Lunch Bunch

It was the kindergarten family picnic for my family last night and I got to meet my co-room parent. Her family is new to the school (very cool to jump right into the room parent mix, don't you think?) and she asked about packing lunch every day. Making lunch for the girls each morning is demonstration of love and values, in addition to being a pretty major hassle (hold the trash and waste – double order of healthy and delicious) and source of angst, at least according to yesterday’s Washington Post.

Before arriving at the picnic, I spent the day training the elementary and middle school staff at Columbia Academy. We were treated to a delicious school lunch prepared by Linda and Merry, who is a retired corporate chef. Delicious. She shared the secret to the teaching staff’s favorite meal: soup and grilled cheese: tin foil a baking sheet, dribble melted butter on that, use 9-grain bread and whatever cheese, second slice of bread with a butter on top, then cook at 350 for 10 minutes. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had Linda and Merry’s lunch everyday? My daughter’s favorite lunch is Ina Garten’s chicken soup. We make it weekly.

Making lunch every day is obviously easier when you're prepared. I’m impressed (overwhelmed?) with the CHEJ Back-to-School Guide to school supplies. It includes lunch box and container ideas. Just got reusable bags and may try The Soft Landing’s food containers, as featured on Daily Candy yesterday, and Green Feet’s featured lunch menu is inspiring my grocery store run.

Happy lunch packing…