepare lunches.

I picked up a package of small disposable containers. Once I got home I had my daughter pick out the fruits and vegetables that she wanted in her lunch.

I let her fill each container so that she knows exactly what is in each container.

Once they are all filled and sealed I place in the refrigerator and now when we make a lunch we grab a container and place in her lunch bag.

If they don't make it home, I don't worry about it. If they do make it home I just wash up and refill with her choice.

Puzzling Sandwiches

The next time that you are making a lunch for your kids, make it a little special. Make up your sandwich as you normally would, now grab a cookie cutter and cut a decorative shape out of the center.

Set the center piece aside and using a knife make a couple of extra cuts on the remaining crust creating a puzzle like effect.

Finally, carefully place all of the pieces onto a plate or in a tightly sealed bag. Your kids will love eating all the little pieces!

Sticky Sandwiches

Having a hard time getting your kids to eat their lunch? Try this little twist for something different.

Have the deli at your local market slice your kids favorite lunch meats and cheese into 1/2 to 3/4 inch slices.

When you get home, using canapé cutters, cut out different shapes and sizes from the meat and cheese as well as some bread.

Grab a couple of straws. Cut them down to about 4-6" long. Spear the layers of bread, meat, cheese and some fresh vegetables like a shish kebab.

When you serve them, place a small bowl of your kids favorite condiments on the side as a dipping sauce.

Add Variety to Lunch

Don't forget to keep a good selection of treats and snacks around for you kids.

Kids can get bored with the same thing day after day, so remember to try to keep it interesting.

A BLT Sandwich?

The next time that you are making your lunch, kick up your BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato) sandwich. Instead of using Mayonaise, grab an avocado. Mash the avocado in a bowl, then spread it on your bread. It tastes great and adds a bit of variety to your life!!

Easy Apple Slices for Lunch

Your kids love apples for lunch, but they are a pain. If you precut the apple it is brown by lunch time. If you don't cut the apple most of it doesn't get eaten.

You can cut the apples and put them in the lunch bag without them turning brown with just a couple of options.

If they only want a half an apple, cut the apple and tightly wrap in plastic wrap. The apple will not "rust" if air cannot get to it.

If they want the whole apple, cut it apart as normal. When you are done, put it back together and hold it together with a rubber band. You can also wrap it in a bit of plastic wrap to keep the juices from getting loose.

Healthy Grilled Cheese

You are trying to cut down on fat but you think about how to make a grilled cheese sandwich without the butter.

You can try this easy way the next time that you want a cheese sandwich that will taste great!

Place 2 pieces of bread into a toaster and toast until Medium. While still warm, place cheese between the bread making a sandwich.

Microwave on Medium for 30-45 seconds or just until cheese melts.

Enjoy!

Pudding/Jello for Lunch

When preparing food for lunches, purchase a bunch of smaller containers with airtight lids.

Now just make up a batch of jello or pudding and pour into each container along with some fruit (not fresh pineapple) or marshmallows, cover and refrigerate.

Now when you are packing lunch, just grab a container of jello/pudding and toss it in the lunch bag.