Family | Getting back into the lunch groove

 

Z started the new school year today.  For me, it means the beginning of a year of packing lunches.  I have a confession ... I don't enjoy packing lunches.  In fact, I dread the whole process.  Last year, it got so bad that Z ended up with more hot lunch days than not.  Thankfully, Revolution Foods is our school's hot lunch provider so she was at least getting a fairly healthy, well-balanced lunch (or that is what I tell myself).

Today is the first day so it's a new beginning.  This year, I'm going to approach the task of lunch prepping the way I tackle work projects ... strategize, plan, and execute.

Like any projects, there are always some parameters -- I can't do sandwiches since Z will have nothing to do with sandwiches or anything resembling a sandwich.  No leftovers either for the same reason.  And all lunch options must be edible at room temperature since they don't have the option to heat up their food.

In order for me to have a variety of healthy lunch options lined up, it's going to take a bit of planning so here is my game plan:

• Stock up on smaller, reusable containers, thermos, and snack bags.  Of course, they need to be all BPA and phthalate free options.  SUMO anyone?
• Plan out weekly lunch menus.  I do this for dinners so why not for lunch as well?  I will start with about 5 - 8 items in the rotation that I know Z will eat and then edit as the year progresses.
• Stock up on weekly lunch items when I do my weekly shopping based on my menu planning so I'll always have what I need.
• Pre-cut fruits and vegetables at the beginning of the week and store in ready to go containers to be tossed into lunch bags in the morning.
• Pre-pack crackers and dry snacks in to-go containers so they can be tossed into lunch bags at the last minute.

I'm hoping with some prep work, I can avoid the "what to pack" panic attacks I had last year and have healthier, relatively "tasty" lunch options that Z will actually eat.

We'll see how well I do ... I'm always open to suggestions so I would love to hear from other moms on how they survive packing lunches for the grade school crowd.