Back to School/Lunch Revolution Blog Party!

Fed Up With Lunch blog is doing a fun questionnaire  about Back-To-School and lunches.

How is “Back to School” going for your family?

So far so good! We don't start our co-op preschool until early September, and I've already lost the info they sent me about the orientation and meetings. I haven't printed out the required forms (there's, like, a bajillion forms. You'd think I was dropping my child off with them for the entire school year, with all the releases and such! But in our class, I'm with her or in the next room the entire time!)

Is school lunch important part of your child’s day?

For our class we don't do lunch, but they do have snack. I think it's very important. Even though we do snack right before 'large muscle' (indoor or outdoor recess-style play) and then go home, it's a great opportunity for the kids to be exposed to routine, different foods (let's face it: we tend to pick a few finger foods and stick with them in our households!) learn manners, waiting patiently to be served, and cleaning up after themselves. Plus for us, it's been the only time she'd leave the Parent Ed room on the days it was my group's turn to be out of the classroom!

What is school lunch like at your school or your child’s school?

I'm assuming this question is asking about the food, and not about the time slot. I like the snacks at school, since each week (1 class per week for our age group) a different Snack Parent brings something to share with everyone. We had our first GoGurt that way last year. While there have been a lot of Goldfish crackers and string cheese, there have been some mini-muffins, a variety of fruit, Annie's Bunnies, and more!

 Not really a snack/lunch at school. This was actually crushed cereal in the sensory table, but she skipped breakfast that morning!

Does school lunch need to be reformed?

I'm not in-tune with our local public schools' lunch programs, but I do think that most districts/schools need to focus on more healthy fare. Yes, it's harder. Yes, it's more expensive. But how can we teach our children to make good food choices when there are soda machines in the lobby and cinnamon rolls at the a la Carte window?

Do you pack lunch for your kids and what do you pack?

I pack lunch for us when we go out to stuff, and sometimes for after gym class or preschool. I try and pack a balance of choices. Fruit or veggie, cheese or yogurt (or both!) meat or sandwich. I'll admit I'm not as good about incorporating veggies, since we don't have as many easy options laying around the house, but often have an apple, banana or some berries.

Do you write notes in your kid’s lunches and what do you write?

Not yet, but I hope to! I would try and write a positive message. Something I love about her, or something I think she may need to read that day if something's been bothering her lately. Or sometimes just something funny, or a fun fact pertinent to what she's learning currently.
But right now she can't read, and she's always with me at lunch, so I can tell her in person! She has enjoyed the few times I've done fun shapes or personalized her food (I've only done that at home. Like squirting her ketchup onto her plate to write her name!)

What are some of your favorite lunch recipes (kid-friendly or adult-friendly)?

Hahaha. Recipes use 'ingredients.' I'm not a big ingredient user yet. Unless Peanut Butter and Jelly counts as a recipe! I hope to make my own pizza pockets and toasted cheese sandwiches using the KrustBuster and the similar one from Pampered Chef, but I haven't yet.

What are some great beverages for kids and adults?

Water! It's cheap. Low calorie. Fat-free. Sugar-free. And available everywhere! Other than that, I like the single-serving soy milk boxes, since they don't have to be refrigerated, so I can grab one in a pinch, or not worry if it sat in my car (unopened) all day.

What is a traditional food item that you have made even more healthy and how did you do it?

Uhh. Other than saving her from all the junk food by eating it first? Skip.

How much time should kids get to eat lunch?

At least 30 minutes, plus shuffle to-and-from classroom time. And a potty break after!

What are some products that you use when you pack lunch?

EasyLunchboxes. Random hand-me-down Tupperware from MY childhood (thanks mom!) Various insulated bags (but usually the EasyLunchboxes one. Sometimes the freebie from when I worked at Safeway, because it's longer and holds more.) Tupperware Smidgets (teeny little 1-ounce containers I use for dip. I love that they fit into my EasyLunchbox. But they were only available as hostess gifts or something, and are discontinued. You can still find some on Amazon from private sellers and some Tupperware booths at fairs and such.) LOL. And my Medela breast pump cold pack. And some flexible ACE ice packs I got for my headaches! And a re-utilized McD milk bottle filled with water and kept in the freezer as an ice pack!
Plus my cookie cutters and Lunch Punch sets to make my food into fun shapes. Oh, and my Krustbuster.