Tuesday, August 9, 2011

School lunches


Probably the thing I am most apprehensive about with school starting is the whole school-lunch thing.  The schools my kids go to (I am very sorry to say, but being honest here) have TERRIBLE food.  I mean, really bad.  My kids BEG me not to have to eat it.  Well, actually that's just the elementary school.  The Jr. High/High school doesn't have a cafeteria per se, but you can buy food like Little Caesar's pizza, etc.  Which tastes good, but is expensive and not good for you.  This leaves me with the option to make their lunches.  Every day.  5 lunches.  Dad also takes a lunch, so that makes 6 lunches.
I don't know why, but this frequently stumps me and I get in a rut.  They don't like sandwiches every day; I know I don't either!
So I am on a quest this year, to make and send my family off with healthy, diverse lunches that don't break the bank.  Here are some ideas I have found:


Homemade Lunchables using healthy ingredients
Mini muffins and fruit
Sandwich roll-ups
Wraps
Quesadillas
Pita Pizzas
Hummus and pita slices
Pasta salad
Salad
Chips and salsa
Chicken Ceasar Salad Wrap
Cream cheese and jam sandwich or bagel
Sandwich on a stick
Leftovers
Meatloaf
Pancake sandwich
Waffles and syrup or applesauce to dip  Add a boiled egg, too
Homemade pizza pockets or ham and cheese pockets
Yogurt and fruit
crackers and cheese
Soup in a thermos
Hummus and veggie wrap

Sides:
veggie sticks and dip
fruit
make sweet potato chips
popcorn
trail mix
homemade chex or snack mix
freeze dried fruit and/or veggies
granola bars
yum balls
taco munch


Here are some great websites where I grabbed a lot of these ideas:


Does this give you some good ideas?  I feel a little more prepared with some new options under my belt.  I have also decided to try "theme days".  For example, Monday is sandwich day.  Tuesday is leftover day (with all these people, I am going to have to make sure I make a lot of dinner on Monday nights so we have enough leftovers on Tuesday).  Wednesday is wrap day.  Thursday is finger food day.  Friday is make your own or buy it day.  The older kids don' t have school on Fridays, and I am going to take a break on this day.  Sounds fair to me, yes?  

What good ideas do you have for packing lunches?

Monday, August 8, 2011

Roasted broccoli

We had some family over the other night, and I wanted to cook some broccoli quickly.  I decided to put it on a sheet pan and roast it in the oven, just like I do asparagus.  Well...it worked!!  It was so tasty and good for us because it didn't have any heavy sauce on it or anything.  
Just cut the broccoli into florets.  Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt.  Roast until done.  SO easy, quick and delicious!

Note:  I made this again yesterday.  Turns out the broccoli is still good even if you forget about it and it gets VERY toasty in the oven.  :)  Yum!