Aug 134 min read

Lunchbox Series II

Your new resource for the BEST lunch box ideas, be it from home or in the office. Five different meals that you’ll be looking forward to every day, and I guarantee this will make your weekdays so much easier! All you need to start is a basic plan: how many days are needed, how many people is it for, balance the ingredients (carbs, good fats, protein, and veg) and pick out your favorite snacks, because we all know that’s the most important part. Using a weekly meal plan is the best way to save money, time, and cook healthier for you and your family!

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Why Meal Plan?

Prep Ahead - Even 5 minutes of cutting veggies or prepping a main dish ahead of time will make all the difference.
Mix, Max, Swap - Every family member is a unique butterfly 🦋 We all like different things, and this post was made with picky eaters in mind. You can swap out recipes, change serving sizes, and change the ingredients or snacks.
Budget - Prepping and deciding ingredients at the start of the week helps you to plan how much you’ll need, and buy accordingly. We love to hit Sam’s Club and the Dollar Store for the most efficient grocery hauls $$

Let’s jump into it, beginning with tips and tricks to make prepping lunches a breeze (and even fun if you have your little ones jump in to help :) My toddler loves being included in packing lunches, and this lets her choose her favorite things).

Tip # 1: Good Containers 🫙

Bento boxes with compartments are one of the best investments you can make. It will help you remember to include all the balanced goodies your body needs to get through the day: carbs, protein, fruit and veggies and a snack. These containers are great, as well as this one!

Tip # 2: Pack Beforehand 🎒

Either the night before or at the beginning of the week. For any sandwiches or wraps: put cheese slices directly on the bread, and then any sauces on top of the cheese, to keep the bread from getting soggy. No mushy messes here 😖

Tip # 3: Leftovers!

Any dinner leftovers from the night before are a great lunchbox addition. Use a thermos to keep them warm. This is a must for me since my office doesn’t have a kitchen or appliances available 😤

Tip # 4: Healthy Grab n’ Go Snacks 🥨🍏

Freezer muffins, homemade granola bars/granola bites, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, string cheese, trail mix, fresh fruit, veggie sticks and hummus, and healthier crackers or popcorn are all perfect options. I love Lesser Evil Himalayan Gold popcorn, Chobani Complete Protein mini yogurts, Good Thins Garden Veggie crackers 🍿, and nearly every Olipop Prebiotic soda. You could also use protein bars, beef jerky, pretzels, rice cakes, peanut butter crackers, chips and guac, pickles, or even sweet potato fries.

Below is a week of healthy lunchboxes, including breakfast, lunch, recipes, and snacks. I’ve also included a generic shopping list. Grab your cutest lunch bag, and get packing!

Many more recipes can be found here, on my blog. Questions? Send me a message anytime! Enjoy, my loves <3

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Shopping List

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Breakfast Options

Eggs

Muffins: Baking powder, cocoa powder, carrots, sugar, yogurt, almond milk

Granola bites: oats, rice krispies, flax seed, mixed nuts, nut butter, chocolate chips, honey, vanilla, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, protein powder

Granola bars

Go-gurt

Waffles

Lunch Options

Snack Options

*Downloadable PDF shopping list link below! ->

Lunch Box # 1:

Lunch Box # 2:

Lunch Box # 3:

Lunch Box # 4:

Lunch Box # 5:

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RECIPES

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Overnight Oatmeal Base:

40g oats
1 tsp chia seeds
1 tsp flax seeds
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch sea salt
15g protein powder
4 tbsp vanilla coconut yogurt
1 pitted medjool date, chopped
1 tbsp honey/maple syrup/agave
1/2 c almond milk

For banana date caramel oats, add sliced banana, extra cinnamon, and date syrup (or almond butter!). For Biscoff oats, add almond butter, crushed and whole Biscoff cookies.

Muffins (Chocolate Chunk OR Carrot Cake):

· ½ c flour + 2/3 c

· 1/3 c sugar (I use Truvia cane sugar blend)

· 2 tbsp olive or avocado oil

· 1 tsp baking soda

· 1 tsp cinnamon

· 1/2 c yogurt

· 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla

· 2 eggs

· ½ c milk

· ¼ c pumpkin

For chocolate chunk muffins, add 1/2 cup chocolate and 1/4 cup unsweet dark cocoa powder. Both need to be baked @ 350F, 20 minutes. For carrot cake muffins, add 1 c shredded carrots, 1/4 tsp of ginger + nutmeg, and a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans. Once done baking, I top my carrot cake cake muffins with fluffy cream cheese icing.