More Awesome Lunchbox Ideas

Exhale.

Whew, I had to do that, it's been a big couple of weeks - in so many ways. Last Thursday I had my annual checking-breasts-for-cancer MRI (results not in yet), which still - even 5 years down the track - freaks me out. It likely always will, but in a way, the reminder of cancer is good. Cancer itself is bad, of course, but the reminder to make the most of my life is good. 

I. remember. 

Nelle started school and I started my new fellowship (I'm apparently still a scientist, regardless of what I say), and we did mad dashes around the house to save things from the extraordinary rain. I've been reading and writing lots of poetry, and just sent off 6 of my favourites to a poetry contest. My first one! We booked tickets for a trip to Phuket and Sri Lanka. We had lunch with friends and brunch with friends and my friend Michelle dropped by with a heavy bagful of mangoes from her very own tree. I love this time of post-travel catching up, and settling in.

And now? It's almost the weekend, and I'm going to slide into the corner of our apple-green couch with a book and a pot of tea and a super-blowy fan, and keep on exhaling. 

I'll remember to inhale, too. Don't worry.

Amanda xx

 

PS. Over the weekend I'll start putting together a post about Nelle's first week of lunchboxes, including brand new school-friendly recipes (and photos) - but until then, I had a look through the archives for some Lunchbox Food Group ideas. 

Of course, you can make these for yourself as well ...

CRUNCHY | CRISPY
Crackers

• rosemary and thyme water crackers 
• cheesy polenta crackers
• cheesy party crackers
• olive oil crackers

Raw

• grated carrot salad (omit the almonds for nut-free schools)
• rainbow veggies and hummus
• apple and celery salad (omit the cashews for nut-free schools)

Cooked

• roasted potatoes

CHEWY

• homemade muesli bar 

SOFT | BREADY 
Muffins

• whatever you've got muffins 
• blueberry quinoa loaf (muffins) 
• spelt carrot cake muffins
• sweet potato muffins (substitute coconut flour for nut meal in nut-free schools) 
• zucchini cake (muffins)
• corn bread
• sweet potato scones
• baking powder biscuits
• popovers

Sandwiches and wraps

• chocolate bread sandwich
• ricotta bread sandwich
• kamut chapati and cheese wraps
• no-knead bread and butter

Little bites

• naan pizza
• pita pizzas
  
• avocado sushi rolls, with or without nori 
• potato puffs 
• veggie frittata
• puff pastry pizzas

Cookies (some of which are actually chewy)

• choc chip cookies 
• choc chip chickpea cookies  
• buckwheat and butter cookies 
• chunky chocolate nut cookies (substitute dried fruit or seeds for nuts in nut-free schools) 
• oat and sunflower cookies
• mini meringues
• lemon biscotti

LIQUID-ISH

• homemade yogurt (add a tsp of jam!)