Lunchbox ideas

[winifredzb]

Hi,

My girls are starting school on Tuesday and I'm going to have to pack lunches. I'm looking for any good suggestions: tips, what do you make, any good cookbooks for lunches, and special touches you add! Oh, and I want to be able to do all of this in about 10 minutes. :)

[SnuggleBuggles]

Do they reheat food for you? I was spoiled with ds' preschool b/c they would microwave for him. That meant I could pack all sorts of stuff (grilled cheese, pizza, chicken nuggets, pancakes, french toast...). This year there is no fridge or microwave. Eek!

I am planning to heat some foods (like the ones mentioned above) and wrapping them in foil to keep them warm till lunch time. I am also going to use a thermos for things like ravioli, chili, soup, rice/beans, and things like that.

I picked up this handy flier at Whole Foods the other day that had a lot of good ideas. Here is a link to that info:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/kids/planner_lunch.pdf
Ooh, and I just found this page on their site. Looks like it has lots of good ideas!
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/kids/outsidebox.html

Last year I tried to do cute lunches but he wouldn't usually eat them b/c they were too cute. :)

There are some great books by Family Fun with kid appealing, healthy meal and snack idea. Check and see if your library has them.
http://www.amazon.com/Family-Fun-Sup...8599712&sr=8-5
http://www.amazon.com/Family-Fun-Fas...8599712&sr=8-7
http://www.amazon.com/Disneys-Family...8599712&sr=8-9

I also like "Healthy Cooking for your Kids." I found it on the clearance rack at Barnes and Noble. Last time I was there they still had copies at both stores I checked.

My biggest hint is to pack the night before. I would do everything the night before and then pack it in his lunch box. I also lay out all clothes and everything else. I have much more energy at night! I don't know how that will work this year with warm foods but we will see!

Beth

[winifredzb]

Beth,

Some excellent suggestions! Thank you.

Unfortunately they will not heat food for the girls so I will also be trying a thermos as the weather cools.

I'm planning on doing most of the work at night so we have very little to do in the mornings -- things are just too nutty in the morning.

Thank You!

[winifredzb]

I've found some good ideas on these sites:

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/fami...chool_food_sf/

http://slideshow.ivillage.com/food/c...ches_for_kids/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/ente...910787,00.html