Lunch Box Tip# 1: Fresh Fruit, Veggies and Dips

I know how hectic life can get and making school lunches can sometimes complicate our daily obligations further. Last school year, I fell off the wagon big time by allowing the boys to eat their lunches at school to save time on preparation.  This idea busted our wallets (3 kids eating school lunch every day-yikes!) and they often complained about the quality of school food.

Over the summer, I decided that a system needed to be in place to ensure healthy, fast lunches without the hassle. 

Lunch Box Tip #1

Keep plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables on hand - Fresh fruit and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, are easy to store, don’t require refrigeration, and will keep your child full longer than empty calories from junk food.

The fruit and vegetable options are endless, and with many children loving to dip their food, finding healthy dips is also essential to spark their interest.

Almond butter and pears are a sweet alternative to cookies and snack cakes.

The Justin's brand pictured here is made from roasted almonds, maple sugar, fruit oil, and sea salt.

16 oz of almond butter will run about $7 but I only have to purchase it every other month because we don't eat it every day.  You store it in the pantry like peanut butter and it's also great on toast and crackers.

Other great dips for any fruit: peanut butter, coconut milk yogurt and chocolate fruit dip

Hummus with Carrots & Flat bread

Make your own hummus in about 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 can of garbanzo beans

1 small clove of garlic

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 tbsp tahini (found in the natural or international aisle at most grocery stores)

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

Directions:

Drain half of the water from the beans and put the rest in a food processor or blender with beans and remaining ingredients.  Blend well.

Serve with fresh vegetables or flat bread.

Other dipping options with any vegetable: peanut butter, salad dressing, and eggplant dip.

Next week’s lunch box tip #2: Save money and give your child better health with stainless steel water bottles.

Do you have an idea you would like me to feature on this lunch box series? Leave a comment below or talk to me @brownvegan on Twitter.

Lunch Box Happenings & NEW Series on 5-Minute School Lunches

Since last school year, I’ve wanted to purchase Laptop Lunch Boxes to send healthy lunches for the boys. While at the grocery store the other day, I stood in the aisle for nearly fifteen minutes debating whether or not I should spend $35 a pop for lunch bags. 

I mulled over the benefits:

*No more Ziploc bags - at nearly $4 per box, I would save money in the long run

*The environmental aspect of waste-free lunches

*How convenient it would be for vegan food-on most days they wouldn’t even need an ice pack

 

I purchased it

When I got the boxes home and cleaned them out, I was disappointed at the poor construction of the big blue box that holds the bento style containers in place.  I knew it wouldn’t last for the school year, let alone a few school years.  

The actually food containers and carrying bag were of good quality, but the flimsy blue container and the fact that it was hard to open and close, made me consider another option.

I also want to mention that Alvin (my middle chipmunk) loved the lunch box and wanted to keep it.  I think he was sold on how appetizing his food looked in it.

I returned the lunch boxes and decided to just get the Laptop bento style containers (no bag, blue box, silverware or nutrition guide included) for $13 and $5 basic lunch bags. Success! I saved money (always important for me), my kids will still have a waste free lunch, and their lunches will still be healthy.

I know how difficult it can be to think of healthy lunch ideas when you have a lot of other pressing factors in your life.  Starting next week, I will post a series on 5-minute lunch box ideas and tips on how to start motivated throughout the school year.  I hope you join me in the Comments section with your own tips.  Let’s save school lunch one day at a time!

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