Lo and behold! This is my Kindergartener's new lunch packing kit! I had been considering packing my six year-old's lunch to save money. I kept forgetting about it and I still wasn't sure if I'd actually save any money (if I crunched my numbers correctly), so it kept getting put off. One day, Talon came home from school and asked me if he could start taking his lunch to school.
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| Look what came with Talon's lunch box! |
I'm going to be honest and admit I was a little stunned. However, this is the same child who tells his father, "DON'T SMOKE DADDY! It'll give you bad lungs. You don't want bad lungs do you?" I love that my children never cease to amaze me! Also, I'm thinking my husband is making progress on quitting smoking because of his son's "encouragement."
Anyway, I finally went and bought the stuff to pack his lunch. Most things were on sale, since it's well into the school year now. I plan on testing out the thermos, but haven't had the chance yet. I started to this weekend but forgot about it and it ended up sitting most of the day with food in it. Oops!
Well, because I'll be packing Talon's lunch for most of the next 100 and something days, I'm going to challenge myself to come up with or find as many lunch ideas as possible. Let's face it, who wants to eat a bologna sandwich everyday for lunch? Also, it's challenging because he doesn't have access to a microwave or fridge. Everything has to be appropriate for his lunch "box". I was going to call this the 101 Pack-a-Lunch Items Challenge. I don't know if I'm using that anymore, but I am challenging myself. So, what's on the menu for today?
Cold Meat Sandwiches
Talon's first packed lunch contained this super awesome bologna sandwich on wheat bread, with cheese, and smiley-face-shaped ketchup. Obviously, cold meat sandwiches are the most common packed lunch item, especially when you don't have access to a microwave.
| Meats | Cheeses | Breads | Condiments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bologna | American | White | Lettuce |
| Ham | Pepperjack | Wheat | Ketchup |
| Turkey | Swiss | Rye | Mustard |
| Chicken | Mozzarella | Sourdough | Mayo |
| Roast Beef | Cheddar | Honey Oat | Pickles |
| Corned Beef | Provolone | Tomatoes | |
| Salami |
Tip: Pack your sandwiches on frozen bread, which will thaw by lunch. This way, you should never have to worry about eating a soggy sandwich!
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| If your fruit and vegetables are going to waste, preserve them by freezing them. They'll thaw by lunch! |
Another easy and obvious choice! Fresh fruit is a great snack and great for lunch time! There are lots of varieties of fruits and vegetables to choose from and you're bound to find something your child will like.
| Fruits | Veggies |
|---|---|
| Blueberries | Carrots |
| Cherries | Sliced Cucumber |
| Grapes | Celery |
| Strawberries | Broccoli |
| Bananas | Cauliflower |
| Oranges/Tangerines | Peppers (Green, Red, Yellow) |
| Cranberries | Tomatoes |
| Raspberries | |
| Black Berries | |
| Apples | |
| Watermelon | |
| Kiwi | |
| Pineapple | |
| Mango | |
| Grapefruit | |
| Pears | |
| Peaches | |
| Melon |
I have provided a list of all that I could think of, but it's in no way all inclusive! Get creative with your presentation and your child might surprise you by trying and liking a new fruit or veggie!
Juice
I'm going to try and stay away from Koolaid, pop, and other unhealthy beverages. Right now, Talon gets 100% juice from Juicy Juice for lunch. Sometimes, I'll probably send milk or water. And I'm sure he'll occasionally get a sugary treat to drink, if I'm honest. Juicy Juice, by far, offers the largest variety of 100% juice. Also, your drink is just one more thing you can freeze as an extra ice pack (or substitute, if you don't have one at all), to keep your lunch cool. It should thaw by lunch. 
For Talon's first lunch, the final touch was a baggie of pretzels to round the whole meal off.
I almost always forget to pack lunch the night before, but after I pack lunch I usually set it in the freezer until it's almost time to go. If most of your lunch is frozen (or dry goods) this should be no problem! However, if you don't want other items freezing, or you're worried about your lunch thawing in time, just store in your fridge. 
Remember, don't forget your ice packs!
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