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I was a child of the 70s and 80s. I went to Rosedell Elementary School. Mrs. Marcy was my favorite teacher of all time, second grade. I packed my lunch most days. One of my favorites was Tuna Salad in a pita bread with alfalfa sprouts. Yes, really. It was the 70s in California. What did you expect?
Hubs on the other hand was a child of the 60s and 70s. His mom was pretty poor when he was growing up. School wasn’t fun. When we talked about school lunches the other day, he said that having a chocolate pudding cup, specifically, a Snack Pack pudding, in his lunch was a huge deal for him. HUGE. He said, “I knew there was something to look forward to.”
Guess what I bought for him this week?
Back to School Lunches
Back to School means Back to School Lunches. This year, we can set ourselves up for success by taking the same meal planning strategies we use for the evening meal and applying it to lunch! Not only will you save yourself some stressing in the wee morning hours, but you’ll feel better knowing that your kids have a great lunch waiting for them.
At our house I don’t pack lunches because the kids eat away from home during the day. As a homeschool mom I pack lunches so that our school day goes smoother.
- If I don’t have to interrupt my work with one of the kids to make lunch, I can get more accomplished.
- If none of us have to do a lot of prep and clean up, we can get back to schoolwork.
- If a child can grab his lunch and his book and head out to the hammock for some quiet nourishment for body and soul, well, amen to that.
Last year I didn’t utilize this strategy very well since the fridge was always so full of produce, but I’m hoping this year will be different. I’m considering putting the produce box on vacation more often — or getting a second fridge! The jury is still out, but I know that making our school day lunches ahead of time will save us time and money.
Make-ahead meals do that. Save time and money.
Our school starts soon, so I decided to plan out a week of lunches, create a shopping list, and make sure we’re good to go when Monday rolls around. And I made it into printable format, just like my other free meal plans. Just sharing the love.
My kids are pretty good about having the same thing once a week, so we’ll probably repeat this rotation for awhile. We did the same during the summer, and it worked really well.
5 Packable Lunches
Here’s our menu, all packable items that I can make in advance and let the kids serve themselves — or each other.
Want the lunch plan? Print out all the recipes and then go here to print the grocery list. (For more meal plans, head here.)
What about some warm fuzzies?
Mrs. Marcy always gave out warm fuzzies, little tokens of appreciation and encouragement. Remember those pompom people with feet from the 70s? She often gave us those to keep on our desk. You know those? They look like this?
Anyway, if you don’t have a herd of Weepuls in your kitchen, print off these fun printable notes to slip into your kids’ or spouse’s lunch box.
Get more BTS Lunch Inspiration
In case you missed past posts on school lunches, check out these beauties from the archives:
:: Make-Ahead School Lunches and a free Printable for Lunchbox Love Notes
:: Fill Your Freezer for Easier School Days
What do you think?
Let’s chat in the comments!
shonna
last year we purchased a freeze drier so I could make lightweight backpack meals for a trip to Alaska. the food has great flavor so I find that I am making extra servings so I can put away single serve, easy to make lunches or dinners. all they need is a little hot water and in five minutes we have a home cooked meal. It has been fun to come up with different recipes too. There isn’t much that you can’t freeze dry. fresh fruit and veggies are awesome!
deborah
Oh and salad pitas – I loved salad stuffed in pita bread with ranch dressing yum! I also loved sprouts so your tuna in a pita brought back memories only mine was salad – I really like vegetarian food back then although I eat meat now.
deborah
My childhood was the same years – pretty much all over the west coast – socal, seattle, phoenix, denver… my favorite lunch in california was either a bean burrito slathered in yellow mustard or a swiss cheese sandwich slathered in mustard with a side of guacamole and tortilla chips. Still some of my favorite lunches to this day LOL!
Teresa
I have struggled with packed lunch for 10 years. I make six sack lunches, five days a week. You would think I would have it down my now! The hardest part is keeping the kids and the Hubby from eating the items that are to go in the lunch. This year I think I finally got it down. I go shopping on Saturday night and Sunday evening I fill bags. I pack 30 brown bags with a verity of dry items. I fold down the top and put a color sticker on each to know what 6 are alike. Then I place them them in a box in the pantry. In the morning kids make a sandwich from what we had for dinner and add a fruit. So Far So good. I very happy and there is less stress.
Jessica Fisher
THAT is brilliant. Go, Mom!
Christine A
It makes me smile when you write about childhood memories – especially this time with a big shout out to Rosedell!!!! I was not fortunate to have Mrs. Marcy as a teacher but now, I do remember warm fuzzies! My 1st grade teacher, Miss Watson (later she married and moved up north) also gave out these little “Pom poms” …as does my daughter’s 1st grade teacher!!!! The Weepuls just may be making a comeback!!!!!!
Jessica Fisher
I had Miss Watson for 1st grade, too. Were we in the same class? Or were there two Miss Watsons? I’m not sure where all my school pics are.
Christine A.
Yes!!!! We were in the same class!!!!! I thought we were in second grade together but it was first!!! 😉
Jessica Fisher
Ha! I was a nervous wreck that year since I didn’t do kinder at Rosedell. I’ve blocked most of it out.
JoannaTopaz
I do indeed remember the warm fuzzies. I believe I still have some … somewhere.