We have to eat our lunches in the van sometimes. I like to think that’s not uncommon for families, especially those who decide to homeschool.
Although there is always the temptation to fill that lunch with burgers and nuggets (which we honestly do sometimes, I won’t lie), I also sometimes bring lunch along with us. When I first started doing that, I used Ziploc baggies, though I hated seeing so much waste, when each of the three children (plus myself) were using a few bags for various food items.
One day, I realized that I had three reusable containers that were all the same size. And, that size was perfect for putting in a sandwich, something like Goldfish crackers, and a small treat. Plus, they made a great “tray” for the kids to just hold on their laps.
Easier to maneuver than several plastic baggies, no baggies to just throw away afterward, and saving money on buying food from out — it is a perfect solution for our family when lunch has to be on the go.
Do you have to take meals on the go? We seem to do a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches — do you have any great on the go lunch ideas?
This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday and Frugal Friday.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Angie,
We ofter pack lunches and snacks. The boys do like sandwiches, fruit, a piece of home made cake and a drink. We also do salads or leftovers and another favoutite is Onion Tart- the boys make it themselves.
1 onion softened in 1 tblsp butter and cooled a bit,mixed with
1 tub cottage cheese, 3 eggs, 1/2 pack french onion soup and 3 to 4 cups rice bubbles. Mix all together and bake on moderate heat about an hour, we do vary it a bit with grated vegs/ bacon/ cheese etc.
It is rather yummy warm or cold and travels well when chilled.
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This is a great idea. I also hate using ziplocs. My ds is a baby still, but I feel like I use far too many disposable bags. I'll keep this one in mind as he gets older.
Shelby
http://genxmoms.wordpress.com/
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This week my daughter's taking "cheese rounds" to school for lunch. We made pretzel dogs last week and I just stuffed some of the extra dough with cheese, baked them, and saved them for her. My kids also liked quesadillas and wraps. Here's a post where I shared some more ideas: Lunch Ideas. Have a great day!
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We constantly pack food for the car. My children are ravenous after swim team practice! Here are some foods that we pack:
hard boiled eggs,
lunch-meat sandwiches,
P, B, & J sandwiches,
cold chicken nuggets,
smoothies,
tomato soup in a thermos to drink,
bananas or grapes.
Samantha
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We've always stuck with rolled up slices of deli meats, cheese cubes, goldfish crackers and grapes. I've always used ziploc baggies though, I think the tupperware is a great idea! We'll definitely be giving that try!
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I've been using ziplocs, too. I think the plastic containers would be easier. Thanks for tip!
And sorry, no lunch ideas here!
W're pretty stuck on pbj, too!
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Great idea. I should pack lunches more often. Usually I run out of time trying to get Abby out of the house and we end up at Taco Bell or Burger King.
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I prefer to carry my sandwiches in a reusable hard container, less chance of the sandwich being squished. And like you said, less wasteful.
For traveling, I'm pretty much a peanut butter and jelly kind of gal. But if I have a cooler, I like cheese/tortilla rollups or veggies with dip.
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We often end up lunching in the car too. Usually, since I'm not organized run out the door at the last minute, I just grab the fixins for pb&j and make the lunch in the car. Sad, but still a lot better than drive-through. I've been guilty of that one too many times to count.
Scrapper al mentioned tortilla rollups, so I though I'd share one. My mom always made tortillas spread with peanut butter and raisins or pb&j. I loved it as a kid, and so does my daughter.
Thanks for the reminder to use tupperware in our portable lunches!
Nicole
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good idea! It looks like Monday's we'll be doing dinner on the go so I will probably take your idea.
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Last year, we had a day every week when we were out between 12 and 7 with lessons and sports. We were getting fast food every time until I started packing our dinner.
Something easy and yummy is wraps. I use whole wheat tortillas or wraps and light cream cheese, deli meat, lettuce and a little sprinkle of shredded cheddar.
Sometimes I'll just pack some snacks that all together count as lunch. Like maybe string cheese and some pretzels and grapes, or a yogurt and granola.
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Have you seen the "green sandwich bags". Here is a link to an Etsy site where I bought some a couple of months ago. Love them. I still keep some little sandwich bags on hand for things like airplane trips, but use these 99% of the time for our lunches and diaper bag snacks.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WasteNotSaks
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