Lunchmaking Hints and Tips

Lunch prep and packing ideas, lunchbox accessories suppliers offer helpful products to make your lunch packing chore faster and easier.

Lunchbox Accessories
These items are available from other companies, but may enhance your lunchbox experience!

Small REUSABLE plastic containers for dips and sauces
You can find different ones at your local Dollar Store, Target, or Walmart, but most of them are a bit too big. There are some great ones online - just the right size!:

Tupperware has some nice ones
(My friend Wendy sells these.) These can hold anything from peanut butter to salad dressing, salsa, sour cream, jam, butter, and other condiments.
And a search for “Bento Box accessories” will turn up cute containers like this and this.

Small DISPOSABLE plastic containers
But if you'd rather not spend time cleaning out sticky or greasy small containers after school, here're some disposable ones:

Disposable 1 oz Souffle Cups

DisposablePlasticCups
They come in 2 oz size also. A package of 250 lasts a long time and is really affordable. Make sure to purchase the lids too! Purchase on line or at your local restaurant supply store.

Label your EasyLunchbox containers and bags!
You'll be able to find yours in the school Lost and Found bin if your name is on them and, sure, you could use a permanent marker to write your child's name, but these custom labels are so much cuter, dishwasher safe, and permanent! Great for clothes too! I bought a set when my kids went to camp last year and they're really terrific.

LabelDaddy
Personalized, microwave safe, dishwasher safe, washer & dryer safe labels. You won't find better quality! Get 20 free labels with order.

Mabel’s Labels

Another great choice for childrens' labels. Use them on Use them on backpacks, lunchboxes, toys, dishes, shoes and more! Designed to deliver maximum durability. These labels will withstand the dishwasher, microwave and UV rays for years to come.

And don’t forget to have a THERMOS on hand for filling with hot soup or a saucy entree, and a few ice blocks ready in the freezer. Two small or one large size ice pack keeps an Easy Lunch chilled all day!

Lunch Prep and Packing Ideas

Start with the best lunch box system from EasyLunchboxes.com Pack lunches fast with our single-lid, 3-compartment plastic food containers. Busy moms and dads will save time preparing work or school lunch.
Instead of an ice block, place a frozen juice box or water bottle in the lunchbag. It’ll keep the food chilled and will be thawed by lunchtime.
Fill a thermos with boiling water to heat the core for a few minutes. Spill out the water just before you fill the thermos with soup or an entree. The thermos is now hot and ready for your hot food, and will stay that way longer.
You can put yogurt in one of our container compartments and keep it from leaking out if you cut a square of wax paper (must be larger than the compartment) and place it over that section before pushing the lid down securely. We do not recommend this for foods with a lot of watery liquid, however.
Pack antibacterial wet wipes so your kids can clean their hands before and after eating. OR, clip a little container of hand sanitizer in the grommet on the EasyLunchbox cooler bag!
Remove odors from a lunch box by placing inside a slice of bread that has been soaked in white distilled vinegar. Leave overnight.
Include a note to say good luck on a test or “I love you.” Or maybe a silly cartoon you found in the newspaper. Your child will know you’re thinking of them, and may even surprise you with a note somewhere unexpected!
These sites can get you started:

http://www.sayplease.com
http://www.kidprintables.com/lunchboxnotes
http://www.bingnote.com/blog/lunchbox-notes

Freeze a squeezable yogurt tube and include that with lunch for a sweet and healthy treat.
Go for variety. Make sandwiches using whole grain tortillas, bagels, hot dog rolls, pitas, or flat bread. You can even cut the crusts off bread and make the sandwich into fun shapes using a cookie cutter.
Kids love to dip! Pack salsa, hummus, yogurt or salad dressing to dunk their sandwich, veggies or fruit into.
Bite-sized and mini versions of regular foods like sandwiches work well for small appetites and are more likely to be eaten.

Nutrition and Healthy Living Resources

Lunchtaker Inspiration for fresh, healthy lunches
Your Ultimate Shelf Life Guide Save Money, Eat Better, Help The Environment
It's Not About Nutrition The Art & Science of Teaching Kids to Eat Right
KewlBites “Bites” of healthy lifestyle information
All home Cooking. All Year Long Outrageously delicious meals and snacks w/out processed foods, all on a very low budget
Healthy-Diet-Mom.com Adventures in healthy eating from a mom who can’t cook
Raise Healthy Eaters Where parents go for credible nutrition advice
iLunchBox Healthy recipes for the speed of life
Nourish Interactive The fun way to learn about nutrition

“I love that the lid seals well and is easily opened by little hands - well done!”
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Hints and Tips

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