It’s that time of year when you are packing the school lunches again. At first it seems like fun, but before you know it you are hearing those dreaded words “I’m having that again?” What can you do (short of making them pack their own lunch or buy school lunch) when you are short on time and/or money? We’re going to share couple of tips and tricks to make your kids lunch the best on the block!
Sandwiches:
Cut your sandwich into fun shapes with a cookie cutter. If your child is a fan of peanut butter and jelly but you want to add a little bit of surprise, try cutting the sandwich into fun shapes with a cookie cutter. This also works for that child who hates the crusts!
Make a sandwich in something other than bread. Pitas or mini waffles (sandwiched with cream cheese and strawberries) make for a different protein packed lunch. Alternatively, place the sandwich fillings in a tortilla and then cut off bit sized rolls. You can also make sandwiches on mini bagels.
Different ideas for lunch:
Breakfast for Lunch!
Pack a bowl and a small container of cereal. Either pack a thermos of milk or have your child purchase milk at school. Include a small orange or banana.
Veggie tacos - deconstructed
If your child is a fan of tacos, you can put all the ingredients in a container and send them to school. Tortilla chips, beans, cheese and a container of salsa make these tacos quick and easy.
Cold spaghetti with a favorite dressing
Turn last night’s pasta into today’s easy pasta salad. Add Italian dressing, some cut up vegetables and black olives to the pasta and voila!
Soft pretzels
Make some soft pretzels and add a small container of dipping sauce. Find your favorite- hummus, mustard or marinara.
Turkey and cheese crescent rolls.
Use deli turkey, cheese and crescent rolls to make these for lunch or breakfast. Switch out the meats and cheese to create your own combination.
Snacks:
Trail mix- this one is easy. Add crackers, chocolate chips, marshmallows, cereal, pretzels etc. to create a mix.
Strawberry popcorn- a little salty and sweet
Cookbooks for kids:
We have a large selection of cookbooks for kids. Here are a few of the newest ones that might peak your child’s interest.
Priya's Kitchen Adventures: A Cookbook for Kids
In this bright and kid-friendly cookbook, kids can travel the world with Priya—no passport required, just an open mind and a kitchen. Through her eyes, kids and their parents can see—and taste!—China, Greece, Peru, Mexico, Morocco, England, Italy, Japan, France, Egypt, Trinidad and Tobago, and India. The whole family will love making and tasting each kid-tested recipe—brought to life with vivid photos and colorful illustrations plus step-by-step how-to photos—and sharing Priya’s dynamic and often hilarious tales of adventure.
Sesame Street let's cook together : with 40 fun, healthy recipes.
Elmo, Cookie Monster, and their friends from Sesame Street help make cooking fun by introducing 40 healthy and yummy recipes! Little chefs and their families will learn about healthy habits, food prep, cooking tools, and kitchen safety. With easy-to-follow instructions, clear photos, nutrition tips, and a guide for grown-ups, little Sesame Street-loving chefs will be inspired to prepare and eat healthy dishes that make them say, "Om nom, nom, nom!".
"You rush home from work, tired from the day but looking forward to sharing a meal with your family. Except you're short on energy--[and] you need to pick a recipe, chop and prep ingredients, and tend to the kids. ... Enter Dinnertime SOS, a collection of super-fast, accessible, and delicious family meals that appeal to both kids and parents. As the founder of Yummy Toddler Foods and a nationally recognized expert on feeding families well, Amy Palanjian is here to help customize meals for even the pickiest of eaters, sharing recipes the whole family can enjoy together"
