2010-2011 School Year Lunch thread!

[Emmeline II]

Now that you have a luchbox let's think about lunches.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a not-so-bad-for-you packaged mac and cheese? Mac and cheese is a favorite of ds' but I know that making in advance won't happen (and I don't have the freezer space for it).

[cycle]

No, not packaged, but I will be watching to see if anyone does! I usually make a batch and use it for dinner and a couple of lunches, but ds can eat mac and cheese everyday.

[oceanbaby]

I just make a box of Annies and keep it in the fridge - the family pack would be good for 3 or 4 lunches at least.

As a former homeschooler, I too could really use some lunchbox suggestions! Our school seems to have a pretty good organic, healthy, relatively inexpensive meal option, but I don't want to buy it more than 1-2x a week.

[Linda on the move]

Couldn't you make it once a week and store it in the fridge, already packed into the right size containers?

(I make chicken salad once a week for DH's lunches and do this.)

I'm not fond of pre-package single meals because they waste so much packaging and they are way overpriced for how much food you get. You mostly pay for packaging, not food.

I really like the ziploc re-useable containers. They can be washed and re-used but it isn't a big deal of someone loses one. They stack really well too, so a pile of mac&cheese for the week really wouldn't take up that much space.

We are going to be lunch central this year. Last year, only one kid was packing a lunch. But the kids are switching to a private school with no buy-your-lunch option, and DH changed to a job with no caffeteria so he's packing too.

[LauraLoo]

Laptop lunches has some great ideas - whether or not you use their boxes:

http://www.laptoplunches.com/ideas.html

I'm looking for more ideas for hot lunches to be packed in small thermoses.

[carmel23]

My kids are loving rice with carrots, cucumber, mushroom, egg, etc. wrapped in nori, like futomaki. I just wrap it, but don't cut it. It wraps into a nice little squarish packet, like a present.

They love this for lunch.

[konamama]

subbing

[frugalmama]

we're hsing, but I need ideas too. DD has PE twice a week from 12:30-2, and it requires leaving the house at 10am to get there via city bus.

No microwave, no kitchen, etc. Needs to be something that can be eaten during bus layovers of anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. I don't mind packaged goods

And it can't have any of the following due to allergies: peanuts, oats, avocado, nuts, grapes, peaches, and coconut.

I too would like something that will stay hot long enough in a thermos, as it's also my lunch and I'm not a fan of cold meals beyond cheese and crackers.

[Heavenly]

No more tips for this thread? I need ideas too! One thing my kids love is chili. You can make a big batch and freeze them in individual size portions. Also, I am hoping to start making my own granola bars instead of the junky ones from the store that I've been sending them.

[eepster]

I started a similar thread over in vegetarian & vegan living, looking for veg*n ideas.

[LuckyMommaToo]

I've been fun reading this blog every day for ideas:
http://bentolunch.blogspot.com/2010/...o-for-ben.html

I made her quiche muffins, and the kids like them! Am going to try her granola bars next.

Today DS had celery with PB for dipping, string cheese, nectarine slices, fritos and a few jelly beans. But we're only on day two of school, so I know my ideas will run out fast!
-e