T'smom Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I'd really like some ideas of things to pack for lunches when we go out for the day. We're eating too much fast food because I'm not making it a priority to pack food. Ideally, I'd like to pack food the day before (or even a couple days before) and then just throw it in the cooler. I'm thinking this would make it easier to have summer adventures. Any great ideas? So far I'm thinking.... strawberries/blueberries (other fruit that wouldn't get brown?) cheese/crackers hardboiled eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasharowan Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 What ages are you looking for? When mine were younger and grazed through meals, I would get cubed ham, cubed/sliced cheeses, crackers, raisins, grapes, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, some kind of fruit at any rate, carrot sticks, cheese sticks, pretzels, peanut butter crackers. Stuff like that and throw it in the cooler with napkins for each, then at lunch I could give each kid a bit and if they ate it they could get more, but if they decided to go play, their entire lunch wasn't wasted. As they get older, they switch to more sandwiches/subs type lunches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 We eat away from home several times a week. Some of our favorites: Coat chicken tenders with either panko breadcrumbs or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and saute in oil- they last several days in the fridge and are fabulous cold, either just plain or put into a wrap. Pasta salad can be made with all kinds of things- we especially like it with cherry tomatoes, black olives, leftover rotisserie chicken, cubes of cheese, or salami strips in it. bento style snack box- rolled up deli meat, laughing cow cheese wedge, crackers, fruit and veggies cut into bite sized pieces. We actually use bento boxes for most outings- each person has their own food, arranged nicely. It makes the food look more special and just takes a bit of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymommy Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Here are some things we usually take with us (we are gluten, dairy, and soy free): bread (gluten-free over here) nut butter jelly Lara bars sliced cucumbers grape tomatoes hummus tortilla chips mandarin (or any easy peel) oranges rice cakes yogurt (coconut milk kind) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 (edited) Thanks! I have an almost 4 and an almost 1 (who is VERY good at eating solids) I'm definitely thinking along the lines of grazing. Cubed ham is a great idea! So are peanut butter crackers and pretzels. Ds won't eat carrot sticks and dd is still too little for those....thanks for the ideas. My list is growing! ETA: I was just responding to the first person who answered......while everyone else was posting! Everyone has had great ideas! Keep 'em coming! Edited June 1, 2011 by T'smom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Girls' Mom Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Some things we take are: Hummus, peanut or sunflower seed butter (raw veggies, pretzels or crackers for dipping) Sliced apples (if you squeeze lemon juice on them, they don't brown as fast) Grapes Applesauce Grilled chicken, cubes Cheese,cubes nuts Dried fruit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I am a fan of hot dogs/brats. Put them in the bun, wrap in foil and stick in oven for 1/2 hour before leaving. When leaving, stick in soft side cooler. They will stay warm for several hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolosoli Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 We like bringing tuna or chicken or ham tortilla wraps. I bring tons of different types of fruits and veggies. I also pop by our local baker and pick up freshly made cheese bread and soft oatmeal cookies....they eat the bread plain as is and when it sits out in the sun and gets toasty warm they love it even more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I have small cutting boards and paring knives with covers to help with on-the-go lunches. We just grab fruit, veg, cheese etc. and when lunchtime arrives, we cut up what we need and share. I also bring containers of hummus or other dip type things and crackers. If we'll be out a long time I throw in some frozen water bottles to keep everything cool. It helps to keep a list in the cooler or picnic basket of what items and foods you want to grab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 I am a fan of hot dogs/brats. Put them in the bun, wrap in foil and stick in oven for 1/2 hour before leaving. When leaving, stick in soft side cooler. They will stay warm for several hours. This is a great idea! When dh grills, I always ask him to grill lots of extra hot dogs and then we have them for lunch the next couple of days. But I hadn't thought of them as portable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooooom Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 but when the kids were younger, and there was no time to prepare in advance, our version of fast food was to throw juice, cream cheese and peanut butter in the cooler and stop at Dunkin Donuts for bagels. Special treats/drinks for my kids included those chocolate milks in a box and if you bring water bottles and lemonade mix, you can just pour the powder into individual water bottles and shake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 We like bringing tuna or chicken or ham tortilla wraps. I bring tons of different types of fruits and veggies. I also pop by our local baker and pick up freshly made cheese bread and soft oatmeal cookies....they eat the bread plain as is and when it sits out in the sun and gets toasty warm they love it even more. What are your fave fruits/vegs to take? I like the idea of stopping at the bakery! I'm also thinking that I could bake cookies and then pack them in servings to take....usually they just get nibbled on right away and we don't have any left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 We pack our lunch to go alot of places. We have homeschool group every Wednesday (but not during the summer) so we pack a lunch for that too. I'm a big fan of small rubbermaid/gladware containers, so usually I fill those with a variety of the following: PB&J sandwich, cut up Nutella sandwich, cut up strawberries grapes watermelon apple slices graham crackers (with PB or Nutella to dip in) cheddar bunnies small salad with a small container of dressing bagel with cream cheese round crackers, squares of cheese and pepperoni to make a cracker sandwich squirrel wedges (nuts, PB, honey, Nutella blended together and spread between whole wheat tortillas and cut into wedges) cubes of cheese mini deli sandwich (Hawaiian roll with mayo, with lunchmeat and cheese in the middle) rolled up lunch meat with a toothpick to keep it rolled up) Sometimes, I even head things up and put them in a thermos.... hot dogs chicken nuggets Bernie O's (organic spaghettio's) mac-n-cheese mini chicken sandwich (Hawaiian roll with mayo on it and a chicken nugget in the middle) Hmm....that's all I can think of right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 We pack our lunch to go alot of places. We have homeschool group every Wednesday (but not during the summer) so we pack a lunch for that too. I'm a big fan of small rubbermaid/gladware containers, so usually I fill those with a variety of the following: PB&J sandwich, cut up Nutella sandwich, cut up strawberries grapes watermelon apple slices graham crackers (with PB or Nutella to dip in) cheddar bunnies small salad with a small container of dressing bagel with cream cheese round crackers, squares of cheese and pepperoni to make a cracker sandwich squirrel wedges (nuts, PB, honey, Nutella blended together and spread between whole wheat tortillas and cut into wedges) cubes of cheese mini deli sandwich (Hawaiian roll with mayo, with lunchmeat and cheese in the middle) rolled up lunch meat with a toothpick to keep it rolled up) Sometimes, I even head things up and put them in a thermos.... hot dogs chicken nuggets Bernie O's (organic spaghettio's) mac-n-cheese mini chicken sandwich (Hawaiian roll with mayo on it and a chicken nugget in the middle) Hmm....that's all I can think of right now. That all sounds great! Much more appetizing that Taco Bell! The pepperoni/cheese/cracker is genius! My ds LOVES pepperoni. Do you put something on the apple slices to keep them from turning brown? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Sometimes, I even head things up and put them in a thermos.... hot dogs chicken nuggets Bernie O's (organic spaghettio's) mac-n-cheese mini chicken sandwich (Hawaiian roll with mayo on it and a chicken nugget in the middle) We've done hot dogs in a thermos before. I just put them in cold and pour boiling water over them. They stay very hot. It helps to have a wide mouth thermos. :glare::) My kids LOVE ham on those Hawaiian rolls. Walmart makes some pineapple rolls. They don't seem all that pineapple-y to me but they are sweet and small. And they are a perfect size for littles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Wow, y'all are much more creative than I! Each of my dds had her own little slightly-insulated lunch bag; I made a sandwich for each of us, and added some fruit and called it a day. I guess we weren't much for snacking, so I didn't pack those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsKriknav Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I pack lunches a lot! My kids love picnic lunches. I kinda take the bento box route. I highly recommend this blog... http://www.anotherlunch.com ...she has great ideas for lunches. Also I think someone mentioned about packing apples without turning brown...this lady uses Pink Lady apples and those don't turn brown after you slice them. They are pretty much the only apples I buy now...love them! Hope this helps!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggie Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Because we don't have a dishwasher and I didn't want to hand wash a billion and twelve Bento box things, I got these. I like them a lot, I even use them regularly for breakfast and lunch at home. We do broccoli florets (I buy a bag of prechopped stuff from Costco), pretzel sticks, couscous, wraps, carrots, strawberries and yogurt, grapes, oranges. More ideas here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I spray lemon juice on the apples to keep them from turning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 You can also bake muffins and freeze them ahead of time. Get a mini-muffin pan so they're a good size for your kiddos. I like low-fat banana ones with nuts and sometimes chocolate chips. You can also freeze tubs of hummus, and mini-pita breads. Diced cheese freezes well also. We like the Pink Lady apples, and also the Granny Smith ones for taking along. Camping stores sell a small salt/pepper shaker which is nice to take along. I cut down a larger thin cutting board to just fit my lunch box. Those nice colored sheathed knives are wonderful for lunch boxes. Smoothies are nice. I also make yogurt parfaits from frozen berries, plain yogurt, and walnuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 Great ideas! Thanks everybody! Feel free to add more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Here's an old thread with lots of ideas: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222163 *I just search hummus under my name for old lunch threads. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewpeaceful Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 These are GREAT ideas. For me, it is the daily packing that is a drag. My solution? Prepare several days of food at once and put in baggies or reusable containers. So, if you would need 3 servings of watermelon balls for 1 outing, maybe make 9 servings at once to cover 3 outings. Bag up a ton of pretzels, etc. Then it becomes MUCH easier to grab and go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VA6336 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 These are GREAT ideas. For me, it is the daily packing that is a drag. My solution? Prepare several days of food at once and put in baggies or reusable containers. So, if you would need 3 servings of watermelon balls for 1 outing, maybe make 9 servings at once to cover 3 outings. Bag up a ton of pretzels, etc. Then it becomes MUCH easier to grab and go. Me, too, on the daily packing. If I know we'll be out a lot that week, at the beginning of it I will make fruit salad (just a bunch of chopped up whatever is in season thrown together) and then split it up into various sized containers for the fridge. I put yogurt into smaller containers (I buy tubs usually, if the individuals are as cheap I'll buy them if I know we'll be out). We do the cheese/cracker/pepperoni thing a lot, too, so I cut up a bunch of cheese and make sure the pepperoni is in decent size bags (we buy the 5 pound bag from Sam's). I'll bring deli turkey or roasted chicken for mine. Crackers we just grab a box or a sleeve, depending on the cracker. I'll buy a big bag of pretzels or pita chips and divvy them up into smaller bags/containers. Nuts of almost any kind are a hit with my crew, but you couldn't give them to your 1 year old. Anyway, ditto on the ready-to-go containers at the beginning of the week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 I LOVE the idea of getting the whole week's worth ready at one time. Kindof like once-a-month cooking, except for lunches! I'm definitely going to try this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcelmer Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Subbing, because I can never thing outside the sandwich bag ..... :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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