As if dragging yourself out of bed isn’t enough, the school year demands we pack lunches bright and early in the morning to sustain our brains and bodies throughout the day. If you’re anything like Abi, this means you end up packing the exact same thing every single day… or maybe you’re more on my end of the spectrum and just throw a whole bunch of random items together in a bag with no particular rhyme or reason.
Though my relationship with bagged lunches hasn’t always been a healthy one (and by that I mean I sometimes pack A LOT of chocolate), I’ve learned some pretty nifty tricks to conquer those early morning lunch scrambles. And now, for the main entrèe: 5 bagged lunches that earn an A+ for delicious.
maybe on monday...
Why make mornings harder than they have to be? This lunch is perfect for those who just want to roll right out of bed and have something ready to grab and go.
a few notes...
1// Yes! That is oatmeal! One of my favorite lunches the past few years has been comprised of overnight oats. While strange in concept, overnight oats are super yummy and much different from other overused lunchtime drags. The best part? You eat them COLD-- so no microwave, stove or crockpot is required! To look into making overnight oats for yourself, check out one of my favorite recipes here.
2 & 4// Go mini! The granola bar and veggies (in this case, cucumbers) are teenie tiny versions of the "original" sizes. I find items like these perfect for lunches because they're not only easy to pack, but just the right size to eat during your midday meal.
tentatively for tuesday...
This meal can easily grow with your stomach. Know you aren't going to be very hungry for lunch? Don't pack as much cheese, meat and crackers. Planning on being absolutely starved? Add in some veggies or chips. Once you've got the main deal-io done, the extras aren't too hard to handle!
a few notes...
1// Cheese, meat and crackers are so fun to build during lunch! Just make sure you have clean hands (eww, germs) and have equal proportions of each element.
2// No trail mix on hand? Substitute a granola bar or a handful of nuts!
whatever on wednesday...
Different, fresh and wonderfully delicious, this lunch checks all the boxes. So easy to pack and even easier to transport, you'll be begging for lunchtime more than ever before.
a few notes...
1 & 2// I personally really like bagels and bagel dip. Usually, you can buy bagel dip at your local grocery store, however, you can also just make your own with cream cheese, a little seasoning, and minced veggies. If you wanted to add some meat into the mix, simple toast one whole bagel, spread dip on both sides and place lunchmeat (I'd personally suggest turkey) in between for a sandwich rendition of this meal.
3// Throw in a treat! You deserve it.
thinking about thursday...
This lunch looks like it took hours... but really, it only takes but a few minutes! Package it up nicely and your friends will be asking you to pack their lunches.
a few notes...
1// I love pinwheels so much I made them for my graduation party... seriously! In the ones featured above, I used mayonnaise, dijon mustard, swiss cheese, turkey, spinach and pickles. Maybe that sounds really super gross to you-- don't worry! There are endless ways to mix up your pinwheels. Simply make sure you have some sort of "glue" (ranch, mayonnaise, mustard, cream cheese, ect.) and layer a generous coat over a wrap. Then, simply layer your toppings on top of each other towards one side of the wrap and roll into a log shape. I suggest letting your "logs" sit in the fridge for a few minutes to let them stiffen up. Next, cut the wrap as you would a cucumber and voilà! Beautiful and totally yummy pinwheels.
4 // If you don't like hummus, consider replacing it with a dip you do like, such as ranch or peanut butter.
finally... friday!
Perfect for those who like to think (and eat!) out of the box, this lunch goes above and beyond simple PB&J.
a few notes...
1 // If I wrote my own cookbook, these peanut butter apples would be on page one. Absolutely perfect for easy transit and just so yummy, I'm obviously completely obsessed with them (and they look so dang cute, too!). Simply cut an apple into discs, being extra sure to remove the core from each piece. Then, lather with peanut butter (other options could include almond butter or hazelnut spread) and sprinkle on some toppings. Mine include mini chocolate chips, oats and coconut, but chopped nuts, chia seeds, and granola can work too!
To make this the best school year yet, our brains and bodies need to be adequately fueled, and that means eating meals that aren't only healthy, but also super, super yummy. Packing a lunch can seem dreadful at times, but with some practice and a little help, you can master the art of bagging your midday meal with your eyes closed... and half asleep.