It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over and early school mornings are upon us! We’re staring down the barrel of alarm clocks, rushed mornings, and my personal favorite (insert eye roll): packing lunches.
No matter how hard I try in the mornings, I always seemed to get tied up at the lunch prep station. Maybe it’s the procrastinator in me, but prepping lunches the night before is just not something I can ever get around to doing, and coming up with new ideas in the mornings is not something my brain is ready for at that hour. You can see my pickle (pun intended), and this year I’m vowing to get better at making lunches! When I have a plan, or at least an idea of what I’m going to put in their lunch boxes, this step of my morning goes much faster, and it feels good knowing that I’ve sent them to school with the nutrients they need.
MONDAY: Sandwich Skewers
Try this fun twist on a sandwich! Spread mayo and mustard on a slice of bread, and cut the bread into small squares. Layer the squares on a skewer with chunks of turkey and cubed cheese and you have a sandwich on a stick! Serve with pretzels and grapes.
TUESDAY: Avocado & Cream Cheese Roll-Ups
There are many variations to this meal, but it can literally be as simple as spreading cream cheese and avocado on a tortilla, rolling it up, and slicing it. It’s easy to add some flavor with bacon, tomatoes, cilantro, and/or cumin. Click here for a delicious version of this recipe. Serve with crackers, a clementine, and blueberries for a colorful and nutrient-packed lunch!
WEDNESDAY: Greek Pasta
Cook a box of pasta over the weekend and keep it refrigerated to use throughout the week. In the morning, toss it with some olive oil and oregano (or seasoning of your choice) and top it with a few crumbles of Feta cheese. Serve alongside cubed summer sausage, sliced cucumbers, and tomatoes.
THURSDAY: Salami & Cheese with Crackers
This is so easy to throw together, and definitely makes its way into our rotation several times a week! Slice Colby jack cheese and salami in a fun shape and serve with Ritz crackers. Throw in some apples and carrots and they’re set!
FRIDAY: Mini Pizzas
Let them build their own pizza with half an English muffin, tomato sauce on the side, shredded mozzarella, and pepperoni slices. Toss in some berries for their fruit and they’ve got a fun and delicious lunch that will hold them over until the bell rings!
EXTRAS
When I don’t think I’ve packed enough food or I want them to have an extra dose of protein, some of my favorite add-ins include:
- string cheese
- apple sauce
- banana chips
- yogurt-covered raisins
- drinkable yogurt
- granola bars
With just a tiny bit of prep during your grocery planning, these lunches are a breeze to throw together any day of the week! Please share your favorite quick, healthy, and kid-approved lunches in the comments below!
