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Food & Whine

Fun recipes tested by picky eaters.

Ideas for Packed Lunches and a GIVEAWAY!

January 21, 2011 by Megan 42 Comments

Whether you’re packing a lunch for yourself, your spouse, or your kids, it can be a challenge deciding what foods to pack and how to pack them. Here are some tips (and a great giveaway!) to help you through it.

I try to make litterless lunches whenever possible. When I pack food in reusable containers and bags, it’s better for the environment and it’s usually cheaper and healthier than pre-packaged foods. You’ll also save a lot by not using as many plastic sandwich bags. I’ve been loving my reusable sandwich and snack bags that I found from Anytime Sacks. I got Spongebob bags for Cole and Diego bags for Bennett (or Dabodee bags, as Bennett would call them). They’re really easy to wash too, you just wipe the nylon liner with a damp cloth, or for tougher messes just toss them in the washing machine and hang to dry.

Here are the boys’ lunches from the other day:

This time I put granola bars in the little snack bags, and a whole apple in each of the larger bags. At daycare I need to label everything or it’ll end up in someone else’s lunch, so I like sticking the apple inside a bag with their name on it. Purchasing a label-maker was one of the best investments I’ve made, because I sure need a lot of labels!

I also like using the little round Ziploc containers, Rubbermaid juiceboxes, and Corningware dishes. The Corningware is super handy for putting leftovers in and reheating them, if you have access to a microwave. If you don’t, then a thermos is great. I prefer not to reheat foods in plastic, so that’s why I like these dishes.

As for foods to put in your lunch, here are a list of my favorites:

  • Fruit (grapes, apples, strawberries, blueberries, mango, melon, oranges, etc)
  • Cheerios mixed with raisins or dried cranberries
  • Homemade bars (Fruit-filled Cereal Bars, Mini Fruit-filled Cereal Bars, Energy Bars, Fruit and Seed Bars, Cinnamon Raisin Granola Bars, Fruity Granola Bars, Apple Date Bars, Strawberry Yogurt Squares, Apricot Orange Squares)
  • Granola Balls
  • Cereal Crunchers
  • Muffins (Triple-Hitter Muffins, Lunchbox Muffins, Banana Yogurt Muffins, Oatmeal Carrot Muffins, Tropical Mini-Muffins)
  • Peanut butter and Jelly Roll-ups
  • Quesadillas (Shredded Chicken Quesadillas, Black Bean and Pepper Quesadillas)
  • Yogurt
  • Homemade Bear Paws
  • Applesauce, Berry Applesauce
  • Whole grain Goldfish crackers
  • Sesame Flaxseed Crackers
  • Veggies (baby carrots, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes) and dip
  • Cheese cubes
  • Homemade Fruit Leather
  • Sandwiches (ham and cheese, peanut butter and honey, peanut butter and jelly, cream cheese and cucumber, cream cheese and jam, cream cheese and avocado, egg salad, tuna)
  • Pizza
  • Weelicious Pizza Pinwheels
  • Mini Crustless Quiche
  • Pasta salad
  • Quinoa Greek Salad
  • Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
  • Pita Pockets with Greek Salad and Hummus
  • Leftovers!

Now I’m sure you’d like to hear about this giveaway, so here it is.

Anytime Sacks Giveaway:

You can win a snack and sandwich sack of your choice from the listed on their Etsy shop. It can be a matching set or different fabrics.

To enter, just leave a comment mentioning one of your favorite things to pack in lunches. Make sure I have your email address so I can contact you if you win.

You can receive bonus entries by doing any of the following (just make sure to leave a separate comment to tell me each bonus entry you do):

  • Add Anytime Sacks to your Etsy Favorites
  • Share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or blog
  • Follow us on Google Friend Connect
  • Subscribe to us by Email
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Become a fan on our Facebook page (by clicking ‘Like’)

This contest will close Thursday January 27 2011 at midnight PST.

Winner will be chosen by http://www.random.org/. I’ll contact the winner by email, and the sacks will be sent by Anytime Sacks.

Good Luck!

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Filed Under: Brands, Brands & Giveaways, Giveaways

Comments

  1. Lynn says

    January 21, 2011 at 3:27 am

    One of my younger son’s favorite lunch items is grilled chicken wings. I marinate them overnight in an Asian marinade, then grill them until they are nice and crispy. At first he got them as leftovers, but now I’ll make a big batch for lunches all week long.

    Reply
  2. Katrina V. says

    January 21, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    I pack my lunch every day and normally take leftovers. I love to use carrots and celery left over from making soups to eat with hummus for lunches. I also sometimes make brownies and put them in individual bags to freeze. It’s nice to have a little something sweet in my lunch! (katrinavernon@gmail.com)

    Reply
  3. emilie says

    January 21, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    Great ideas! I’m really excited about trying your fruit filled bars.

    I love packing my lunch and most of the time my brother (who is renting a room in my apartment) trades doing the dishes for me to pack his lunches too!

    I love making really quick granola out of a whole grain cereal, nuts, and dried fruit. If I’m in a hurry I’ll make a huge salad with everything tasty I can find in my fridge and cupboards.

    Reply
  4. Nive says

    January 21, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    I love to pack some baby carrots for my lunch which forms a perfect side for all kinds of dishes..thanks for this giveaway…

    ramvinayak_81@rediffmail.com

    Reply
  5. Nive says

    January 21, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    I subscribe via email…

    ramvinayak_81@rediffmail.com

    Reply
  6. Nive says

    January 21, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    I follow via GFC…

    ramvinayak_81@rediffmail.com

    Reply
  7. Jennifurla says

    January 21, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    I cant wait to make my indy her lunches!

    Reply
  8. valentinegirl says

    January 22, 2011 at 12:46 am

    I love these reusable wraps but haven’t made or bought any yet. Perhaps I can win some with you! My boys are all for sandwiches when we pack lunches!

    Reply
  9. valentinegirl says

    January 22, 2011 at 12:48 am

    I just added you to my faves on etsy. My boys will be wanting Spongebob all the way!

    Reply
  10. Stephanie and Matt says

    January 22, 2011 at 8:04 am

    Added Anytime Sacks to my Etsy favourites!

    Reply
  11. Stephanie and Matt says

    January 22, 2011 at 8:05 am

    Followed your blog with Google Friend Connect!

    Reply
  12. Stephanie and Matt says

    January 22, 2011 at 8:06 am

    Shared your giveaway on Facebook!

    Reply
  13. Stephanie and Matt says

    January 22, 2011 at 8:07 am

    AND, I’m already a “Liker” on Facebook πŸ™‚

    stephanie.jones30@gmail.com

    Reply
  14. Stephanie and Matt says

    January 22, 2011 at 8:11 am

    Oh, I forgot to mention my fave things to pack in lunches.

    – A whole apple with natural peanut butter in a small ziploc container
    – Plain yogurt sweetened with honey, and berries in a small bag
    – Cheese strings
    – Cut up bell peppers and hummus
    – Your Quinoa Coconut Granola Bites (SO tasty!)
    – Kashi granola bars
    – Leftovers!

    stephanie.jones30@gmail.com

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    January 22, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    My kids favourite is carrots,celery and broccoli with a simple dip made of plain yogurt/low fat mayo and fresh dill. It’s always the one thing I can be guaranteed is empty when he brings it home from school.

    Teresa R.

    Reply
  16. Kristen Turkosz says

    January 22, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    String cheese! I don’t think my husband could live without it!

    Kristen
    ket1023@sbcglobal.net

    Reply
  17. Kristen Turkosz says

    January 22, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    I like on facebook…

    Kristen
    ket1023@sbcglobal.net

    Reply
  18. Kristen Turkosz says

    January 22, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    …and on etsy!!

    Kristen
    ket1023@sbcglobal.net

    Reply
  19. Sarah says

    January 22, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    I pack my lunch every day! Yesterday’s was leftover tomato bulgur soup, veggies (green pepper, radishes, celery, carrot), rice cake, apple, clementine, granola, and wasa flatbread with laughing cow cheese. I require many snacks throughout my day πŸ™‚

    Reply
  20. Trudy says

    January 23, 2011 at 4:30 am

    When I am actually packing lunches, I love yogurt, sandwiches, fruit, muffins, cheese.

    Reply
  21. Trudy says

    January 23, 2011 at 4:30 am

    I added Anytime Sacks to my Etsy favourites.

    Reply
  22. Trudy says

    January 23, 2011 at 4:31 am

    I follow your blog on GFC

    Reply
  23. Trudy says

    January 23, 2011 at 4:31 am

    Following you on Twitter

    Reply
  24. Trudy says

    January 23, 2011 at 4:32 am

    Shared on my blog (and sort of on FAcebook too).

    Reply
  25. Trudy says

    January 23, 2011 at 4:32 am

    Fan of your Facebook page!

    Reply
  26. sea2bluesky says

    January 24, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    My favourite snack items to pack for lunch are fruit, granola bars, and muffins.

    Reply
  27. sea2bluesky says

    January 24, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    Added to my Etsy favourites!

    Reply
  28. sea2bluesky says

    January 24, 2011 at 11:00 pm

    Subscribed on email!

    Reply
  29. sea2bluesky says

    January 24, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    I’m following you…

    Reply
  30. sea2bluesky says

    January 24, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    And I like you πŸ™‚

    Reply
  31. Soozle says

    January 25, 2011 at 2:29 am

    One of my favorite things to pack in lunches is fresh fruit – especially raspberries and blueberries when they are in their prime during the summer months!

    sbabij2 at shaw dot ca

    Reply
  32. Soozle says

    January 25, 2011 at 2:31 am

    I’m following you on GFC

    sbabij2 at shaw dot ca

    Reply
  33. Soozle says

    January 25, 2011 at 2:32 am

    I added Anytime Sacks to my Etsy Favorites

    sbabij2 at shaw dot ca

    Reply
  34. Anonymous says

    January 27, 2011 at 1:02 am

    One of my favourite things to pack in my lunch is pita and hummus and some green pepper and cucumber on the side.
    jenncousineau@bell.net

    Reply
  35. Anonymous says

    January 27, 2011 at 1:03 am

    Added Anytime Snacks to my Etsy Favourites!
    jenncousineau@bell.net

    Reply
  36. Anonymous says

    January 27, 2011 at 1:04 am

    Subscribed on email!
    jenncousineau@bell.net

    Reply
  37. Marin says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    I don’t pack lunches often for the boys since they’re in half-day preschool, but they LOVE the Horizon Organic Milk boxes. I know it isn’t a reusable container, but I do like that they don’t require refrigeration and are more healthy for them than juice boxes.

    Reply
  38. Marin says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    I subscribe by email (and link to you on my blog πŸ™‚ AND cook with your recipes ALL the time πŸ™‚ Paul says thank you, btw!

    Reply
  39. Marin says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    I like you on Facebook, of course.

    Reply
  40. Marin says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    Anytime Sacks is an Etsy favourite.

    Reply
  41. Marin says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    I follow you on Google Friend Connect.

    Reply
  42. Marin says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    I shared the giveaway on Facebook.

    Reply

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Welcome! I’m Megan.

My kids like to whine, especially when it comes to the food they eat, but that doesn't stop me from trying to make tasty and healthy meals for them. Follow along as I share family-friendly recipes and reviews from my picky family members, who I lovingly call "The Whine Critics." Read More…

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