How do you feel about packing lunches? Do you live for the ideating it takes to plan ahead or peer into your refrigerator and make a game time decision? Do your kids prefer variety or gravitate towards the same things every day? My requirements school lunches? They can't be super fancy or time consuming because there's nothing more disappointing than spending an hour making a scratch veggie lasagna that nobody wants to eat. (Speaking from personal experience here!) Also, they have to be things Parker would actually eat, not tuna stuffed tomatoes or smoked salmon. We aimed for balanced lunches, too-- they all provide a good source of protein, even though three are vegetarian, and all of them include fruits or vegetables or both. Calling all mamas– what are your go-to lunch ideas? I'd love to hear!
PS. For those asking, these are the bento boxes we have used for years and love!
Monday:
- Sweet Potato and Cheese Quesadilla
- Wild Rice
- Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks
- Black Beans
Tuesday:
- Whole Wheat Bagel Pizzas with halved Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
- Sliced Cucumbers
- Annie’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites
- Mixed Berries
Wednesday:
- Scrambled Eggs
- Annie’s Organic Berry Bunnies Cereal
- Turkey Sausage
- Peeled Clementines
Thursday:
- Annie’s Bunny Pasta with Yummy Cheese and Green Peas
- Blueberries
- Grilled Chicken
- Carrot Sticks
Friday:
- Celery Sticks and Apple Slices
- Almond Butter
- Cheddar Cheese Cubes
- Annie’s Chewy Granola Bars
Photography by Aaron Pinkston
Bento Boxes available here
Jennifer says
I love Annie's!
JenniferEffortlessly Sophisticated
Jen Pinkston says
We do, too! xx
Jennifer says
Does your daughter eat things like the quesadilla and pasta cold or does her school warm them up? I've been trying to figure out what to send with my son but his school won't microwave so been stuck trying to figure out good options and containers.
Jen Pinkston says
That's a really good question. They don't heat them up, either, but she normally doesn't mind eating things cold. Since this will be our first foray into school lunches it will be really interesting to see what and how much she eats while she is there.
Jonel says
I don't have anyone to pack a lunch for but those could be modified for me! 🙂 Where are the containers from? Adorable post.
Jen Pinkston says
You totally could! Just updated the post with a link at the bottom for the bento boxes-- a lot of people have been asking on Instagram, too! Xo
Kay schoening says
Such great ideas!
Kay schoening says
Such great ideas! Such cute girls!
Jen Pinkston says
I think so, too 🙂