Thinking outside the lunch box

If you’re a mom with school-age kiddos, it will soon be time to start thinking about lunch boxes again. I know it’s hard to believe — where has the summer gone? Providing healthy lunches can be challenging, especially when the most convenient food options are often chock full of preservatives, artificial colors, GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and other such chemical goo. You want the best for your children, but if you’re like most modern moms, you feel like you’re forever falling short on time and ideas. At the last minute, you can end up empty-handed, resorting to less-than-wholesome school lunch menus or fast, packaged meals. And even the most creative moms can sometimes feel stuck in that same old PB&J routine. Wouldn’t it be sweet to deliver a surprise now and then? Something fresh, something that spurs smiles and fills those tummies with adoration? Sure, few busy mothers have the gumption for everyday gourmet, but there are simple ways to pack more health and happiness into your child’s lunch box. After all, lunch is one special helping of home comfort that you can send with your kids to school each day. From Home, With Love There’s no denying it: Homemade lunches deliver all the love of a great big hug. So, one of the best changes a mom can make in her child’s lunch box is adding homemade treats. It doesn’t have to be a big to-do. Basic baked goodies are an easy and surefire way to stir up a little joy. Bake a batch of cookies on Sunday afternoon, and dole them out throughout the week. Or spruce up sandwiches with bread baked at home. Fresh Is Fun Crisp, snappy fruits and veggies are healthy happy-makers, but it can be tricky getting kids to sink their teeth into the idea. Sneak more veggies under the radar with mini lunch “kebabs” using small wooden skewers (with the points trimmed, of course). You can slip all sorts of bite-sized things onto sticks, and suddenly they become appetizing — cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, you name it. Make them even more appealing by sliding in meat and cheese. And don’t forget the dip: a small tub of hummus or organic ranch dressing can make all the difference. Most kids love fresh fruit, but a whole apple can take too long to tackle in the lunchroom rush. Cut fruit into small slices and chunks, then drizzle them with lemon juice to keep them from turning brown and a touch of honey for wholesome sweetness. Super Staples Staying stocked on staple foods prevents the pitfalls of last-minute lunch planning. When you shop for the week, make sure you have an ample supply of options — and go organic whenever possible. If you can’t find organic everything, be sure to watch out for hidden nasties like high-fructose corn syrup and other artificial additives. Essentials items can include: Whole grain bread, pitas and wraps Peanut butter or better yet, almond butter Agave nectar, local honey or whole fruit jam Minimally processed meat and cheese Fruits and veggies Whole grain crackers and chips Get Creative Tiny touches can add sparkle to a school day. Sneak a surprise pack of stickers or a matchbox car into your little one’s lunch box. Cut sandwiches into cute shapes with cookie cutters. Or simply slip a sweet note into a napkin that says, “I love you.” Reusable Gear According to Wastefreelunches.org, an average school-age child eating a disposable lunch generates 67 pounds of waste per school year. Aluminum foil, plastic wrap, disposable utensils and single-size packaging — it all gets tossed in the trash, creating about 18,760 pounds of annual lunch waste for just one average-size elementary school! Instead of adding to the landfill, equip your eco-conscious kid with reusable lunch containers, cloth napkins and wash-and-reuse silverware. A small ice pack and a stainless-steel thermos are 2 indispensable items to have on hand, too. In a thermos, organic yogurt and frozen blueberries stay cold, or tomato soup with grated cheese stays hot. Reusable ice packs made from nontoxic, biodegradable gel are $1.99 each at www.greenfeet.com. And how about the lunch box itself? With the danger of lead and other chemical hazards in plastic lunch boxes, skip the “box” idea altogether. The latest trend is a new take on the brown bag tradition: organic cotton lunch sacks. My favorites are the mom-made vintage cuties created by Country Life Naturals (www.countrylifenaturals.etsy.com). Helping Hands Kids — even preschoolers — can help make their own lunches. It’s a great opportunity to spend time together learning about healthy food and green choices. Lunch Bars Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 40 Minutes Makes: 12 bars Ingredients 2 cups oats 1/2 cup sunflower seeds 1/2 cup wheat germ 1/4 cup shredded coconut 1 cup almonds, chopped 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup honey 2 tablespoon butter 1 teaspoon vanilla pinch salt 1 cup dried fruit, finely chopped 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Combine first five ingredients on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes, until lightly toasted. 3. Meanwhile, melt sugar, honey, and butter in a small saucepan until sugar is completely dissolved. Mix in vanilla and salt, remove from heat. 4. Oil a 9-inch-by-13-inch pan. Set aside. 5. Remove toasted oat mixture from oven and reduce temperature to 300 F. Place oats in a large bowl and add dried fruit. Pour in honey butter and thoroughly coat the dry ingredients. 6. Press mixture evenly into prepared pan with dampened hands to keep it from sticking. Bake for 25 minutes. 7. Remove from oven and cool. Cut into bars when they are almost completely cool and firm to the touch.