Lunchbox Options For Every Appetite!

September 6, 2016

Kids aren’t the only ones who “take their lunch,” but with school back in session, it’s nice to have a lunchbox full of options for every appetite! We combed some of our favorite sites for the latest in lunchboxes and lunches — from a twist on the old PB&J to sandwich-less meals that still pack a nutritional punch!

On the lunchbox front we found compartmentalized convenience with the Bentgo Kids leak-proof lunch box (BPA-free and FDA –approved). It’s microwave and dishwasher safe and an Amazon bestseller at $27.99.

This insulated tote from Rubbermaid is made to work with its LunchBlox food containers and Blue Ice packs (sold separately*). It is also microwave and dishwasher/freezer save and BPA-free. The lunch bag itself is $10.47, and the trio is $25.89.

For more lunchbox ideas for kids, check out these other cool lunchboxes that “kids won’t be embarrassed to carry.”

For a grownup unisex option, we found a black neoprene lunch bag that stretches to accommodate most food containers and beverage bottles. It stands upright and insulates food and drink for up to four hours – keeping hot stuff hot and cold stuff chilled. It’s another Amazon bestseller at $26.95.

Thermos makes food jars in about 32 different colors and patterns for keeping food warm or cold for five hours. At $14, these might come in handy when the temperature drops!

What’s in Your Lunchbox?

Now for the food! Celebrity chefs who pack a lunch for their kids seem to be as creative with mini-menus as they are with TV-show extravaganzas, according to Parents Magazine.

Ming Tsai, author of four cookbooks and host of Simply Ming on PBS, puts turkey Sloppy Joe fixings in a thermos for his kids, and packs up a slider bun, apple wedges and cucumber slices.

Sometimes he whips up pinwheels with turkey, lettuce and Dijon mustard on a whole-grain tortilla, with some baby carrots and vegetable chips for a little crunch.

Tyler Florence, host of Tyler’s Ultimate on the Food Network, likes this combination: tortellini salad, a peach and a small tossed salad. Tyler says just cook the pasta, adding peas in the last two minutes then toss with pesto.

And for two twists on the traditional PB&J, Tyler preps a goat cheese and grape jelly sandwich on a small cinnamon-raisin bagel, with a nectarine and some raw sugar snap peas.

Or, half a sunflower-butter and banana sandwich on whole-wheat bread, with some grape tomatoes and low-fat fruit yogurt.

Josh Capon, guest judge on the Food Network’s Chopped, likes to pair fruit kabobs (with the pointy ends cut off!) and string cheese, with rolled up turkey lunchmeat and whole grain crackers.

Marcella Valladolid, host of the Food Network’s Mexican Made Easy makes DIY tostadas with shredded chicken, cheddar cheese and refried beans, and two corn tortillas.

Or she’ll make an egg-salad wrap, and pack some sliced pears with lemon juice and sweet potato chips. Marcella says to just chop a leftover hard-boiled egg and add chopped bell peppers then toss in vinaigrette to roll in the tortilla.

FamilyFreshMeals.com has another 50 lunchbox ideas for big, little and in-between appetites. And while we might have to wait for colder weather to try it, Corey’s, “dinner tonight; lunchbox tomorrow” Leftover Crockpot Lasagna Soup sounds like one to try.

And For Dessert?

You don’t have to pack a lunch to visit Southshore, and we’ll reward you with plenty of eye candy in the latest in home designs from Richmond American and Village Homes.

Stop in for a visit soon. With or without your lunch!