Looking for "brown bag" lunch ideas for a kindergartener.....
Posted by seaurchin01 on Sep 02, 2010 · Member since Apr 2010 · 3 posts
My vegetarian 5 year old just started kindergarten this week and I am already out of lunch ideas for him (we made the switch to veg eating just 5-6 months ago). I have to pack lunch and then two snacks daily. I've been sending PB and honey, tofurkey, and grilled cheese sandwiches, and PB/ honey and banana wraps with fresh fruit, carrots/sugar snap peas w/ hummus, sliced apples w/ PB for dip, and a trail mix with what I have on hand (cashews, raisons, and pretzels this week). I need more ideas- I feel like I am relying way too much on peanut butter :-[ Any suggestions? I have not figured out how to cook tofu and tempeh so that he will eat it and I have yet to find beans he will eat....
Thanks in advance ;)b
there are many other butters out there, soynut, almond, cashew. i have seen some cinnamon almond butter that is to die for. use some cookie cutters to cut out shapes from pita break and send his the litle squeeze pouch of almond butter. instant fun! pasta with veggies, with a little lemon, olive oil, and basil. i will try to think of more! maybe those can help get you started!
You are so lucky that you can send peanut butter and nut butters. Here all our schools are peanut and nut free due to allergies. That really makes lunch time more of a challenge (although I totally understand the ban and support it).
You are so lucky that you can send peanut butter and nut butters. Here all our schools are peanut and nut free due to allergies. That really makes lunch time more of a challenge (although I totally understand the ban and support it).
That definitely would make sending lunches a lot more challenging.... Our school has a couple of rooms that are peanut/nut free (like the library) but most of the school is nut-friendly ;) I still don't get it though, since kids can carry the allergens on their hands/body into the peanut-free areas.
Thanks for the suggestions feminine_hyjinx!
check out some of the threads in stroller derby. there are lots of ideas there! I also suggest getting a laptop lunch. It makes packing so much easier, and the food seems more appealing when not hidden in plastic bags and containers.
I send my 3 kids leftovers in a thermos, spaghetti, soup, chili, vegan macncheese, enchiladas whatever we have on hand. I also take canned refried beans and melt Daiya cheddar cheese into them then put it in the thermos with a tortilla on the side and they can make their own burritos. Left over vegan pizza is also great cold. Another easy one is soy yogurt with a baggie of granola he can mix into it! Hope this helps, and yes my kids eat alot of nut butter sandwiches also :) oh and garbonzo beans mashed up with veganaise and relish sandwiches they love this one!
Try the book (and blog) Vegan Lunch Box. It was my first vegan cookbook and helped me get started. Also, all the meals are designed with a kid's tastes in mind and she gives instructions for how to pack the food for lunches.