Lunch Ideas, Lunchbox, Healthy Recipes / September 30, 2024
Hey, good lookin’ 😉 and welcome back!
I can’t believe it, but here we are with week FIVE of lunchboxes. It is already so much work trying to figure out what to make for lunch every day, but it gets even more twisty when you don't have the option of a microwave or stove in your building (same here, and trust me, I understand the frustration!).
If you want lunches you can look forward to, without having to run to nab a takeout order, I have new and improved meals that you (or even the pickiest of eaters) will love. As an added bonus, each recipe is simple with minimal prep work. The only important thing is to make sure you have a perfect balance of ingredients in your lunchbox (carbs, good fats, protein, and veg). Also, the snacks are super flexible, so pick and choose all your favorites :)
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. Grab your cutest lunch bag, and get packing!
Many more recipes can be found here, on my blog. Questions? Want a free printable shopping list? Send me a message anytime! Enjoy, my loves <3
Lunch Box # 1:
Lunch Box # 2:
Lunch Box # 3:
Lunch Box # 4:
"It's okay to have one of these for dinner with a nice cup of tea ;) Cheers."
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RECIPES
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Cheesecake Overnight Oats Base:
(2 servings)
40g oats
16g chia seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla bean paste *or vanilla extract
Pinch sea salt
40g protein powder
300g vanilla coconut yogurt
1 pitted medjool date, chopped
1 tbsp honey/maple syrup/agave
1/2 cup almond milk
Oreo Cheesecake Overnight Oats:
1 pumpkin spice Oreo + 1 more crushed into pieces
1/2 tbsp maple syrup/agave/honey
1-2 tbsp light cream cheese
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Almonds, puffed millet
little splash almond milk
For Oreo cheesecake overnight oats, make the oatmeal base, and add in syrup, cream cheese (or more yogurt), pumpkin pie spice, and an extra splash of milk. Refrigerate 2 hours or overnight. Once ready to enjoy, pour oats into a bowl, and top with the Oreos, chopped almonds, and puffed millet (or anything else you like!).
Caramel Apple Pie Overnight Oats:
1 honeycrisp apple, diced
2 tbsp maple syrup/honey/agave
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp apple pie spice
1/2 cup coconut yoghurt
1 tbsp PBfit mixed with maple syrup + sea salt OR nut butter
Hemp seeds, walnuts or pecans to top
Put the "cheesecake overnight oat base" ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into a container or bowl and let it sit in the fridge for at least one hour, or overnight for a ready to-go breakfast.
Add diced apples with syrup and spices to a greased skillet on medium heat and fry until caramelized and golden. Set aside to cool and add to a small container to refrigerate if not eating right away. SAVE the leftover syrup in the pan for drizzling over your oats. Once you’re ready to have for breakfast (or a treat 😊), top blended oatmeal with yogurt, PBfit, fried apples, and the drizzle of the reserved syrup. Sprinkle over hemp seeds, pecans, and enjoy 🤎
Charcuterie:
Mains:
Turkey pepperoni
Honey-roasted turkey
Prosciutto
Cornichons
Cranberry white cheddar
Happy Farms Creamy Original
Aldi Sea Salt Grilled Crostini Toast
Sourdough + Rye Bread
Sauces:
Caramelized Red Onion Chutney
Sweet Hot Mustard
Maple Streusel Toast Crunch Cereal:
2 - 3 slices maple streusel bread (ALDI) *can also use low-card bread
CUSTARD
1 c almond milk
1 egg or egg white, or flax egg
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla bean paste *or extract
2 tbsp protein powder
In a shallow bowl, mix custard ingredients with a whisk until she’s smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Heat up a greased (I use light butter) large skillet on medium heat. Once heated, dip each slice of bread one by one into the batter, flipping to soak each side. Make sure you don't dip the bread too long or it will be oversaturated! Fry the French toast about 5 minutes per side or until crispy. I added a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar to each slice while in the pan, but this is optional. Remove from the pot and set aside.
To further crisp up the French toast, add the fried slices to a toaster. Now grab a cutting board and slice each toast into bite-size, square pieces.
Add your "cereal" to a bowl, drizzle over some date syrup, a few splashes of milk (or yogurt), and enjoy :)
Pumpkin Pie Bliss Balls:
(makes 16-20 mini bites)
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup rice krispies cereal
1 scoop protein powder *optional
1/3 c pumpkin puree
1/4 c chopped nuts (walnuts, pecan, almond, pistachio)
2 tbsp almond butter
2 tbsp PBfit (mixed with 2 tbsp water to form peanut spread)
3 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp ground flax seed, 1 tbsp hemp seeds
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt
Small handful raisins or cranberries
Topping Options:
Dark cocoa powder
Cinnamon sugar (stevia blend)
Shredded coconut
Melted chocolate
Add all main ingredients to a bowl and mix until combined. If the mix is too sticky, add more oats or cereal. If it is too dry, add a splash of water or almond milk. Form into teeny bites, add toppings of choice, and store in the freezer. Pull as many as you like out when you're feeling snack-ish : )
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