Creative Lunch Packing

by Courtney
Last year I asked my friend Kelly (mom of 4 in photo to the right) to take photos of her packed lunches so we could all see her creative lunch packing! Here is what she had to say to go along with her pictures:
This is actually an art form in Japan called “Bento” but I’m not that creative so I just call it “Creative Lunch Packing”. I started doing this last Fall when we began eliminating High Fructose Corn Syrup from our diet and I needed some ideas for my kids lunches. Since pretty much all prepackaged foods contain corn syrup I wanted something that could compete with the lure of Little Debbie’s but be a bit healthier. I was also trying to eliminate the amount of plastic and waste that comes from the prepackaged food. I found silicone muffin liners and use them as dividers in reusable containers. I have found lots of fun little containers at the Dollar Store and the Target Dollar Spot. Typically, I make a sandwich and then cut it into a shape with a large cookie cutter, like a pumpkin or maple leaf for Fall. They usually take fruit or veggies and dip, this one is made with peanut butter and maple syrup. I make little fruit skewers with berries, grapes, melon, or kiwi on toothpicks and you can use small cookie cutters for cucumbers or cheese slices.Yogurt covered raisins and natural applesauce with sprinkles are popular too. About once a week I send along a special little note about something they have been doing good or just about how much I love them. Recently I was cleaning out my daughter’s closet and found ALL the notes I had sent in her lunch last year so I know they treasure those. They also tell me how the other kids at school talk about their lunch and how fun it is. It does take some extra time and planning but it is worth the smile on their faces!
-written by Kelly

Maybe this will give you a few ideas of fun things you can do special for your children! My kids LOVE it when I use a cookie cutter for their sandwiches or cut small shapes in their slices of cheese – I haven’t tried to cut my cucumbers in shapes yet – but this post is inspiring me! It’s hard to find the time to do this daily – but it’s fun every now and then to spice things up a little!

Walk with the King!

Courtney

Categories: Healthy Eating, Main Dish, Recipes, Sandwiches, Snacks, Tasty Tuesdays

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