Lessons from the Lunch-Box- 5 Kid-Friendly Parent-Approved Lunches

Let’s face it: trying to get out the door in the morning can be a challenge, especially come fall which means back-to-school.  Between running around the house looking for the shoe that the dog hid, trying to herd the children into the car, and somehow managing to look presentable by the time you get out the door, often times packing a lunch, let alone a healthy one, is a challenge.  Take a new approach: pack your lunch at the same time you pack the kiddos’ either the night before or while they’re eating breakfast.  Here are 5 lunches that you can make in a snap that are healthy options for both you and your little one. It is as simple as these four steps:

1) grab both the little cartoon lunchbox and your eco-friendly re-usable lunch tote
2) assemble the lunches below and make 2: 1 for them + 1 for you

3) toss in a few extras for you – bigger people need a bit more than the little ones

4) optional: toss in a little lunch note for the critter to brighten their day…and off you go!

NOTE: we recommend using fun names – a recent Cornell University study on 186 four year olds found that when were given carrots called “x-ray vision carrots” they ate nearly twice as many as they did when they were simply called “carrots”. 

Nut Butter + Banana Jammer                                                                                                      

whole wheat bread with 2 tbsp almond/peanut butter, sugar-free jelly, and  ½ sliced banana
1/2c sugar snappers (sugar snap peas)
A little extra for you: other ½ banana, extra 1/2c peas

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“Chilled” Cheese + Cherry Tomato Squirters                                                                      

whole wheat bread toasted with light mayo or mustard and  ½ can tuna
1/2c cherry tomatoes 
1/4c choco-rocks (dark chocolate raisins)         
A little extra for you: extra 1/2c tomatoes, 2 slices reduced-fat cheese (make it a melt!)                                

Turkey-Lurkey Logs + Broccoli Trees                                                           

whole wheat tortilla with sliced turkey and reduced-fat cheese (all rolled up)
1c raw broccoli florets + non-fat ranch
 little cup of apple saucers (sugar-free applesauce)               
A little extra for you: 1c spinach in the wrap, extra 1/2c broccoli

Dippers Delight           

grilled chicken fingers, 1/2c assorted raw veggies, sliced whole wheat pita bread, and hummus or non-fat ranch dip
½ sliced apple and non-fat greek yogurt with cinnamon + splenda/stevia
A little extra for you: other ½ apple, extra 1/2c veggies

Super-Spy Sammy + X-RAY Vision Carrots                                                   

egg salad on whole wheat english muffin made with non-fat mayo/mustard/relish and spinach
reduced-fat string cheese
1/2c baby carrots
A little extra for you: apple, extra 1/2c carrots

These five healthy, quick-assembly lunches are easy enough so the children can help you make them, which is fun for them and gives you an opportunity to teach them about making nutritious food choices.  So the mornings may still be a bit crazy, but rest-assured, you and your little one will have a stress-free lunch (packed with love) come lunch time.

The New American Lunch Box- a Japanese Tradition

 Take a minute to reflect back… Remember when you were kid? Now, try to conjure up this specific childhood memory – your wonderful lunchbox! You were cool, fun, and felt confident sporting this brand new piece of gear. This box and what it was filled with often reflected who you were. It was your first independent introduction into society. After all, didn’t your very own lunchbox mean you were finally a big kid!

Boys often carried western or space themed lunchboxes, girls went with Barbie, and younger children with a wide variety of Disney characters. All I remember is that I was stuck carrying the plaid design and the girl across the street, Cheryl Shelmadine, had a Lassie the Wonder Dog lunch box. I didn’t. What were my parents thinking? Regardless of the style, lunchboxes have represented, as well as reflected, a major part of American cultural history.

Luckily for our children, we live in a dynamic area. We can gain access to the wonderful traditions of so many cultures. Once incorporated with our fresh local foods, and given a twist on presentation… POOF! The new American lunch box – the bento box.

 Bento boxes surfaced in Japan about 900 years ago with the creation of hoshi-ii. Hoshi-ii means “dried meal” – it is rice that has been cooked and then dried. Bento boxes were once simple containers housing individually packaged portions of rice, meat or fish, and pickled or cooked vegetables. Through the ages, they have progressed from oak or bamboo leaf wrapped portions into lacquered wooden boxes, shiny aluminum, and modern day plastics.

There are contests held where people compete to win prizes and prestige for designing the most elaborate bento boxes. This type of artistic bento is called a kyaraben. They aesthetically arrange the foods to resemble people, flowers, plants, or animals. Some are so beautiful they look too good to eat… well almost!

Of course, bento boxes are still available today in many locations throughout Japan, but now bento boxes are taking America by storm! Traditional Japanese bento boxes are quickly becoming the must have lunchbox for otherwise brown paper baggers. A visit to today’s school cafeterias might have some parents thinking they’ve stepped into a new culture when they see these trendy new lunch containers. It’s not all about appearances though – bento boxes are fun to fill, pleasing to the palette, prevent foods from getting smashed, and make packing a lunch both cost and time effective.

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Lunch boxes today are still the ultimate in personal style and expression. Even not carrying one is often for the sake of fashion. Whatever your taste, lunchboxes continue to be a reflection of American culture. The bento box is simply a plastic container housing other various shaped containers for your foods stuffs. Sometimes they are stacked, square round, flat, or whatever your desire. There are designer bento boxes are available featuring popular cartoon characters and fun designs – hopefully not plaid. You can even accessorize your bento with fun flatware to match, and miniature bottles no larger than your thumb for salad dressings, soy sauces or other flavorings of your choice.

I recently purchased a “laptop bento” for my daughter, Danielle. It came in a thermal cooled case that resembles a notebook computer – and of course, it was almost the same price. It is a typical bento for a “Middle Schooler” – not too flashy. Once opened, the case reveals spaces for all different kinds of goodies. Each space has its own lid and they fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. She absolutely loves it!

Packing A Bento

No matter how old my kids get, they still love helping to pack their lunches with fun foods. When we go hunting for bento box fun we frequent the Japanese dollar store in downtown in San Mateo. They have a great variety of kid friendly lunch packing items. One of my favorites are the food molds. With absolutely no major artistic kitchen skills you can shape foods into simple animals, cars, trucks, trains, plants, or people shapes. Try them out with brown rice and veggies for an Asian flair, tuna or chicken salad, eggs, or even make must-have-meatballs with them!

Just like the use of the Japanese containers – use fusion when packing them. California nouvelle cuisine is a blend of cultures, using fresh local ingredients and new fun presentation style on any classic meal. These tiny treasure chests are great for serving up leftovers in a fresh new way that will have your children eager to see last night’s meal again. Remember to be creative and artistic when packing a bento and to involve your child. Use cookie cutters to make uniquely shaped “tea sandwiches”, layer foods for presentation, and include little containers of their favorite dips. The better it looks and the more input they have the more likely they are to eat it!

Use these fun lunch packs and fuse some of your own cultural sensations inside. Here are some ideas to get you going. Incorporating a variety of foods your child enjoys will make them much less likely to succumb when they hear “I’ll trade you!” in the cafeteria.

Mac ‘n Cheese – Left over macaroni and cheese, fresh sliced tomatoes, steamed veggies, and fresh finger fruits (grapes, berries, cherries, cubed melons, sliced kiwi, etc.). They’ll be sure to devour this child friendly favorite. All housed in the separate containers or pressed into fun shapes.

Snack Attack – Diced fresh finger fruits and veggies, sliced cheeses, cubed turkey breast or ham, and multi-grain crackers make for a delightful blend of flavors and nutrition. Don’t forget to add crackers and your favorite vinaigrette in a small fun sized bento squeeze bottle.

Dinner for lunch- –Your favorite shaped meatballs, brown rice, sliced fresh veggies, and low-fat yogurt to dip. This bento is also great with leftover spaghetti!

Pot Roast Personified – Diced left over pot roast, roasted root veggies, fresh finger fruits, and a garden salad. Served cold, with a piece of buttered whole grained pita bread.

Super Salads – Molded tuna, chicken, or seafood salad, whole grain crackers, fresh fruits and veggies, and cute baby cheese. Don’t forget to add sliced red bell peppers. They are really sweet to eat – especially with cream cheese to dip them in.

Now, with some bento experience under my belt I can honestly say that not only do kids love these crafty containers – but I do too. They are also great for picnics, travel lunches, or any time you’ll be away from home. They just make sense! One more important thing… bento boxes do require some washing after the box arrives home. This is another great opportunity though to get the kids involved and teach some early childhood responsibility as they help wash up their lunch box and get it ready for the next day.

Looking for some more creative lunch suggestions or ways to fuel your child’s passion for cooking? Check out the fun filled classes and summer camps at Kids Culinary Adventures. We’ll even teach them about the importance of clean up! Chef Gigi is founder and owner of Kids Culinary Adventures. A professional cooking school for children and teens in the San Francisco bay Area. Check them out on line at

www.kidsculinaryadventures.com

Breakfast To Lunch Catering

The day starts with breakfast catering; then it moves to lunch catering. Contrary to popular belief, any occasion can be catered, from family get togethers and lunch at the office, to parties and big fundraisers.

Talk with the majority of folks and they will say that a caterer is only for people and companies with big bucks. Now this image has some truth to it. Years ago catering companies solely serviced large events or small high-end dinner parties. Ordering a restaurant quality meal through a lunch caterer would have been extraordinary. Today, it’s the norm.

If you have never catered before, why do it? In one word: convenience. Imagine all the work involved in getting a simple lunch to your office or a party prepared. Call a catering company and it’s all done for you. So, in reality, you’re trading your freedom of more time to do whatever you want – work over-time to get a project finished; have a working breakfast; shop for a beautiful dress for the party; get your hair done; all in exchange for paying a catering service to create a outstanding event or meal for you.

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Breakfast in bed?

Almost. Breakfast catering is the newest fad. And it looks like it’s here to stay.

For those of you have are early birds to the office, catering is magnet to get employees to morning meetings. Food just does that. People gravitate to food and conversation begins over the first sip of coffee.

Take advantage of breakfast catering because it’s the cheapest of types of catering; and because it makes your colleagues feel like you’re looking out for them. As a leader in your organization, you know how important this image is.

Lunch, the all important meal.

I already mentioned having lunch catering during meetings; but what about a surprise appreciation lunch. I have to admit that I personally never thought about this until companies started calling and ordering catered lunches for clients. This went over well with a huge benefit for both sides. Everybody likes being appreciated and saying thank you with a catered lunch sends a wonderful message to the receiver.

Here’s what you do:

To get the most from catering such a luncheon or breakfast, order it buffet style. Costs decrease when wait staff and the cleaning crew disappears from the menu. Having a catering company set up a buffet with a variety of food so that everybody can pick and choose what they want – and serve them self is a major cost saver.

Even if you want wait staff, you will be able to cut back to one or two people, saving you a lot of money. One waiter could be keeping the breakfast or lunch buffet looking delicious and the other person could be clearing the tables and attending to guests. I can’t stress enough how well this system works in getting the best catering service.

Packing A Homemade Lunch Or Buying A School Lunch?

Packing a homemade lunch or buying a school lunch? Which way is better for your childs health? Buying a school lunch empowers your child and allows them to buy the lunch they want. Which builds character and inexpedience but will they make the right choices?

The school cafeteria systems have improved over the years and provide a relatively healthy menu for the kids. However many of the foods still exceed recommendations for fat and there are many bad choices to be made. Think about all the vending machines and the delicious items on the a la carte menu. Have you taught your children the healthy things to buy?

One of the problems of our modern day world is parents don’t spend enough time with their kids. Run here run there do this do that, there’s never time to sit down with the kids. The best time is meal time, every one sits down at the table and talks about their day. Another good time is to include your child in making their lunch.

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This is a great opportunity to have a one on one with each child or make it a group thing with all your kids. By including them they get to help build their lunch and learn the healthy choices to make. This is a great system to start in elementary school and teach them an eye for healthy choices. As they get older have them bring the school menu home and go over it with them. Let them pick the lunch they would like and guide them if they make poor choices.

So you say… what should you pack in a school lunch?

Be creative- You don’t want to pack the same lunch every day or the kids will resort to “Trade and Toss”, that will break down the system fast. Use a different bread every so often. Whole grain one day, French the next, raisin, oatmeal, cinnamon. Make it fun, the kids will look forward to the time they spend with you.

Add some green- some lettuce, cucumber, or spinach leafs are healthy and adds crunch to the lunch. Celery , thinly sliced apples or shredded carrots will make it interesting too!

Hot foods- What about those cold winter days ? Hearty soups, baked beans, leftovers from dinner can be packed into a thermos and make the chill go away.

Balance is the goal- You’ll want to include as many of the food groups as you can. Many kids consume up to half of their daily calories at school. If you can fit some fruit, vegetables, grains, meat/nuts and dairy into their lunch pail your doing  good!

Remember, times are getting tough and programs are being cut! If you not sure what is being cut in your schools system, the question of “Packing a Home Lunch or Buying a School Lunch?” becomes a big question when it comes to your child’s health.

Dublin Lunch: What is it about the Carvery?

Based on our research there are essentially 5 broad categories of dining experience for lunch in Dublin city centre:

Sandwich/Take-out
Pub grub & Carvery
Casual Sit-in Dining
Something a bit more fancy
Delivery

For a Dublin worker top two are the most popular with the next two generally visited on a Friday or special work occasion. Understandably so, given that generally more time and/or a bigger spend is required, even taking the restaurant offers we have available into account.

But the carvery is a curious favourite.  If you were to explain the general set-up and process of it to someone they would most likely have visions of their old college canteen, queuing up to form a cog in the supply chain. But the experience (for most) is not like that at all.

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You’re in you’re local pub with your mates and although there is not the buzz, hussle and bustle of a busy Friday or Saturday night there is still a relaxed, casual atmosphere that would be hard to find in your office canteen. You have the mix of characters you just wouldn’t find in the office and although you may not interact with them it all adds to the dining experience.

The carvery meal itself has also progressed well. Most carveries are of a high standard, maintaining the quality that people had come to expect during the boom years, whilst also remaining not to hard on the wallet. We at mylunch.ie have developed a strong relationship with so many pubs serving lunch in Dublin and beyond, many of whom now display their daily-updated carvery lunch specials and lunch deals on mylunch.ie, allowing you know what’s on before you leave the office. They vary their offerings because they know that’s what people want so if you check their lunch specials on their mylunch.ie page it is unlikely you will see the same items listed any 2 days in a row.

Most pubs do now serve lunch and with so many pubs stuggling these days, if you are put off by the price of a pint the least you can do is support your pub by going in for some lunch grub. A good feed guaranteed.  Some even have great lunch vouchers on mylunch.ie if you’re not already convinced that the pub is one of the great lunch options.



Lunch Boxes: Tips on giving them as gifts

Not everyone likes receiving practical gifts for birthdays, Christmas or even as thank yous. For those who do, there are plenty of practical gifts that you can give. Lunch boxes and lunch bags are one such gift, but how do you go about giving them?

Size
Does the person you’re buying it for like to take work to lunch or do they like going on picnics? If they’re going to be using it for lunch, it’ll be best to choose a lunch box that isn’t too big, but if it’s going to be used more for picnics then lunch boxes of a larger size are better.

Design
Some people really like taking home cooked food with them to eat and there are boxes or box sets that are more suited to this than others. Box sets are particularly handy for people who tend to bring in home cooked food to work or to a picnic. Whereas ones that will comfortably fit in some sandwiches, but don’t need to be tightly sealed are better for those who don’t carry last night’s pasta with them.

Style
Like with any present, you need to make sure that you pay heed to the likes and dislikes of the individual you’re buying it for. Unless you don’t plan on them ever using their gift. There are plenty of lunch box and bags designs out there, you just need to find a style out their to suit who you’re buying it for. Whether they’re a child or an adult, there will be a box for them.

Bag or Box
A lunch box or a lunch bag? Ah, how about both. You see, unless the lunch that is going to be in the box is going to be kept in a fridge before it’s eaten, it’ll need to be kept cool elsewhere. So, by giving a bag with the box you’ll be giving that friend or family member the means to keep their lunch fresh.

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Lunch boxes – a revolutionary packing resource

Going on a picnic? Why not prepare a hot meal and have it packed in a multi tiered lunch box made of stainless steel. These are long lasting lunch boxes which are insulated to keep the food warm and ready to serve at the time it is needed. Pack a cold salad and a cold dessert in another insulated lunch box. These lunch boxes guarantee freshness at any time the food is needed to be consumed. They come in attractive designs and are made of materials of varying durability. Lunch boxes are also available in different sizes.

A search of the internet will show the vast range of lunch boxes that are available on the market. Some of these boxes are divided while others are in removable tiers. The majority of the lunch boxes are insulated with materials that are long lasting in keeping food warm or cold for a long measure of time. Some are vacuum insulated as well. There are famous brands such as the age old Thermos for instance known for its reliability in vacuum packed containers. Hot or cold beverages, puddings, lunches, dinners, fruit can all be conveniently packed in these vacuum packed containers.

Children will love to carry their meals in a strawberry shaped lunch box. There are even lunch boxes in the shape of a round hamburger. These are made of plastic and come with forks and spoons. All these lunch boxes are insulated to keep food fresh and warm to have when they need it. Maybe part of it is a cold meal, while the main meal is meant to be eaten warm. A hot or cold drink will also be needed. All this can be packed in a colourful pack of lunch boxes which fits neatly into its own matching patterned insulated bag.

Most lunch boxes are manufactured in microwavable plastics. These are the inner containers which can be detached conveniently for heating and washing up. Very often the cutlery too is included in these packs. Meals can be prepared before hand and stored in the fridge in the inner containers until it is required. In this manner time is saved, and by microwaving these containers they can be packed into the insulated container to be taken away and enjoyed whether it is on a picnic, a long trip, school or at work. Isn’t this a very convenient way to pack a meal and a warm or cold drink?

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No Small Potatoes- How to Reduce Food & Packaging Waste From School Lunches

In spite of many thoughtful and forward-thinking updates in schools, school design, and classroom curriculum, grade school cafeterias haven’t changed significantly in the past 50 years. School kids are still either buying their lunch, which they receive on a tray (“hot lunch”); or they bring lunch from home (“cold lunch”). School lunches often include a self-serve salad bar with a nice variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain rolls; a healthy improvement over years past. However, an enormous amount of good food goes to waste: whole sandwiches, uneaten fruit, unopened cups of yogurt and applesauce, and untouched bags of chips have all been found in waste audits performed at local schools.

Unfortunately, these schools were not unique.  A comprehensive study from Great Britain recently revealed that one third of all food purchased is thrown away, of which 61% could have been eaten. Other studies have found that in the U.S., an estimated 40% to 50% of all food ready for harvest never gets eaten. The average family of four throws away nearly 0 a year in edible meats, vegetables, fruit, and grain products.

Returning to the grade school waste audit, it was revealed that 17% of the trash generated at the school was food waste and 24% was food-packaging waste.  Other schools have found that up to one third of their trash stream is comprised of food waste. Considering that the schools have to pay both for the wasted food AND the waste management, addressing how food comes to the schools and what happens to it is worth a closer look.

So what can be done to stem the tide of good food gone landfill?

Start at the beginning: reduce what is provided for lunch. While free-choice salad bar offerings are an excellent idea, kids often take more than they can eat in one sitting. Signs and classroom guidance can help everyone remember to “take what you want, but eat what you take.” Cold lunch diners can also usually bring less food and still be satisfied – read on for more details.

Pass it on: have a “no thanks” table. Anything brought from home that is unopened, such as yogurt cups, bags of chips, granola bars, applesauce cups and the like can be dropped off at a “no thanks” table where other kids can find something they like. Although there are some issues such as allergy concerns and the stigma associated with “the used food table”, they are not insurmountable. Food left over at the end of each day would be welcomed at a shelter or food bank.

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Tackle the tabletop culture: use reusable containers. It has been observed that when a sack lunch is packed in baggies and disposables, any leftover food – like a whole sandwich – is seen as disposable, just like the containers it came in. The same holds true for prepackaged foods, like chips, crackers or cookies in single-serve bags. However, when lunch is packed in reusable containers, uneaten food is returned to the container and put back in the lunch box. This has several immediate and valuable benefits: first, based on the quantities that come home after school, portions can be adjusted accordingly. Second, if there is any leftover food, it usually becomes a ready-made after-school snack (assuming the lunch box has an ice pack to keep everything fresh till mid-afternoon).

It was recently revealed that milk cartons, contrary to common wisdom and due in part to the current economic downturn, usually do not get recycled when they are pulled out of the waste stream but are instead thrown out with the rest of the trash. Furthermore, kids rarely drink the full eight ounces of milk they provide, resulting in additional waste. Schools should consider investing in washable cups and a milk dispenser, both to eliminate the single-use cartons and to reduce the wasted milk. This also has its own issues, one of which is the time necessary to wash the cups after use. Again, this isn’t insurmountable, but may only be a shift in behavior away from stocking the refrigerated milk case to handling the wash. Students themselves can fill the dishwasher trays as well.

Address the school culture: have recess before lunch. Many schools report that cafeteria time is frequently cut short because kids are in a rush to go to recess. The result is that many kids never eat at all, and spend the afternoon hungry and unable to concentrate. Several school districts throughout the U.S. have implemented a reverse strategy: kids go directly to recess for their mid-day break, after which they return to the cafeteria for lunch, where they stay until it’s time to return to the classroom. Reports from Montana schools indicate that “recess before lunch” programs improved student behavior on the playground, in the cafeteria, and in the classroom and resulted in less wasted food. One middle school reported a 50% drop in “plate waste” (food thrown away), and a decrease of 60% in disciplinary actions related to the lunchroom over a three year period. The teachers also reported better concentration and more effective time management with the recess before lunch program.

Finish at the end: offer composting. Some food waste is just that – inedible parts, like banana peels, eggshells and coffee grounds. Many schools have introduced compost bins to help manage these leftover bits, often in association with school garden projects.

As with any change, the usual guidance applies: find advocates among the school staff and parents; research where similar strategies have been attempted and consider whether the results would apply at your own school; consider how every step in a new program might impact classroom time, staff time, and staff resources; and communicate, communicate, communicate to students, parents, teachers, and staff.

Schools are embracing, and teaching, a refreshing environmental message, but they could drive that message home if they applied it to the simplest of everyday activities such as eating lunch. By reducing food and food packaging waste, families and schools alike save money both by reducing the loss of good food to landfills and by avoiding having to pay for its disposal. In today’s budget-conscious home and school economic conditions, that’s no small potatoes.

Since 2001 all Indian primary schools have provided pupils with a free midday meal. Seven years on truancy rates have been slashed, and child health is soaring. Western governments are taking note. “Compared to ours, today’s generation is better off,” explains a cook at one school we visited. Vijay Bhaskar agrees, he is the food administrator in Karnataka, and reveals, “the number of children out of school has reduced from 1 million to 70000.” The scheme has also seen off the junk food industry, as Bhaskar comments, “any person who has seen children eating a hot meal knows that no cookie can substitute.” April 2008 Produced by SBS Dateline Distributed by Journeyman Pictures
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BBQ All You Can Eat Lunch Offers Variety On A Budget

Many times when you head out for a lunch it’s hard to decide just what type of food you’re in the mood for. Not to mention the fact that you can start to feel a little guilty about spending money for a lunch out. For a deal that’s easy on your wallet and mouthwatering good, consider a restaurant with a BBQ all you can eat special.

All You Can Eat

If you are really hungry, a restaurant with a lunch buffet or an all you can eat option gives you the best bang for your buck. No matter how ravenous your appetite, you can leave feeling fully satisfied for a bargain price. Barbecue restaurants make great places to grab a bite for lunch, and many of these BBQ all you can eat restaurants offer buffet style dining. At this type of restaurant, the buffet typically includes several meat main dish options like ribs or pulled pork, side dishes galore, choices of bread and even desserts too.

If you don’t wish to eat from the BBQ all you can eat buffet, you can order from a menu of barbecue lunch specials instead. These lunch specials are priced very affordably and feature options such as ¼ chicken or a pulled pork sandwich. You typically get your choice of a couple of side dishes or “sidekicks” to round out your meal. Sides such as coleslaw, baked beans or homemade cornbread make great accompaniments to barbecue. Yum!

Guilt-Free Budgeting

When you go out for lunch, you don’t have to break the bank. All you need to do is be sure to look for restaurants that offer great deals like barbecue lunch specials. Many BBQ all you can eat deals are incredibly priced and cost less than it would to buy your lunch ingredients from the grocery store and prepare you own meal. When you take advantage of barbecue lunch specials, you get the added bonus of getting a hot lunch served fresh.

A Special Treat

Even if you don’t eat lunch out that often, there comes a time that you will find yourself wanting to head out for a lunch at a restaurant for a special occasion. If you work in an office, there is a good likelihood you might want to occasionally gather with co-workers or friends and get out of the office for a little mid-day relaxation. Choosing a restaurant with an all you can eat deal is a great way to do this because there is something for everyone at a very affordable price.

Next time you’re trying to decide where to go for lunch, consider heading to a restaurant that features barbecue lunch specials. Great food at affordable prices makes lunchtime fun!

Must Have Essentials For Packing Lunches

These days we are all looking for ways to save money, one of the ways you can save money is by taking your own lunches to work or by ‘packing” your children’s lunches for school.

When it comes to taking lunches on the go, there are some essentials that you will need.

1. A good insulated lunch bag. I do not recommend metal children’s lunch boxes because they don’t do anything to keep your food warm or cold plus they dent and rust over time.

I recommend that you purchase a soft-bag or better known as a insulated lunch bag. These types of bags are light weight, feature a carrying strap and are insulated to keep your hot foods warm or your cold foods cool.

2. If you like to pack sandwiches, you will need a square plastic sandwich keeper to protect your sandwich from getting smashed. There are a variety of manufacturing companies that make them.

I don’t recommend using plastic zipper close bags as they do nothing to protect your sandwich and they are harmful to our environment, not to mention expensive.

3. Plastic microwave-safe container with an air tight and liquid tight seal. You can use these types of containers to carry left-overs from the night before in your lunches.

I don’t recommend using cheap empty containers from margarine, yogurts, and other plastic food containers. Just because a container is made from plastic, doesn’t mean its microwave safe.

4. Small plastic snack container with seal. These type of containers are perfect for carrying yogurt, fruit cocktail, canned fruits, pudding, jello and other small amounts of desserts and snacks and fit nicely into a lunch bag.

5. A medium-sized round microwave safe container. If you like to take soups, stews, spaghetti, chili and other foods that contain a liquid sauce or broth, I recommend buying a round microwave safe container to fit into your lunch bag. You will want to make sure that this container has a liquid tight and air tight seal.

6. Reuseable Plastic Utensils. You will need a few spoons, forks and a knife. I recommend buying the sets that come with plastic carrying cases that way they will be held together within your lunch bag. Using reusable utensils instead of the one-time use utensils is better for our environment.

7. Cloth Napkins or Paper Napkins. I always recommend that you pack 2 with every lunch.

8. Insulated Drinking Tumbler Cup or a Insulated Plastic Sports Bottle. There are various companies on the market that make some really nice lunch tumblers and sports bottles. You will want to buy one that holds around 12 ounces as you want it to be able to fit nicely in your lunch bag.

9. Condiment Container. These types of containers are often over-looked when it comes to shopping for lunch on the go products. When buying a small or mini container to use for your condiments, I recommend one that is no larger than 4 ounces in size. You will want to make sure that its reusable and has a liquid tight seal so that you don’t have to worry about any spills.

10. Ice Packs. I also recommend that you buy 2-3 ice packs if you are going to be carrying food that is meant to be kept cold.

*ice pack tip* I like to take zipper close pint size bags and place my ice pack inside the bag and zipper it shut. As the ice pack thaws through out the day, all the condensation from the ice pack will be kept inside the bag and not all over your lunch containers.

If you keep these 10 things on hand, you will always be ready to take lunch on the go with you. If you are getting ready to do some school shopping for the children, then I recommend you print out this article and take it with you on your school shopping trip.

Having the proper lunch bag essentials will ensure that you enjoy your next freshly packed lunch.

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