Making and packing lunch is an everyday task that remains a universal anxiety. This midday meal should be a chance to relax and recharge. But making lunch is often a hassle and major stressor for parents who are rushing to get out the door on time in the morning. With school starting back up, it’s a good time to set the tone for the rest of the year, and with a little planning ahead your morning and your kid’s lunch-time can be effortless and satisfying.
1. USE REUSABLE CONTAINERS
These days there are so many options for lunch containers such as the Tupperware style ones pictured above or choose a bento box and send your kid to school in style. We’ve tried them all and settled on the Tupperware style containers because they were inexpensive (Amazon) and came in a pack of four with four different color lids (Burgundy, orange, teal, and green). The colors make it easy to keep track of who’s lunch belongs to who since kids have different preferences for what they eat. One kid can always use the orange or burgundy while the other kid can use teal or green. Each day your kids will know which container to grab on their way out the door. This will prevent them from mixing up their lunches and being stuck with peanut butter and jelly when they were expecting a turkey sandwich. These containers are great for salads too and allow for two additional sides. This small addition to the lunch routine can be a game-changer! It streamlines the process, making lunch prep much more manageable and mealtime much more enjoyable for the kids.
Using leftovers from last nights meal is one of the easiest ways to handle lunch the next day. If you divvy out the lunch portions as you plate dinner, you’ll breeze through the morning routine with a smile!
Packing your lunch strategically reduces waste, saves money, and is so much better for the environment. You can reduce lunch waste by packing your desired portions instead of purchasing pre-packaged portioned items at the grocery store. Single-use plastic items like sandwich bags and plastic wrap are major environmental contaminants. By investing in reusable containers, you are reducing your carbon footprint, and saving money at the same time.
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