Karlie and Brina’s lunches all packed and ready to go for school.

With the school year in full bloom we have once again started the lunch box routine.  Every evening before going to bed we put together all the lunches for the following day including school and work lunches.  After everything is all packed the lunch boxes are put into the refrigerator so in the morning all that we need to do it pull them out, stick in an ice pack, and go.   The mornings are busy enough with activity so prepping the night before saves us a lot of time.  We try to pack a protein (sandwich / meat), fruit, vegetable, diary (yogurt or cheese stick), drink, and snack in each lunch.  Everyday is a little different to add more variety to their lunches.

Fresh plums, garden tomatoes, and other goodies

Lunch Box Meal:

• Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam Sandwich
• Fresh Red Plums
• Blueberry or Mixed Berry Yogurt Tubes
• Garden Red Cherry Tomatoes
• Ritz Cheese Crackers
• Strawberry Fruit Rollup
• Honey Ham Stick
• Mini M&M’s
• Reduced Sugar Cherry or Pineapple Juice

The cupcake sandwich container and princess baggie add a little more excitement to the lunch.

While it may look like a lot of food the items packed in their lunch boxes have to get them through the majority of the day including school lunch and an afternoon snack.  We have activities after school every day of the week so whatever they don’t eat for lunch they will eat as a snack on the way to the activity for the day. Since we have started doing the school lunch boxes they have had more energy because they are eating a more balanced meal and snack plus we know exactly what they are eating.  Do you pack lunches everyday for your kids?  How do you keep it exciting for them?