School (and Toddler) Lunches!

A few days of simple lunches from last Spring! Both girls enjoyed these unconventional lunch menus!

Just Ducky

GF noodles with DF spinach "ricotta," organic carrots and strawberries, GF/DF "cheeze" crackers

 

I had attempted some gluten- and dairy-free Goldfish-style crackers, and they were kind of a bust. But Z kind of liked them, so I took some that I had made with a tiny duck cookie cutter to inspire a duck-themed lunch! I also had some gluten-free duck noodles and leftover dairy-free spinach "ricotta," for the perfect main dish to go with! I stuck some duck family picks in the strawberries, and done!

Ducky Toddler

Organic grapes, strawberries, carrots, and tomatoes; GF/DF pasta with spinach "ricotta"

More of the "cheezy" pasta for Little Sis. And she nibbles a lot during the day, so I went a little heavy on the fruit for her grazing pleasure.

Cheese and Olive Skewers

Organic carrots and cherries, olives with goat milk Gouda, cooked buckwheat groats

 

I strung some olives and small chunks of goat milk Gouda cheese on some puzzle picks for a quick and easy protein option for Z, to go with some leftover cooked buckwheat groats.

Toddler-Style

Organic tomatoes, carrots, and strawberries; olives, cooked buckwheat groats, shredded sharp cheddar

Little Sis isn't a fan of Gouda, and I had some sharp cheddar shreds left over from something. E is lactose intolerant, so sharp cheeses are okay for her. I just generally don't keep cow milk products in the house because I'm intolerant, and I think that Z has behavioral reactions. I know she did to these cheese shreds. So I used them up on Little Sis!

Fried Cheese

Glutino Table Crackers, goat milk Haloumi cheese (fried;) organic strawberries, carrots, sugar snap peas

 

Once discovering the magic deliciousness that is Haloumi cheese, it's hard to settle for anything else. It's a solid cheese designed for frying without melting or having the oil separated out. And mmmmm, is it delicious! I was ultra-excited to find a goat milk version at Trader Joe's (seasonal, apparently.) So I saved a few slices for Z's lunch. Paired with some gluten-free crackers as her grains option.

Toddler Lunch

Glutino Table Crackers, shredded sharp cheddar; organic carrots, sugar snap peas, strawberries;
organic salad (lettuce, tomatoes, carrot, cucumber, rosemary vinaigrette, hemp hearts)

 

I don't bother wasting Haloumi on the toddler, as she doesn't particularly care for it. So she got more of the sharp cheddar cheese shreds that Big Sis and I can't have. And a bit of the salad mix I had made for myself. Sometimes she'll eat it.

Tools of the Trade

      

Food for Thought