Lunchable Schmunchable
By Danielle
I have always tried my hardest to feed my kids quality- minimally processed foods. Right out of the “gate” (aka my vag), it was breastmilk and organic (sometimes) homemade baby food. My husband and I made a conscious effort to choose only the best for their growing bodies and brains- even if that meant giving up a trip to the beach so we could spend that money on quality food and products. We were (and still are) committed to it.
My Dad used to joke that my pantry was full of a bunch of “hippie food”. It contained nothing he recognized. There were no Ritz crackers or Cheetos. No Pringles or Doritos. We still had similar items because let’s be honest—sometimes you just have the munchies and some broccoli and ranch just doesn’t cut it. We still bought potato chips and crackers but we just bought “smarter” chips and crackers- chips and crackers that didn’t contain lighter fluid and Roundup (yes, those two things can actually be in your food).
A few years ago my youngest daughter ate a Lunchable at pre school. She loved it. She thought it was the tastiest thing that had ever hit her tiny smoochable little lips. Nooooooo!! Much to my chagrin it was all she wanted to eat. She would beg me in her sweet little voice “Mama, peas buy Wunchibble for me?” So instead of feeding her stuff that made my stomach churn, I found smarter ingredients and guess what? She liked it better!! (pat on the back and a self high-fiver!)
It’s such a simple little snack or lunch. It packs up easily for school and can be made in 5 minutes tops! You can mix and match the meats and cheeses— just be sure to look for nitrate and nitrite free lunch meat and remember, the fewer ingredients the better -for everything.
Here’s what my kids ate for lunch yesterday:
Easy
Nitrate and nitrite free Vincenza pepperoni
Peasy
Pesticide free, organic Late July crackers
Lemon
Organic muenster cheese
Squeezy
Organic pink lady apples (my kids love their sweet and tangy taste)
Super Squeezy
Non GMO Masie Jane’s almond butter (for healthy fat, protein, and sweetness to satisfy the after lunch sweet tooth)
Now Give Me the Sugar
Late July Classic Rounds Crackers
Boom! Done!