Seriously, what do you REALLY eat? - Lunches

OMG Lunches:

I so wish I could follow in the footsteps of Vegan Lunch Box.  I read her blog and have her cookbook.  But I just can't seem to plan ahead.  I do however highly recommend her cookbooks and her blog for inspiration.  It is amazing all that you can do for kids lunches.  I tend to throw together whatever I can between sips of coffee.  I DO ask the girls what they want, but if I do this the night before, it often changes the next morning.  

On to what I really packed in their lunches:

Monday

Si- requested black beans, mixed with cut up carrots and cucumbers.  I added a little bit of balsamic vinegar.  She likes vinegar, Ry would not have liked it.

 Ry - had  her "salad" sandwich (Udi's GF bread, veganaise, spinach)

They both had:

•  An apple "smore" - two apple slices with the chocolate peanut butter in between
• Annie's cheddar bunnies (These are NOT VG or GF)
• GF Rice Crispy Bar - Whole Foods
• Raw broccoli

Me- a big salad with beans

Tuesday

Girls:

• Black beans, mixed with cut up carrots and cucumbers - again.
• A sunflower butter lettuce wrap with dried cranberries
• Soy yogurt - make sure its organic
  
• An apple
• Gluten free rice crispy bar - Whole Foods

Me: left over from dinner, chickpeas and marinara, cauliflower with black bean dip

Wednesday

Girls:

• Apple "smore" - 2 apple slices with chocolate peanut butter
• Lentils and Rice (left over from dinner)
• Cucumber
• Soy Drink
• Corn Chips

Me: Butternut Squash Soup, brussel sprouts, frozen mangos

Thursday

Girls:

• Apple with sunflower butter
• Frozen black bean taquitos from Trader Joes, and Ry had frozen mini pizzas
• Soy drink
• Pistachios
• Annie's cheddar bunnies

I went to Sheik Burrito for lunch!

Friday

Girls:

Si- Sunflower Butter and Jelly on Udi's GF Bread

Ry- "Salad" sandwich - veganaise and spinach on GF bread

• They split a sunflower butter and jelly sandwich with dried cranberriers
• GF / VG Jello - Trader Joes
• Granola Bar 
• Edamame Crackers - GF / VG at Trader Joes
• Blue Berries
• Cucumber

 

My goal is to always have these basics available for lunch:

• fresh fruit
• veggies
• granola bar 
• pretzels (I buy GF pretzels at WF) or Annie's cheddar bunnies (NOT GF/ VG)
• gluten free bread 
• nut butter, jelly, veganaise
• canned beans
• nuts
• dried fruits
• rice cakes

The girls also love taking soup for lunch, and beans and rice are a hit too.  Si has been taking bean dip to school with a bag of veggies and or lettuce to dip.  The bean dip is also a good spread on a sandwich.  I make at least one bean dip a week - 2 cans favorite beans, drained, 1 cup favorite salsa, cilantro if you have any!  And, always remember dinner left overs.  As you can see that is usually my lunch!