Back to school lunch ideas and Japanese Bento

Versión en español

Back to school lunch ideas: Here in Houston, we just started the school year, and now I have to send two school lunches every day. We have negotiated a Solomonic solution with my kids. They have a very Chilean passion for bread, so one week they take three days of the week a sandwich, following week only two days and the rest is hot or cold food from home. Still, figuring out what to send is not easy for me.

I'm NOT a morning person so the school lunches .... they have to be simple, and if involving homemade food, it must already be pre-made.

This year the pressure is higher because my youngest is in pre-K, where the teachers are more involve and check if the kids eat or not their food. Also, I know the teachers because I worked with them in the school garden so I feel the lunches should be on the healthy side. In short, when Laura offered me to try MOMables subscription with ideas for easy weekly meals for children, my answer was an immediate YES. They also sent me the Easylunchboxes kit, so I had no excuse, and I can tell you what a BIG difference it makes to have adequate packaging, it almost makes me want to make lunches in the morning. Primarily because I do not have to go looking for six different containers and lids in the morning and my kids have loved the variety of lunches this year.

The weekly lunch menus Laura provides on her plans are excellent; I love how easy the recipes are, with unprocessed fresh food and all the provided alternatives for allergy sufferers, and picky kids like mine. If you want to get a sample of the weekly menus or get many great lunch ideas, do not miss this recipe index. If you lack inspiration, this plan is THE solution, well organized, and easy to follow. Try it for yourself!

In 2018 the requested lunch for finals week was Japanese Bento. I was happy to deliver. I sent a Salmon teriyaki, a Chicken teriyaki, and a Japanese omelet.

What is the favorite lunch snack for your kid to take to school? Do you pack the lunches the night before? Did Back to school lunch ideas article help you brainstorm?

* These are my personal opinions, I received no money for writing this blog post originally published in 2014. I was given the Easylunchboxes containers and a subscription to MoMables to learn more about their weekly menus *