What's for Today's Packed Lunch? Fall/Winter 2007

[barbszy]

Got any original ideas for filling your kids' (or your) lunchbox?

Or does your family like to stick with the tried and true?

Do you pack in brown bags? Lunch boxes? Containers? Baggies? Any storage secrets to keeping lunches fresh and tasty?

[ajrsmom]

My DS is taking a chicken and cheese tortilla roll-up. I pack it in a baggie and they will allow him to warm it up in the microwave in the lunchroom.

To go with it, an apple, a pudding cup and a sm. piece of pumpkin spice cake. Raisins for his snack. He is going through a grow spurt and eating everything in sight!!!

[Bilby]

Still another week of school holidays here but today I packed dh off with 2 ham sandwiches, a fruit bun and a meusli bar, he has a fridge with his own drinks.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I have a lunch box and yes, you guessed it, a Bobby Labonte lunch box. lol

Tomorrow, I will be having a fried balogna and cheddar on whole wheat with mayo, jalapeno Cheetos, cherry tomatoes with Ranch.

[barbszy]

Big DS and I found a compromise on the lunchbox/bag thing. I pack a brown bag with the sandwich, snacks etc. and put it INSIDE a "lunch bag shaped" insulated bag, on top of an icy pack and his drink. This way he can just grab the drink and the brown bag.

DS has a turkey sandwich, drink, applesauce, 2 kinds of granola bars and a PB crackers. I'm out of pretzels and he's not happy

The younger 2 kids are buying chicken nugget/tater tot lunch at school. They still have to bring fruit, snacks, etc. since all you get are the chicken nuggets and tater tots.

[Sammi1961]

Today dks have roast beef and cheddar sandwiches, yogurts, cheese sticks, jello fruit cups, apples, Smartfood cheddar popcorn, and blueberrynutrigrain bars with orange juice for a drink.

Dh has a roast beef and cheddar sandwich, black cherry yogurt, pringles and an apple.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

My DGD started pre-school today. I made her first lunch. This is what I packed: PB&J on whole wheat (I used the low-sugar jelly), raw baby carrots with Ranch dressing for dipping, grape/cherry juice, a banana, and some power rice bars that I got from Alton Brown's show. I thought I would share the recipe here too. I made myself some turkey and cheddar on whole wheat, Ranch dressing and grape tomatoes and snow peas, and some jalapeno cheddar Cheetos.

Brown Rice Crispy Bar

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005
Show: Good Eats
Episode: Power Trip
3 ounces puffed brown rice, approximately 6 cups
3 tablespoons flax seed oil, plus extra for the pan
1 tablespoon orange blossom honey
7 ounces mini marshmallows, approximately 4 cups
3 ounces toasted slivered almonds, approximately 3/4 cup
1 1/2 ounces coarsely chopped dried cranberries, approximately 1/3 cup
1 1/2 ounces coarsely chopped dried cherries, approximately 1/3 cup
1-ounce dried blueberries, approximately 1/3 cup

Lightly coat the inside of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch metal pan with oil and set aside. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Spread the brown puffed rice evenly on a sheet pan. Toast in the oven for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. While the rice is toasting, prepare the marshmallow mixture.

Place the oil, honey, and marshmallows in a large mixing bowl set over a pot of gently simmering water. Stir until the marshmallows are melted, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Once the marshmallows are melted, quickly add the toasted brown rice, almonds, and fruit and stir to combine. Coat your hands or a spatula with oil and spread the mixture evenly into the pan. Once the mixture has cooled completely, cut into squares and store in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days.

[Sammi1961]

Debora, those brown rice crispy bars sound awesome. I know I can find dried cranberries here and think I can also find dried cherries but don't think I can find dried blueberries. Would that make a difference in the recipe or could I add different dried fruits like apricot or something?

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Sammi, I actually only used dried blueberries, but you could use any dried fruit or even nuts that you want in this. If you want to keep it healthy, you could add carob to make them into chocolate chip bars. If you want to make it less of an energy bar, you could add M&Ms. hee hee I didn't toast the rice because of lack of space in my RV oven and they still tasted pretty good!

[Sammi1961]

Thanks, DeBora, I think I would like the dried fruit/nut version but I bet my dks would really like it if I added chocolate chips or m & m's LOL. Think I will try the dried fruit version first.