School’s back in session—which means it’s time to break out the lunch boxes and start preparing packable, mid-days meals for the kids again. Or maybe you need a change of pace from the usual brown-bag sandwich you’ve been toting to work all summer long. Either way, there are plenty of healthy and tasty options beyond peanut butter and jelly and juice boxes that make lunch a meal everyone looks forward to.
Ditch the packaged chips, crackers and cookies and fill reusable, BPA-free containers with these tasty creations instead:
- Combine raw, chopped veggies with leftover cooked veggies for a nutritious salad
- Top a mashed baked sweet potato with cooked black beans and avocado slices
- Mix cooked or raw veggies into a bowlful of cooked grains (rice, quinoa, etc.) and drizzle with olive oil and vinegar
- Skip the usual sandwich and opt for soup, served with a side of crunchy, sliced veggies such as bell peppers or cucumbers
Keep thinking outside the bag! Here are some easy-to-make recipes that work well for a leftover lunch:
Gingery Red Lentil and Carrot Soup
And don’t forget to pack a healthy treat!
Chocolate Cherry Granola Bites
Double Chocolate Dairy-Free Brownies
Coconut-Topped Tropical Fruit Salad