Summer Lunches

[bethy]

this is why we have families - to help each other out. you get help, he or she gets a great learning experience for the future.

 

[university]

Gag, my kids would boycott that lunch. I don't think the 15 year old should have to make lunch for the others either, isn't his job. However, I do agree with the, hot lunch thing, although schools don't serve fancy. Th kids can eat sandwiches. I do give them chips, but only 2 or the 3 eat them, and the other two only eat a small hand full. Yogurt is also something most kids like, 2 of mine can't eat it though, and 2 can't tolerate anything dairy, so I am so not in line with the milk. Sorry, but I think giving kids milk is just beyond disgusting. I do cut up fruit and make a fruit salad. How about pasta salad, subs or left overs?

It may not be his "job," but he can certainly do it.

I don't give my kids things like chips or other prepackaged foods. We only do fruit and veggies and if they don't like it, they can go hungry until they change their mind. As for the milk, we love it, but only if it's raw, organic, and grass-fed.

 

[aprilgail2]

Sorry, but I think giving kids milk is just beyond disgusting. I do cut up fruit and make a fruit salad. How about pasta salad, subs or left overs?

I agree-milk with a meal is really disgusting!

don't give into the "four different meals".

everyone gets the same thing. .

There are days I cook three different things for dinner- I don't see why one person should have to eat something they don't like just because someone else in the family likes it.

 

[luvsJack]

I do the same thing with dd that I did when I had two sons at home during the summer. When I buy groceries on the weekend, I ask for input on what they want for breakfast and lunch (I am at work so on her own for both)

Breakfast is usually cereal and fruit, lunch is: Ramen noodles with chicken added, baked potato with diced ham, shredded cheese and ranch dressing, frozen pizza, hot pockets, sandwichs. Last week she had mainly the pizza and Ramen noodles, this week she wanted stuff to make sandwiches and baked potatos. (there is other stuff available but this was what she specifically asked for)

For snacks, when several other kids are in and out (which seems to be most of the time around here) I have a big low sided wicker basket. In this basket is all kinds of individual snacks. When we have Little Debbie cakes and only one or two left in the box, they go in the basket. Same with big boxes of candy bars. Other than that I buy a few different kinds of snacks at the store and I put one or two kinds in the basket, the rest are put somewhere else. Every few days, I restock the basket. The kids know they can only have the stuff in the basket. This way, I still have things left to take in my lunch to work and dd has snacks left for when everyone goes home (they would eat us out of house and home otherwise!!)

There is always a huge choice of fresh fruit and veggies and bottled water with flavor packets available for everyone.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Cooking 3 different things at dinner time. You aren't feeding a family you are running a restaraunt! As for lunch I would make sandwiches. Have a couple different lunch meats and cheeses, fruit, veggies, jello, pudding and be done with it. I would not waste time "cooking" lunch on occasionally.



.[/QUOTE] There are days I cook three different things for dinner- I don't see why one person should have to eat something they don't like just because someone else in the family likes it.[/QUOTE]

 

[kcrew]

It is fascinating the way almost every thread on this board turns out....I click looking for responses on "quick, easy, inexpensive lunch ideas for kids" and get so much more....a debate over whether or not a 15 yo should make his own lunch, and possibly even help out with his siblings....proclamations that milk is disgusting....the usual competition over who feeds their kids the healthiest in all the land...input on child rearing in general...even commentary on the ills of society as a whole...and of course posters telling others how to run their households as always.....

Anyway, in response to the actual question asked, if your kids normally eat school lunches, and both you and your children are satisfied with the offerings, how about getting a monthly menu and simulating it?

 

[iheartdisney]

Lunch Tips:
If something is a "favorite" meal for dinner, I will cook enough to make leftovers for lunch.
Frozen food section- Bagel Bites, chicken wings, fish sticks, chicken nuggets etc. Our school is very good at offering veggies instead of chips, so my kids don't expect. Dh on the other hand...
Sandwiches are OK, but 7 days of sandwiches doesn't sound fun for anyone.
Soup- Find a good recipe online and make up a batch big enough to freeze some for later. Is there a better lunch than soup and fresh bread?
To address the picky eater issue: I have one of those, and to save myself from turning my kitchen into a greasy spoon, he knows that if he doesn't want what is cooked, he can have a jelly sandwich. I don't cook something seperate.
Good luck! I am taking mine to the Boys and Girls Club for lunch, so that is one less thing I have to plan for the summer!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Remember that you have the lunch money from the school year you can now add to your lunch/grocery budget.

Last Friday was the first "real" summer day and my guys ordered pizza for delivery. Told them that was not going to happen all summer so went shopping this week-end. Lots of fruit, raw veggies, breads, bagels, lean lunch meats and low fat cheeses. A few low fat cookies like fig bars, graham crackers, snack crackers, etc. Lots of these things get packed for our almost daily trips to the pool. Freezer is full of the minute made juice pop and a few the good old sugar filled ice pops. I make tea and cool-aid often and watered down juice to drink as well as lot of water. Milk for breakfast and as a choice any time.

We also do lots of left over. Love to grill a lot of what-ever for the next day lunch. We do go out for lunch about once a week for a fun change.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

if they are that old make them fend for themselves

 

[canadianjovigirl]

Our summers are kind of crazy as my kids do a few weeks of day camp so will take bagged lunches like they do for school. Grandma comes and watches them for a few weeks so she will cook lunches for them those weeks and then a few weeks they will be home by themselves and i will work an earlier shift so my son who is 13 will make them lunch or they will make it together- they will have kraft dinner, pizzas, meat/cheese/crackers, eggs/toast, veggies/dip, soup/sandwhiches, nachos, grilled cheese and other easy choices. They have taken a staying home alone course a year ago and a young chef course so they can safely create easy meals for themselves the few weeks they will be alone during the day.

 

[Poohforyou]

I agree-milk with a meal is really disgusting!



There are days I cook three different things for dinner- I don't see why one person should have to eat something they don't like just because someone else in the family likes it.

I agree with you. It's rare in our family that DH, DD and my dinner plate will all look identical. We will have some of the same things but not all. That's why I suggested having a variety of things and allowing each child to pick what they want from the offered selection.

 

[Sagginit]

when i was that age i did fend for myself, and i liked being out to make and pick out my own lunch. i ate frozen pizzas, chicken nuggets & fries, hot dogs, ramen noodles, soup, sandwiches, pasta. of course there was a side of veggies and plenty of fruit in the house. things like open face sandwiches are a good compromise. heat up some gravy, toast some bread, throw it all together and serve with a side of veggies or chips. its hot and takes little time.

 

[tripletots]

my ex's mother never used to make him do anything - he was the boy and therefore, he shouldn't have to. he would go "home" to her house for lunch every day so he could get a hot meal. he couldn't cook for himself! or do the laundry.

That's like watching an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond".

 

[sookie]

That's like watching an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond".

thats not the only reason he is my ex... but you are sooo right!!!! lol

 

[apnep]

There are days I cook three different things for dinner- I don't see why one person should have to eat something they don't like just because someone else in the family likes it.

Yikes! I'm not a shortorder cook, that's why. I'm with some of the previous posters. They eat what I fix or they don't eat. I work hard to put good healthy delicious food on the table and I fix my meals with love. It bugs me when I go through all that effort and they poopoo it. I see it as inconsiderate.

I also feel like my kids are all old enough to get their butts in the kitchen and start making themselves something to eat and experimenting. Now is the time for them to learn so they can fend for themselves later.

As for the ideas:
I do like alot of the ideas though and am dealing with the same issues. Also thought about the extra money we put in for the school lunches as well. I keep alot of fruits, veggies, cold cuts for sandys. I just bought some nuggets today, raviolis, cheese, and now I'm thinking I should make a pot of beans and do bean burritos for them. Also, hummus dip with pita chips and they do know how to make protien shakes too.

 

[SDSorority]

How about starting with something inexpensive and filling like a whole grain pasta and have different things the kids can add to it to make it their own. You could have sauce, chopped veggies, cubed cheese, diced chicken, italian dressing, beans etc. The kids could heat it in the microwave if they want a hot meal or eat it cold like a pasta salad.

I like this idea

 

[SDSorority]

OP, here's what we do (and no kids... but I do have a DH...and well, you get the idea )

*PB and J Sandwiches.
*Pasta Salad with whole wheat pasta, frozen bagged organic veggies, and dressing out of apple cidar vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. DH likes to heat it up and put pasta sauce and cheese on it, but I eat it cold as is.
*Hummus wrap- whole wheat tortilla, chopped veggies (any!), hummus.
*Avocado wrap- whole wheat tortilla, avocado slices, salsa, canned beans.
*Rice and Beans- canned beans, brown rice, salsa, topped with cheese.
*Frozen Bean and Rice Burritos
*Frozen Veggie Burers (we like Dr. Praegers)
*Chili- 3 cans of beans, drained and rinsed, mixed with 1/2 jar organic spagetti sauce, 1/2 c of water, chili powder/cumin/Franks Red Hot sauce to taste. Simmer a few minutes. Freezes well. Top with cheese, eat with chips or alone. I sometimes like to add organic tempeh to the pot.
*Soup is a good make-ahead and freeze meal.
*Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (rarely, but a good treat sometimes)
*Salad (make ahead)- organic bagged lettuce, chopped veggies (any kind!)
*Stuffed Baked Potatoes- bake a potato in the micro (or in the oven), layer with beans, salsa, cheese, and put in the fridge. When the kids are ready, they can pop it in the micro to heat.
*Egg Salad can be made ahead and put on bread with lettuce. Made with mustard instead of mayo, it's a pretty low cal lunch with lots of protein.


Hope that gives you some ideas!!

 

[Priorityonecb]

During the summer, if we aren't going anywhere special that day my kids like to sleep in. So really we do brunch and dinner for these few months. That opens up a lot of choices. They can do waffles, egg in a nest, cereal, oatmeal, sandwiches, pasta salad, hot dogs, quesadilla's, salad, baked potatoes, frozen pizza, ramen, soup, leftovers, fruit and cheese.

As a family we just don't get as hungry in the summer for some reason so snacking isn't a big thing here. As long as I keep the freezer stocked with those Otter Pops and fudgsicles that is really all they snack on besides the great fresh fruit of the summer! Appples, cantelope, watermelon, pears, frozen grapes, they love those! They also love celery and PB, carrot sticks with ranch and sliced cucumbers.

 

[mhsjax]

this is not asking him or her to do all the household cooking prep and meal planning, its called helping out for one meal a day and also its a learning experience for when he or she is out of the house and has to "fend" for themselves. i'm not suggesting that you forbid the teen from leaving the house at lunchtime this summer so you can have slave labor, but i am suggesting that if he or she is home that you involve him or her in this activity.

my ex's mother never used to make him do anything - he was the boy and therefore, he shouldn't have to. he would go "home" to her house for lunch every day so he could get a hot meal. he couldn't cook for himself! or do the laundry. and i've worked with several females who couldn't cook for themselves or do laundry - they were at a loss and ended up just doing fast food over and over again. they hated it but didn't feel like they knew how to do it and didn't have "time" to learn.

late adolescence is the time to learn those skills. this is the perfect opportunity to do so. this is why we have families - to help each other out. you get help, he or she gets a great learning experience for the future.

I never said the 15 year old didn't have to fend for himself. My 14 year old has been doing it since he was 10 and DD has been doing it since age 8. What I said was, I didn't think it was his job to get the others lunch. Big and I do mean BIG difference.

 

[Kitzka]

not sure how yuor kids feel about rice but my daughter LOVES rice. i tend to make a large amount at the beginning of the week and then pack it in smaller containers with the 'sides' (usually some chicken strips or grilled meat and a veggie). when/if i am not home, she takes one out and pops it in the microwave to eat.

if she doesn't want that i always have sandwich fixings on hand and frozen ravioli and sauce that can be popped into the microwave as well.

lara