Getting back in the swing of things...Preparing for child's lunches

One of the things I loved the most about this summer is not packing lunches. I know that sounds terrible, but it is one of my most dreadful things to do in the morning. Yet it's such a healthier thing to do than the alternative of purchasing a school lunch. In the post today, I will share with you some of my suggestions for getting back in the swing of packing school lunches. I also use these myself for work or if I am home. I don't know about you but I am not a big lunch person. If I don't make myself one of these items, I will not eat or snack on bad stuff and be starved by dinner. This has really helped me this summer with my eating habits.

I first make myself a list of what I need. I found these little containers at the Target dollar isle and bought some cute tooth pick like things from Target too. I also went and got little snack size baggies and a whole bunch of plastic utensils. I use to give Ellie my nice forks and spoons, that was a mistake. I then go to Costco and buy a whole bunch of containers and the majority of the food. I buy things in bulk, you have to nowadays if you have more than one kid and you defintely have too if you have a son that's a teenager!! I also will say that you have to ask your kids for advice. The things I eat are not necessairly the things they would eat. You don't want them just throwing it away, so just ask your kids.

You can go gluten free and dairy free like I have done with Ellie, or you can stick to the more traditional lunch. I am not going to lie and tell you I do this everyday. There are days the kids want hot lunch and there are weeks I am so crazy busy with work and life, that I don't have time or to be honest, don't want to prepare for the week. This is the ideal situation when things go very smoothly, you do this. I will say, though, that once you get in the swing of things, you do tend to make it a part of your every day habit. I try to make them up on Sunday's. I have also learned to not make the sandwiches til the morning of. I put everything in my extra fridge that is in the garage. I think you will find this really pays off and you and your child will be happy. Good Luck.

-Erin