I put together these fun lunch box ideas as part of a sponsored post. All recipes, images and opinions are my own.
We are in full on back to school countdown mode at my house. I can’t believe how fast Summer has flown by, and in just two short weeks Judah will be starting a brand new school! Where did the time go? Last year he got out every day at 11:30, but this year he will be hanging with the big kids and staying until 2:30 which means that he will get to carry his lunch. Yay! You know I love spending time in my kitchen, but when it comes to lunchbox packing I an NOT looking to create gourmet recipes. My goal is quick, easy and healthy, so with that in mind I set out to create a few few fun lunch ideas that I can add to our rotation that go beyond the flat Tofurky sandwich and make healthy eating FUN. Check them out and make some for yourself!
I know, when you have a whole household to get ready in the morning and every spare minute counts it is really easy to just grab whatever you have on hand and throw it in a lunch box without thinking of making it a properly balanced meal. While that method is certainly convenient, it isn’t the best choice. Kids are in school for an average of 7 hours each day, and they need to have access to lunches that are not only healthy for them, but that refuel, revive and keep them going strong through the end of the day.
You don’t have to create elaborate dishes or spend a lot of time on preparation to cover the basics – protein, fiber, calcium and a few other key nutrients can turn the average brown bag into a nutritional powerhouse. All you need is a few smart choices and a little creativity! First up is a cute bite sized twist on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Yes, sandwiches are pretty generic, but aren’t these rolls adorable?
To create these yummy pb&j rolls just grab two slices of bread, cut the crust off and then cut into 8 equal strips. Spread peanut butter and jelly on each strip and roll. The peanut butter is sticky enough that your rolls will stay in place. Pair those with some adorable apple stars, cheese cubes and a carton ofHorizon Organic milk and you have a complete lunch!
I am a big fan of natural and organic options, and one of my favorite brands for the kids is Horizon Organic. They offer a wide variety of snack and drink options from milk boxes to cinnamon crackers, and when I buy them I know that they are free from excess sugar, high fructose corn syrup and other bad stuff.
Next up is a fun hummus and veggie wrap. Hummus is packed with protein, and you can find it in virtually any flavor which makes it a great option that you can change to suit your child’s taste. Judah’s favorite is plain, so I plan on using it for his wraps this year. Besides customizing the hummus, you can also add in any veggies you want. Add a little fun by cutting them into cute shapes!
Pack your hummus wraps with some fresh strawberries, a cheese stick, some cinnamon crackers and a milk box.
Another great lunch idea is to create a miniature veggie sub. I love subs, but they don’t even come close to fitting in a lunch box. To make child sized subs, start with oval shaped dinner rolls or small hotdog buns. Spread on some garden veggie cream cheese (or any flavor you like) then top with a slice of Tofurky (yes, I said it. And it is delicious. But you can totally use lunch meat if you want). Add a cucumber and then top with red and green bell peppers.
Serve it with some (low sugar) fruit gummies, cheese cubes and a milk box.
This last one isn’t a complete lunchbox idea, but it is a great way to make your own pita chips to add to any lunch box. They are much healthier than regular potato chips, and they taste great too! To make them just grab some pitas, cut them into shapes using cookie cutters, sprinkle them with a touch of cinnamon and pop them in the oven for 10 minutes. They will come out crispy and bakes to perfection with just a hint of sweetness!
I have a whole school year of lunch boxes to fill coming up soon, but for now, I have some great options lined up that I know Judah will love. And the best part? They are all great for him!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon Organic. The opinions and text are all mine.
