Lunch Ideas

[rowanberry]

What are some ideas to have for lunch?

I know there are lots of resources for recipes and such, but I'd prefer to ask Waldorf mothers about what their little ones are eating. I would love some soup recipes and other ideas as we go into spring and summer. My daughter is 4 and my son is 1. My son and I are off dairy until further notice so that makes things a bit more difficult for me. 

Thanks in advance for your ideas!

[lyrebird]

Just a couple of ideas:

-hummus (or other dip) with vegies and bread or crackers.

-mini vegie quiches (can be frozen, pop one in every now and then)

-we make up our own yoghurt mix with honey, fruit and nuts or muesli

and of course the universal sandwich.

[Melaniee]

Here are two of our favorite soup recipes. These make a lot as they were for an entire class (I'd sub olive oil or whatever you use for the butter):

Sunshine Soup

1 onion

Approx. 6 large carrots

Two stalks of celery

1 large turnip

Butter

2 potatoes

1/2 cup soup base (vegetarian chicken broth powder from Whole Foods)

Water

2 zucchinis

1 Bag Frozen corn

Cut up into small pieces onion, carrots, celery stalks & turnip.  Cook in a "bunch" of butter for about 20 minutes. When they've really cooked down add 2 potatoes. Mix soup base with a bit of water then add to soup.  Add approx. 1/2 gallon of water and let come to a boil.  Then add 2 zucchinis.

Can sit overnight in the refrigerator and then heat it up and puree it all. Then when we're eating we add frozen corn to each child's bowl (as our cooling down ice cubes).
((This was a classroom recipe so it makes quite a lot))

Lion Soup

1 onion
1 potato
1 sweet potato
1 turnip
3-5 celery stalks
5-8 carrots
1 stick butter
salt/pepper
3-4 vegan vegetable bouillon cubes

chop all veggies, saute in butter with salt/pepper til carrots are soft. add enough water to just cover the veggies. add bouillon cubes. cook until soft, then blend and serve! ((Or, Dh likes to leave unblended and serve over pasta))
 

((Note, I also do this one as a crock pot, but still saute to start))

I don't tend to strictly stick to the recipes, but use them as a guideline.

[Melaniee]

And for lunches, we sometimes do leftovers (hot in a thermos in cooler weather), but more often Almond Butter and Jam (or fresh strawberries) sandwich. 

Some other things we mix in are:

Kiwi and cream cheese sandwiches

Yogurt with Granola (or some kind of granola-like cereal) packaged separately for them to add to the top

carrots or cucumbers and hummus

apples and almond butter

Vegetables and dip (or hummus)

Sushi

[youngspiritmom]

There is a book called the Waldorf Kindergarten Snack Book and also I think the Waldorf Book of Soups. I have personally never checked them out (just seen them online) but perhaps you could request them from the library and photocopy some of your fave recipes?

[epdeans]

Sounds yummy. I usually feed my 14 month old apples slices and cheese for lunch. He prefers small portions so a bit later I feed him some yogurt.

[epdeans]

Right now, Jake my 15 month old eats mostly finger foods for lunch. 

Carrot chips, apple slices, bits of cheese and a couple pretzels.

Black Beans. rice, shredded cheese

Slice of turkey, slice of cheese, apple

[JudiAU]

A lot of kids do well with Sears snack trays or similar, but my kids do better with mixed, especially if done in order, i.e veg is usually first, or whatever I want them to eat the most. We do a simple soup with beans/veg and some sausage and then mix in a little whole wheat pasta and some cheese. I think I make about six variations. Plus, I can freeze in small batches so it is always available. Other things of the "mixed variety" are beans/rice of various types and mixed grain/veg/meat or tofu lunches like lamb burger mixed with veg and quinoa or brown rice, veg, and tofu or whole wheat pasta with spinach and tomato sauce.

One of my kids still loves to be fed and one of my kids loves is an "I do it" type. They both love these types.