Lunch

Lunch seems to be a big problem around here. I'm wasn't sure why, so I spent some time watching and thinking. I even asked friends what they feed their kids for lunch.

Some things I learned:

• The boys want (need?) more variety than I do - unless it is something they like. Then they will eat it daily
• The boys are very different on what their opinion of a "lunch" is
• They will only eat sandwiches for so long before they revolt
• Marty will eat almost anything for lunch - and particularly likes leftovers
• The boys don't like leftovers
• When left to find their own lunch, they fail miserably
• Our best lunches take way too stinkin' long to prepare
• I don't mind spending a bit of time making lunch, but on school days I don't want to spend more than 15 minutes on lunch prep
• I really don't want to rely on unhealthy packaged foods like ramen and mac & cheese - even though the boys love them
• I am not running a restaurant or school cafeteria, so they will just have to deal.
  
  

So... where does that leave me?

I am going to continue to work on this but here are some things I am going to try this week.

• Grill some chicken to keep in the fridge chicken salads (1 meal)
• We will eat PB&J twice a week. Period. (2 meals)
• They can have ramen or mac and cheese, with vegetables on the side (1 meal)
• Mexican roll ups - Spread 1 corn or flour tortilla with refried beans, salsa, and 1 tsp grated cheese. Heat in oven until cheese melts. Roll and eat. (1 meal)

This will get me through a week. Any other ideas?

(Photo courtesy of Alex Segre at flickr)