SCHOOL LUNCH (WT-actual-F)

Over-stressing about the unknown and attempting to slay each stage / milestone (including, but not limited to “back-to-school”) is the bane of every mother’s existence.

But remember back in the day when you were anxiety-ridden about all the newborn stuff? Do you also remember how the simple remedy was to step back, relax, and not overthink every little thing? Well that applies as our kids get older and jump into new experiences too.

Don’t let the internet fool you. Trust us – school lunch is not something worth getting your panties in a knot over. After recently discussing lunchbox prep with a few fellow mamas – some who have been in the lunch game for years – we learned a slew of lessons that we will now pass onto you in hopes we can all settle the F down about lunch for once and for all.

Everyone hates being told what the fuck to do when it comes to lunch prep. Those well curated websites that boast visually stimulating (yet nearly impossible) lunch ideas? New rule: Ignore them.
We all feel anxious enough about getting this school stuff right, and just need some real talk (and a list – scroll down, we got one). But chill, mama; it’s not actually as complicated at it seems.
It’s very common for food to come right back home (even after you carefully peeled the grapes and cut the crusts) because kids at school are not only easily distracted at lunch time, they literally DO NOT give a damn about a well curated lunch and will go right for the snacks.
On that note… SNACKS! Might as well make them worthwhile (aka healthy-ish) and load up containers to the brim with ’em. A mixed bag still counts as a meal, girl.
The first couple of weeks of the job you will likely be ambitious and confident AF in your lunch making skills. Know that this level of gumption will not last. By the end of the school year, you will be scrambling for ideas and reading the nutritional value on a box of Cheerios and there ain’t no shame in that game.
No one wants to cut fucking shapes out of food. Let’s collectively STOP.
It’s not worth feeling bad over repetitive lunches / boring lunches / last min lunches / IDGAF lunches. Your kid will not starve and will 100% make up for it later in the day.

PRO TIPS:

– Aim for a loaded breakfast (oatmeal, smoothie, eggs, avocados)
– Pack inconspicuously nutritious snacks.
– Make up for whatever your kid needs with dinner.
– Before offering any after-school snacks, survey lunch leftovers and serve those up first. No wasted food around here, baby!
– Order a party size pizza for dinner, and freeze leftover slices separated with parchment paper. Pop a slice in your kids’ lunch and it’ll be thawed and ready to eat by noon.
– Leave all the saucy, messy meals for home (read: stews, soups etc.) to avoid a sticky backpack and dirty mask. Bleh.

And remember to add a whole cup of CHILL THE F OUT. When in doubt, remind yourself that you made it through the 80’s alive and well, and we’re pretty sure our parents just scraped leftovers into a container while hovering over it with a cigarette and called it a day. Speaking of lunch boxes, do yourself a favour and save the $50 you’re about to blow on a bento box and grab tupperwear with compartments. It lasts longer (yes), it’s way cheaper, and it’s just as effective at holding food.

RM APPROVED LUNCH IDEAS
(because we’d never leave you hanging without them)

SANDWICHES – sliced egg, salmon salad, tuna salad, cheddar and cucumber, wow butter and jam, cream cheese, mozzarella and tomato. Switch up breads to keep it interesting – whole wheat, sesame seed, sourdough, hallah, bagels, croissants, pita, wraps.

FRUIT SNACKS – blueberries, raspberries, grapes, strawberries, cantaloupe, kiwi, apples, pears, banana, peaches… go nuts. The produce aisle is your friend. Squeeze lemon or lime onto any fruits that turn brown when cut to stop that shit from happening.

VEGGIE SNACKS – cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, lettuce leaves, broccoli, carrots, celery, asparagus, carrots, peppers, sweet potato wedges. Add a little salt or lemon on top, and everything becomes more appealing.

PLAIN PREPPED FOOD – latkes, pancakes, crepes, perogies, stuffed ravioli, stuffed tortellini, leftover pizza. These can be sent sans oil and sauce, and make for solid finger foods that your kid will gladly pound.

PROTEIN – chick pea & corn salad with lemon and salt, lentils with with salt and lime, sliced organic deli meats, turkey or ham rolls, pre-made tofu, hard boiled eggs.

DAIRY (if you want) – cubed cheddar, swiss or mozarella, Babybel cheese, Laughing Cow cheese, drinkable yogurt.

GRAIN – home made muffins (banana, carrot, apple – you can load these up with all kinds of secret nutrients like dates, oats, hemp and flax seeds, sweet potato and whatever else the internet serves up). Homemade scones – same idea. Load them up with parsley and cheddar or blueberries and lemon for delicious carbs! And Goldfish… those count as a grain too, right?

SNACKS – popcorn, crackers, raisins, soy nuts, cereal, granola bars, veggie chips, and dried fruit (apricots, apples, mangos).

Got anything else to add to the lunch box?
Leave a comment and we will add it to the list.

Bon appetit, babes!

Featured Image:
Children eating their school meals at Grange Park Infants’ School, Sunderland, in 1967
via www.chroniclelive.co.uk

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