Guest guest Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we could discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook lots of dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't work out -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like " dinner " as a rule! The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing homework and our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the kids go to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings are full from the get-go. So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are ideas and strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still packing interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from each other and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other things. One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to last the week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, vegan lunches. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Hi Heather - I hear you on the lunches. It's kind of fun for the first few weeks and then it starts to bog down. My daughter, in particular, is hard to pack for because she's more fussy. Things she will eat at home she says " taste funny " in her lunch. One thing that helps me is to spend some time over the weekend jotting down lunch menus for the week. It's not 100% detailed, but at least I have some idea what I'm packing and don't have to decide each night. Also, I can make sure I have what I need on hand; I hate looking around on Thursday night and finding that there's nothing to pack. I do this especially when my husband is traveling and there is more work for me. My husband, however, has no interest in such a menu (even if I make it). He often makes lunches and his technique is to open the fridge and throw in whatever is there. I often cringe at the combinations, but they don't seem to do so. It takes him maybe 10 minutes to pack lunches, whereas I spend at least 1/2 an hour, sometimes more, so I'm not sure who has the better procedure. :-) Good luck. Karen - Heather Hossfeld VRGParents Tuesday, August 25, 2009 3:36 PM Lunch packing Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we could discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook lots of dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't work out -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like " dinner " as a rule! The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing homework and our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the kids go to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings are full from the get-go. So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are ideas and strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still packing interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from each other and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other things. One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to last the week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, vegan lunches. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Hi Heather, I have a large list of mostly veg bagged lunch ideas that I have collected over the years (many from this group); I will be happy to forward a copy to you. Here are some tips for painless lunches: * put water bottles in the freezer at night; they make great ice packs * we plan lunches along with the rest of our meals; it eliminates surprises * lunches are often leftovers; I heat them in the microwave and throw them in a thermos * it takes just a couple of minutes to throw hummus and shredded veggies in a tortilla Robin ________________________________ Heather Hossfeld <hlh4850 VRGParents Tuesday, August 25, 2009 2:36:45 PM Lunch packing Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we could discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook lots of dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't work out -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like " dinner " as a rule! The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing homework and our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the kids go to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings are full from the get-go. So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are ideas and strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still packing interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from each other and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other things. One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to last the week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, vegan lunches. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 I use the laptop lunch system for all our days out. My 2 and 4 yr old help scoop baggies of snack on the weekend. Just this morining they both helped pack there back packs for hiking. tortilla chips, roasted chik peas, dried mango, one red apple each. We buy in bulk with our co-op. So even if i do a weeks worth of snacks on the weekends i just scoop out various things and change it up each week. healthy chip mixes, nuts, granola, gorp with carob chips, muffins from the freezer, vegan cheese, dried fruit, fresh fruit, crackers....the combos are endless if you plan well and keep a healthy well stocked pantry for the kids to make choices from. cold cereal , with nut milk, and added fruit is great for dinner on a busy night. make friends with your rice cooker, and crock pot if you have one. if you don't go to the nearest thrift store and grab one. Unita Walburn Mulberry Island Station Homestead Berefoot Books Stall Holder visit my site @ www.mybarefootbooks.com/UnitaWalburn ________________________________ Heather Hossfeld <hlh4850 VRGParents Tuesday, August 25, 2009 3:36:45 PM Lunch packing Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we could discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook lots of dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't work out -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like " dinner " as a rule! The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing homework and our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the kids go to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings are full from the get-go. So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are ideas and strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still packing interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from each other and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other things. One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to last the week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, vegan lunches. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 We are starting our first year of lunchtime at school, so I am interested in this topic too, especially from the same angle you are, Heather, of strategies for simplification. Our evenings are so condensed as it is! And you are so nice to pack a lunch for your husband. I never think to do that... :/ Marla Rose > Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we could > discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and > lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook lots of > dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't work out > -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like " dinner " > as a rule! > > The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, > getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing homework and > our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and > remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull > them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the kids go > to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings are full > from the get-go. > > So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are ideas and > strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still packing > interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from each other > and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat > whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other things. > One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and > helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). > > Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to last the > week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, > vegan lunches. > Heather > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 If at all possible you should check out " Mothering " magazine July/August issue it has a great article about Japanesse Bento(sp?) boxes and tips on how to make packing easier. I don't have it with me to let you know exactly what it says but it is a good article. Have you tried prepping the essentials on sundays for the week? I fined that that helps me out a lot (i on;y pack for me though). Good luck! Amity , Heather Hossfeld <hlh4850 wrote: > > Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we could > discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and > lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook lots of > dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't work out > -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like " dinner " > as a rule! > > The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, > getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing homework and > our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and > remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull > them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the kids go > to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings are full > from the get-go. > > So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are ideas and > strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still packing > interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from each other > and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat > whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other things. > One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and > helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). > > Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to last the > week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, > vegan lunches. > Heather > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 One idea is to use a bento box type pack. That way u can put in different choices and everything stays seperate. Also it is attractive to look at for kids and grownups. Also edamame, follow ur heart cheese cut into sticks (we like mozzerella), tofu sticks sauteed in soy sauce, tofurkey, peanut butter and jelly on cracker sandwiches, Those r just some super quick easy ideas. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 I second this! We use bentos all the time! We homeschool so I don't have to pack everyday but we always use bentos when we will be out for the day. My kids eat up everything in the bento. It is a little different process as there are no baggies etc. and I do sometimes use " cute " food. We got a Japanese set of hard boiled egg molds and have rice molds so I will take hot rice, press into the rice molds and Presto! - heart and star shaped rice. The egg molds are also heart and star so I give them coordinating shapes. I do also use leftovers, just pressing into the bento and filling " gaps " with cut veggies, berries, rice crackers etc. It was a process for us - we have collected tiny things like tiny silver demitasse spoons at garage sales to everything with the bento is small-sized. For some reason they enjoy this! Janelle havingagreatfulday wrote: > > > If at all possible you should check out " Mothering " magazine > July/August issue it has a great article about Japanesse Bento(sp?) > boxes and tips on how to make packing easier. I don't have it with me > to let you know exactly what it says but it is a good article. Have > you tried prepping the essentials on sundays for the week? I fined > that that helps me out a lot (i on;y pack for me though). Good luck! > > Amity > > > <%40>, Heather Hossfeld <hlh4850 > wrote: > > > > Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we > could > > discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and > > lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook > lots of > > dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't > work out > > -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like > " dinner " > > as a rule! > > > > The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, > > getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing > homework and > > our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and > > remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull > > them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the > kids go > > to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings > are full > > from the get-go. > > > > So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are > ideas and > > strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still > packing > > interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from > each other > > and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat > > whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other > things. > > One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and > > helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). > > > > Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to > last the > > week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, > > vegan lunches. > > Heather > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 here's what we do. We have the 'laptop lunchbox' and a few other bento lunch boxes, too. Snacks @ school: muffins (I make double batch and freeze them to save time and prevent us from going through them so fast) English muffins or crackers with vegan rella (my son likes the cheddar style one best) or Tofutti cream cheese and jam or sunflower seed/soynut butter and jam – the school is peanut free, so no nuts Soy yogurt Pretzlels (hard or soft – I send soft ones frozen w/him and they're thawed by snack time) extra veggie sticks or a piece of fruit I mix/match these for variety Lunches: We have a laptop lunchbox, too Cut up veggies – cukes, peppers, carrots, frozen peas, frozen corn (they're still cold when he eats them, as he likes them best that way), button mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, sometimes he'll ask for green or yellow wax beans or I'll use anything from the night before's dinner sometimes I make a wrap and cut into small spirals or a sandwhich I know he likes – veggie slices, veggie dogs, tofu salad, nut-free butter and jam/jelly. Sometimes he'll eat hummus in a wrap, but sometimes not, so I tend to not use it so much for his lunch. Oh, oneof his favorite is baked beans and toast Pasta (vegweb has a 'recipe' for vegan spaghetti O's that is quick/easy) or pasta with marinara or whatever. I try to cook extra (keep it plain, light coat of oil so it doesn't dry out - for more options during the week – make a cheezy sauce for mac-n-cheez, or add veggies like pasta fagioli, or if I'm making soup, to add to the soup or for him to eat on the side w/soup) Rice Beans and rice dishes (black beans, red beans, chili, sometimes soup, veggie paella, lentils, curried veggies), tofu teriyaki or something like that – especially if it's leftover from dinner the night before (but not the next day, he's not a fan of leftovers...so I have to do something 'different' with it or not give it the very next day Yellow rice (I use a vegan 'no chicken' broth and bay leaves and some Turmeric) I vary this with a vegan 'no beef' broth too Sometimes I'll make onigiri (rice balls wrapped in nori) and stuffed with tofu, or plain. A couple of times we did veggie sushi Sometimes just rice as a bed for marinated tofu/seitan/some kind of stew thing I make – like potpie filling, kind of? Sometimes rice with little paper punch shapes from nori sprinkled all over it w/black and white sesame seeds Protein: if not already covered in some choices above, I'll cut tofu shapes, or send along a few Tbsps of beans (favorites include garbanzos and kidney beans and butter beans). He'll eat them plain, so I'm lucky. I don't usually send dips along like hummus/veggies as he's never really liked to dip anything (he does like fries with ketchup, but not always) In fall/winter I tend to do more soups - you can pack some rice, or noodles on the side and a thermos of soup they can eat the pasta plain or add to the soup (or you can add it to the soup) plus a piece of fruit or sometimes I'll also send OJ on occasion. We tried sending soymilk, but it tends to get forgotten in the lunchbox and turns funky overnight... I like making my own 'fruit cups' with canned fruits (in juice, not syrup) or slicing apples with cinnamon (I can't wait for apple picking this fall!) or applesauce. Dried fruits are good, too for something sweet. Sometimes I'll pack a little something 'sweet' but not too crazy - like grahm crackers or Teddy Grahms (I think 2 or 3 kinds are vegan) so it's a nice surprise for him. I also find that my son will eat all/nearly all of his lunch if we don't over stuff/pack his lunchbox containers full. If they're filled up, he sometimes won't eat at all, which doesn't make for a pleasant afternoon when I pick him up! This happened a couple of times last year - so we have to plan accordingly - they're decent sized, and for the little ones they don't need quite so much. We at least can get in a good variety, so if he doesn't eat everything, at least there's a good chance he's eaten most of what was in there. Missie On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 11:26 AM, Janelle Stewart<morningacademy wrote: > > > I second this! We use bentos all the time! We homeschool so I don't > have to pack everyday but we always use bentos when we will be out for > the day. My kids eat up everything in the bento. It is a little > different process as there are no baggies etc. and I do sometimes use > " cute " food. We got a Japanese set of hard boiled egg molds and have > rice molds so I will take hot rice, press into the rice molds and > Presto! - heart and star shaped rice. The egg molds are also heart and > star so I give them coordinating shapes. I do also use leftovers, just > pressing into the bento and filling " gaps " with cut veggies, berries, > rice crackers etc. It was a process for us - we have collected tiny > things like tiny silver demitasse spoons at garage sales to everything > with the bento is small-sized. For some reason they enjoy this! > > Janelle > > havingagreatfulday wrote: >> >> >> If at all possible you should check out " Mothering " magazine >> July/August issue it has a great article about Japanesse Bento(sp?) >> boxes and tips on how to make packing easier. I don't have it with me >> to let you know exactly what it says but it is a good article. Have >> you tried prepping the essentials on sundays for the week? I fined >> that that helps me out a lot (i on;y pack for me though). Good luck! >> >> Amity >> >> >> <%40>, Heather Hossfeld <hlh4850 >> wrote: >> > >> > Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we >> could >> > discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and >> > lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook >> lots of >> > dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't >> work out >> > -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like >> " dinner " >> > as a rule! >> > >> > The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, >> > getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing >> homework and >> > our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and >> > remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull >> > them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the >> kids go >> > to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings >> are full >> > from the get-go. >> > >> > So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are >> ideas and >> > strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still >> packing >> > interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from >> each other >> > and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat >> > whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other >> things. >> > One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and >> > helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). >> > >> > Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to >> last the >> > week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, >> > vegan lunches. >> > Heather >> > >> > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Last year we started putting lunches on our weekly meal plans. It saves a lot of stress and time. ________________________________ Marla Rose <marla Tuesday, August 25, 2009 5:12:28 PM Re: Lunch packing We are starting our first year of lunchtime at school, so I am interested in this topic too, especially from the same angle you are, Heather, of strategies for simplification. Our evenings are so condensed as it is! And you are so nice to pack a lunch for your husband. I never think to do that... :/ Marla Rose > Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we could > discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and > lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook lots of > dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't work out > -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like " dinner " > as a rule! > > The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, > getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing homework and > our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and > remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull > them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the kids go > to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings are full > from the get-go. > > So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are ideas and > strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still packing > interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from each other > and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat > whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other things. > One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and > helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). > > Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to last the > week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, > vegan lunches. > Heather > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 I generally try to repurpose dinner (a day or two later) for lunches. It seems to work better than the next day. One thing I have tried is making something like corn on the cob from the grill (our fav!) grilling one or two extra, then cutting them up into smaller cob-etts for the kids. If we have something like sloppy joes (vegan of course) I will save leftover filling. Warm it in the morning and pack with a bag of fritos, some vegan sour cream, some veggies (lettuce and tomato) and the kids love it as a travelling taco. I have lots of small containers I try to keep handy. I usually pack lunches in the morning. Although sometimes I get a head start in the evenings, I find it more difficult at night because I am tired, the kids are tired, the hubby wants attention......so on. Also for pre-packaged stuff (I try to use minimally but still find useful for those crazy mornings) keep separate containers of foods divided by kinds. Like one for dried fruits, fruit leather, apple sauce containers etc, one for granola or breakfast cereal type bars, one for veggies and so on. Then simply have the child help by grabbing one of each kind. Throw in a quick sandwich (yes you can make these ahead and keep a stash in the freezer), and lunch in a pinch. Laura Ballinger Morales ________________________________ robin koloms <rkoloms Wednesday, August 26, 2009 11:04:48 PM Re: Lunch packing Last year we started putting lunches on our weekly meal plans. It saves a lot of stress and time. ____________ _________ _________ __ Marla Rose <marla (AT) veganstreet (DOT) com> @gro ups.com Tuesday, August 25, 2009 5:12:28 PM Re: Lunch packing We are starting our first year of lunchtime at school, so I am interested in this topic too, especially from the same angle you are, Heather, of strategies for simplification. Our evenings are so condensed as it is! And you are so nice to pack a lunch for your husband. I never think to do that... :/ Marla Rose > Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we could > discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and > lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook lots of > dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't work out > -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like " dinner " > as a rule! > > The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, > getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing homework and > our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and > remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull > them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the kids go > to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings are full > from the get-go. > > So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are ideas and > strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still packing > interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from each other > and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat > whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other things. > One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and > helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). > > Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to last the > week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, > vegan lunches. > Heather > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Laura, Thanks for this. I'm going to try the traveling tacos. I usually pack a small container of hummus and a container of veggies for dipping (broccoli, carrots, etc). Then pack a yogurt, a fruit, and a snack (like animal crackers or pretzels). I try to vary the fruits, veggies, and snacks - but its hard when buying produce because it will go bad before it gets eaten if I buy too much of one thing. My daughter is with her dad half the week & I think all he packs her is PB & J and applesauce. She got really tired of hummus one year and went a long time without eating it. So I want to keep some variety in her lunches for when she with me. Renee ________________________________ Laura Ballinger Morales <lballinger Thursday, August 27, 2009 11:09:00 AM Re: Lunch packing I generally try to repurpose dinner (a day or two later) for lunches. It seems to work better than the next day. One thing I have tried is making something like corn on the cob from the grill (our fav!) grilling one or two extra, then cutting them up into smaller cob-etts for the kids. If we have something like sloppy joes (vegan of course) I will save leftover filling. Warm it in the morning and pack with a bag of fritos, some vegan sour cream, some veggies (lettuce and tomato) and the kids love it as a travelling taco. I have lots of small containers I try to keep handy. I usually pack lunches in the morning. Although sometimes I get a head start in the evenings, I find it more difficult at night because I am tired, the kids are tired, the hubby wants attention... ...so on. Also for pre-packaged stuff (I try to use minimally but still find useful for those crazy mornings) keep separate containers of foods divided by kinds. Like one for dried fruits, fruit leather, apple sauce containers etc, one for granola or breakfast cereal type bars, one for veggies and so on. Then simply have the child help by grabbing one of each kind. Throw in a quick sandwich (yes you can make these ahead and keep a stash in the freezer), and lunch in a pinch. Laura Ballinger Morales ____________ _________ _________ __ robin koloms <rkoloms > @gro ups.com Wednesday, August 26, 2009 11:04:48 PM Re: Lunch packing Last year we started putting lunches on our weekly meal plans. It saves a lot of stress and time. ____________ _________ _________ __ Marla Rose <marla (AT) veganstreet (DOT) com> @gro ups.com Tuesday, August 25, 2009 5:12:28 PM Re: Lunch packing We are starting our first year of lunchtime at school, so I am interested in this topic too, especially from the same angle you are, Heather, of strategies for simplification. Our evenings are so condensed as it is! And you are so nice to pack a lunch for your husband. I never think to do that... :/ Marla Rose > Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we could > discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and > lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook lots of > dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't work out > -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like " dinner " > as a rule! > > The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, > getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing homework and > our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and > remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull > them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the kids go > to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings are full > from the get-go. > > So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are ideas and > strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still packing > interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from each other > and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat > whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other things. > One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and > helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). > > Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to last the > week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, > vegan lunches. > Heather > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I guess I just need to get more organized. I sit down once a week already and plan our dinners, and make our grocery list based on that -- I need to make at least a rough outline of lunches at the same time, and then do as much advance prep as I can. Heather 2009/8/27 Renee Carroll <renecarol25 > > > Laura, > Thanks for this. I'm going to try the traveling tacos. I usually pack a > small container of hummus and a container of veggies for dipping (broccoli, > carrots, etc). Then pack a yogurt, a fruit, and a snack (like animal > crackers or pretzels). I try to vary the fruits, veggies, and snacks - but > its hard when buying produce because it will go bad before it gets eaten if > I buy too much of one thing. My daughter is with her dad half the week & I > think all he packs her is PB & J and applesauce. She got really tired of > hummus one year and went a long time without eating it. So I want to keep > some variety in her lunches for when she with me. > Renee > > ________________________________ > Laura Ballinger Morales <lballinger<lballinger%40rocketmail.com> > > > <%40> > Thursday, August 27, 2009 11:09:00 AM > > Re: Lunch packing > > > I generally try to repurpose dinner (a day or two later) for lunches. It > seems to work better than the next day. One thing I have tried is making > something like corn on the cob from the grill (our fav!) grilling one or two > extra, then cutting them up into smaller cob-etts for the kids. If we have > something like sloppy joes (vegan of course) I will save leftover filling. > Warm it in the morning and pack with a bag of fritos, some vegan sour cream, > some veggies (lettuce and tomato) and the kids love it as a travelling > taco. I have lots of small containers I try to keep handy. I usually pack > lunches in the morning. Although sometimes I get a head start in the > evenings, I find it more difficult at night because I am tired, the kids are > tired, the hubby wants attention... ...so on. Also for pre-packaged stuff > (I try to use minimally but still find useful for those crazy mornings) keep > separate containers of foods divided by kinds. Like > one for dried fruits, fruit leather, apple sauce containers etc, one for > granola or breakfast cereal type bars, one for veggies and so on. > Then simply have the child help by grabbing one of each kind. Throw in > a quick sandwich (yes you can make these ahead and keep a stash in the > freezer), and lunch in a pinch. > Laura Ballinger Morales > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > robin koloms <rkoloms > > @gro ups.com > > Wednesday, August 26, 2009 11:04:48 PM > Re: Lunch packing > > > Last year we started putting lunches on our weekly meal plans. It saves a > lot of stress and time. > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > Marla Rose <marla (AT) veganstreet (DOT) com> > @gro ups.com > Tuesday, August 25, 2009 5:12:28 PM > Re: Lunch packing > > > We are starting our first year of lunchtime at school, so I am interested > in > this topic too, especially from the same angle you are, Heather, of > strategies for simplification. Our evenings are so condensed as it is! And > you are so nice to pack a lunch for your husband. I never think to do > that... :/ > > Marla Rose > > > Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we could > > discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and > > lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook lots > of > > dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't work > out > > -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like > " dinner " > > as a rule! > > > > The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, > > getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing homework and > > our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and > > remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull > > them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the kids > go > > to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings are > full > > from the get-go. > > > > So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are ideas and > > strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still > packing > > interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from each > other > > and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat > > whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other things. > > One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and > > helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). > > > > Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to last > the > > week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, > > vegan lunches. > > Heather > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 oh another thing I make is smartdogs in dough (like piggies in a blanket). There not as good cold so I hadn't made them in a long time. My daughter wanted them for lunch again. She said their not as good cold but still good. Neither super walmart nor super target sell smartdogs anymore. Not sure why or when that happened. Had to go to Food Lion for the smartdogs which were $4.99 I think - I'm sure that is way more than I ever paid before. Renee ________________________________ Heather Hossfeld <hlh4850 Thursday, August 27, 2009 9:28:16 PM Re: Lunch packing Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I guess I just need to get more organized. I sit down once a week already and plan our dinners, and make our grocery list based on that -- I need to make at least a rough outline of lunches at the same time, and then do as much advance prep as I can. Heather 2009/8/27 Renee Carroll <renecarol25@ > > > > Laura, > Thanks for this. I'm going to try the traveling tacos. I usually pack a > small container of hummus and a container of veggies for dipping (broccoli, > carrots, etc). Then pack a yogurt, a fruit, and a snack (like animal > crackers or pretzels). I try to vary the fruits, veggies, and snacks - but > its hard when buying produce because it will go bad before it gets eaten if > I buy too much of one thing. My daughter is with her dad half the week & I > think all he packs her is PB & J and applesauce. She got really tired of > hummus one year and went a long time without eating it. So I want to keep > some variety in her lunches for when she with me. > Renee > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > Laura Ballinger Morales <lballinger@rocketma il.com<lballinger% 40rocketmail. com> > > > @gro ups.com <% 40. com> > Thursday, August 27, 2009 11:09:00 AM > > Re: Lunch packing > > > I generally try to repurpose dinner (a day or two later) for lunches. It > seems to work better than the next day. One thing I have tried is making > something like corn on the cob from the grill (our fav!) grilling one or two > extra, then cutting them up into smaller cob-etts for the kids. If we have > something like sloppy joes (vegan of course) I will save leftover filling. > Warm it in the morning and pack with a bag of fritos, some vegan sour cream, > some veggies (lettuce and tomato) and the kids love it as a travelling > taco. I have lots of small containers I try to keep handy. I usually pack > lunches in the morning. Although sometimes I get a head start in the > evenings, I find it more difficult at night because I am tired, the kids are > tired, the hubby wants attention... ...so on. Also for pre-packaged stuff > (I try to use minimally but still find useful for those crazy mornings) keep > separate containers of foods divided by kinds. Like > one for dried fruits, fruit leather, apple sauce containers etc, one for > granola or breakfast cereal type bars, one for veggies and so on. > Then simply have the child help by grabbing one of each kind. Throw in > a quick sandwich (yes you can make these ahead and keep a stash in the > freezer), and lunch in a pinch. > Laura Ballinger Morales > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > robin koloms <rkoloms > > @gro ups.com > > Wednesday, August 26, 2009 11:04:48 PM > Re: Lunch packing > > > Last year we started putting lunches on our weekly meal plans. It saves a > lot of stress and time. > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > Marla Rose <marla (AT) veganstreet (DOT) com> > @gro ups.com > Tuesday, August 25, 2009 5:12:28 PM > Re: Lunch packing > > > We are starting our first year of lunchtime at school, so I am interested > in > this topic too, especially from the same angle you are, Heather, of > strategies for simplification. Our evenings are so condensed as it is! And > you are so nice to pack a lunch for your husband. I never think to do > that... :/ > > Marla Rose > > > Hi everyone,Back to school is fast approaching and I wondered if we could > > discuss lunch packing. I have two kids and a husband who pack snacks and > > lunch for full days away from home five days a week. I try to cook lots > of > > dinner so I have leftovers to pack, but sometimes that just doesn't work > out > > -- and one of my kids is supremely picky and generally doesn't like > " dinner " > > as a rule! > > > > The main problem is time. I find that between cleaning up after dinner, > > getting dishes washed, spending time with the kids and doing homework and > > our regular bedtime reading and rituals... then coming downstairs and > > remembering lunches aren't made, and often spending half an hour to pull > > them together, it's just too much. Add in some of the programs the kids > go > > to in the evening, and my own occasional outing, and our evenings are > full > > from the get-go. > > > > So I'm not really looking for recipes. What I'm looking for are ideas and > > strategies for making lunch packing faster and simpler, while still > packing > > interesting and tasty lunches. My kids have different tastes from each > other > > and also don't like repeating things very often. My husband will eat > > whatever I pack for him and does help if he's not busy with other things. > > One thing I will certainly do is try to get the kids more involved and > > helping to pack things themselves (they are still quite young). > > > > Are there things you find you can make enough of on the weekend to last > the > > week? Do you have a formula that works for you? I aim for garbage-free, > > vegan lunches. > > Heather > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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