Beat the Lunch Box Blues

Back to School means figuring out what to pack in those lunch boxes. If you are like me, you'll find yourself in a rut and out of ideas in no time. These simple, healthy ideas are sure to keep your kids happy for the entire year.


Bean Burritos - This was the number one favorite at our house last year. I spread beans on a flour tortilla and pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds. I then sprinkle shredded cheddar and spread sour cream on it. I fold it and wrapp it in tin-foil. The tin-foil keeps it warm until lunch time.

Pasta Salad - We love the veggie pasta, Wacky Mac. My kids eat it plain - hot or cold. You can easily add shredded carrots and parmesan cheese to dress it up.

Chef Salad - We love salad and the variations on this are endless. With a side of ranch dressing, my kids will eat almost anything.

Deli Rolls - This is just "deli" food, such as ham, turkey, cheese, etc rolled up. You can use toothpicks to secure them and put a little mustard for dipping.

Homemade "Lunchables" - Have you ever seen the little box of "lunchables" that you can buy already done for you in the store? These are fun, easy and much less expensive to make yourself. You can do any cracker, cheese, and lunchmeat combo or crackers, pepperoni, and mozzarella. Use the pre-made ones for ideas.

Boiled Eggs

Tuna Salad - My youngest goes in and out of phases where this is all she will eat for lunch. I make mine with a little mayonnaise and dill pickle relish. I pack the bread separate and let her make it herself, so it doesn't get soggy.

Egg Salad - I make my egg salad the exact same way as my tuna, only with hard boiled eggs.

Chicken Salad - Shocker, chicken salad is made the same way as the other two. I boil my chicken and run it through my food processor.

Peanut Butter and Sprinkles - You can only imagine what a huge hit this is. I do peanut butter and the decorative nonpareils. They are actually much lower in sugar than jelly.

Chili - This only works if you have a container to keep it warm. During the school year, we double our chili and freeze it in individual servings for lunch. I take it out the night before and heat it in the morning.

Black beans and rice - This needs a heat retaining container as well. I heat a can of black beans and mix it with cooked rice. They like a little Monterey jack cheese on top and sometimes sour cream.

Chicken nuggets - I buy the white meat nuggets. Tin foil keeps these warm until lunch time.

Bagel and cream cheese

Bagel pizza - Tin foil keeps these warm as well. I toast the bagel, spread a little sauce, and sprinkle a little cheese on top. Then I put in the microwave for about 15 seconds. You can also add pepperoni or anything else.

Cheese quesadillas - My kids like a side of sour cream mixed with a little bit of salsa for dipping.

Pita Bread and Hummus - My kids especially love the Red Pepper Hummus.

Sides - these are items we've found that are easy to pack, don't mash easily and go well with the above mentioned items.

String cheese

Applesauce

Dill pickle spears

Granola bars

Goldfish

Pretzels

Apple slices

Baby carrots

Grapes

Grape tomatoes

Trail Mix