Lunch ideas!

[OkiMom]

I'm in need of some lunch time inspiration. I have a 5 yo, a 3 yo and a 1 yo who seriously eat like lumberjacks. I use to do sandwiches all the time but now my 5 yo eats at least 2 sandwiches, 2 oranges and a salad.. Shes a green bean to so you would never know it, last time I took her to the doctor he mentioned she was thin for her height, she is just extremely active. Its getting expensive doing sandwiches for lunch since my 3 yo and 1 yo have appetites just like their sister!

We home school but love doing picnics and hiking so portable is good but not required. Id love things I can make in advance because our days can be very busy. No allergies except to sour cream (I know strange but I have a serious allergic reaction, last time I got hives from sour cream even though I'm not allergic to anything else!) and my kids aren't really picky except they don't like things to spicy. Even my 1 and 3 yos will eat whatever sits still for to long. No one cares if its hot or cold, seriously these kids eat just about anything.

So any lunch time ideas?

[kitchensqueen]

Pasta salad. It makes a ton, is portable and depending upon what you put in it, it can be left out at room temp for a little while. Two favorites at our house - 

Picnic Pasta Salad

Winter Pasta Salad

And some that I found on Pinterest lately that we want to try - 

Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad

Pomodoro Fresco Pasta Salad

Minestrone Pasta Salad

Asian Bowtie Pasta Salad

Orzo & Vegetable Confetti Salad

[Caneel]

I agree on the pasta salad.   I make one that is simply pasta tossed with olive oil and minced garlic, diced sundried tomatos and parm cheese and I like it best a room temp.

What about sliced chicken breasts?  Easy to cook a bunch ahead of time.  I like jerk seasoning on ours, McCormick makes a blend that is flavorful but not too spicy.  I slice them cold for picnics and we eat them with our fingers.

[Caneel]

Thought of another - quinoa with whatever dried fruits and nuts you have on hand.  I am making quinoa with dried cranberries and pecans this weekend. 

[skreader]

Our standard lunch is the previous night's dinner.   Works for us & is pretty simple.

[Emaye]

Originally Posted by Caneel 

Thought of another - quinoa with whatever dried fruits and nuts you have on hand.  I am making quinoa with dried cranberries and pecans this weekend. 

Yum!!! I will try that sometime soon. This sounds great. I generally mix my quinoa into my rice mix (which is a medley of many things.) I have never really eaten it all on its own.

Originally Posted by skreader 

Our standard lunch is the previous night's dinner.   Works for us & is pretty simple.

Same here. Every time I cook dinner, I determine the quantity with lunch for next day in mind. Otherwise, it is too much to think about. It really saves time and energy to do it this way I think.