Well, as always, I'm beginning this post with an apology. Between the NY Gift Show, back to school, weekend at the beach, and just generally crazy life workings (part of which is having suddently the responsibility of the school's hoiday events on me- the stress of which makes me immediately want to go work on that!)
The good news is that all of this has really given me more to think about than I possibly can most of the time, but also some good blog topics, should I actually find the time to write.
I guess with school having just started, it's a great time to talk about school lunches. Despite what really seems to me as a really overwhelming movement towards healthier foods for both ourselves and our children, the schools seem to overall, be"getting" little of this. The school my son goes to had what I thought was a terrific food management company last year, but a new one this year, with whom I must say I'm not terribly impressed. Part of this stems from the complete profusion of blank looks I got when asking question the night of the open house (where these people were supposed to bring their "A Game" and part of it stems from the fact that the items on the menu are not explained at all.
After talking to alot of people, I know we're certainly not the worst case- having only heard tales of the "Traveling Nachos" available in some schools, ( a scoop of meat/ chili poured into a bag of Fritos) served with corn on the cob and cornbread. That hardly sounds healthy to anyone, and doesn't sound appetizing AT ALL! Similarly gross and overly starchy are the Mac & Cheese with a biscuit and peas.
One of the main issues for me is the lack of organic milk in schools. I simply don't understand how, I believe that even though it seems to be fairly common knowledge that if you buy virtually nothing else organic, you should buy milk. Now, I know that there are lots of kids who have particular tastes and very specific likes and dislikes, though I am a firm believer in the notion that kids are not born with tastebuds that will only tolerate mac 'n cheese, processed meats and goldfish.
So, if we're assuming that we are trying to fight the system for better lunches for all children, what do
we do in the meantime?? Especially if we work, have multiple children, or are otherwise completely strapped for time? Below I've listed my top ten ideas for waste free, healthy, kid friendly lunches. My GOAL (see, I'm serious, because it's in all caps!) is to post daily or thrice weekly (at least) menus for school that are hitting those targets we want to meet, but being kid friendy at the same time.
1. Waste the waste!
Use some sort of waste free lunch system! Truly, the Obentec Laptop Lunch is the best thing I've ever seen. We use them at home, and have for the last three years- never (knock wood) has a piece been lost!
Use a stainless, or otherwise reusable (safe) bottle for drinks and water.
If you don't want to use a whole waste free lunch system- stop using plastic bags! Try Lunchskins reusable bags- they're the perfect fit for sandwiches or snacks, waterproof and and dishwasher safe!
2. Have a plan!
The school puts out a menu- You put out one too! If you're packing lunches, it will make it much easier if you have a plan, and make it easier for your kids to know that there is a plan.
If you want to offer choices, write (or have cards done like I have here), and on Sunday night,
give the cards to your child or children (only leaving the available choices, of course). Then they can pick the color coded items and put together their own menu for the week. We sat down and really brainstormed the items that he would like, so that even if we were at a loss, there are always ideas for different combinations.
3. Pack lunches (at least most of it) the night before, then toss in the last minute things in the morning. (again, try to stay away from the costly and wasteful single serve packages).
4. Think of things to make healthy foods fun (this does not mean make a potato look like a mouse by added raisin eyes, carrot whiskers, and a licorice tail- I really do not understand this concept. The items seldom go together, and are not tasty combinations, They seem to only make children want to play with their food.) Anyway, I digress. There are lots of terrific children's cookbooks, and easy recipes that they can help make. If you get that buy in, they will be much more likely to eat what is in their lunch box.
5. Lastly, think of the other children in the class as well. One thing I LOVE about my son's teacher is that she sent home a list of suggested snacks and birthday treats, and they were all healthy. She really discourages the junk food so prevalent in schools- often innocently brought in by other children. What you send with your child is going to be noticed by other kids, and that's just another way to help change the whole system.
