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Oh okay, fair enough :) Really didn't think my suggestions were too out there. That's the sort of stuff my mum made fr us, she worked full time and was a single parent of two. Point is, you should be fine, just need to kick the PB habit during school hours by the looks of it :)
Interesting thread...
I can't answer for kids lunches (I don't have any) but my biggest food discovery on the last 5 years or so has been homemade hummus and hummus-style bean dips. I have been eating more of these since pregnant, because I'm reducing the amount of tuna I eat, and avoiding deli meats and soft cheeses, which were my lunch staples along with bread/wrap/crispbread, salad veg and fruit.
Hummus, like the bean dips, actually freezes really well, so I make a large amount (2-3 tins worth of beans or chickpeas) and freeze it in small containers or icecube trays, and just defrost what I want for the day. It even defrosts well in the microwave! They also last the best part of a week in the fridge, but I'm being extra cautious because of my pregnancy atm. They can both be made to different textures, with more or less blending, and different thicknesses, too. I add very little oil, if at all, and more water/whatever other liquid I put in them, which increases the health factor unless you subscribe to the 'more olive oil is better for you' school if thought, in which case, I'm cutting out a few extra calories. :) There's no sugar, unlike most muffin and many slice recipes.
And I flavour them differently depending on my mood at the time - lemon and garlic, lime and ginger, cumin and coriander, cajun, roasted red pepper, green onion, sundried tomato, olive... I've even tried using steamed veg to add to it - carrot, cauli, parsnip - the stronger flavoured veg made for a more distinctive spread, but they all need some kind of spice or herb with it (think soup flavours - cumin with the carrot, parsnip and curry, cauli and parmesan were all good combos).
These are pretty cost efficient, time efficient if you make a larger amount and freeze, healthy, can be used as a spread in wraps or sandwiches, alone or with other ingredients, or as a dip with crackers or crudites.
Have I sold these to anyone yet? Can you tell I'm a big fan? ;)
I also have had a yoghurt maker for the last year or so, and have discovered how easy and cheap it is to make cream cheese at home. This also lasts well in the fridge (though doesn't freeze very well) and supports a myriad of different flavourings/toppings, as demonstrated by the dips shelf at the supermarket. I often use a thin layer on a sandwich instead of butter, or in a thicker layer as a main ingredient of a sanger or wrap.
subbing to come back to as Kindy is also nut free due to a child with allergy in his class.
Rice paper rolls have been a hit at DD school, and they don't even have to be filled with the usual stuff, we've made ham and lettuce ones, whatever you have lying around.
Quinoa veggie patties, taste yummy cold, DD loves them, easy to make.
veggie muffins
My children love 'everything on a plate' we have divided Tupperware containers and I put a selection of diced foods on it. Favourites include ham,kabana, chicken, fritz(Devon for those not in SA)/boiled egg, cheese, cucumber, grapes, carrot, strawberries, dried fruit, crackers. Guess its our version of a bento box.
DD1 lives taking tuna and crackers, couscous and coleslaw. Cold zucchini slice and pasta salad is something else I'm going to trial.
Yoghurt is always a loved snack, Banana bread, rice crackers, tinned fruit, tinned fruit with custard, Muesli bars, fruit tubs, Anzac biscuits
I'm going to trial sending crackers and toppings that they can put together themselves, they are doing it at home so entices I'm just not sure about the time factor but I think it will be fun for them.
DD1 is a peanut butter fiend so we have discussed not having it at Kindy and she is fine with the idea now and has started having other sandwich fillings
My current frustration is children can have yoghurt but not custard. A number of yogurts have much more sugar/fat/colouring and preservatives than my custard! Sorry end rant.
Fritz? Devon? Do you mean strassbourg??? ;) :p
LOL No, Chicken Loaf is devon... Strass is strass!
ETA: I m so confused! Devon is polony?
I get confused by some of the people in the weird States :hide: ;) :p
Ya know that stuff, that comes in a roll that looks like dog food, but you can feed it to your children and DH's ;)
Kiwi living in Adelaide, If only they made lamb in a lunch meat :lol:
Ok....
Devon is pink, but uniformly coloured, yes? That is polony.
What do you call the round or square white 'chicken' luncheon meat?
:rofl:
Mortadella? Bologna?
Maybe it is dog food? :lol: Do you get it at the deli or in the freezer next to bones?? ;) Either way it's probably nut free so you're good :D
Eta - LS, I call that what it is.... tripe.