It’s very rare that I have to pack a lunch for Jayden and I won’t really have to until maybe a year from now. But on the rare occasion that I do, it looks something like this.
Healthy, yummy, functional right?
But I’ve kinda been wanting to step my game up so that I can send Jayden off with some cool lunches ;-). I’ve been practicing a bit this weekend. Let me show you what I’ve come up with.
Mini Chicken Tacos
Jayden loves tacos so, I thought it would be a cute idea to make miniature versions. I was going for super simple, so I grabbed a bag of Grilled & Ready Fajita chicken strips by Tyson to top on whole wheat tortillas, with a dollop of salsa.
Start off by browning the chicken, feel free to add some cumin, salt, and pepper for a flavor boost. You mak want to break up the meat a bit.
Using a cookie cutter, cut the tortillas. A heart was as close to a circle that I could find around the house.
Top tortillas with chicken and a dollop of salsa.
Fold each taco and stick toothpicks in through the sides to hold in place.
The leftover chicken can be used for the next lunch solution.
Mini Chicken & Potatoes Kabobs
Jayden loves chicken fingers/nuggets with fries, so I decided to create a non fried alternative.
Start by cutting potatoes in mini wedges.
Cook them up in a bit of oil, season with salt and pepper.
Make mini kabobs out of the chicken and potatoes. Feel free to be as creative as you like.
Mini Fruit & Veggie Kabobs
A lunch is not a lunch without a fruit and/or veggie, so I decided to continue the kabob fun with some of Jayden’s favorites. Watermelon and cucumber grown by yours truly ;-).
Cut up fruits and veggies that need to be cut. Umm and take the seeds out of anything with seeds.
Have fun making colorful little kabobs!
Expect food thievery from the littles.
Of course these lunch solutions aren’t meant to be done all at once for an entire lunch. That would be toothpick overkill. I just wanted you guys to see how they’d look in a bento container. So. There.
Lunch Storage
Below are some handy items to store lunch in. We have the lunch kit, sport bottle, and similar lunchboxes.
  Wildkin Olive Kids Robots Lunch Box |
  Bramli Lunch Kit |
  Arrow H2O Junior 1L Sport Bottle |
Do you have any fun or effective ways to pack lunch? Do you have any favorite utencils or storage items? Share!
I am a member of the Walmart Moms program. Walmart is compensating me for sharing my Back to School lunch solutions. My participation is voluntary and all words and opinions are always my own.
Shannon
Tuesday 14th of August 2012
Wow. It all looks great! I think it's cool that you're creative with his lunches and include the things he enjoys in them! It's also cool that you grow your own vegetables. I most certainly think that it's a lot healthier than buying all of the processes veggies from grocery stores.
Jayden is so handsome!
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate
Sunday 12th of August 2012
Wow, you totally punked my lunchbox ideas-those are fantastic!
Sheena
Monday 13th of August 2012
LOL, really? Thanks!
Laila (@OnlyLaila)
Sunday 12th of August 2012
You just gave me some ideas! This will be my first year making lunch for my son and I've been scrambling trying to figure out a plan that fits my schedule and budget.
Sheena
Wednesday 15th of August 2012
Seriously, these are so easy. Even if you want to just throw some things in a box like I did in the very first pic, you can just get some silicone molds to add some fun to it. Kids love little things in little containers :-).