The Dreaded Lunchbox.

Most mornings I wake up a happy camper, jumping with energy out of my bed, and excited to make the kids lunches! Bahaha! Ya, if only that were true...

Most of the time my eyes pop open and I'm thinking "what am I going to make those kids for lunch?"  I walk down stairs like a zombie searching for my coffee. My husband makes me a wonderful cup of coffee every morning that is normally ready before I get to the kitchen. He's a wonderful man. I think he has ulterior motives. (Maybe that's for another post.) Once I get a couple sips in my blood, my brain starts kicking in. I'm always hopeful that when I open the fridge I'll figure it out. That works about 80% of the time.

The ultimate goal for the kids lunchbox would be to include lots of veggies, lots of protein with some healthy fat and fruit. At my house that doesn't always work, but it's close. Here are some typical lunches I send to school with my kids, or feed the monster who stays at home with me.

Lunches:

Lettuce wraps- I use Artisan Romaine lettuce. This romaine is shorter than some others. Then I'll add whatever veggies and fruits I have available to their lunch with a dipping sauce. I typically have carrot sticks, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, sliced apples, pears, bananas.

Chicken salad (left over grilled chicken thighs w/ homemade mayo, halved green grapes and seasonings of choice)
Tuna salad (mayo, mustard, hard boiled eggs, celery, seasonings of choice)
Egg salad (mayo, mustard, and smoked paprika)
MaraNatha Roasted Almond Butter (no added sugar) and St. Dalfour fruit spread.

Leftovers- I will always send my husband and kids with any dinner leftovers for lunch and add as many fresh fruits or veggies. Anytime I make meatloaf I make an extra meatloaf just for lunches. I do the same thing when I make Bean less Chili from Sarah Frogosos Everyday Paleo Book. Hamburgers are another good thing to make extras then cut them into strips for either dipping, or for a lettuce wrap.

Zucchini Wraps- I thinly slice long strips of zucchini then put tuna salad and carrot slices inside and wrap it up. It will look like a sushi roll when finished. I found this idea in Sarah Frogoso's cook book. My kids thought this was fun.

This is the lunch I packed for my son this morning. In one of the red containers is homemade mayo, in the other is sprouts brand apple sauce. He has left over grilled chicken from last nights dinner cut into strips for easy dipping with apple slices, carrot and celery sticks. I've also packed him a stretch island fruit strip. I buy those in singles from sprouts or bulk from Costco. They are like fruit roll ups.