If you’ve read my column in Metroparent Magazine (Family Foodie) you’ll know I preach about taking your kids with you to the grocery store and having them pick out what they want to eat for lunch – within reason. So yesterday it was off to the grocery store to pick up food for lunches back to school this week.
After we got the grocery store and settled who got to push the cart first, the boys made a b-line for the deli counter. They wanted roast beef, turkey, ham, pastrami and salami. I reminded them that they weren’t going to be living at school for a month and they only needed enough food for three lunches this week. (They each get to take hot lunch one day a week.) We picked the ham since it was on sale and a ½ pound of salami. We had picked up smoked oysters a couple of weeks ago when they were on sale – my kids love them! They’ve convinced their friends at school to try an oyster on more than one occasion.
They picked carrots for their veggies (of course) and apples for their fruit. Somehow I was convinced to buy the Scooby Doo cheese strips – ok there was a coupon and it was on sale. Then they each picked out yogurts for breakfasts this week with granola. Frozen waffles were on sale and they mysteriously ended up in my cart.
This morning the kids were up and packing their lunches before I had even finished showering. While I occasionally do a spot check on lunches, it’s gotten to the point where I just have to ask if they have enough food and something for snack. The week after Halloween the lunch bags get inspected every day to make sure no candy has snuck in.
Having lunches packed before I got to the kitchen this morning was wonderful! Knowing that my kids will be eating their lunch is even better.
Here are a few different ideas for lunches:
Traditional
Peanut butter and Jelly on Whole Wheat
Baked potato chips
Granny Smith Apple
Sugar Snap Peas
Pizza
Tortilla Pizza Wrap (tortilla, pasta sauce, pepperoni, shredded Mozzarella, black olives, green peppers)
Peach (fresh or canned)
Green Pepper rings or carrots
Club Sandwich
Turkey, ham, roast beef and provolone on a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, cucumbers and ranch dressing
Cucumber stars (slice cucumbers then cut into star shapes)
Orange Smiles (Oranges cut into slices)
Unusual Lunch
Smoked Oysters or Frozen Cook Shrimp
String Cheese
Baked Crackers
Grapes
Cherry tomatoes or carrots
Frozen Yogurt Tube or Minimuffins for dessert
Checkout the August Family Foodie column for other lunch ideas.
