Prepping School Lunches

JoyGal · 07-10-2016, 03:23 PM

I

prepping school lunches! I am so not a morning person, so having the lunches mostly ready to go are a huge perk of my morning

So this year, I would like to add school lunch prep to my August meal prep plan. (I will be making freezer meals before school starts.) So I want to make some soups probably, but I don't know what else. I'm looking to be able to take the food out of the freezer either in the morning and add it directly to the lunch box OR take it out the day before and thaw in the fridge so that I can easily heat it up in the morning.

What do you like to make and freeze for school lunches?

---------- Post added at 03:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:15 PM ----------

This is some of my inspiration:

http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/201...king-a-breeze/

RiverRock · 07-10-2016, 04:07 PM

Ooh, this is interesting to me.

I make a lot of muffins and cookies to pull out of the freezer for lunches. I haven't had as much success with loaves because they don't seem to freeze as well as muffins.

Instead of freezer meals I prefer to fill microwaveable containers (glass containers with pop lids) with leftovers. Favourites include chow mien, spaghetti Asian stir-fry on rice, pad thai, and yakisoba. I'll often plan ahead to make enough extra of these meals to have in lunches. Same with pizza...I'll make extra. Only my 12yo will take soup in her lunch, the others don't have enough time to eat soup.

I've had limited success with make ahead sandwiches in the freezer. What has worked is a bun bottom with grated cheese, then pepperoni, a dollop of pizza sauce, more grated cheese and then the top of the bun. This can be microwaved without being too messy or soggy.

With my brainstorming cap on, I think my boys would like beef dip sandwiches with au jus and that could be defrosted at school. My girls like to take hard boiled eggs for protein, and they keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks when left in their shells.

2sunshines · 07-10-2016, 05:06 PM

Definitely something to ponder. I am a morning person so I actually enjoy prepping school lunches in the morning before the kids get up.

However, I've never done any of the cooking and freezing specifically for lunches.

We do lots of thermos' in lunch but it's always leftovers from dinner the night before rather than something I've specifically made for lunch.

We do a lot of fresh chopped up fruits and veggies. Leftover dinner in a thermos, sandwich, bagel and cream cheese, cheese and crackers, muffins, or some other variation of a "main dish". Then a few sides, which vary based on the kid -- yogurt, sliced cheese, applesauce, fruit leather, granola, etc.

We probably get stuck in quite a rut, but the kids haven't complained so I haven't been motivated to do anything different.

But I am very interested in this thread. Always open to new ideas! Thanks for the link!

musiclady · 07-10-2016, 09:05 PM

Usually, we just do what you do. I don't cook lunches at all.
Posted via Mobile Device

Beth1231 · 07-11-2016, 05:36 AM

I'm interested too

I was thinking "go to Costco and buy stuff in bulk" but that's as far as my planning got. Peanut butter and honey is a staple,but eventually that will get boring.

Aerynne · 07-11-2016, 05:48 AM

When we packed lunches they were mostly boring but a few things that weren't:

pizza rolls- you make them like cinnamon rolls but with pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings. They are good hot or cold and were the envy of her class.

my son liked lemon rice with his lunch.

If I were packing lunch for me, things get more interesting (but maybe your kids have more adventurous palates). Sushi bowls are good- rice with rice vinegar, cut up cucumber, avocado, seaweed, and pickled ginger plus anything else you like in sushi.

I also like Thai spring rolls. I do the raw ones and in spite of how impressive they look, they are super easy to make. They are good with peanut dipping sauce.

Anything with a grain, a bean, and a green is delicious to me.

In a pinch, there are frozen "protein blends" that are good (but expensive). Usually quinoa, lentils, and some veggies. I take out the sauce because I can't eat it but it's probably pretty good.

knitlove · 07-11-2016, 09:01 AM

I am listening, I need ideas as I think about totally changeing how we deal with lunch.

Lady Grey · 07-11-2016, 09:10 AM

Aerynne, my dd really wanted to try the pizza rolls when I mentioned it but we never got around to it. Maybe we can give it a try this summer.

07-10-2016, 03:23 PM	#1
JoyGal Rose Garden Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5,570	Prepping School Lunches I prepping school lunches! I am so not a morning person, so having the lunches mostly ready to go are a huge perk of my morning So this year, I would like to add school lunch prep to my August meal prep plan. (I will be making freezer meals before school starts.) So I want to make some soups probably, but I don't know what else. I'm looking to be able to take the food out of the freezer either in the morning and add it directly to the lunch box OR take it out the day before and thaw in the fridge so that I can easily heat it up in the morning. What do you like to make and freeze for school lunches? ---------- Post added at 03:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:15 PM ---------- This is some of my inspiration: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/201...king-a-breeze/ __________________ . Before you were conceived I wanted you. Before you were born I loved you. Before you were an hour, I would give my life for you. This is the miracle of life. ~ Maureen Hawkins My Hygge Page

07-10-2016, 04:07 PM	#2
RiverRock Moderator Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms. Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In green pastures Posts: 9,770	Re: Prepping School Lunches Ooh, this is interesting to me. I make a lot of muffins and cookies to pull out of the freezer for lunches. I haven't had as much success with loaves because they don't seem to freeze as well as muffins. Instead of freezer meals I prefer to fill microwaveable containers (glass containers with pop lids) with leftovers. Favourites include chow mien, spaghetti Asian stir-fry on rice, pad thai, and yakisoba. I'll often plan ahead to make enough extra of these meals to have in lunches. Same with pizza...I'll make extra. Only my 12yo will take soup in her lunch, the others don't have enough time to eat soup. I've had limited success with make ahead sandwiches in the freezer. What has worked is a bun bottom with grated cheese, then pepperoni, a dollop of pizza sauce, more grated cheese and then the top of the bun. This can be microwaved without being too messy or soggy. With my brainstorming cap on, I think my boys would like beef dip sandwiches with au jus and that could be defrosted at school. My girls like to take hard boiled eggs for protein, and they keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks when left in their shells. __________________ RiverRock, mom to a 24 year old diamond, 22 year old granite, 19 year old pearl, and 16 year old tiger eye. Married for 25 years to a rugged boulder and resting together on the one true Rock.

07-10-2016, 05:06 PM	#3
2sunshines Moderator in Celebrations, Cloth Diapering & EC, Empty Arms, Prayer & Praise, and Swap n' Shop Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 27,027	Re: Prepping School Lunches Definitely something to ponder. I am a morning person so I actually enjoy prepping school lunches in the morning before the kids get up. However, I've never done any of the cooking and freezing specifically for lunches. We do lots of thermos' in lunch but it's always leftovers from dinner the night before rather than something I've specifically made for lunch. We do a lot of fresh chopped up fruits and veggies. Leftover dinner in a thermos, sandwich, bagel and cream cheese, cheese and crackers, muffins, or some other variation of a "main dish". Then a few sides, which vary based on the kid -- yogurt, sliced cheese, applesauce, fruit leather, granola, etc. We probably get stuck in quite a rut, but the kids haven't complained so I haven't been motivated to do anything different. But I am very interested in this thread. Always open to new ideas! Thanks for the link! __________________ married 25 years mom to two young adults (23 and 20) and two teens (17 and 15)

07-10-2016, 09:05 PM	#4
musiclady Rose Bouquet Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 529	Re: Prepping School Lunches Usually, we just do what you do. I don't cook lunches at all. Posted via Mobile Device

07-11-2016, 05:36 AM	#5
Beth1231 Deactivated Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 14,962	Re: Prepping School Lunches I'm interested too I was thinking "go to Costco and buy stuff in bulk" but that's as far as my planning got. Peanut butter and honey is a staple,but eventually that will get boring.

07-11-2016, 05:48 AM	#6
Aerynne Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 27,359	Re: Prepping School Lunches When we packed lunches they were mostly boring but a few things that weren't: pizza rolls- you make them like cinnamon rolls but with pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings. They are good hot or cold and were the envy of her class. my son liked lemon rice with his lunch. If I were packing lunch for me, things get more interesting (but maybe your kids have more adventurous palates). Sushi bowls are good- rice with rice vinegar, cut up cucumber, avocado, seaweed, and pickled ginger plus anything else you like in sushi. I also like Thai spring rolls. I do the raw ones and in spite of how impressive they look, they are super easy to make. They are good with peanut dipping sauce. Anything with a grain, a bean, and a green is delicious to me. In a pinch, there are frozen "protein blends" that are good (but expensive). Usually quinoa, lentils, and some veggies. I take out the sauce because I can't eat it but it's probably pretty good. __________________ Erin born of water and of the Spirit 4/96 married 5/02 Mama to: 2004 2007 2010 2012 2017 2019 Jan 2, 2024 And many I hope to hold in heaven one day

07-11-2016, 09:01 AM	#7
knitlove Rose Garden Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Seattle area Posts: 21,260	Re: Prepping School Lunches I am listening, I need ideas as I think about totally changeing how we deal with lunch. __________________ Wife to a wonderful DH for 19 years. Momma to my 29 weeker Early Bird who is thirteen and my little Wiggle Worm born 33 weeks who is nine. How do I have a teenager?! I don't feel ready for this.

07-11-2016, 09:10 AM	#8
Lady Grey Rose Garden Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 5,620	Re: Prepping School Lunches Aerynne, my dd really wanted to try the pizza rolls when I mentioned it but we never got around to it. Maybe we can give it a try this summer. __________________ Sara

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