Back-to-School Brown Bag Lunch Ideas

The kids are back to school and for many parents that means preparing those brown bag lunches and trying to plan a week’s worth of meals ahead of time.

Below is a list of tasty and unique lunch ideas to keep your children energized throughout the day. Just because they’re kids, doesn’t mean they can’t expand their flavor horizons!

Monday: Veggie/Chicken-Stuffed Pita Pocket
½ diced tomato
¼ diced cucumber
¼ diced avocado
½ small chicken breast, shredded
2 tsp. of balsamic vinegar mixed with extra virgin olive oil or mayonnaise
pinch of salt and pepper
1 pita pocket

Stuff all the ingredients in the pita and wrap it up nice and tight so it doesn’t fall apart.

It’s healthy, it’s tasty and it’ll give them the calories they need for energy without bogging them down in the middle of the day!

Tuesday: Mini Bagel Sandwiches
1 slice provolone
3 slices ham
1 slice salami
1 thin slice of tomato
1 tsp. olive oil or mayonnaise
2 cinnamon-raisin mini bagels

The cinnamon-raisin bagels mixed with the ham and cheese may sound strange, but it’s actually a great salty/sweet combo!

Wednesday: Classic Fruit & Veggie Platter
1 apple, sliced 
¼ c. natural peanut butter

1 small bunch of purple grapes
4 thick slices of Havarti cheese

½ avocado, sliced
10 Wheat Thins crackers

5 mini carrots
3 tbsp. hummus

Pair these items up as their tastes are most complimentary when eaten together.

Thursday: Pizza in a Blanket
1 can Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
1 pack of pepperoni
1 bag of mozzarella

Roll out and separate the crescent rolls. Before you roll up each one, put on a layer of cheese and pepperoni (however much you want or can fit!)
Roll into individual little crescent rolls. Bake for 11 minutes at 350 degrees.
Done! Easy, tasty and fun to make!
These can be made in many variations.  Try it with chicken, cheddar cheese and broccoli!

This dish tastes great whether it’s hot out of the over or room temperature; however, not recommended cold right out of the refrigerator.

Friday: Everything-In-It-Salad  (The author's favorite.)

romaine lettuce
dried cranberries
diced pineapple
chopped turkey bacon
diced red peppers
diced avocado
strips of breaded chicken
cucumber
shredded mozzarella
balsamic vinegar
crushed walnuts

Breaded chicken:
- cut raw chicken into thin strips
- dip chicken strips into beaten eggs
- transfer chicken strips from beaten eggs to Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- carefully place chicken strips into hot olive oil
- cook on medium heat turning frequently for about three minutes or until chicken is no longer pink at the center

Make a big one and eat it for lunch, snack and dinner. Make it with the kids! Lay out all the ingredients and throw them in a big bowl to your own taste.