4 Kids' Lunchbox Ideas Plus At Home Weekend Lunch

School has been in session for a few weeks now, and I'm hoping we all got the hang of fixing lunches for the kids for school.  I am constantly trying to think of and find new ideas to not get them bored.  I'm sure I'm not the only Mom who has those kids that LOVE apple slices today...but hate them tomorrow.  So because of this I have to constantly change it up and have lots of options available.  In this post I will show you 4 more ideas for lunches.  Some of these will be with and some without sandwiches.    If you don't know already, my kids hate when I pack them sandwiches for lunch so I have to do it very rarely. I am giving you four meals, which can be a weeks worth of lunches if you allow them to eat lunch at school on Friday.  Usually once a week we allow our kids to eat lunch at school on Friday, or they can choose another day during the week to eat lunch at school.  This gives me not only a physical break from all the preparations, but a mental one as well. I will also include a fun lunch idea for the weekend.

I tried to switch it up a bit with their sandwiches by toasting them (in the morning), and adding lettuce and tomatoes.  Georgee loved this, but Gracee of course didn't like her bread toasted.  I added the baked cheese puffs and a buddy fruit (we no longer use the pouches due to all the horror stories of mold).  The items with the stickers on them are their classroom snacks.  Teddy Grahams with chocolate peanut butter spread for Gracee and mini pepperonis for Georgee.

Once a week I try to include my homemade lunchables.  Thankfully this whole lunch worked great for both kids which consisted of: apple slices, cheese stick, mini Canadian bacon, cucumbers, and wheat thins.  Score for Mommy!

Another once a week option is cereal for lunch.  My husband for some reason is not a fan of me sending cereal for their lunch.  What he don't know is that the kids love it!  They think it's different and cool.  I also make sure to pack them some protein.  Pictured above is Canadian bacon, but sometimes they get leftover bacon or sausage from breakfast.  I store the cereal in a container that they can easily pour their milk in with it.  I put their thermos in the freezer overnight and put the milk in it in the morning to keep the milk cold for lunch.

Here we are back to a good old fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  Gracee does not mind having pbj's, but Georgee does not like peanut butter at all.  He only likes jelly on his sandwich, which is why I added the mini Canadian bacon.  Gracee likes the ham and wanted some too.  Gracee got another homemade fruit salad, and Georgee got mandarin oranges.  Popcorn is another great addition to lunches and for snacks.  The kids feel they are getting a real treat when they have popcorn in their lunchboxes.

Trying to think of lunches to feed kids for school is hard, but let's not forget weekends.  I find it equally draining to think about.  I am usually lucky and able to give them some sort of leftovers, but sometimes that's not an option.  I go grocery shopping most of the time on Saturdays, so it's a real treat for them to be able to get sushi from the grocery store for lunch.  My kids love sushi and will try all kinds, but we like to stick to the California rolls and anything cooked.  It's very easy for them to split a roll and add in some fruits and veggies.  They can be content while you are putting the groceries away.  That is...if they like sushi!

3 Lunchbox Ideas for Kids (No Sandwiches)

If you are loving my back to school lunch posts (and I hope you are), then today is your lucky day!  I have created more easy lunchbox options for kids.  Please refer to my previous posts on how I get myself organized to make this happen in an efficient manner in the mornings.  It's all about planning and preparing.  

It's hard enough for me to try to figure out what to put in my kids' lunchboxes every morning, and it's even harder when I can't give them both the same things.  They do not like the same things.  I try to give them similar things without having to think too much that early in the morning.  Pictured above is Gracee's lunch.  Sometimes I will break down and give them good old Chef Boyardee!  I use a small thermos to keep it warm in.  Paired with this is a cheese stick (Gracee does not like meat sticks), homemade fruit salad, and a kids' Odwalla bar.

Georgee does not like Chef Boyardee and will only eat the mac & cheese one.  He does like meat sticks, but does not like fruit salad.  He gets a cutie for his fruit.  

Another alternative to sandwiches or deli meat is mini pepperoni packs.  Georgee loves these and they are easy to throw in his lunchbox.  No prepping needed.

Gracee actually really likes the spaghetti and meatballs Chef Boyardee and will often request it.  I added raw broccoli, grapes, and a squeezable Greek yogurt.  One of these sides she can choose for a classroom snack.  

Over the next few weeks I will continue to post new ideas so that you can have at list of options to add to your kids' lunchboxes.  Don't forget to add in a cute little drawing or note.  They may not show it, but they do love that!  

More Back To School Lunch Ideas for Kids (No Sandwiches)

In the hustle and bustle of back to school time, the last thing we need to worry about is what to put in our kids' lunchboxes.  I have spent a lot of time thinking about this issue and have come up with some quick, easy, affordable, and mostly healthy lunch ideas.  I hope these ideas are able to save you at least a little bit of time and stress.

This may not look very appetizing, but any type of cold pasta salad is great to add to lunch to change things up a bit.  My kids love my Mom's recipe of macaroni salad.  We just use whole wheat elbow noodles, eggs, relish, onions (add whatever diced vegetables you like), ham or turkey, shredded cheese, and light miracle whip.  You can choose whatever pasta salad your child prefers and put it in a thermos to keep it cold.  I use a thermos that I can store in the freezer at night, and put the pasta salad in it in the morning to keep it cold for lunchtime.  I like to add raw veggies and crackers with this.

I usually meal prep for my husband and I a big fruit salad every week.  My daughter is also a fan.  I like to prepare hers in a cute small mason jar with some whip cream on top.  Sometimes we add granola and Greek vanilla yogurt.  This dish is not only super healthy, but super cute and delicious too!  My son is not a big fruit eater so he isn't a fan.

Here is an example of my homemade lunchables.  I have mentioned before that I hate buying the ready made lunchables in the store.  I do give in to those when I'm having a Mommy moment and just don't feel like having to think about lunch anymore.  Those times are few and far in between because I think my lunchables taste better and are quite cute.  The kids liked that I wrapped turkey around blocks of cheese and secured them with toothpicks.  You can also do this easily with string cheese without having to cut anything.

Soup and salad is always another great option.  My kids like tomato soup.  I use the thermos to keep it warm.  In the morning I pour boiling hot water in the thermos and let it sit in there for five minutes or so.  Then I warm up the soup until it is boiling hot as well.  I pour out the water and quickly pour in the soup to keep it warm for lunch.  I add a salad and fruit.

Check out my previous blog post for how I organize myself to quickly create these lunches.  Comment below ideas you use for your kids that you have found helpful.

Back To School Lunch Ideas for Kids

Back to school is upon us.  As parents we have scrambled around to tackle the infamous million dollar school supply list, got the kids fresh new outfits and kicks, and made sure to tame their manes all so that they can make the best first day of school impression.  The last thing we want to think about is what to put in their lunchboxes. Especially if you have picky eaters like I do.  I mean what kids don't like sandwiches for lunch?  My kids, that's who!  Considering my kids will be entering 4th and 1st grades this year, I have agonized over the lunchbox issue for years.  I have racked my brains on what to feed them, and I refuse to pay for lunch daily.  After awhile and getting their feedback, I finally got this lunch thing down to a science.  Over the next few posts I will share with you different ideas for kids' lunches.  I will warn you that my options are not super clean, organic, or super healthy, but they are quick, easy, mostly healthy, and kid approved.

I like to first make a list of ideas of all the different types of foods I can put in their lunchboxes for their lunch and snack.  I make a list of possible entrees and sides.  I always put in their lunchbox one entree with two sides and an extra snack.  All the sides that I list can go either way as sides or snacks.  Making a list gives me a good idea of options to be able to change it up.

Possible Entrees:
Sandwiches
PBJ
Turkey/Ham Rollups
Wraps
Salad
Soup
Chicken Nuggets

Possible Snacks/Sides:
Raw Veggies with Ranch
Fruit
Yogurt
Fruit Snacks
Fruit Salad
Nuts

My actual list is very long because I try to list everything I can possibly think of.  I go back to the list when I get ideas off Pinterest and other blogs.  I keep this list stored in the kitchen.  Once my list is ready, I can go shopping.  I like to shop in bulk for lunch items so that I am not running out of them quickly.  Above I started with their drinks.  In addition to taking their water bottles to school, I also back a milk or juice box.  The ones shown are some of our favorites.

Cheezits, crackers, fruit snacks, etc count as sides and snacks.  I like to get an assortment of each.  Pictured above are some of my kids' favorites, but we also like the organic rope fruit snacks, and the Motts fruit snacks.

These are a few more of our favorites.  I love the small apples, oranges, and bananas for kids.  I found these at Wal-Mart.  I try to always include one or two fruits and vegetables in their lunches.

Here is a sample of putting everything all together.  They are pictured Hers and His.  As you can see, both kids do not have the exact same lunch.  I mean that would just be too simple for me if they both liked the same things right!  So of course having to make different foods is also a struggle.

For my little Georgee he is fine with a sandwich...once in a blue moon.  He prefers Cheezits and he likes bananas and yogurt raisins.  Notice the Ninja Turtle sticker?  That is for him to be able to distinguish his snack for class from his actual lunch.  Otherwise he would eat everything in his lunchbox at lunch and look at his teacher like, "Mommy didn't pack me a snack".

For my Gracee, she prefers blackberries, a pbj, and occasionally will eat the Cheezits.  Also in the picture is the Odwalla kids bars.  She really likes those as well.  Hers has a sticker on it for a snack as well.  She can usually tell which is her snack, but she likes the stickers anyway.

These are examples of my homemade lunchables.  I hate spending money on the store bought lunchables (unless I'm in a lazy Mommy bind), so I try to make my own.  Also, I have found that my kids prefer to eat lunch meat plain instead of as sandwiches.

Here is another rare day that the kids allowed me to send sandwiches.  I try to throw those in once every other week.

I hope these ideas help to get you started.  I will also note that I pack their lunches with an ice pack.  They also have small thermos that will keep the contents in it hot or cold.  I will have more posts with those later.  Stay tuned to more lunch ideas and comment below any ideas you have found helpful.

What I Ate Wednesday: Lettuce Wraps for Weight Loss

Lately my dinner BFF is lettuce wraps.  They are healthy, light, and totally adaptable to whatever you want them to be!  They can be gluten free, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, no carb, etc!  You can't get a better dinner than that!  Honestly I make them a lot because my hubby and kids are eating homemade tacos and in me trying to be good, I try to do without the nachos and tortillas!  Even though I am missing out a little, in the moment I am completely fine with it because these are so delicious.

The lettuce wraps shown above are my version of buffalo tacos from dinner one night.
Ingredients:
Romaine Lettuce
Buffalo Chicken (shredded chicken/hot sauce)
Jalapenos
Bleu Cheese Crumbles
Shredded Carrots
Blackbeans
Red Onions
Homemade Guacamole (not shown)

Just last week we had tacos again and I used all the ingredients to make my lettuce wraps.  Again they were so good and filling and I didn't feel like I was missing out.
Ingredients:
Butter Lettuce
Cherry Tomatoes
Red Onions
Green Onions
Corn
Seasoned Ground Turkey
Shredded Carrots
Salsa
Lime Wedges
Homemade Guacamole

So am I the only Mom that gets super excited when her kids are excited about eating veggies?  This past Saturday my kids went to a free cooking class for kids at Williams-Sonoma (check your local store for details).  I was very pleased that the recipe was to make lettuce wraps.  The kids enjoyed learning how to make the wraps and even requested to make them at home.  Little Georgee (six years old) even had seconds and he acts like he is allergic to vegetables!  He asked for me to make him some in his lunchbox one day!  I was definitely over joyed! Triple fists pumps to Williams-Sonoma!

All in all lettuce wraps are great for the whole family.  You can easily adapt (tacos, burgers/sliders, buffalo chicken, tofu, etc.) them to whatever you have in mind to eat.  They are great to aide in weight loss because they are no carbs!  All you are eating is protein and lots of veggies, and those are some of the keys to weight loss!  Fill up on lots of lean protein and vegetables!

Tasty Tuesday: Family Snack Basket

It's time for a Tasty Tuesday Snack Attack!!!!!!!

Is it just my house where the question of the day is always, "Can we have a snack"?  My kids seem to only function on snacks all day.  I mean 2 seconds after they have completed a meal they are asking for a snack!  Now that they are in school all day, as soon as they come home they run to get a snack...as if they haven't just had one before they left school.

Knowing that snacks will always be the topic of conversation, I try to have healthy options readily available.  Now not all of our snacks are 100% healthy, but they are better options than what they could be having.  We also keep cut up fruits and veggies in the fridge, along with greek yogurt for them to chose from.

I have found it easiest to keep all the pantry snacks in a cute basket.  Yes I needed an excuse to buy another cute basket...shhhhh don't tell my husband!  I keep the basket at their level on a lower shelf in the pantry.  It's packed with Mom approved snacks, so I don't mind what they get out of it.

Ross is of course my favorite store on earth! I mean what don't they have!  I purchased this basket from Ross for the price above.  I purchased this basket like over a year ago, so please tell me why I still have the price tag on it?  For this blog post of course!

The cool thing about this snack basket is that it's not just for the kids, there are goodies in it for Mom and Dad as well!  My husband is always reaching in there to grab things to take to work.  Sometimes the kids get mad that he has taken some of their favorites.  He and my daughter fight over the almonds!  I don't buy all of these at once but just keep replacing favorites whenever I grocery shop.

Nuts are great for protein!  Now of course the health nuts out there will say make sure they are plain and raw! Yes we have those too for Mommy in a bigger container, but we have a motto in our house that everything is fine in moderation.

These fruit snacks and raisins are a few of the house faves.  I portion out the yogurt raisins in little ziploc bags ready to be grabbed.

These are a few more faves!  All of these can easily be thrown into the kids' lunchboxes for their school lunches as well!  I'm all about organized, quick and easy.


#mommytips #snackbasket #kidssnacks #snacks #lunchboxideas #Ross

Refrigerator Oatmeal

Too busy to make breakfast? Well, that's not an excuse any more.  By now we all know that breakfast is the MOST important meal of the day!  It breaks the fast from nighttime to morning.  Breakfast is important in losing weight and speeding up your metabolism.  So now that you have the facts, skipping breakfast is not an option anymore, and I've got you covered!  

Refrigerator oatmeal is quick, easy, and healthy.  You can make up a few jars Sunday night and have breakfast on the go at your hands each morning.  

Here is what you need:
Mason Jars
Dry uncooked quick cooking oatmeal
Cinnamon
Vanilla Extract
Sweetner of choice (I like Truvia)
Protein Powder of choice
Milk of choice (I like almond milk)
Fresh or Frozen Fruit

Check out my video below from my you tube channel Fitnaturalbelle to see how to get your morning started right!

This quick breakfast is healthy, satisfying, and yummy! No you don't have to warm it up, trust me it tastes great cold. Just try it...you may like it! 

Chai Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

 

I love all things pumpkin, and this is my favorite Fall smoothie!


Chai Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

3 tbsp 100% pure raw can pumpkin
1 scoop Vanilla protein
1/2 c premade Vanilla chai tea
1/2 c almond milk
dash of cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
drop of vanilla extract
drizzle of honey
few ice cubes

Blend (I use nutribullet) and enjoy!

Weight-loss Green Smoothie

This smoothie on my you tube page got lots of views and comments.  Is it because we are just crazy about losing weight these days, or because in the video my 3 year old kept interrupting lol?  I found this recipe on Pinterest of course, and tweaked it a little to my own liking.  I just left out the yogurt that the recipe calls for.  I won't post the website due to Pinterest reporting it to be "fishy".  I have made this smoothie a few times not thinking that drinking it once in awhile will magically make me shrink a size, but because it has a lot of good nutrients in it, and it tastes good too.

If you want to use this smoothie to lose weight, then you should try using this smoothie as a meal replacement for at least 2-3 meals/snacks, and eat sensiblily.  I have never tried to use this smoothie as weight loss, so this is just my thoughts on how you would use it to lose weight.  I am by no means a doctor or nutrition expert, so I would suggest you consult a professional and figure out what works for you.  I do know that because of the great ingredients, this smoothie will be a great addition to your diet to help you get healthy.  When most people ask if this smoothie alone will help them to lose weight, I always say that if you eat ANY clean foods consistently and in moderation then you will get results.

Ingredients:
(Eyeball the ingredients to fit your blender)
2 handfuls of Organic Spinach
3-5 Strawberries
1/2 Banana
1/2 Orange
Few Apple Slices
Water
1-2 Tbspn Flax Seeds

Blend and Enjoy!

Coffee Chocolate Protein Smoothie

If you have frequented my you tube channel "fitnaturalbelle", then you know that I'm in love with the Nutribullet.  I am constantly using it for EVERYTHING!  It's been highly requested that I post my recipes, so here goes.

This recipe is one that I created after trying to break away from drinking coffee every morning.  I wouldn't say that I was addicted to coffee, but I did love my 1 cup of Joe daily.  In trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle I resorted to having more green and protein smoothies, which gave me the energy I needed every morning.  So I didn't need to drink coffee daily.  There were still mornings where I missed the taste of coffee and decided to incorporate a shot of it in my pre-workout protein smoothie.  I could gain energy before a workout, and get the best of both worlds in one Nutribullet tall cup-coffee and chocolate!

Now if you have ever seen me post recipes on you tube, instagram, or facebook, you know that I pretty much "eyeball" it.  I am not one for exact measurements.  I just go with what I feel like, so here goes.

Ingredients:
1 scoop of Vanilla or Chocolate Protein (of your choice)
1 packet of Taster's Choice Single Serve French Vanilla Coffee (or instant coffee of your choice)
1/2 of a banana
Few cubes of ice
1/2 water
1/2 Light Chocolate Soy Milk (or low fat chocolate milk)

And if you are feeling really adventurous add a few frozen cherries!

Just add all ingredients in tall Nutribullet blender cup (or blender of your choice), but don't go over the Max line, and blend and ENJOY!