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Farm Kitchen:  What's in your child's lunch bag?  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 27 2010 : 9:44:30 PM
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Hi girls! Even though I homeschool, I make my son a bagged lunch so it is always ready when he is. This is not only a time-saver, it can be a lot of fun! When he was little he always wanted those little pre-made lunch packs that cost an ungodly amount of money. I decided to buy just one of those special little packs and kept re-using the tray over and over and over. I'd cut his little breads, meats and cheeses with a little biscuit cutter to fit each little compartment in the tray, and then I'd add special little wholesome treats along with juice in a re-usable container. Whenever we had play dates, his friends always admired his little lunch packs (which had waaay cooler stuff in it than theirs had), and he never knew the difference. For him, lunch was fun, and I always had peace of mind knowing that he was eating something fresh and nutritious. Of course, as time went on, he outgrew those nifty little packs (thank goodness!), but I still like to make something special for both my son and husband's lunches. Does anyone have any cool lunch bag recipe ideas? What's in your child's or partner's lunchbox this fall? Any ideas would be great - I'm sure we all have kids of all ages! But if you have any special lunches you pack for a voraciously hungry, growing teenage boy, I'd especially appreciate those! Thanks! - Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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Twinsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
116 Posts
Debbie
Wyoming
USA
116 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2010 : 5:46:52 PM
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Hi Nini,
I pack the usual, sandwiches, fresh vegetables cut up with their favorite dipping sauce, different flavors of juice. I will also make soup and put it in a little thermos. Yogurt, fruit cups, cheese sticks, and always a little cookie, cake or something sweet for desert! I would love other ideas as well.
Twinsmom
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4741 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4741 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2010 : 5:56:51 PM
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My son loves apple juice, ham or turkey (from Whole Foods) sandwich with cheese, organic crackers, Fiber One bar and an organic apple. I sometimes give him an organic peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
I think it is clever to sneak food into the containers to make your son happy. I was a terrible eater when I was a kid. One day my mom started cutting my sandwiches to look like finger sandwiches and I pretended they were fancy hors d'oeuvres. Then I ate them up. My mom couldn't figure out why I would only eat them that way, but she was happy I was finally eating.
Dawn in IL |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2010 : 6:12:38 PM
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I like to mix rice and cheese with any cooked veges I have on hand, then stuff it in a pita pocket. I also do a lot of sandwiches with the left over cut meat from the night before. My DH likes waffle sandwiches. He makes up the waffles over the weekend, 'fries' an egg in the microwave each mornin and puts it on the grape jelly cover waffles. His favorite, but it doesn't suit everyone.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2010 : 6:36:18 PM
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I just saw at the store today in the tupperware section, they have a reusable piece with a lid that has the compartments like the Lunchables.
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2010 : 7:02:47 PM
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Oooh, Molly! That's so cool! I'm going to look for them! Maybe I can make some cool teenager-pleasin' lunchables! :) I know my foster daughter would love to have them for her kids, too! :) Thanks for sharing!
Those are some great ideas you've got there, ladies!
I especially like the rice/cheese/veggie pockets - never tried those before, but will soon! And we do homemade waffles, too! But they never last. I could make a triple batch and my guys will eat them right up. That's a cool idea, tough, Angela!
Sometimes I'll pre-make spinach pies ahead of time and then freeze them for later. They're kind of like spinach, cheese and pepperoni calzones, only you pre-cook the spinach down with olive oil, minced garlic and a little kosher salt. My child hates veggies (Where DID he come from?), but he'll gobble these right down and beg me to make more! I also really like to make those little pizza pockets using homemade bread dough with cheese and pepperoni (and sometimes veggies) and then crimp them with a large pocket crimper thingy (for lack of a better term - I can't remember what it's called, but I got mine through a home party plan YEARS ago, and LOVE it!), and bake and freeze them ahead of time, too. Since both of these are pre-cooked foods, all I have to do is thaw them in the freezer overnight before popping them in the lunch sacks... The guys LOVE them, and they're great cold OR hot!
Another thing that's really easy is pepperoni bread. You just take your favorite bread dough in a large bowl, add a handful or two of pepperoni and about 1 cup chopped or shredded mozzarella or provolone. Add about 1/2 cup of meatless marinara-type sauce. Knead it all together - it will be sloppy and look horrible, with pockets of pepperoi and cheese all over - then pop it on a hot baking stone in a rounded lump (kind of like an Irish soda bread shape) and bake until it's hollow to the tap. When you bake it, it will not look smooth like bread.. it'll be all choppy and interlaced with cheese and pepperoni, and the sauce will dry a little on the exposed areas. But I'm telling you, slice it in wedges and put a small cup of marinara with it in the lunch bag for dippin' and the kids will LOVE it! And this is great hot or cold, too! I know you can also make this recipe using thinly sliced yellow squash or zucchini...or mushrooms and onions with Swiss cheese instead of mozzarella or provolone!
Any good ideas for breakfasts, too??? I should've asked before. When we were growing up, my girlfriend's Mom would make them homemade egg m-muffins.. I thought she was the Queen of Breakfasts! I like to make a triple batch of pumpkin chocolate chip or banana nut or blueberry muffins and freeze some for later. Again, just thaw overnight in the fridge and they'll be moist and yummy-to-go in the morning! We also do occasionally have waffles that I can freeze, but that's rare. I also have a killer granola recipe - chewy AND crunchy - if anyone wants it, just email me! I'm happy to share! :)
Please do keep those great ideas a-comin'! I really appreciate the posts and sharing!
Hugs,
Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
Edited by - Ninibini on Aug 28 2010 7:04:28 PM |
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corrabelle
True Blue Farmgirl
71 Posts
Corrabelle
Hamilton, Morrowville
ontario, Kansas
71 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2010 : 12:57:35 PM
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We make a lot of sushi lunches around here. Mine are homeschooled too, but I often do what you do the night before, just for fun.
They each have a bento box, and i'll make them several different types of rolls and they'll eat it with steamed rice. (we usually do a crab, bbq eel, salmon, spicy tuna etc with a mixture of veggies). If your kids are a little more picky though, you can use even chicken salad! They love the little rolls, and eating them with chop sticks!
Corrabelle
http://themayberrysparrow.com
A Kansas gal living in Ontario. Sigh.
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corrabelle
True Blue Farmgirl
71 Posts
Corrabelle
Hamilton, Morrowville
ontario, Kansas
71 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2010 : 2:10:55 PM
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Nini, we do pizza pockets too. (here they call them calzones or panzerotties...) Also runzas and fatayers. (a middle eastern style pocket, similar bread to a runza, stuffed with a spinach filling that's seasoned with crushed salt, pepper and sumac).
One benefit of living in Ontario is the many different styles of foods and seasonings readily available...it's a very diverse part of the country!
Corrabelle
http://themayberrysparrow.com
A Kansas gal living in Ontario. Sigh.
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Pamela Joy
True Blue Farmgirl
89 Posts
Pamela
Hesperus
CO
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2010 : 4:13:35 PM
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Hmmm, lots of great ideas!
At our house, we are all about the tortillas for fast and easy lunches and dinners. We make tortilla pizzas for dinner. We almost love them as much as real pizza. But then my daughter (9) wanted one for school lunch and did not care if it was not cooked. So I took a small flour tortilla, spread the tomato sauce and some parmesan cheese, folded it over and put it in her re-usable sandwich bag. She loved it and turned a few friends onto it.
Also, cream cheese and avocado spread on tortilla and then rolled or cut in wedges. This is also great as a wrap with matchstick cuts of carrots and peppers. I think anything with cream cheese makes it better.
Breakfast...leftover white rice with a spoonful or two of sugar and milk. Arroz con leche! Not the absolute healthiest, but nice for a fun change. Or sliced bananas in milk.
Peace, Love, and Joy |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Aug 30 2010 : 04:26:36 AM
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My daughter starts school this week. :( I will miss her at school, we've had a fun summer. She's in third grade They get snack each morning and lunch at noon. In her box this year will be: Sandwiches made with organic bread, organic mayo, lean meat like turkey, and sprouted seeds. I learned about sprouted seeds from MJ's Lifebook, and we love them! They add nutty, yummy crunch to the sandwiches. Also will be making MJ's recipe "Healthy Corn Doggies" from her other book, which are little muffin type veggie snacks, but are slightly sweet and my daughter loves them. They will replace the processed "mini muffins" we used to buy. I make them with mixed veggies and put them in mini muffin pans. We all have a hard time not eating the whole lot right out of the oven. She gets one organic juice box and a thermos of milk, and I fill a reusable bottle of water for her too. I was appalled at the chocolate milk they serve at school - full of high fructose corn syrup. I also will bake her favorite, my homemade chocolate chip cookies, and she gets carrot sticks and fruit.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE |
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MrsRooster
True Blue Farmgirl
1168 Posts
Amy
Seabrook
TX
USA
1168 Posts |
Posted - Aug 30 2010 : 06:58:12 AM
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I make lots of homemade breads. My daughter tells me what bread she wants for the week. Then we pick out sandwich fillings. She loves shaved ham or turkey and cheese. We did tuna and chicken salad.
For a change of pace, you can take a tortilla and spread it with cream cheese. Then sprinkle it with diced ham and cheese and roll up. Secure with a tooth pick and chill.
But the best thing is that her school serves really good food. So if she sees something she wants, she knows that she can eat there too. Like the other day. She took soup, cherry tomatoes, and milk. The school had shaved turkey sandwiches. So she grabbed a sandwich too. They serve lots of fresh veggies. Only milk is offered at the lunchtime. If they get juice, it can only be 100% fruit juice. Snacks are usually cheese crackers, grahams, cheese and crackers, celery and peanut butter. So I have lots of options and so does my daughter. She feels like a big girl too. She is in Kindergarden. She goes to a private Christian school.
www.mrsrooster.blogspot.com
Farmgirl #1259
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wncmtnmama
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
Marilyn
Asheville
NC
25 Posts |
Posted - Aug 30 2010 : 08:18:11 AM
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For today's lunch, my 7 year old daughter requested sliced ham, pickled okra, sliced tomato and "a hunk" of cheese - for "dessert" she took a pudding cup. She took tea to drink and her snack was pretzel sticks. It's amazing how well she balances her foods when left to her own devices. She eats the school lunch maybe 5 times a month - she really dislikes school food (and so do I) - and she isn't a bread fan unless it's cornbread and she can really wipe out a salad bar if given the chance. She's an awesome kid.
I enjoy reading what everyone else does. It's a nice change from sandwiches.
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - Aug 30 2010 : 10:26:56 PM
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I have a couple of vegetarian selections since that is all we do.
Fresh baguette with brie and sliced grapes or figs. (My son adores these)Or right now with fresh peaches..yummy
taco pasta salad -rotini pasta, with mayo, sour cream, taco seasoning, chives, salsa, chopped tomato, drained black beans, black olives, shoepeg corn, shredded cheese (lately my son likes to add a bit of lime and cilantro) delish with crispy tortilla chips and easy to pack.
tabouleh is easy to do as well.
For breakfast I like something I can prepare the night before and just shove in the oven in the morning. little egg bakes in muffin pans are easy. a little stale bread, fresh eggs and whatever fixins you have handy (subliminal zucchini) or whatever else looks good out of the garden. Beet greens or chard or whatever, mushrooms or cheese. We have these for lunch a lot with salads too.
When my son was really little I sent him to school with big wheat tortillas spread with cashew or almond butter and finely chopped dried cranberries, apples or raisins, even dried cherries. I also sprinkled in a few carob chips or white chocolate chips for fun. Rolled em up and sliced em. He still likes these for snacks and even though they are sweet they are getting the protein carb combo without overdoing it.
fat people are harder to kidnap.
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com
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www.etsy.com/shop/daltonfabrics |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2010 : 6:51:33 PM
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My gosh - you girls are so creative! There are some GREAT lunch ideas here - thank you!
Marilyn - the other day in the doctor's office I was watching something about how wise children are, and how they will naturally pick healthy foods and eat only what they need if left to their own devices. That is so cool that your daughter makes these choices! When my son was very little, one of our foster children had a very bad habit of saying "EWWW" about every vegetable that crossed her plate. It's taken 10+ years, but now my son is trying everything - and finding he likes pretty much everything! It's amazing how kids are influenced by others, too! And man, I would LOVE it if my son would enjoy a good salad! That's so great!
Sarah - that taco pasta salad is going to be on the menu next week!!! Sounds AWESOME! I've seen cashew and almond butter, but have never tried it because I've never known anyone else who has. I may just pick some up next time I'm in the store. We also do the craisins and dried blueberries and cherries... Yum! I'm going to try those egg bakes, too - if they don't eat the homemade bread right away, it goes stale pretty quickly. This is a great idea!
Amy - I make all our bread, too. I make a very basic, no-knead artisan bread recipe and use it for everything from bread to rolls to pizza dough to cinnamon roll dough. My guys love it!
Nicole - I'm going to have to find that "healthy corn doggies" recipe. My son loves corn dogs, but I hate buying them because they are just that: unhealthy! If I can learn to make them, he'd be thrilled!
Corabelle - my DH's father's side of the family is of middle eastern descent. I've never heard of runza's or fatayers, but I'd love to try them! Do you make stuffed grape leaves, too? It's one "strange" food that my son can't get enough of! Thank goodness for Grandmas!!! Where do I find bento boxes? I know that they were popular a couple of years ago, but I've never seen them in stores. That sounds like a really great solution for me!
Pamela - we've done "cold pizza sandwiches," but I've never thought of doing that with tortillas! GREAT idea! Can't wait to try them!
Dawn - my son's an absolute ham and turkey fanatic... he's been buggin' me to bake them all summer (no a/c - no major oven use!). He'll eat it pretty much any way I serve it, as long as there's no mayo or any semblance thereof! SO picky! But that's probably a good thing..
Having said that, Debbie - your soup idea inspired me! I did break down and bake a small chicken dinner on Sunday, and made an awesome chicken stock. Soups will be served as soon as the cool autumn air rolls in! :)
Thanks, girls! Please keep the ideas coming! :)
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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Mamarude
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Anna
Durango
Colorado
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 7:34:05 PM
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My 3rd grader love, love, loves breakfast in his lunch. We've been using a laptop lunchbox since preschool, and he likes mini bagels with cream cheese, apple sauce, homemade mini pancakes with syrup to dip them, leftover sausage or bacon and sometimes I'll get the organic yogurt tubes for him. He also likes pb&j of course, cantaloupe, pickles. I usually put a little treat in a few days of week, he loves to get a little square of organic dark chocolate.
Keep sharing the great ideas!
Anna |
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2010 : 06:11:23 AM
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Oo! That's a good idea! I never thought of that!!! Sounds like a winner! I just might try that today!!! Thanks, Sarah! :)
Oh! Anna - my son loves eating breakfast food any time of day, too - ESPECIALLY homemade pancakes or waffles. We make it a feast, with bowls full of pick-your-own toppings like berries, sliced bananas, dried cranberries, nuts, seeds, mini chocolate chips and whipped cream. He doesn't like syrup, but I'm partial to real maple or berry syrups. He would eat them plain if I didn't serve all the other toppings, but I need to be sure he gets some fruits and nuts. I've even been known to disguise shredded zucchini in his pancakes every now and then, too! :) Now, who doesn't love a good "pancake party!" What a great idea for a packed lunch!
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
Edited by - Ninibini on Sep 02 2010 06:14:53 AM |
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Farm Kitchen: What's in your child's lunch bag? |
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What's in your child's lunch bag?
