Thrifty Thursday: Packing a Lunch

Packing a lunch is the less expensive route for kids and adults (but adults get the benefit of being able to use the microwave at the office).  We are weeks away from the start of school and we have to get ready!!  The main thing that I have to get ready for is lunchtime supplies because I think that I have most of the containers to continue using from last school year. 

We have our lunch bag from last year that we are going to use again (hopefully for a few more years).  I got it at Target and it was free after rebate years ago.  It is a really great size and it zips at the top so that nothing comes out.  It is also red like Daddy's lunch bag so that makes it a big winner :)

We have our Rubbermaid containers to fit all our snacks in.  These are great if you need new snack containers because they are super easy for my son to get open but they seal tightly (I don't know that I would make liquid stuff and hold them upside to test them though).  They are super cheap to pick up at Target, Wal-Mart or the grocery store.  They are also available through Amazon.  They are meant to be disposable so if they get lost, it isn't a huge deal because they aren't super expensive.  Mine have the clear lid so they must have been the previous generation.  The other great thing about these is the size.  They are perfect to fit in between my little guys legs so that he can eat in his car seat without dropping them.

Then we have our really neat mat that we got as a gift many years ago before we even had a little guy and now he won't eat his sandwich without it (even at home).  This mat is lined with plastic so it is super easy to clean up and folds over the sandwich nicely to keep it really fresh.  The great part is that when you lay it out, it covers the table around so they can pour out whatever other snacks on it and not worry that they are going to get yucky things from the table.  There are tons of different brands and types out there to get but it is so much better than just using a plastic bag because it is better for the kids and the environment.  Might be the best gift we ever got (Thanks Ann)!! 

I also cut his sandwich into shapes which usually changes with the seasons and holidays.  I think that it makes it more fun to eat and it is always a good test to see if he ate it :)  A duck and a bridge are the first and favorite sandwich.  I cut the duck out of the sandwich and then had to figure out what to do with the rest of the sandwich and I told him it was a bridge, after I cut off any of the remaining crust.  I use the Wilton duck cookie cutter that I got years ago in a clearance bin for $0.25.  I got a few sandwich cutters but I find the old fashion metal cookie cutters are easier to use.

My son also likes drinkable yogurt smoothies.  I currently buy the small bottles when they are on really great sale and put them in wrapped in an ice pack.  I made some from scratch before but then was at a loss on how to send them to school neatly.  I also throw in a straw because he likes to use his straw.

The biggest thing on the wish list is these colorful ice pop molds which would also hold yogurt or other treats for the kids to eat directly out of the container.  They can be used to make push up pops at home or sent to school with things like yogurt, applesauce, pudding, and juice.  It can be frozen overnight and then put in the lunch bag to defrost by lunch time.  We don't have them yet but I might break down and get them soon to see if they will get more things in my little man's stomach :)

When our lunch bag wears out, I am going to look for one of the neat ones that has the ice pack built into it but this works for now since we are trying to be frugal and green :)  Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle!!

Do you have an helpful lunchtime tips to share??  Any reusable containers that are the best you ever used??  Any other helpful lunch hints??  I am still working on more reusable containers for my husband's lunch and that is going to be the goal of this year to find a container to hold two sandwiches or two containers that fit in his bag.  Please share and let me know because I am always looking for some new fun reusable containers, as well as ways to make my son eat his food!! 

Hope you are looking forward to the beginning of school and all the fun of packing lunches.