We have been using the Laptop LunchesLunch Box for the last few years. It is a great system and
although it seems a bit pricey, this is our third year using the same
one and we’re still going strong.
*I would recommend any of the 2.0
Kits or Systems by Laptop Lunches.
*I would also recommend getting a
set of Bento Buddies so that you would have the option of a large container and
a couple of the smaller ones in case one was in use or dirty.
*I would recommend the Laptop
Lunches plastic drink bottles. We’ve
never had any leak problems with them.
My Bento Blogger Friends also can’t
say enough good things about Easy Lunch Boxes. They
are BPA free, light weight and dishwasher/microwave safe. We can’t wait to try them.
*They also have a carrier that
keeps lunches cold and it is easy to clean.
*There are 4 boxes in each set so
you’ll have one ready without having to run the dishwasher every day. (We pretty much do anyway though. J)
*They are now going to be carrying
Mini Dippers so that you can have a leak proof small container to put in your
Easy Lunch Box for dips and salad dressings. Plus, we’ve heard a rumor about
another leak proof small container to hold things like applesauce, yogurt and cottage
cheese.
****UPDATE**** We LOVE our Easy Lunch Boxes and use them so often that they are always in the dishwasher. They are great for leftovers for grown ups and lunches for kids.
****UPDATE**** We LOVE our Easy Lunch Boxes and use them so often that they are always in the dishwasher. They are great for leftovers for grown ups and lunches for kids.
As I mentioned above, we’ve had great luck
with the Laptop Lunches plastic drink container and would highly recommend it.
We have a Thermos drink holder with a
straw. Molly takes that to use in the
classroom when she has a cough or if it’s really hot. (With the teacher’s permission, of course.)
We also have a Thermos food jar for warm
foods like soups and pastas. These stay
warm from the time we load them in the morning until lunch time. (*note: we
fill the Thermos container with hot water while microwaving the food that will go into
it. Then, we dump the water and fill the
Thermos with the food. It seems to help
with keeping things warm.)
We’ve been asked by several readers how we
keep Molly’s lunch cold during the hot months of school. It’s pretty easy with the Laptop Lunch Box because there is a small pouch in the carrier that can hold an ice pack. There is also room in the Easy Lunch Box carrier so that the ice pack is right on top of the lid and keeps the food cold. We’ve used the blue gel kind and also ones
that look like ice cubes. The biggest
thing is to get something that lies rather flat. Molly is in charge of putting her ice pack in
her lunch in the morning and putting it in the freezer when she gets home.
We are lucky enough to have an amazing bake
shop very close to our house and they have a great supply of cookie cutters and
cupcake picks. Our kids will eat more of
something if it is cut out in cute shapes and decorated. If you don’t have a place like this near you,
check out your local craft store or the internet. We have purchased a lot of things from AllThings For Sale.
Here’s a list of our recommendations:
*Cookie
cutters for sandwiches.
*Mini or micro cookie cutters for fruits, vegetables and other produce or
sandwiches.
*Silicone
cupcake liners. They are nice for separating foods.
*Cupcake
picks, food safe rings or bento utensils.
*Food
safe markers
*Sprinkles
(dye free if your child is sensitive)
*Lunch
notes (available at Lunch Box Love or you can hand write them) (ps - use coupon
code MOLLY to save 15% off Lunch Box Love Notes)
code MOLLY to save 15% off Lunch Box Love Notes)
*Cloth
napkins
*A
container to put everything in (it’s important to be organized so that you can
make
your lunches quickly and easily)
We try to write out a weekly menu but sometimes
that becomes difficult when we get busy.
We usually look at the grocery store ads and start there so that we know
what is on sale and what we have on hand.
If that seems like too much, there is a website called MOMables that
does it all for you and even includes recipes and a shopping list. We’ve used it and have had wonderful
results. They even have sample menus on
their site to see if it would suit you.
*Stay tuned for a MOMables giveaway within the next few days!*
Theme lunches can be fun too. We will look at our cookie cutters or cupcake/bento picks and go from there or look at the school calendar for inspiration. (ie:
yellow day or Dr. Seuss’s Birthday) We
also look at the school lunch calendar just to see if we can make something
similar but healthier. (ie: pizza or chicken nuggets)
Like I said, we usually have a plan but
there are some staples that are always good to have on hand.
*Natural
peanut butter/Sunflower Seed Butter
*Low
sugar jam/jelly/preserves
*Whole
grain or gluten free bread
*Hard
Boiled Eggs
*Applesauce
*Yogurt/Greek
Yogurt (We like Chobani Champions)
*Cheese
sticks or Babybel Cheese
*Cooked
whole grain pasta (for pasta salad or to heat up with sauce)
*Bagged
salad
*Baby
carrots
*Frozen
or canned vegetables
*Apples (we like MacIntosh or Empire because they don’t brown as quickly)
*Fresh
fruits and vegetables that your kids like (we usually have berries, peppers and
cucumbers in our refrigerator at all times)
Feel free to ask any questions below and have a great new school year! ☺
Feel free to ask any questions below and have a great new school year! ☺
What a great post! I think you covered pretty much everything and I'm DEFINITELY going to be pimping this post! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the tips! It didn't know that not all apples turn brown.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job! I'm sharing this :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, girls!!!! ♥
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect. I will definitely post and share!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out about my EasyLunchboxes! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the MOMables mention! ;)
ReplyDeleteConsider Lunchsense (www.lunchsense.com) when looking for waste-reducing, machine washable, BPA-free lunchboxes.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I love packing lunch. Please check out my site for free printable lunch notes, www.littlelunchnotes.com
ReplyDeletesuch an awesome post! LOVE IT!
ReplyDeletethe laptop lunch Bento box system is on clearance at our Wegman's grocery for half price!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - Grab it! You won't be disappointed! Love Wegmans!!!
ReplyDeletehi. which bento buddy set did you get?
ReplyDeleteHello Tania!
ReplyDeleteWe have the pink set for Molly and the purple party set for Bean. They are great for larger entrees, extra sealable containers and extra tiny dip containers. Hope this helps. :) http://www.laptoplunches.com/?affid=89