Lunch Made Easy

Every week we face the challenge of "what to make for lunch". The same 'ole, same 'ole, gets very old, very fast with three children. From a mother's perspective, the goal is health, balance, and quality food that will help nurish the brain, give balanced nutrition, and provide some variety. My children on the other hand want something that is sweet, familiar, and often times popular. All of which compete with my intentions, however we are finding balance as we learn the benefits of good food, learn How to Eat to Live, and strive to make our kitchen a "Kitchen Healing Laboratory". So in essence, my children go along to get along, and along the way they learn that beneficial food does not have to taste bad or bland nor do we have to compromise much as we use various natural sweetners. They know that I strive to buy mostly organic, natural, and unprocessed foods and oftentime they turn their noses up but are slowly coming around to understanding that we MUST put the best, nutritious food in our bodies in order to think our best and function optimally.

As the only vegetarian in the house and one semi-vegetarian (my youngest) and a husband who is transitioning to vegetarianism, grocercy shopping can be quite a challenge. I strive to buy and serve less meat as possible which makes me more conscious to buy food with plenty of protein, not only for myself but to provide an alternative and supplement to meat for my carnivorous family. We are very much a work in progress and enjoying our journey on how to Eat to Live! Along our journey, I will share recipes and lunch box ideas for aspiring families alike. We maintain a household of five mouths to feed and you can be sure that we will be budget conscious, eco-friendly, and delicious! Please feel free to add your ideas, recipes, comments, and insights. Here are a few of our favorite lunch items thus far:

-Half Soup/Half Sandwhich (or either or based on parent/child preference)
-Apple, Kiwi, Plum, or Orange
-Cucumber Salad or Squash/Zucchini Slices with Herbs/Olive Oil
-Cheese String or Yogurt (optional)
-Granola Bar/Mix, Zucchini Bread, Carrot Bread, or Pumpkin Bread
-Water

For Sandwhich Bread (either meat or vegetarian) Food for Life's Ezekiel Bread ($3.98):

-Make a 1/2 sandwhich, if using meat use turkey or chicken made without the use of hormones, preservatives, steroids, and that are grass fed (AppleGate has a good variety) Add premium lettues, light mayo, cucumbers and herb seasoning. If making vegetarian, use light pesto sauce, avocado, premium organic lettuces, cucumbers, sprouts, and light herb seasoning (Yummy!).

http://www.foodforlife.com/product-catalog/ezekiel-49/breads/120C6-organic-sprouted-whole-grain-flourless-bread

Soup (prepare the night before in your crock pot) Make sure to have a good thermos for your children (bag $2.99):

-Prepare lentil soup with green beans, celery, potatoes (optional), onions, carrots, cabbage and herb seasonings

Harvest Fruit ($5/bag):

-Apple, Kiwi, Plum, Grapes, Pear, or Orange

Veggies ($5/bag):

-Cucumber Salad or Squash/Zucchini Slices with Herbs/Olive Oil

Dairy (optional) ($5/bag or box):

-Cheese string or Greek Yogurt

Snack:

-Granola Bar/Mix, Zucchini Bread, Carrot bread, or Pumpkin Bread ($2.99 box)

Drink ($5/24 pk):

-Water

Modify or replace items based on your families and children's specific dietary needs. Also read labes to ensure ingredients are appropriate (i.e., peanut, soy, wheat allergies). Water is the best drink to provde for your children's lunches, this can be in addition to a 100% juice option or 1/2 juice, 1/2 water option. Water detoxes the body, clears the mind, and helps digestion. I try to give my kids 5-6 lunch items (in child-size portions) with the expectancy that they retain 1 or 2 items for emergency or snack as needed. Children should not be "full" from their lunch, but nutritionally recharged and energized so that their minds are ready to learn and absorb proper knowledge and education!

For the week I usually avergae between $35-$40 for lunch for 3 children which averages about $13 per child or $2.67 a day, which is not bad, but striving to get even lower. Buying items in bulk is a cost saver and buying items on sale and with coupons works well also. I shop between Trader Joe's, EarthFare, Whole Foods, WalMart, and Kroger. Each store has deals. Shop around and have a list before shopping to stay on task on on budget (what budget-LOL!).