Lean and Green Lunch Ideas

We are a few months into the new school year and you may be looking for some unique ideas to mix up your or your kiddos lunch menu. Here are a few healthy homemade lunch ideas to help save money and reduce environmental waste. Put down those pre-packaged lunchables and try these! Remember pack a waste free lunch with everything in reusable containers, reusable bags, recycle juice boxes or better yet pack a reusable bottle filled with water or juice.

1. The "ole standby" but with a healthy makeover. Pair turkey, ham, chicken or salami, cheddar or swiss cheese with a dab of spicy mustard on whole wheat bread. For variety use whole wheat tortilla, pita bread or a bagel. Use healthier cuts of meats without sodium nitrates.

2. Make you own version of lunchables with ham, turkey, roast beef, served with whole grain crackers, string cheese or cheese cubes with sliced veggies and/or cherry tomatoes. One of my kids favorites!

3. Hard boiled eggs, sliced red peppers and carrots with ranch dip and whole wheat crackers. Or try whipping up an egg sandwich on english muffin with a slice of cheese. My kids love egg sandwiches for lunch and they take no time to make.

4. Chicken and fruit kabobs with yogurt dip paired with hummus and pita.

5. Cheddar or swiss and sliced tomato sandwich on whole wheat baguette (put the tomato between the slices of cheese to keep the bread dry).

6. Marinated roasted red peppers, goat cheese and a bit of red onion on sour dough bread with fresh fruit.

7. Instead of peanut butter which is increasingly not allowed at school due to allergies. Try a cream cheese and jam sandwich on whole wheat bread or bagel. We use a variety of homemade jams, jellies and preserves with everything from yellow plum, apple, strawberry, red pepper jelly and peach preserves.

8. Pack leftovers like tomato pasta, pizza or veggie casseroles. Freeze leftovers in small portions to pull out for quick lunches.

9. Black beans and rice or other salads including rice, pasta, quinoa, couscous. Just use your imagination!

10. Homemade soup, stews, chowders or chili in a thermos.

11. Make your own trail mix. Our favorite is a combination of banana chips, raisins, pumpkin and sun flower seeds, cranberries, dried cereal squares and chocolate chips (organic, fair trade if you can) or mini M&Ms.

12. Low fat yogurt or cottage cheese with fresh fruit and granola. Healthy dried cereals or popcorn packed in a reusable bag.

13. Make your own granola bars. Due to peanut allergies we can't bring store bought and this allows us to get creative with ingredients.

14. All varieties of fresh fruit. Try something new all the time and keep your kids guessing. Blueberries, strawberries, pineapple, apples, mango, oranges, plums, dates and peaches. Eat with the seasons and buy local first to get optimal nutrition and support local growers. Not to mention saving carbon on transport!

15. Mixed fruit burrito made with a crepe wrap stuffed with berries and smeared with a bit of marshmallow fluff or cream cheese.

Related Posts:

Remember the Bulk Barn for environment friendly low package lunch shopping
http://turninggreensavinggreen.blogspot.com/2011/06/rediscover-bulk-barn.html

How To Waste Free Lunches
http://turninggreensavinggreen.blogspot.com/2011/06/waste-free-lunches.html

Information on Sodium Nitrates
http://turninggreensavinggreen.blogspot.com/2011/06/hotdogs-are-back.html

Links:

Marinated Red Peppers Recipe
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-red-peppers-with-basil-oil-recipe/index.html