Back to School with Nestle: Lunches, Snack Time, and a $500 Walmart gift card giveaway!

by | Aug 10, 2009 | a day in the life, contests & giveaways, featured, homeschooling, in the kitchen | 116 comments

nestlelunchIn our sixteen years as a homeschooling family, one thing that I’ve seen can make or break a successful schedule is lunch routines, or the lack thereof. If lunch is served at a specific time and we know in advance what we’re having, things run smoothly. If we just wing it, the day falls apart; any homeschooling mom can tell you it’s hard to grab those reins again once that happens.

I’m happy to be partnering with Nestle and featuring some great products to help you handle the changes that back to school or back to (home) school brings to your day-to-day routine.

Juicy Juice

Our family has been drinking Juicy Juice for years. My favorite thing is that there are no artificial sugars or ingredients: all juice. My kids’ favorite thing is the taste.

I love that it comes in both bottles for home and juice boxes for on the go, perfect for sticking in the kids’ backpacks for snack time at our homeschool co-op or for a school lunchbox.

Juicy Juice has developed some innovative products: Juicy Juice Brain Development enhanced with DHA; Juicy Juice Immunity; and Harvest Surprise, a fruit and veggie blend.

Follow @JuicyJuice on Twitter.

Treats

I’m not above bribery to keep my kids in line and motivated during school. I’m also not above snacks that are deceptively good for them. Nestle offers both.

Wonka Candies such as Laffy Taffy, Everlasting Gobstoppers, Sweet Tarts, Spree, and Nerds are feel-good snacks at their finest. What an awesome afternoon treat or lunchbox surprise. (I confess to eating as much Laffy Taffy as the kids. They love telling the silly jokes on the wrappers, too.)

We had an all-out search party at my house this week looking for a “missing” box of Gobstoppers; it was finally discovered that my 18-year-old son had taken the whole box to work.

Whoever came up with the idea of coating raisins in chocolate was brilliant. Raisinets come packaged both in single serving and larger boxes.

Bottled Water

Nestle offers several popular brands of bottled water. As hot as it is here in Georgia, we have to keep bottled water on hand for cross country and baseball seasons, or any kind of picnic or outdoor get-together. Nestle makes Ozarka, Poland Spring, Deer Park, Nestle Pure Life, and more.

Here are some lunch and snack links that might be a help to your family:

Healthy Lunch Box Ideas

Sooper Sooper Lunch Surprise

Tropical Raisinet Trail Mix

Promotions, product samples, special offers, and more from Nestle

 

 

Do you have a back to school lunch idea? Leave it in the comments section to be entered to win a $500 Walmart gift card compliments of My Home Sweet Home and Nestle!

I would really appreciate your help spreading the word. Tweet or post the following to Facebook — Share back to school lunch ideas for a chance to win a $500 Walmart gift card from Nestle & @DawnMHSH! http://bit.ly/149ckf — for another entry. Just leave it in a separate comment.

Feel free to subscribe to my feed via reader or email so you won’t miss upcoming posts this week about tips for handling meals on days with sports practices, ball games, or afternoon classes; and how you can turn outdoor chores into fun for your kids and their friends. Those posts will also be part of this contest, plus watch for a separate contest later this month where I’ll be giving away another $500 Walmart gift card.

Related Posts:

Back to School with Nestle: Handling Supper on Hectic Days

Back to School with Nestle: Sweet Rewards

116 Comments

  1. yvonne
    yvonne on August 10, 2009 at 7:13 am

    To save a little $, we make a large batch of homemade trail mix (we buy raisins, peanuts, M&M’s or Nestle’s chocolate chips, and almonds in bulk). The kids love it with their lunches or for a snack!
    .-= yvonne´s last blog ..Planning for the 2009-10 School Year =-.

  3. GinaofHOPE
    GinaofHOPE on August 10, 2009 at 8:55 am

    My girls are trying to increase their skills with chopsticks, so I make various sized bites of apples (and soak them overnight in pineapple juice to limit their ‘browning’) and pack them and chopsticks with their sandwiches as a healthy side item and fun way to use the chopsticks at school… They love it, and so do their friends!

  5. Sheri
    Sheri on August 10, 2009 at 10:01 am

    We make a trail mix also! Golden Grahams, craisins, M&M’s or Nestle Premium cho. chips, chocolate chex…and anything else that sounds good at the moment.
    .-= Sheri´s last blog ..He didn’t look sick =-.

  6. GayleV
    GayleV on August 10, 2009 at 10:32 am

    My girls enjoy making their own lunches and they eat them better, too. I just try to keep a variety of the things I know they like to make for lunch–bread, cheese, peanut butter, yogurt, and fruit. Now if only they liked to clean up their mess as much as they liked to make it.
    .-= GayleV´s last blog ..The Non-People Photos Reunion Part 4 =-.

  8. Taaryn
    Taaryn on August 10, 2009 at 11:11 am

    We are doing an experiment. I made a month’s worth of meal plans that we are following. This helps me make 1 shopping trip a week, saves money because I’ve planned things out, and it cuts down on me rushing around trying to find meals on the fly. These people eat 3-4 times a day, so our day can easily be unraveled because of meal preparations (or lack of)! The other key to success is keeping a schedule and sticking to it. So far, it’s been great. There are some menus that I will need to change for the next month, but it’s nice to have a plan that I can follow, and once it’s perfected, it will be take even less time as I already have my shopping lists prepared! Another tip is to involve your children and let them help make lunch! I praise their works profusely, even if I get a ham and cheese sandwich on raisin bread. They are encouraged to keep taking charge, and I’m encouraged that one day, I will let them prepare the meals all by themselves for our family!
    .-= Taaryn´s last blog ..Back to School =-.

  9. Tracy
    Tracy on August 10, 2009 at 12:12 pm

    When the kids were younger, I always planned our lunches. We had a set day for each meal. Monday was PB&J, Tues. Mac-n-Cheese, etc. I tried to alternate Hot and cold meals. Always adding whatever fruit and a few veggies we had on hand. It worked out great and we didn’t have to stop and “think” about what was for lunch. Now that they are teens, they do their own things for lunch and usually make mine now! Beautiful! 🙂
    .-= Tracy´s last blog ..Memo Monday:Short Cuts@The Post =-.

  10. Casey
    Casey on August 10, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    I have easy-to-please boys 🙂 So I pack essentially the same thing every day, with slight variants: PB&J, juice box (100% juice no sugar added), cheese stick, fruit (apple, banana, or strawberries), crackers (triscuits or wheat thins), and I’ll stick a sweet treat in each day that they know cannot be touched until the “healthy” food has been eaten. I the non-perishables in bulk & stay stocked up on the bread & fruits. We have very stress-free lunches 🙂

  11. Jennifer McIlwain
    Jennifer McIlwain on August 10, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    My daughter loves veggies (carrots, broccoli, etc) dipped in ranch dressing. The little packets of the dressing are so expensive and being a one income ministry family, I really have to watch our grocery budget. So, to save money and still allow her to pack a healthy alternative to chips I save the plastic containers my baby’s Gerber baby food comes in. You know the ones with the lid? I fill them with ranch dressing from the bottle and put the veggies in a baggie. Saves money and makes use of the containers!
    .-= Jennifer McIlwain´s last blog ..The Next Food Network Star =-.

  12. EL at ThroughMyOwnLens
    EL at ThroughMyOwnLens on August 10, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    While my son isn’t in school yet, he will be starting pre-school soon! I already find that making food FUN and getting him involved in food preparation is key! If he thinks that he “helped” make the food, he’s more interested. And, by helped I mean “made a big mess”! Some ideas are cutting sandwiches or even sliced cheese into fun shapes with cookie cutters. Ants on a Log (celery, PB and raisins). Fruit Kebobs.
    .-= EL at ThroughMyOwnLens´s last blog ..Such Small Things… =-.

  14. vicki
    vicki on August 10, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    My kids love to have something sweet with lunch. I try to add fruit as the “sweet”. At least the sugar is natural that way! Also for something other than water we drink Seltzer water. No calories, No sugar, just water a bit of flavor and bubbles! (we buy Publix brand…it’s cheep!)

  15. Beth S.
    Beth S. on August 10, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    I love having leftovers in the fridge for lunch. I try to make enough dinner to have leftovers for lunch the next day. This works out really well for us. The kids can have the leftovers or make a sandwich.
    When we won’t be home at lunch time the kids love pack a lunch to take with us. I try to have have special “treats” on hand for this that we don’t normally eat at home. Like drink boxes, pudding cups, etc.

  16. Kristal
    Kristal on August 10, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    We are pretty boring here. The kids have PB&J every day. Only my oldest will choose something else every now and then so I always have some other choices for him (he likes hummus wraps, those pizza bagels, lunch meat).

    On the go food is what I need help with…especially with soccer about to start!
    .-= Kristal´s last blog ..365-221 =-.

  18. Jill Chandler
    Jill Chandler on August 10, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    Wow! You guys make me feel negligent! Clearly, I must plan more!

  19. My Two Seasons
    My Two Seasons on August 10, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    I have young kids, my oldest is starting kindergarten this fall, so I don’t have any experience with school lunches yet! But my girls love canteloup and other melons so I take a melon baller and scoop out the melon and serve with a little food pick. They just love them and they’re so fun and easy to eat. I’m planning on sending these with my daughter for lunch. It’s one thing I know she’ll eat!
    .-= My Two Seasons´s last blog ..I Heart Faces – Silly! =-.

  21. Glass_Half_Full
    Glass_Half_Full on August 10, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    I love to ‘recycle’ left overs. A thermos full of hot spaghetti or chili is a great, healthy, filling lunch. The kids love it and it is also a money saver and time saver 🙂
    .-= Glass_Half_Full´s last blog ..Go Green? Go Lean. And, add Confetti 🙂 =-.

  22. Kristen
    Kristen on August 10, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    Don’t forget to cut those sandwiches in a cute little shapes 🙂

  23. Susan
    Susan on August 10, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    We keep lots of yogurt on hand, especially vanilla, and mix in granola or Nestle mini-chips for a quick lunch treat.

  27. Christie
    Christie on August 10, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    Whole wheat or multi-grain bread, spread with low fat cream cheese and a light sprinking of real bacon bits. Cut off the crusts… for some reason, kids always go for that.

  28. Night Owl mama
    Night Owl mama on August 10, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    Our school provides a healthy lunch for a small fee.
    There are certain meals that my dd doesn’t like so on those days I send her in a reusuable lunch box and a reuseable plastic sandwich container a hot pretzel along with carrots and a small container of ranch dressing. Some days a whole apple or appleasauce too along with a APPLe juicey juice
    .-= Night Owl mama´s last blog ..3 year olds Imagination: Bugsby Great Race Adventures On the Moon =-.

  29. Dianne
    Dianne on August 10, 2009 at 8:26 pm

    Hey, Dawn!

    I tweeted your contest. 😀
    .-= Dianne´s last blog ..School Room Week =-.

  30. Dianne
    Dianne on August 10, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    I can’t think of any fabulous lunch tips, other than to plan ahead. I ask my boys (15 & 14) what they would like for lunch before I go grocery shopping. For the most part, each of us makes our own lunch, so we’re usually buzzing around the kitchen together. With only three of us, that works out fine. Sometimes hubby’s here, and he usually grabs a sandwich or some leftovers. Most days we’re able to take a 30-45 minutes lunch break (or less). 🙂
    .-= Dianne´s last blog ..School Room Week =-.

  31. Tricia
    Tricia on August 10, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    I like to buy the Langer’s frozen juices in the little plastic bottle and reuse the container. I fill the container with different juices and freeze them. I send them with a spoon and it’s a nice little treat during lunch.

  32. Keonte'
    Keonte' on August 10, 2009 at 8:48 pm

    My idea is not a food, but an idea to help with food consumption.

    If your child is a picky eater, try encouraging them to try new things in their lunch by leaving a note. It could read, “I know you don’t like________________ all that much, but if you just give it a try we can (go to the park for a few minutes today, visit the library to get a new book to read, rent your favorite movie, etc). You can try this weekly. Pretty soon, your child will be willing to try more items giving you more options to pack in their lunch.
    .-= Keonte’´s last blog ..I’m Dreaming of A Baby Girl =-.

  34. Keonte'
    Keonte' on August 10, 2009 at 8:52 pm

    I subscribe using luvdamall at aol dot com.
    .-= Keonte’´s last blog ..I’m Dreaming of A Baby Girl =-.

  35. Tammy Cloud
    Tammy Cloud on August 10, 2009 at 8:59 pm

    What we do is the kids get pb&j monday thursday and friday they get to order pizza. I know it is not that exciting but they are not allowed to heat any food up. Sandwiches it has to be. We do throw turkey and ham in there every once in a while.

  37. Tammy Cloud
    Tammy Cloud on August 10, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    I just facebooked it. I am going to subscribe too.

  38. Candi
    Candi on August 10, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    The thing that we have most for lunch is what we call “meat & cheese” which differs in the meat (pepperoni and/or turkey lunch meat) & the cheese (string cheese, cheese cubes, cheese slices). We have the usual pb&j as well. When I get bored of those, we’ll have quesadillas or something warmed in the oven (fish sticks, chicken nuggets, tater tots, pizza, corn dogs, pizza rolls). We like variety. Currently we don’t have a schedule of what time we eat…usually just whenever we finish school work or we get hungry!
    .-= Candi´s last blog ..Another Frecklebox Giveaway =-.

  44. Tonya
    Tonya on August 10, 2009 at 10:56 pm

    I just did an Associated Content article on healthy brown bag lunches. You can find it here (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2016148/how_to_build_healthy_brown_bag_lunches.html?cat=22). My favorite tip is to make it fun:
    • Spread cream cheese or peanut butter on a bagel, English muffin or rice cake. Make a face with raisin or dried fruit eyes, a cashew or almond nose and an apple or fruit slice smile.
    • Use cookie cutters to cut regular sandwiches into fun shapes.
    • Or, cut cubes of meats and cheeses and pack with crackers for a homemade Lunchables meal.
    .-= Tonya´s last blog ..Healthy Brown Bag Lunches =-.

  45. Aimee W.
    Aimee W. on August 10, 2009 at 11:16 pm

    I’m all about fruit salad and a few slices of cinnamon raisin bread. I loved this combo as a kid — and now my daughter loves it too. Thanks!

  47. Aimee W.
    Aimee W. on August 10, 2009 at 11:20 pm

    I shared this post on Facebook (user name: Aimee Waerhouse)…Thanks!

  48. shel
    shel on August 11, 2009 at 3:30 am

    It’s gotten too expensive to buy school lunch every day so now I let my daughter pick one day a week to buy and the rest she has to pack her lunch. It’s tough to get her to eat her lunch when I’m not there so I try to jazz it up a bit by including salads with dressing (her favorite) and making cold BLT sandwiches instead of plain lunchmeat. I also include carrots and dips or a banana and a small container of Nestle Chocolate Syrup for dipping..at least I know she’s getting some fruit or veggie in her lunch that way.
    .-= shel´s last blog ..Looking for some great Walmart giveaways? =-.

  50. Melissa
    Melissa on August 11, 2009 at 6:58 am

    We’re home at lunchtime, and planning ahead really does help. For days on the road, though, I freeze juice boxes to help keep everything else cold; by lunchtime, the juice is thawed but still cold.
    .-= Melissa´s last blog ..Staples Gift Card – Giveaway =-.

  52. brandy w
    brandy w on August 11, 2009 at 7:08 am

    we just make a pbj sandwich, but i buy the goober grape mix. it’s actually cheaper than buying peanut butter and jelly.
    sliced apples
    triscuits
    and a capri sun juice box.
    lunchables are also very nice and affordable
    .-= brandy w´s last blog ..contests 8-10-09 =-.

  53. Katie H
    Katie H on August 11, 2009 at 9:32 am

    My oldest is a picky eater & a peanut butter fanatic. She will eat it for every meal. So I have to get creative if I want to sneak in the veggies. Sometimes when I fix her favorite peanut butter sandwich for lunch, I will stick a few carrots in the food processor, grind them up, and then mix them into her usual peanut butter spread. She is none the wiser & I am happy to know she’s getting some variety.

  54. Celesta Brown
    Celesta Brown on August 11, 2009 at 11:14 am

    My kids love black olives. You’d be surprised what you can come up with to include the sure thing – whole wheat English muffin pizzas, wraps, black olive baseballs and celery bats, etc.

  55. sprittibee
    sprittibee on August 11, 2009 at 11:34 am

    We make a generic menu plan for a month that includes lunches so we have ideas to pull from and don’t end up popping in frozen pizzas every day out of desperation. Being at home gives us more room to eat better, I think… but it is tempting when we are doing really good with a school day to short change our lunch with unhealthy quick foods.
    .-= sprittibee´s last blog ..Happy Bee! =-.

  57. Chrissy
    Chrissy on August 11, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    Our favorite lunch is blueberry muffins and strawberry smoothies! Both are fairly easy to make ahead of time and help make our school day run much, ahem, smoother. 🙂

  58. Traci Best
    Traci Best on August 11, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    Some of our faves:

    Individual Packaged Crackers, String Cheese, Banana

    Hotdogs (cut up) in Baked Beans, w/mixed veggies

    Ravioli, green beans

    Turkey, cheese, spinach w/Ranch on Tortilla, Baby Carrots

    Sausage Biscuit (pattie and biscuit from frozen), apple slices
    .-= Traci Best´s last blog ..Blessings raining down when we give… =-.

  60. Mary
    Mary on August 11, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    Smuckers has some great PB&J sandwiches in the freezer aisle. They come in whole wheat with your choice of strawberry or grape jelly. Those are always quick to pack in a school lunch. Another favorite of ours is BLT sandwiches.

    mfalcon13 (at) hotmail (dot) com

  62. Shawntele
    Shawntele on August 11, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    Our favorite lunches are any that are wrapped in a tortilla, PB&J, turkey and lettuce, leftover taco meat…thanks for the entry. My email is: savedbygrace7215(at)yahoo(dot)com 🙂

  64. Dawn (aka MommaKnows)
    Dawn (aka MommaKnows) on August 11, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    We do have a set range of time for lunch. We break between 11:30 & 12:00, for half an hour. One of the things I like to do is prepare a big batch of burritos ahead of time, for the freezer. Either meat and cheese, or bean and cheese, on medium size flour tortillas. I roll them up and they fit 3 to a quart size freezer bag and go right in the freezer. They are fast to heat up in the microwave. I also keep already cut up carrots & celery sticks in sandwich bags in the fridge. I try to plan at least a little bit ahead each day.
    .-= Dawn (aka MommaKnows)´s last blog ..Our (non)Schoolroom =-.

  65. Marsha
    Marsha on August 11, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    We’ll often do an a la carte kind of lunch with whatever we have on hand.

    Some kind of meat (rolled up ham or turkey, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, etc), perhaps some cheese cubes, whatever fresh fruit I have on hand (cut up), yogurt, or maybe a simple pasta side (or plain with butter)… The thing is that it doesn’t have to “go” with each other.

    We also have sandwiches (or filled tortillas) which makes my boys happy. That’s the ONLY time they are allowed to have chips! 🙂
    .-= Marsha´s last blog ..I <3 Faces – Crazy, Silly, Funny Face! =-.

  66. Ruthanne
    Ruthanne on August 11, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    We’re really boring for lunch around here – it’s either sandwiches or leftovers. It just makes it easier on me that way!

    However, my crew has to have constant snacks (especially one particular member of my crew :D) – so I’ve tried to make it fun. They each have a cute/cool snack bag that I load up either the night before or that morning: fresh fruit, teddy grahams, gold fish, popcorn, etc . . . Then when it’s time for snack, it’s fun!
    .-= Ruthanne´s last blog ..Awww . . . . =-.

  67. Ann
    Ann on August 11, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    My kids hardly go a day without a peanut butter and honey or jelly sandwich! But, when they do, they love grilled cheese or peanut butter or cheese on crackers. Essentially, those are our “staple” choices. But, to liven things up, we like to vary the side dish. We always have a fruit or veggie and usually have something crunchy. Our favorites are apple slices, grapes, carrot sticks, watermelon, or raisins. For crunchy we have popcorn, goldfish or other snack crackers, and occasionally sun chips.

  68. ShootingStarsMag
    ShootingStarsMag on August 11, 2009 at 2:58 pm

    I think making sandwiches are a great back to school lunch…maybe find a cookie cutter to make the bread into fun shapes and then add some turkey or ham and put some mayo or something. It’s pretty fast and most kids like some type of sandwhich.
    .-= ShootingStarsMag´s last blog ..Official Event Chaser! =-.

  69. Hillary @ The Other Mama
    Hillary @ The Other Mama on August 11, 2009 at 4:08 pm

    I just switched to a pre-school that provides a hot lunch on site every day. This was a HUGE selling point for me because I am right there with you on the lunch frontier… it seems un-conquer-able. But, when I’m at my finest, I’ll prep lunch the night before and the day DOES run more smoothly. It makes it all come together and I don’t chop off anyone’s head (literally or figuratively) in the mornings.
    Love the HUGE WHOPPING gift card chance!! WOW!!
    .-= Hillary @ The Other Mama´s last blog ..If Necessity is the Mother of Invention… =-.

  70. Mrs.Pear
    Mrs.Pear on August 11, 2009 at 4:16 pm

    I kind of cheat. I plan 2 casseroles or lunches with leftovers and one becomes lunch for monday and wednesday, the other for tuesday and thursday and then Friday (or Monday) becomes a sandwich day or poached eggs and toast day or something equally easy. This basically means 2 free lunches as far as work is concerned and that is great!
    .-= Mrs.Pear´s last blog ..Multitude Monday 3 =-.

  71. Carolyn G
    Carolyn G on August 11, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    Wraps are a good lunch item to make because it breaks up the monotony of regular sandwiches. Plus they are easy to make and eat.
    .-= Carolyn G´s last blog ..Soda Stream Review and Giveaway! =-.

  73. Carolyn G
    Carolyn G on August 11, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    fanned you on Facebook: carolyn gonzalez

  75. Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschooelrs
    Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschooelrs on August 11, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    We seem to stay in a rut with lunch, but, in a way, that’s kind of nice. I have a rotation of meals that we all enjoy and I keep them posted on a menu on the fridge. I know, without looking, that every Tuesday we’re having pizza, but the other days rotate. Either way, it’s always something simple and quick.
    .-= Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschooelrs´s last blog ..Curriculum Review: Grapevine Studies =-.

  78. Smockity Frocks
    Smockity Frocks on August 11, 2009 at 4:57 pm

    We love quesadillas for lunch around here. Tortillas spread with refried beans and cheese, then slathered with butter and slapped on the griddle. Mmmmmm…
    .-= Smockity Frocks´s last blog ..$200 Visa Card Giveaway! =-.

  80. Kristy
    Kristy on August 11, 2009 at 5:05 pm

    My girls often tire of sandwiches. One thing I like to do (and they love) is make them hors d’oeuvres lunches. I’ll take cheese cubes, rolled up turkey and maybe an olive and stick a toothpick through it. I’ll also take cubes of pineapples, strawberries – whatever fruit I have on hand, and do the same thing.

    Thanks!
    Oh, and I retweeted for an extra entry. 🙂
    .-= Kristy´s last blog ..Are You Fighting the School Wars? =-.

  82. Jenni Saake - InfertilityMom
    Jenni Saake - InfertilityMom on August 11, 2009 at 5:18 pm

    For a quick lunch we love to spread a tortilla (make it whole wheat for extra nutrition) with peanut butter and sprinkle with craisins. Roll it up and it is a fun and easy eat!

    jsaake AT yahoo DOT com
    .-= Jenni Saake – InfertilityMom´s last blog ..25% Mineral Makeup rebate until Wed. =-.

  83. Karen W
    Karen W on August 11, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    A lot of times, it depends on whether or not my dh us home. If it’s just the kids and I we usually have sandwiches or leftovers. Sometimes, John will make us some tuna melts – tuna on bread, sliced tomatoes, provolone cheese and oregano. Then broil it until the cheese melts. Simple and delicious! My family likes theirs with mayo but I prefer plain.
    .-= Karen W´s last blog ..The Busy and Blazing Summer =-.

  85. Tina P.
    Tina P. on August 11, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    Wow. I just got some really great ideas for lunches! Thanks everyone!

    We are fairly boring around here too. Lunch is fast and easy. Sandwiches, Raman noodles, frozen pizzas . . . all things the kids can help with and prepare on their own if need be.

    For snacks though, I like to take the pre-made pie crusts, spread them with melted butter and sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar. I cut them into squares using a pizza cutter and then just bake them according to the directions on the box. It’s just like the leftover pieces from the homemade pie crusts my mom used to make! Yum!

  86. Leslie M.
    Leslie M. on August 11, 2009 at 9:38 pm

    I love pita bread stuffed with hummus and lots fresh veggies and fresh baby carrots on the side! Gotta pack a 100% juicy juice!
    LOVE fresh fruit too!
    Thanks for a GREAT Giveaway
    Leslie
    .-= Leslie M.´s last blog ..Italian Farm-Style "Chicken" a la Delicae Gourmet =-.

  89. darcy @ m3b
    darcy @ m3b on August 12, 2009 at 12:18 am

    What a generous give away. Thanks Wal-Mart!

    Lunches: we do wraps often. Lunch meat with veggie cream cheese. I bake my own bread, so a grilled cheese on fresh bread is like a lil bit of heaven. We usually do what is like two lunches… small meals, more frequently helps keep them focused. And those short recesses keeps mommy sane. 😉

    I also am not above bribing my kids – a little sugar snack help keeps them focused and excited about school. Whatever it takes to have success!

    As for me? I drink my calories. mostly in coffee. Ha!
    .-= darcy @ m3b´s last blog ..Not Back-to-School Blog Hop: School Room Week =-.

  93. Tiaras & Tantrums
    Tiaras & Tantrums on August 12, 2009 at 12:39 am

    My kids are not PB &J kids – they like a cinnamon bread sandwich with nutella or wheat bread with butter and the crust cut off, yogurt and always a little note form momma!
    .-= Tiaras & Tantrums´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.

  95. Stacie Haight Connerty
    Stacie Haight Connerty on August 12, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    I let my kids pick out what they want to eat for lunch. They have to make it balanced and they always ask me for a little help but it turns out well. They take pride in the fact that they have picked out their own food.
    .-= Stacie Haight Connerty´s last blog ..That’s iNGENIOUS Challenge from iRobot: Your Idea Could Win $10,000 for Charity =-.

  97. Tricia (Once A Month Mom)
    Tricia (Once A Month Mom) on August 12, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    We don’t have kids in school, but our monthly menu plans for families that do. By cooking one day and freezing meals ahead (yes even kids lunch meals) you can save lots of time and energy.
    .-= Tricia (Once A Month Mom)´s last blog ..Diaper Deal: Target =-.

  99. Colleen
    Colleen on August 12, 2009 at 2:51 pm

    We’ve had to cut back a bit and have designated the weekend as lunch prep day. I’ve bought a bunch of snack size zip loc bags and prep the cookies, chips, pretzels and various lunch snacks. It makes it much easier during the week and creates more of a grab n go when making 4 lunches! Our kids LOVE wraps so we try to change it up during the week.

  100. Vanderbilt Wife
    Vanderbilt Wife on August 12, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    I don’t have one old enough for school yet, but I think the bento boxes are wonderful for young one’s lunches. Easy to pack healthful things, keep them cool, and plastic-free!
    .-= Vanderbilt Wife´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.

  101. Donnetta
    Donnetta on August 12, 2009 at 4:03 pm

    Our lunches vary from day to day. Often sandwiches and in the winter soup is a big favorite! Sometimes we just eat what was leftover from a previous dinner.

    What a GREAT giveaway!
    .-= Donnetta´s last blog ..Prayer Update =-.

  102. Donnetta
    Donnetta on August 12, 2009 at 4:09 pm

    I just posted your link on my FB page. I also posted a link yesterday at the Homeschool post if that counts for anything. 😉
    .-= Donnetta´s last blog ..Prayer Update =-.

  103. Angelita
    Angelita on August 12, 2009 at 5:35 pm

    My daughter is real funny about how she eats! She eats just about anything, even paper sometimes! Every item in her sandwich must be packed separately. Her bread, turkey, cheese and dressing will all be in separate sandwich bags. Then she will eat her veggies with dip and her fruit.

  104. Angelita
    Angelita on August 12, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    Just posted on my facebook! I know you will get a lot of more comments!

  105. Angelita
    Angelita on August 12, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    Just tweeted about this!

  106. Renee
    Renee on August 12, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    I make a very healthly lunch for my kids. i also put little notes of encorragement in there lunch bags for a little mommy pick me up and let them know that i love them esp if they are having a test that day or having a really hard week

  107. Naomi
    Naomi on August 12, 2009 at 10:59 pm

    My daughter will be starting kindergarten in a week and I’ll be making a ton of Nutella and peanut butter sandwiches…
    .-= Naomi´s last blog ..Balloonatic =-.

  108. Karen
    Karen on August 13, 2009 at 12:48 am

    One of my daughter’s favorite lunches is using Jiffy Mix [cornbread muffins]. I mix it as directed and add turkey and cheese to the mix. Also I throw in a little ranch dressing then pour into muffin cups and bake as directed. She loves them and a batch will last 2-3 days for us.

    Karen 🙂
    .-= Karen´s last blog ..Thank You Gretta… =-.

  109. Aimee Bernard
    Aimee Bernard on August 13, 2009 at 3:03 am

    Keeping it simple is the way to go! In the summer think light and crisp like a pita pocket and fruit salad snack and in the winter more heart and warm like a nice soup or stew and carbs to keep you going in the cold. Well at least here in Boston…

  110. Aimee Bernard
    Aimee Bernard on August 13, 2009 at 3:03 am

    email subscriber

  114. Annette D
    Annette D on August 13, 2009 at 10:47 pm

    My kids like for me to make them wraps for their school lunches. You can use almost any kind of lunch meat and veggies and roll it all up, quick and easy!

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