What is your lunch recipe dilemma?
I thought I would write about something that it seems most people were talking about last week. No, it isn’t Masterchef or My Kitchen Rules, not even the return of Downton Abby – although I must admit I do LOVE that show and it will again be my Sunday night TV fix!
Last week (and some of this week) all across Australia, children were going back to school. Yes, you could hear the sigh of relief from frustrated parents, grandparents and other carers everywhere. Those who have noticed from about January 1st the tolerance level of having the kids around 24/7 while they are on summer holiday starts to be tested to the point of snapping. Snapping like a cheap rubber band, like when you are trying to collate too many swapcards – I know this from experience. Aussie kids are now into Ninjago, Moshi and AFL player cards in a big way and as I was trying to put together my sons cards (obviously too many) the rubber band snapped. Also ripping off a fingernail and then flying out somewhere into the ether of the boys bedroom never to be seen again (hopefully my fingernail will grow back!).
Sorry, I should get back to my point – the return of children to school AND its relevance to food. So here it is – School Lunches. Yet again we are thrown into the daily dilemma of what qualifies as a healthy, nut free (for consideration of others, my kids are thankfully ok) selection of food that can be put into an insulated box (approximately 12 x 28 cm) with hideous colour splashes on the cover, that is not only a cross section of the major food groups but will also entice my children to eat it!’ I hate wastage and crushed crackers seem to never be wanted for offer on day 2. This selection also needs to last an Aussie summer until recess or lunchtime (with or without the frozen ice block alongside).
It’s another dose of ‘mothers guilt’ as I see online, TV and in magazines what I ‘should’ be giving my sons, and now even apps are telling me what to do. Versus what ‘actually’ ends up in the lunchbox. I see visions of pocket breads with a selection of sliced ham, fresh lettuce and tomato with sprouts sitting adjacent to evenly jullienned (truly who coined that term?) carrots and cucumber, beside a small tub of hummus, a chunk of cheese, some rice crackers and a tub of yoghurt. Or give me a double guilt dose should I not have had time to roll some sushi first thing in the morning! That’s right no LCMs or muesli bars for me!
But alas reality hits me – like a slap in the face by a ‘high in Omega 3’ salmon. Although my children do eat ‘relatively’ healthily – soft drink is a no no, juice is very limited and sugar, well its there, who am I kidding. I know all they really want is a Vegemite or Jam sandwich, a stick of cheese, (of course both my boys like different types – I am sure just to frustrate me) some carrots (not cut up please mum, it tastes different) and rice crackers. I suppose its not a complete loss. I am getting ‘some’ of the food groups in there. I am lucky, as both love fruit and yoghurt so that has to win me ‘some’ points with the lunchbox inspector mums. You know, the ones that actually ask you at school drop off / pick up or other social outing what your kids eat for lunch. I made the near fatal mistake of telling some friends that our boys make their own lunch. OK it is with our supervision and sharp knives are not yet allowed. But still, I want them to have a say in what they want to eat and learn what a good choice regarding food is, versus ‘treat’ choices. Wow, what a response I got, anyone would have thought I let my two sons run rampant in the supermarket and pantry making a lunch entirely composed of Fruit Tingles, Mars Bars and followed by Coke. (Not that there is anything wrong with those items in very limited quanities). Or that I obviously have no real interest in what my children need or should eat to help them grow into strong young men…. Really, do I come across like that?
Anyway it’s now time for me to think of what’s on this weeks’ menu. Maybe I can tempt them with some of my now famous (thanks Rachel for posting them on the site) mini quiches. I could freeze the yoghurt tubes and they can act as an ice brick and will also still be cold when they come to eat them at lunchtime, now there’s an idea! Or, I may just check we have enough of ‘the basics’ in the cupboard and fridge to keep them happy for 5 days. And remember the one thing I always include in their lunchbox is some ‘love from mum’. As I think that is the most nourishing of all and that IS every day of the week.
Some suggestions for your kids lunchbox could be:
Zucchini Slice (we will be posting a great recipe soon, so keep an eye out for it)
Adding a boiled egg – if you dont peel it you can even write your ‘not from Mummy’ on it, or a happy smily face
Use a Cookie cutter to make those ‘boring sandwiches’ seem a little more exciting (imagine stars, gingerbread men or even a ninja!)
Remember to freeze your yoghurt to keep it all cool until lunchtime
Maybe you can share some suggestion with us.
Happy cooking and lunching
Vicki
posted by Melissa on February 6, 2013
I can’t remember what I was given in my school lunches besides little packets and salt and vinegar chips. Mum knew they’d never come home uneaten!
posted by David on February 10, 2013
My father always packed my lunch for me. I remember some sandwiches that didn’t go down too well, like celery and Vegemite, or sultana sandwiches. I do remember liking sandwiches with cold roast meat or sausages.