School Lunch Ideas

At this point in the academic year, we have all been packing school lunches for at least 2 months and if you are like me, new ideas for what to include in the daily lunch box are more than welcome.  In order to make lunch packing easier on myself, I follow these simple rules:

1. Pack a protein containing main course.

2. Include at least one vegetable.

3. Include one fruit.

4. Make sure there is a food item that contains calcium (yogurt, cheese, milk).

5. Add an occasional treat.

6. Use a bento style box for easy packing.  

Here are a few lunch box meals that have been on rotation around here, would love for you to share your ideas with us!

Hard boiled egg (yolk removed per Jack's request), cubed cheddar cheese, red pepper strips, pickle, clementine, pecans and dried blueberries, and yogurt squisher

Cheddar cheese and salami kebabs, red pepper strips, yogurt squisher, red grapes, lemon ricotta muffin

Peanut butter on raisin bread, apple-blueberry fruit strip, clementine, red pepper strips, peeled cucumber coins

What are some of your favorite lunches to pack?  I'd love any new ideas.