Today’s guest blogger, Jeni, is a homeschooling mother of 5 with a passion for teaching Moms how to nurture and inspire their children. She discovered Perricone MD after years of working in the beauty industry as a makeup artist and saw first-hand how Dr. Perricone’s three-tiered approach transforms both skin and health.
As a mom and a teacher, I can attest to the power of a healthy school-day lunch. When my children eat a typical carb-heavy sandwich/chips/cookie/juice lunch, the resulting blood sugar spike is obvious: droopy eyelids, inattentiveness, and irritability. Add Grammar or History and you have a recipe for disaster! Fortunately, you as a parent can have an incredible impact on your child’s school-day stamina simply by packing an anti-inflammatory lunch.
Here are my secrets for packing a hit lunch:
- Visual Appeal: The sight of colorful, fresh fruits & veggies prepared and arranged in a thoughtful, creative way make lunch visually interesting and will inspire little appetites
- Variety: You’ll get more mileage by offering small portions of many exciting foods. Always include a healthy protein, fresh fruits and veggies, and even a tiny treat. Turn that boring, predictable lunchbox into a lunch-hour treasure chest!
- Validation: Lunch just might be the one time in your child’s day when they remember home (we moms like to believe). A little note or a fun sticker will remind them of the place where they’re loved and cared for, which in turn reminds them of your instructions to take good care of themselves by eating healthy foods.
This week, I let my daughters design their favorite lunches for the photos, below:
Glori’s Lunch:
Tuna Avocado Salad, Adzuki Beans and Barley, Spinach with Radishes and Almonds, Peaches and Blueberries, and a square of Dark Chocolate. Glori’s proud of the way we eat and loves opening her lunch box in front of her friends, some of whom had never tasted avocado before they met her! (She likes to show-off a bit. No idea where she gets that.)
What are your ‘go-to’ back to school lunches that you pack for your kids?
This is AWESOME!
Just wow Jeni- you do good work.I know they chose- but you taught them all those great choices.
Love the post and especially love the steel lunch containers. Would you mind telling me where you got these from? I want to buy one.
Thank you, Gina
Hi, Gina! I’m so sorry I haven’t responded sooner – just saw this! These are actually photos of the bottom portion of a hinged fold-up lunch box and they are pricey but worth every penny, truly amazing, and eco-friendly. It’s called a planetbox. You can find out more at planetbox.com. Pottery Barn Kids also carries them with two exclusive colors of the insulated carrying case and offers personalization. I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this!
amazing!! they are all making my mouth water! Can you tell us a little more about Andi’s white tea jello … sounds pretty yum! Way to go Jeni and beautiful children!
Hi, Theresa! So simple: I just made jello using plain gelatin and both hot and cooled double-strength brewed tea in place of the hot and cold water that would be used according to the instructions on the box of flavored jello mixes. I used the fruitiest, most flavorful tea I had and also blended in a little honey while the tea was still hot after brewing. Come to think of it, I bet the pomegranate or cranberry extracts that Dr. Perricone blends with his kefir would add some great flavor and color to this kind of treat. Now you’ve given me another idea…!
Love all the lunches. However, how do I get my nothing but white plate kid to even open her mouth for this stuff?? I have tried broccoli 100 different ways no go. Same with spinach, chick peas, humus etc.
I am getting tired of hiding it all in brownies and cookies and playing sneaky chef. Any suggestions??? kid is soon to be 9 years old.
Hi Carol Ann. You should join our Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/perriconemd to join the discussion. We have some great tips there!