Don’t look now, but school’s here! Are you ready for one of the biggest challenges for Moms of school-age kids – preparing school lunches day after day?  There’s hope and help for you yet. Here are 7 back-to-school lunch tips. Hey, I can’t come over and make your kids’ lunches for you, but these tips will surely make it much easier:

1. Make dinner do double-duty

You’re already in the kitchen preparing your family’s dinner, why not use that time to get a head-start on the next day’s brown bag lunches?Make a double batch of meals that taste just as good “the morning after”.  My kids like leftover fried chicken and pizza slices. Even if you grabbed takeout, get enough for lunches.  Pack the leftovers right into sandwich bags or food storage containers while cleaning up dinner, and shave a few minutes off lunch-making time in the morning.

To make meal planning easier, take a look at Dine Without Whine. It’s a monthly service for planning your family’s meals and grocery shopping.

2. Include lunches when meal planning

To do tip #1, you need to be more organized. This means including your kids’ lunches when planning your family dinners.

3. Let the kids participate

Lighten your load and teach your children some important life skills at the same time. Even small children can help prepare their lunches. If morning is too stressful, then make this an after-dinner activity – which brings us to…

 4. Make advance preparations

Do whatever you can do ahead of time. For example, cook in batches on the weekend, or buy big bags of chips, cookies, dried fruit, whatever you buy in bulk, and spend an hour dividing it into individual portions for the week ahead.

5. DIY fast food

Commercial packed lunches are attractive but unhealthy. But who says you can’t make your own? Buy your own colorful and attractive lunch boxes, such as a bento-style lunchbox. Fill it up with a variety of healthy food. Think of mixing up foods with different textures and colors, and cut them up into small pieces so they’re easy and fast to eat.  I just bought a Laptop Lunch system on eBay for $27.99 and it comes with a book of bento lunch ideas. I’m actually looking forward to packing it with food for my son!

6. Soup it Up

Soup makes a quick and healthy lunch. You can cook a large pot in the weekend and pack it in a thermos for a warm and satisfying lunch. Serve with whole wheat bread and some fresh fruit and you’ve got a complete meal.  Other thermos ideas include leftover spaghetti, chili, macaroni and cheese, stew, or any kind of casserole. Just pour boiling water into the thermos and let it heat up before adding the food. Don’t forget to pack a plastic fork or spoon!

7. Sprinkle in some fun

Sneak a little surprise into your child’s lunchbox once in a while. It could be a little chocolate treat, stickers, or a sweet note from you. Getting something unexpected makes lunch fun. With planning and creativity, your children can have healthy, delicious lunches without too much work for you.

For meal planning help, go to Dine Without Whine. It makes meal planning a breeze, while helping you save time and money.

Then you’ll have time and energy for those school lunches.

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