Wednesday Bento

Wednesday's Snacks

Well, actually the cheese and crackers were my lunch. The plate of "I don't know what I want to eat" stuff was for the boys.

Tuesday's Lunch

Turkey Sub, Noodles with Olive Oil and Parmesan, Broccoli, Grandpa's Carrot Bread

Monday's Creamy Zucchini Pasta with Shrimp

Hubby nixed the couscous and shrimp idea, so we did what we always do... throw the shrimp on some pasta. At least we actually made up a pasta recipe this time! It was the Creamy Zucchini Pasta we've made before. Tastes really good with the grilled lemon pepper shrimp on top!

April 27-May 3 Menu

Monday- Lemon Pepper Shrimp and Couscous with Carrots and Salad (Soccer Practice)
Tuesday- Bean and Cheese Quesadillas (or Tostadas)
Wednesday- Stuffed Shells and Salad (Soccer Practice and thaw tilapia)
Thursday- Tortilla Casserole (The 6 O'Clock Scramble)
Friday- Tilapia Italiano with Rice and Salad (thaw vegetable tomato sauce)
Saturday- Seared Tuna with Lentil Pasta
Sunday- Baked Zucchini and Cheese Pasta

(Easy back-ups--- frozen homemade enchiladas, or ravioli)

Lunches:
Monday- 1/2 Salmon Burger, Kettle Corn, Broccoli, Bacon, Milk
Tuesday- Turkey Sub, Carrots, Pretzels, Cheese
Wednesday- Beans/Cheese, Tortilla, Broccoli, Banana
Thursday- PBJ, Celery, PB/Honey Dip, Rice Cakes
Friday- Turkey Sandwich

Friday's Lunch!

I wonder what will get eaten out of today's lunch box.

Spinach Ricotta Pie and Sweet Potatoes Thursday

This was super yummy, however, it was way too runny. I guess I didn't drain off the onion/spinach water after I cooked them. The ricotta adds a yummy taste, but probably doesn't help much with the runny texture. My husband wasn't pleased, but I loved it. I got this recipe from the Six O'Clock Scramble. It made way too much for a family of 4 (well, a family of 4 with only two adults and no kids eating it). If it looked like it would freeze better, I may have only used half the filling per pie crust. The sour cream and paprika topping made it look cool and added a little sour taste.

Thursday's Trunk

Wednesday's Tamales

Tuesday's Treasures

Yes, too much starch, too much gluten. At least the cakes are made from rice, the bread is packed with Omega-3s (love that Costco bread!) and the Juice Plus+ is always a plus! I also threw in a bottle of organic milk at the end realizing that might help make the lunch box a little heavier and my child wouldn't come home so emaciated.

Japanese Vegetable Noodle Soup Monday

I got this recipe from the Six O'Clock Scramble. It was super yummy (especially when I added hot garlic chili sauce to mine at the end) but it wasn't perfect for a hot spring's day in Austin. I will definitely try to remember this soup again this fall. It was actually very easy and didn't take long at all (once the vegetables were chopped).

It basically consists of mushrooms, cabbage (or bok choy), carrots, ginger, vegetable broth, tofu, soy sauce, noodles (recipe called for Ramen, I used soba), scallions, and a little rice wine (I used rice vinegar). My kids loved the carrots and the noodles and broth. I loved it all!

April 20- April 26 Menu

Monday- Japanese Vegetable Noodle Soup (Soccer Practice)
Tuesday- Vegetarian Enchiladas with Guacamole (PTA Meeting)
Wednesday- Spinach and Mozzarella Ravioli
Thursday- Spinach Ricotta Pie with Sweet Potatoes
Friday- Pasta Primavera
Saturday- Parties and Festivals Food (thaw fish for tomorrow)
Sunday- Tuna, Tilapia, Shrimp, or Salmon Burgers on the grill (still deciding)

Lunch Ideas:
PBJ
Turkey Sandwich
Soup
Pasta
Mac and Cheese
Banana Bread
Rice Cakes
Carrots
Broccoli
Crackers

Monday's Box

This meal is for a super sweet kid!

Friday's Lunch Box

Thursday Box

Wow! I just realized how much Thursday's box looks like Wednesday's box did. Oh well! My boy eats broccoli most times I put it in his lunch and I can't say the same for other veggies that get in there! I'm also ashamed of the plastic wrap, but I just had to make the sandwich earlier than normal.

Wednesday Bento

When will my 6 year old figure out it's not cool to bring his lunch to school? I hope the answer is NEVER! It's work putting it all together, but honestly, it's so much cheaper and healthier than the crap they feed them at school.

Not Your Mom's Sloppy Joes Tuesday Din Din

These were not my mom's sloppy joes... she would have never added anything remotely related to tears to it. I loved her for that. However, I love me some Tejas Tears now! Luckily, I won't subject my kids to tears unless they ask for it! My kids weren't thrilled about the carrots and red bell pepper I added. They did mention the sweetness though (I allowed myself to put a teaspoon of brown sugar in the mix).

Every time I think of or eat sloppy joes, I can't help but sing the Adam Sandler song from SNL... Lunch Lady singing Sloppy Joes... Sloppy Sloppy Joes.... ahhh... the good days of SNL.

Why I love the Laptop Lunchbox System

I have to say, the main reason I love this system for lunches is because I can take one container and fill it with leftovers (such as carrots that were cut the day before, left over mac and cheese, etc) and throw it in the fridge until I've decided what to fill all 4 cups with. It definitely saves time and waste at our house!

Tuesday Lunch

Honey Dijon Shrimp and Pasta Monday

Well, the boys had cereal and Mac and Cheese before soccer practice, and dad made this Honey Dijon Shrimp (From The Six O'Clock Scramble). Instead of putting it on rice, he put it on pasta. It turned out really nicely and we had pretty much all the ingredients at the house. We paired this with some garlic bread and fruit.

April 13- April 19 Menu

Monday- Shrimp Pasta and Mac and Cheese (before soccer practice)
Tuesday- Not your mom's sloppy Joes (with ground bison)
Wednesday- Stuffed Shells
Thursday- Vegetarian Enchiladas
Friday- Salmon Burgers
Saturday- Spinach Ricotta Pie
Sunday- Wine and Cheese at our anniversary party (and Sweet Potato and Peanut Stew)

Lunches:
Monday- Fish sticks and veggies
Tuesday- Mac and Cheese, Melon, Hotdog, Carrot Sticks
Wednesday- Turkey Sandwich on Bagel, Melon
Thursday- PBJ, Yogurt Pretzels, Broccoli
Friday- Tamales