A better lunchbox – healthy, sustainable and fun
Who knew packing a preschooler’s lunch would involve so much thought and leg work?
My little 2.5 year old started preschool this week (wow, that was fast) which also means packed lunches. As soon as we sent in the deposit, I started researching safe, functional and fun lunch gear. I tend to be a planner and hate waiting till the last minute. In addition, I started thinking about what I would actually pack in her lunch box. How do I make it something that she will love to eat? and be able to eat on her own? Without being there to guide who through her meal, this was a big concern. Extra challenging since like most toddlers, she has gotten a lot more picky about what she eats. We are also trying to be as organic, local and sustainable as possible – or as I like to put it… people and planet friendly. I feel that should continue with school lunches. I am determined to keep her meals healthy, enjoyable and as organic and sustainable as possible. To that end, I’m also trying to keep GMOs, artificial food colorings and sweeteners out of her meals. There is no reason a packed lunch can’t nurture her body and her love for great food. No lunchables for my little one.
It is no easy task to plan and prepare packed lunches for your kids, let alone healthy, waste-free ones. While I’m not an expert and will be learning as I go, given all of the energy and thought I’m putting into this, I thought I’d share these ideas with you. Maybe you’ll pick up a tip or two, get inspired or even have some great tips to share with me. Either way, I welcome you to follow this journal of a preschooler’s lunchbox.
Each week I will post about her meals, including a list of everything included and a photo. I’ll also include a short report on how well she ate, incase you are wondering, “Did this kid actually eat this stuff?”. If you are interested in any recipes or techniques, let me know. I’m happy to share. Nothing is too complicated. I’m also planning on another blog entry just on the gear used. I found some great items and am looking forward to sharing. They have been working out so well.
Just added a “Tips, Techniques and Tools” section below to share how I make her lunches.
I should also note that my daughter is allergic to eggs and peanuts, so nothing you see will have either. And she gets a thermos with 2% Straus organic milk with her lunch each day.
Lunch, week by week
- Week One
- Week Two
- Week Three
- Week Four
- Week Five, October 2010
- Week Six, October 2010
- Week Seven, October 2010: includes link to homemade apple sauce recipe
- Week Eight, October 2010
- Week Nine, November 2010
- Week 10, November 2010
- Week 11, November 2010
- Week 12, November 2010 – No school lunches, in Boston for Thanksgiving week.
- Week 13, December 2010
- Week 14, December 6 – 9, 2010
- Week 15, December 13 – 15, 2010
- Winter Break till Jan!
- Week 18, January 3 – 6, 2011
- Week 19, January 10 – 13, 2011
- Week 20, January 18 – 20, 2011
- Week 21, January 24 – 27, 2011
- Week 22 – out sick all week
- Week 23, February 7 – 10, 2011
- Week 24, February 14 – 17, 2011
- Week 25, February 21 – 24, 2011
- Week 27, Out of school all week due to a cold
- Week 29, March 21 – 24, 2011
- Week 30, March 28 – 31, 2011
- Week 32, Spring Break
- Week 33, April 18 – 21, 2011
- Week 34, April 25 – 28, 2011
- Week 35, May 2-5, 2011
- Week 36, May 9 – 12, 2011
- Week 37, May 16-19, 2011
- Week 38, May 23 – 26, 2011
- Week 39, May 30 – Jun 2, 2011
- Week 40, Jun 6 – Jun 9, 2011
- Week 41, Jun 13 – 16, 2011 – Only one meal, we tagged along on a trip to Austin!
- Week 42, Jun 20 – Jun 23 - Last week of school till Sep!
Tips, Techniques and Tools
Comments
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[...] Check out every week here: A Better Lunchbox – Healthy, Sustainable and Fun [...]
[...] Check out every week here: A Better Lunchbox – Healthy, Sustainable and Fun [...]
[...] Check out every week here: A Better Lunchbox – Healthy, Sustainable and Fun [...]
[...] Check out every week here: A Better Lunchbox – Healthy, Sustainable and Fun [...]
[...] Check out every week here: A Better Lunchbox – Healthy, Sustainable and Fun [...]
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[...] last school year. You can see the fresh, healthy and fun lunches and some of the gear in the A Better Lunchbox section of this [...]