All about Lunch

So there's lots of talk about kids school lunches these days. I am not a fan of our local School district's lunch offerings (Neither are my kids especially the Girl) so I have been sending them with lunch from home for the past few years. (EDIT January 2014)  Our School lunches have improved a lot since my original post. Is there still room for improvement? Yes, but now my kids eat school lunch more often than not. Partly because I am working part time now and also because it is a choice we have made. I am leaving these ideas here in hopes to help other moms who are struggling with choices :)  I have been trying lately to change things up a little and make them more balanced. My kids are not much for "meat" sandwiches so most of the time they get PB&J. 95% of the time the jam is homemade by me and sweetened with local honey. My kids are not much on raw veggies besides salad but I'm working on it! They do get a good helping of veggies at dinner.

FYI... I do most of my shopping at Aldi unless I can get something less with a coupon at my local Grocery store.

 Here are some of my recent offerings...
 

 Home made "lunchable"
3 slices of Turkey breast
2 oz of sliced cheddar
Wheat round crackers

Home made chewy granola bar

PB&J
1/2 a Pear Peeled & Sliced
Home made spicy banana/oatmeal cookies

PB&J
Raisins & Animal crackers
Yogurt / Cutie

PB&J
1/2 a Pear Peeled & Sliced
Yogurt / Cutie
Home made granola bar

 PB&J / Pretzels / Raisins / Granola thin

Here are some More ideas...

Sandwiches... OK this is a no brainer but "think outside the bread" :)
Meat and cheese roll-ups... roll favorite lunch meat with cheese and secure with a toothpick
Meat and cheese cut into shapes... I don't have the time and patience for this but some kids love it and it helps them be more adventurous.
Crackers ... add with cheese and meat and you have home made Lunchables!
Leftovers... anything that can be eaten cold, IE: Pizza
Frozen grapes... My kids LOVE these. I buy lots of grapes when they are on sale, I  wash them, take off the vine and freeze them.
Home made muffins ... freeze them! they will be perfectly defrosted by lunch :)
Freeze yogurt cups  ... this was a revelation to me! My kids love it and it's like they get ice cream with lunch! You can freeze the individual cups from the store or buy the big tubs and make your own.
Apple sauce ... make your own and freeze like the yogurt! Or buy the super size jug at the store and portion it out into your own containers.
Cut / wedged Apples ...  There are a few ways to keep them from browning... drizzle any citrus soda you have over them. I have been using a lemon lime soda from Aldi it's about .89 for 1 liter. Or wedge then wrap tightly back into it's shape with a rubber band or plastic wrap. The surfaces won't be exposed so the sugar will not oxidize as fast turning it brown. Use less sweet varieties, they brown slower!
Apple wedges wrapped with turkey lunch meat ... sounds strange but it's yummy!
Apple wedges with peanut butter ... again sounds weird but oh so good!
Celery with Peanut butter & raisins ... classic "ants on a log"

 I will be adding more to the list but this is a start.

I also want you to know that I used to only think I could put pre-packaged snacks and goodies in my kids lunch. It is only over the last few years I have begun to get more creative with their lunches.