Here are some more lunch box ideas I borrowed from Wendelonia. I am just becoming aware of Bento Boxes, and I am very intrigued and hoping to make packing lunches for the kids more enjoyable for all of us!
Carbohydrates
- whole grain crackers
- pretzel sticks
- mini-muffins
- goldfish crackers, cheddar bunnies or other snack crackers
- pretzel thins
- bagel chips
- mini-rice cakes or rice crackers
- cooked ball of rice
- leftover pasta or pasta salad — toss with some chopped veggies and vinaigrette or a little olive oil, garlic salt and parmesan.
- granola bars
- banana bread, zucchini bread, or other quick breads
- cereal bars
- dry cereal
- mini-bagels
- hot dog buns, hamburger buns or dinner rolls
- garlic toast
- pita bread — I usually toast these so they don’t get soggy. Mini pitas are fun or you can cut a big one into wedges.
- leftover pancakes or toaster waffles — mini-waffles go over especially well.
- yogurt
- cheese cubes
- cheese slices
- cottage cheese
- string cheese, Laughing Cow, Babybel or other small single-serving cheeses
Vegetables
- carrot sticks
- sugar snap peas
- red bell pepper strips
- cucumber slices
- celery sticks
- grape tomatoes
- steamed green beans
- steamed broccoli spears
- frozen peas — run them quickly under warm water to start them thawing
- frozen corn
- leftover meat from dinner cut into chunks — you can send almost anything: roast chicken, pork roast, chicken legs and carne asada leftover from tacos are all things my kids have enjoyed.
- chicken or turkey sausage with bbq sauce or catsup for dipping
- deli meats — turkey, ham, salami
- beans
- peanut butter “sandwiches” made with crackers or graham crackers
- taquitos with salsa for dipping
- baked tofu
- quesadillas
- mini-burritos
- mini-pizzas — top mini-pitas with sauce, cheese and pepperoni
- hard boiled eggs
Here are a few slow cooker recipes that I have tried and have been huge hits with the kids and the husband.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Seasoned Delicious Pork Chops
Chicken Stroganoff
