Comments on: Back to School Lunches http://www.5dollardinners.com/2009/08/back-to-school-lunches.html Feeding the Family for $5 or Less Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:49:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Andreahttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2009/08/back-to-school-lunches.html/comment-page-1#comment-23466 Andrea Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:29:36 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=2773#comment-23466 You know, I've seen a lot of blogs about back to school lunches, and I think back to my own school experience - we almost NEVER got to buy hot lunch. The whole, "spending money on lunches" is just so foreign to me!! But I am LOVING the bento boxes, that is for certain. I went so far as to buy one for my 2 year old for when he starts kindergarten in 3 years. ;) I cannot WAIT to pack lunches every day - my dad (he was the Stay at home parent) packed my lunch almost every day until the day I graduated from high school! :) You know, I’ve seen a lot of blogs about back to school lunches, and I think back to my own school experience – we almost NEVER got to buy hot lunch. The whole, “spending money on lunches” is just so foreign to me!!

But I am LOVING the bento boxes, that is for certain. I went so far as to buy one for my 2 year old for when he starts kindergarten in 3 years. ;) I cannot WAIT to pack lunches every day – my dad (he was the Stay at home parent) packed my lunch almost every day until the day I graduated from high school! :)

]]> By: Lynnhttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2009/08/back-to-school-lunches.html/comment-page-1#comment-22940 Lynn Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:31:29 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=2773#comment-22940 Check out the Dollar Tree for disposal plastic containers. Most times they have the brand names. Check out the Dollar Tree for disposal plastic containers. Most times they have the brand names.

]]> By: Suzhttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2009/08/back-to-school-lunches.html/comment-page-1#comment-22751 Suz Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:53:04 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=2773#comment-22751 Have to say that I love the happy-sack I received from my sister for my bday last year. Ideal since it can be washed in the dishwasher OR washing machine + I can bring small amounts of crackers, grapes, sandwich, etc while using an eco-friendly container. http://happy-sacks.com Have to say that I love the happy-sack I received from my sister for my bday last year. Ideal since it can be washed in the dishwasher OR washing machine + I can bring small amounts of crackers, grapes, sandwich, etc while using an eco-friendly container. http://happy-sacks.com

]]> By: B. Keeferhttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2009/08/back-to-school-lunches.html/comment-page-1#comment-22736 B. Keefer Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:36:29 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=2773#comment-22736 Don't you just love those Laptop Lunches? We have 4 of them, and only one child. LOL DH takes his lunch and uses one, they are also great for family picnics etc. They are also great gifts for Holidays and birthdays! I have a very nice collection of Bentos that get used on a daily basis. So much more environmentally friendly and the meals are just leaps and bounds more healthy than anything you will find in a school/work cafeteria, not to mention the savings involved. Don’t you just love those Laptop Lunches? We have 4 of them, and only one child. LOL DH takes his lunch and uses one, they are also great for family picnics etc. They are also great gifts for Holidays and birthdays!

I have a very nice collection of Bentos that get used on a daily basis. So much more environmentally friendly and the meals are just leaps and bounds more healthy than anything you will find in a school/work cafeteria, not to mention the savings involved.

]]> By: Sharihttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2009/08/back-to-school-lunches.html/comment-page-1#comment-22696 Shari Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:58:03 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=2773#comment-22696 Im especially excited because Im expecting my daughters laptop lunch today or tomorrow. When using a regular lunch box I always feel inclined to get prepackaged items because you can't fit many plastic containers in a reg lunch box well. I always send my daughter with a small container (take and toss brand, but we dont toss) of applesauce or fruit salad but it smashes her sandwhich and then she won't eat it. I can't wait for our laptop lunch. Im especially excited because Im expecting my daughters laptop lunch today or tomorrow. When using a regular lunch box I always feel inclined to get prepackaged items because you can’t fit many plastic containers in a reg lunch box well. I always send my daughter with a small container (take and toss brand, but we dont toss) of applesauce or fruit salad but it smashes her sandwhich and then she won’t eat it. I can’t wait for our laptop lunch.

]]> By: Trevahttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2009/08/back-to-school-lunches.html/comment-page-1#comment-22362 Treva Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:02:25 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=2773#comment-22362 I second the ideas of pre-packing whatever you can on Sunday nights and the insulated container for hot foods. I actually just sent a rare treat to school with DD -- mac-n-cheese with hotdogs! It'll still be nice & toasty warm for her when lunch rolls around. I don't know if anyone else does this, but I find a small list of what to pack keeps me focused -- 1 main item, 1 fruit, 1 veggie, 1 dairy (if no cheese in the main), 1 drink, 1 fun item. My DD is a healthy eater so her idea of fun item is yogurt or a scratch pumpkin/choc chip muffin or the Disney Princess raisins her grandma sent in a care package. Makes my life so much easier! I second the ideas of pre-packing whatever you can on Sunday nights and the insulated container for hot foods. I actually just sent a rare treat to school with DD — mac-n-cheese with hotdogs! It’ll still be nice & toasty warm for her when lunch rolls around.

I don’t know if anyone else does this, but I find a small list of what to pack keeps me focused — 1 main item, 1 fruit, 1 veggie, 1 dairy (if no cheese in the main), 1 drink, 1 fun item. My DD is a healthy eater so her idea of fun item is yogurt or a scratch pumpkin/choc chip muffin or the Disney Princess raisins her grandma sent in a care package. Makes my life so much easier!

]]> By: Angiehttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2009/08/back-to-school-lunches.html/comment-page-1#comment-22350 Angie Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:49:48 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=2773#comment-22350 Love the helpful tips. Here is another one. When cutting up carrot sticks and celery sticks, store them in a container full of water in the fridge. It will actually prevent the white look to carrot and the curling of the sticks and the browning of the cut ends of the celery. It also helps bring out the sweetness of the vege's. Love the helpful tips. Here is another one. When cutting up carrot sticks and celery sticks, store them in a container full of water in the fridge. It will actually prevent the white look to carrot and the curling of the sticks and the browning of the cut ends of the celery. It also helps bring out the sweetness of the vege’s.

]]> By: Candacehttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2009/08/back-to-school-lunches.html/comment-page-1#comment-22214 Candace Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:12:05 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=2773#comment-22214 Hurray for low-sugar snacks! Yes, I'm a teacher, and it is so evident which students did and didn't have a balanced lunch in the afternoon. Hurray for low-sugar snacks! Yes, I’m a teacher, and it is so evident which students did and didn’t have a balanced lunch in the afternoon.

]]> By: Judie Ashfordhttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2009/08/back-to-school-lunches.html/comment-page-1#comment-22194 Judie Ashford Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:49:34 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=2773#comment-22194 You can also make your own gelatin dessert instead of using the boxed brand. It is firmer and you know what is in it. Mix one envelope of unflavored gelatin with 1/4 cup of cold water and let it soften. Heat in microwave or on stove until mixture is clear, and almost boils. This takes a very short period of time - maybe a minute or two. Stir in one and a half cups of your own 100% fruit juice, pour into a shallow container, and chill. For the lunchbox, cut into cubes and put into the Bento container. No artificial anything! ;-> judilyn You can also make your own gelatin dessert instead of using the boxed brand. It is firmer and you know what is in it. Mix one envelope of unflavored gelatin with 1/4 cup of cold water and let it soften. Heat in microwave or on stove until mixture is clear, and almost boils. This takes a very short period of time – maybe a minute or two.

Stir in one and a half cups of your own 100% fruit juice, pour into a shallow container, and chill.

For the lunchbox, cut into cubes and put into the Bento container. No artificial anything! ;->

judilyn

]]> By: Lindseyhttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2009/08/back-to-school-lunches.html/comment-page-1#comment-22180 Lindsey Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:51:05 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=2773#comment-22180 Thanks so much for the laptoplunches.com link! My husband and I have been trying to think of a system we could use to bring our lunches to work! I was esp worried about cheap, bad plastics. It will be a great way to pack healthy left overs without using baggies. Thanks so much for the laptoplunches.com link! My husband and I have been trying to think of a system we could use to bring our lunches to work! I was esp worried about cheap, bad plastics. It will be a great way to pack healthy left overs without using baggies.

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