School year is right around the corner

[Billie]

I was shopping this weekend and I noticed all the "stuff" getting ready for schools--pens, pencils, supplies. Then while grocery shopping I also noticed the huge amount of end caps already displaying, "easy, nutrtional, kids will love them" (their words not mine) displays with sugary junk, from cookies and crackers to juice boxes to fruit type roll-ups.

How can this forum help those moms (and dads) prepare for the onslaught of school, particularly the lunch boxes and the snacky things?

[SherryJ]

Interesting you bring this up, Billie! :) Just YESTERDAY, the boys and I were discussing what they would have in their lunches... I pack their food daily, with the exception that they get to eat pizza ONE Friday of the month! Their favorite, right now, is beef jerky and cheese sticks, along with the veggie/fruit, and a water bottle...

I'd LOVE some ideas from more Mom's... Girls? :D

It's coming QUICKLY... the bus rolls around on AUGUST 17th!!! :eek: And, BOTH boys go off for 7.5 hours a day... wow, do they grow up FAST!!!

Sherry

[Gaelen]

August 17?!?! omigod, Sherry, that is just wrong. :rolleyes:
I remember thinking when I saw the displays (they came out around here two-three weeks ago) that if I were a kid and saw back to school stuff out before 4th of July, I'd have felt cheated of my summer. What happened to going back to school the Wednesday after Labor Day? ;)

Now...back to the regularly scheduled discussion...
I think the whole 'bringing your lunch' with younger kids can be really pumped up by the annual selection of the new lunch box, and the dedicated containers that fill it...one for fruits/veggies, one for water or milk if your kids drink milk, and protein-specific containers. And for me, that little thermos that contained hot soup...;)

It must have worked; I don't get a new lunchbox for myself every year, but every year I replace or add to my lunch-specific containers, and try to add at least one or two recipes to my lunch standards.

And if it helps, Sherry, I'm working on a nut butter-pumpkin or sunflower seeds-coconut-dried fruit (cranberries) no-sugar-added bar-type 'cookie' for those snacking moments. ;)

[SherryJ]

Oh, of course that would help, Gaelen... post it when you get it finished, will you? Pretty please? :D

And, yes, 8/17... but, they also get out the week BEFORE Memorial Day, too... when I was growing up in VA, years ago, :rolleyes: , we did indeed go to school the week AFTER Labor Day, but I graduated JUNE 17TH, too! It all evens out in the end... doesn't it? ;)

Sherry

[hawk]

I love the sales this time of year. even though I don't have school age kids. I still go shopping and get some good deals.
My husband has to take his lunch. The trucks that have kitchens and bring it in are horrendous.
He takes salads with dressing on the side. I make them and then add meat and cheese to the top. We buy those little hard freezer things that you freeze and put in the lunch box to keep things cold.
Chicken legs are good too. Raw veggies. Deviled eggs or just peeled hard boiled eggs. Cut up sausages and different sauces to dip into(ranch dressing) Fresh strawberries or blue berries in a little container. Chuncks of cheese. Rolled up thin sliced turkey spread with cream cheese and cut into slices. Homeade chicken soup with celery onion and a few carrots.
Nuts in a small container..almonds, etc.

[Inez]

They have little plastic ice paks at Walmart in the shape of daisies, footballs, soccer balls, smiley faces that I put in my kid's lunch box and this seems to make the food more fun for her as well as keeping it cooler and more palatable. Today's the first stay of school and it'll be 87 degrees here in North Carolina!

[SherryJ]

Happy 1st day of school, Inez! :D

I know exactly what you're talking about with the ice packs... but, instead of daisies, the boys picked out FOOTBALLS and SOCCER BALLS! :p

Sherry

[cmcole]

What I take for lunch, and what kids can take are probably two different things.

Veggie sticks and dip might work
Of course, you've already mentioned quite a few.

Around here, the standard peanut butter can't be brought into most schools any more, so parents, I guess, are either having to be more creative or "cop out" and get all those really nutritional items mentioned above.

[paleogirl]

How about sandwiches made from 'Paleo' bread, or some Paleo muffins for snacks?

There are a load of recipes here:

http://paleofood.com/baked.htm


Bread made from nut flours has a denser texture to grain bread, but kids won't mind and the stuff actually tastes great, plus it's more filling (not to mention more nutritious) than grain bread. I'm just thinking that being able to give them something that resembles their friend's lunches might be cool, for those who don't wanna stand out too much. Plus once you've got bread, there's any number of options for 'species appropriate' fillings. :p

I don't envy you guys... I have enough trouble keeping my dogs on their Paleo diets, forever having to explain to well-meaning strangers that no, sorry, they can't give my dogs a biscuit. :D

[paleogirl]

Here is my Banana Bread recipe. Thanks to the bananas it's not very low carb (8-10g a slice, depending on thickness), but for kids that's probably not an issue, and it IS grain-free, dairy-free, soy-free, yeast-free and even egg-free. :) And no sugar highs!

3 cups almond flour
3 mashed bananas
1/4 cup coconut oil (whisked) --> use cow butter if you prefer, I am dairy-free
1/2 tsp baking soda (yup, baking soda works fine - baking powder would probably work too)
1/4 tsp salt
(1/2 cup raisins, if desired)
(1/2 cup honey if desired - I find it's sweet enough without)

Scrape into bread baking pan (lined with oiled wax paper)

Bake for an hour at 350 degrees F / 180 C.

You could sub. the bananas with apples (maybe 2 cups apple sauce?) and add some cinnamon. I'm also going to try a pumpkin variation for Halloween (would be lower carb too). :)