Back to school lunch ideas

It's back to school time for most of us, time to get into a routine again! In preperation for shopping this week I asked my kids what their favorite school lunches are, here is what they came up with:

tuna sandwiches or tuna with crackers
PB & J sandwiches or with crackers
salad
apples and pb
tortilla with peanut butter and sliced apples
yogurt and cheese
cheese, meat, and crackers (like a lunchable)
quesadillas ( I put these in a reusable sandwich container lined with tin foil and they stay warm enough for them)

In their thermos' they like
Rice and beans
stew
very rarely Ramen noodles
spaghetti and other pastas
hashbrowns and scrambled eggs
baked potatoes
home made soup and sometimes the canned fun soups like goldfish.


Change the same old things into something new for them
roll out bread flat and spread on ingredients. roll up and slice into pinwheel shapes (my kids call it sushi)
make it mini or cut sandwiches into shapes.
I have a crinkle cutter and the kids like to see their veggies or fruits cut with it.

Let them choose!
I have a large bin that I put crackers, cereal, cookies, raisins, fruit cups, pretzels, fruit snacks, and other shelf stable items in. I let them choose a treat for their lunch and also one for their snack.

Good luck!

Some Ut pics

We had a great time in Utah. Here are some pics.

This is a tee pee that some one built near the reservior where my Dad works. The waterfall near the reservior
My BIL and nephew racing down the Alpine Slide in Park City.

Me and my little guy heading up to the slide in the Ski Lift.

Bryce Canyon

Zion's National Park with my sweetie.

I logged 2895.5 miles on my van in the 9 days we were gone, thats an awful lot of driving. I think I drove all but about 500 miles of that too!

We made it back from our wonderful trip! We had a great time in Utah. Now it is back to school time for us, time to start getting into a better routine! I will have a meal plan posted tomorrow, I have the flu and do not want to think about food today!

No menu plan this week. We are leaving for another family trip mid-week, I am going to clean out the fridge and all of the extras that are hanging around in the freezer.

Salsa~Our new favorite thing!

I got this recipe from a freind from church. It is a wonderful recipe. I substituted tomatillos for tomatoes the other day and I think it is even better!

COOKED SALSA By: Etel Ghoreishi
In a 1 quart sauce pan combine:
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt – may add more to taste
Dash pepper
Heat: Medium to high heat

Add to above ingredients:
3 tomatoes
1 small white/yellow onion – cut in half
1 garlic clove
2 Serrano peppers

Boil until tomatoes and onion are thoroughly cooked.
When done, spoon out ingredients and place in a blender. Blend in Chop setting.
Heat 3 tbsp. olive or vegetable oil in same saucepan. Carefully, add blended sauce, and cook for 2 minutes.
You may store cooked salsa in the fridge for up to one week! Or, freeze.

Menu Plan Monday

We didn't get to all of the meals I had planned last week! I ran away with the kids to the coast to escape the heat. We had a great time camping out in La Push, we even got rained on over there. I was wonderful to cool down and to spend time exploring over there. We can't wait to go back!

I am trying to clean out the fridge and freezer this week before we leave for another trip next week.

Breakfasts
Fresh fruit and yogurt
toast
muffins from freezer
turkey bacon BLTs

Lunch
corn dogs
quesadillas
tuna and crackers
grilled ham and cheese
pb & j

Dinners
roast chicken and potatoes
bbq pork sandwiches corn on the cob
beef and broccoli
grilled pizzas
potstickers, rice, edamame, rice
leftovers for 2 nights

I-90 closures this week

Just a reminder that the I-90 bridges will be closed this week for the Blue Angels practices and performances.

Thursday 1:15-2:30
Friday, Sat, and Sun 12:45-2:40.