1 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:09,480 Speaker 1: Hello, Hello, I'm Kelsey Nixon and this is Kitchen Prescription, 2 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:12,000 Speaker 1: the podcast you listen to when you don't know what 3 00:00:12,119 --> 00:00:17,279 Speaker 1: to make for dinner or in today's case, un specifically 4 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:21,360 Speaker 1: packing school lunches. We are going to talk about a 5 00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:25,680 Speaker 1: simple system for packing those school lunches. I had no 6 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:30,200 Speaker 1: idea that this would become something that I legitimately dreaded. 7 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:32,520 Speaker 1: It is one of those tasks that you are either 8 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:35,760 Speaker 1: doing at the end of a long day or at 9 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 1: the beginning of a hectic morning, and it just always 10 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:42,760 Speaker 1: seems to be so inconvenient. So I finally put in 11 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: a system and it has made such a big difference, 12 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:47,840 Speaker 1: and I'm excited to share it with you. And this 13 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 1: applies to having kids, and this certainly applies for anyone 14 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:54,120 Speaker 1: who has to pack lunch for themselves. Regardless, these strategies 15 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 1: will work across the board. I'm excited to talk about them. 16 00:00:56,840 --> 00:01:00,200 Speaker 1: But first we always start with three simple recipe you 17 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:04,120 Speaker 1: can throw on your meal plan. First up, Crispy Coconut 18 00:01:04,240 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 1: shrimp and rice bowls. These are incredible. It is a 19 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:13,840 Speaker 1: recipe Club August recipe and we just we can't get 20 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:15,960 Speaker 1: enough of them. And this recipe. But I was so 21 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:18,880 Speaker 1: excited to see it get voted on, because in Recipe Club, 22 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 1: if you're a member, the members all vote on the 23 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:23,800 Speaker 1: recipes that they would like for me to create. That way, 24 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 1: I'm creating recipes that you actually want in need. And 25 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:31,680 Speaker 1: most of the time I don't see a ton of 26 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:35,000 Speaker 1: fish get voted into those top recipes, and I think 27 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:37,720 Speaker 1: it's just because we're more familiar to when it comes 28 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:40,480 Speaker 1: to cooking with chicken and beef and pork. But fish 29 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:43,959 Speaker 1: is so great. And the awesome thing about fish is 30 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 1: that it's often really fast. It's a really quick dinner, 31 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 1: especially shrimp. But as with all of the Recipe Club recipes, 32 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:56,160 Speaker 1: I always provide substitutions. So if you do not like shrimp, 33 00:01:56,600 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 1: crispy coconut chicken and rice bowls are is delicious and 34 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 1: I've provided at the instructions for those. But enough about 35 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:06,480 Speaker 1: all of that, let's talk about this recipe. You can 36 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:08,120 Speaker 1: make these in your oven, you can make them in 37 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 1: your air fryer. And one of the things that makes 38 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:14,560 Speaker 1: such a big difference as doing this dredge so you 39 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:18,520 Speaker 1: get a nice crispy coating and I like using my 40 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 1: oil sprayer. Now this is one of those tools they've 41 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:23,799 Speaker 1: talked about on Instagram before. Who knew. It's like one 42 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 1: of those tools that you don't think you need, but 43 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 1: when you have it, you're like, oh, how did I 44 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 1: live without this thing? And I'd be usually quite anti gadget, 45 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 1: because I don't want you to have anything in your 46 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,280 Speaker 1: kitchen that you aren't going to regularly use. But I 47 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: find myself using this sprayer, spritz or whatever you want 48 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 1: to call it all the time. The brand I like 49 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 1: is Evo, and we'll make sure to link it in 50 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 1: the show notes. But it's so great, especially if you're 51 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 1: looking to make crispy foods. So anytime you're coating something 52 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 1: in a bread crumb, you're using your air fryer have 53 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 1: it just gives a nice thin coating of olive oil 54 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 1: avocado oil because you can pick whatever oil you want 55 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 1: to put in there, and particularly in this recipe, it 56 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:08,679 Speaker 1: gets that shrimp so crispy. And then the thing that's 57 00:03:08,720 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 1: just so delicious about this recipe is that there's this 58 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:16,120 Speaker 1: honey butter sauce that you drizzle over the top of 59 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:18,960 Speaker 1: the shrimp. I'm literally salivating as I am talking about 60 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 1: it because it was so yummy. And then I do this, 61 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 1: lemony rice and peas is the base. And this lemony 62 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 1: rice and peas not only is it great with this recipe, 63 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 1: but it's just like a go to side dish for 64 00:03:31,480 --> 00:03:35,240 Speaker 1: me and my family. I have found that my kids 65 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 1: really like rice. Petite peas are one of those frozen 66 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: staples that I can kind of they want to say 67 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 1: sneak into because they can very much see them. But 68 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 1: it's just a good veggie for me to incorporate into 69 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 1: some of our meals. In facts, sometimes I'll toss those 70 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: peas in mac and cheese and my kids are fine 71 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 1: with it. But the lemony rice and peas is also 72 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 1: just a great side dish on its own. So anyways, 73 00:03:57,680 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: if you want that recipe, join us and recipe club 74 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 1: I swear at my Best Recipes or a messpeak club. 75 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 1: It's been such a fun project to work on all right. Next, 76 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 1: this isn't all the but a goody. This is a 77 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:13,320 Speaker 1: really delicious recipe. It actually comes from my cookbook Kitchen Confidence, 78 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 1: but you can find it on my website. It is 79 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 1: my skillet chicken Peccata and it is yummy, yummy. It 80 00:04:20,400 --> 00:04:22,920 Speaker 1: is made with chicken cutlets or chicken that you kind 81 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 1: of pound thin, so it cooks very quickly and you 82 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 1: make this bright, lemony sauce. It's got capers, but if 83 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 1: you don't like capers, you can easily take those out, 84 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 1: and it is just like if you it's like a 85 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:39,359 Speaker 1: restaurant meal. You can make it home in minutes. The 86 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:41,880 Speaker 1: other thing I like about chicken pocata is I almost 87 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 1: always have everything on hand to make it as long 88 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 1: as I have chicken, and so I can make it 89 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:50,440 Speaker 1: in last minute. It's one of those dishes that's easy 90 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 1: enough for a Tuesday night, but impressive enough if your 91 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:57,159 Speaker 1: in laws are coming over. So yummy, so much flavor. 92 00:04:57,200 --> 00:04:58,840 Speaker 1: And if you've ever wanted to learn how to make 93 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:03,240 Speaker 1: a pan sauce, this is a great introductory recipe to 94 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: the basics of a pan sauce because it's a very 95 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 1: very simple pan sauce. So skill a chicken pocata. It 96 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:11,919 Speaker 1: is such a hit with my family. The Bear is 97 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:14,120 Speaker 1: a series of my husband I've been watching and we 98 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:17,680 Speaker 1: just watched an episode last night where he was teaching 99 00:05:17,720 --> 00:05:20,839 Speaker 1: the kitchen staff how to make chicken pocata. It's a 100 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:23,279 Speaker 1: whole series about what it's like to work in kitchens 101 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 1: and whatnot, And I just gave me a hankering for 102 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:29,800 Speaker 1: chicken peccata and that's exactly why it's on our menu 103 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:32,159 Speaker 1: this week. And finally, we're going to make the five 104 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 1: ingredient creamy tomato tortellini with spinach. This is a recipe 105 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:38,280 Speaker 1: shirt on Instagram. I have a series on Fridays where 106 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:42,480 Speaker 1: I share five ingredient recipes that are so simple, and 107 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 1: this one is amazing. In fact, I think this I 108 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 1: would consider this a pantry meal because once again I 109 00:05:48,200 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 1: seem to always have everything on hand to make it. 110 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 1: And it's also a costco friendly meal. So while you 111 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 1: can get all of the ingredients at many different grocery stores, 112 00:05:58,080 --> 00:06:00,479 Speaker 1: I can get all of these in my cost go order. 113 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 1: So the five ingredients are cheese, tortellini, refrigerator cheese tortellini, 114 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:11,640 Speaker 1: Rio's mariner sauce best marinera of all time, pesto prepared pesto, 115 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 1: and I like the Kirkland kind. That is my very 116 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:18,799 Speaker 1: favorite pesto. A splash of heavy cream and some baby 117 00:06:18,839 --> 00:06:23,320 Speaker 1: spinach and it is so yummy. It comes together to 118 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 1: meat this really rich, creamy sauce that's almost like a 119 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 1: vodka sauce like a pink sauce, And if you wanted 120 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:31,719 Speaker 1: to add protein to this, you totally could do that. 121 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 1: A you could purchase tortellini that had some sort of 122 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:37,120 Speaker 1: protein in it. Or what I would do here is 123 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:40,679 Speaker 1: I would add some crisp presciuto or bacon over the top. 124 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:43,599 Speaker 1: I think that would be delicious. Or you could serve 125 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 1: this alongside grilled chicken or pork tenderloin something like that. 126 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:51,720 Speaker 1: But it is pretty hardy because you've got the tortellini, 127 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:55,799 Speaker 1: which is a hardier filled pasta. It is quite hardy 128 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 1: without the protein. There you have it. Three recipes you 129 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 1: could make this week. That crispy coconut shrimp or chicken 130 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:08,160 Speaker 1: and rice bowl, the skillet chicken peccata, and the five 131 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 1: ingredient creamy tomato tortellini with spinach. Hopefully at least one 132 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 1: of those recipes fits into your meal plan easily this week, 133 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 1: or make all three of them. Most weeks I am 134 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:21,840 Speaker 1: making between three to four recipes. Then the other nights 135 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 1: it's a combination of leftovers, really easy meals from the 136 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 1: freezer or going out. But I almost always make these 137 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 1: three recipes that I suggest on the podcast. And I 138 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 1: would love for you to make them with me as well. 139 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 1: All right, let's jump into the back half of the 140 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 1: podcast today, where we're going to chat about a simple 141 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 1: system for packing school lunches. We'retta start with this story. 142 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 1: I want to take you back to the very first 143 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:54,240 Speaker 1: school lunch that I packed from my older son Ali. 144 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:57,360 Speaker 1: I don't know if it was pre K or kindergarten. 145 00:07:57,440 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 1: All I know is that it was the first time 146 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 1: I had bought a lunchbox and I had officially joined 147 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 1: the ranks of a lunch packing parent, and being the 148 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:11,800 Speaker 1: foodie that I am, I was excited. I was like, 149 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 1: this kid's gonna have awesome lunches, right, So I was 150 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: determined to make this first lunch memorable. And I don't 151 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 1: remember what shape it was, but I cut his sandwich 152 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 1: into some sort of shape. I think I cut cucumbers 153 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:31,440 Speaker 1: into stars, like it was a whole thing, right, And 154 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 1: I remember picking him up from school and kind of 155 00:08:34,040 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 1: excitedly looking at him and being like, how was your 156 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:40,600 Speaker 1: lunch and him shrugging, and then opening the lunchbox to 157 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 1: find that he really hadn't eaten anything that I packed 158 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,360 Speaker 1: for him. Anyways, because it was so different than when 159 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 1: he usually had at home. I learned a very valuable 160 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: lesson that day that when it comes to lunch packing, 161 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 1: keep it simple. It'll make your life easier and it's 162 00:08:56,720 --> 00:09:01,080 Speaker 1: probably what your kid wants. So I am always all 163 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:06,000 Speaker 1: about finding ways to simplify meal time and that includes lunch. 164 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:08,839 Speaker 1: So I've collected some tips, some tricks over the years, 165 00:09:08,880 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 1: and I want to talk about how you can streamline 166 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:13,600 Speaker 1: that process. Before we do that, I want to talk 167 00:09:13,600 --> 00:09:19,079 Speaker 1: about this magical age cutoff because I depending on how 168 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 1: old your children are, or maybe you're just packing lunch 169 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 1: for yourself. And if you're packing lunch for yourself, well 170 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:28,880 Speaker 1: you're the only one doing it. But I have found 171 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:35,120 Speaker 1: that it's about third grade when kids are independent enough 172 00:09:35,160 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 1: to pack their own lunches. And I want to encourage you, 173 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 1: give you permission that if you have a kid that 174 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:44,800 Speaker 1: is in third grade or higher, they should be packing 175 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:48,040 Speaker 1: their own lunches to give you a break. That's why. 176 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:51,840 Speaker 1: Not only that, but I think that this idea of 177 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:56,240 Speaker 1: packing a lunch is an independent task kids can do, 178 00:09:56,320 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 1: and we all know that giving our kids responsib abilities 179 00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 1: and tasks like this it helps with independence in developing confidence, 180 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:08,480 Speaker 1: not to mention, teaching them what how much food they 181 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:11,720 Speaker 1: need to feel full, right, Like, there's certain elements where 182 00:10:11,720 --> 00:10:13,720 Speaker 1: you're going to have to feed yourself your whole life 183 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:16,319 Speaker 1: to a certain extent, and starting with a lunch is 184 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:20,760 Speaker 1: a great place to start. So if you have kids 185 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:24,880 Speaker 1: older than third grade, congratulations. I want you to take 186 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 1: the first step towards passing the baton onto your kids, 187 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 1: and in return, you'll claim a little slice of freedom 188 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:35,199 Speaker 1: and they are going to gain more of that independence 189 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:42,040 Speaker 1: and autonomy. So I want to talk specifically about kids 190 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:44,040 Speaker 1: who are going to pack their own lunches and the 191 00:10:44,120 --> 00:10:48,640 Speaker 1: system that I have gone through to help my ten 192 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:51,400 Speaker 1: year old son get really good at packing lunches. And 193 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:53,120 Speaker 1: then along the way there's gonna be some really helpful 194 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:55,719 Speaker 1: tips if you have younger kids about different ideas and 195 00:10:56,120 --> 00:10:58,839 Speaker 1: all that, all right, So the first step is you 196 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:02,440 Speaker 1: got to tell your kids about the plan. So you 197 00:11:02,559 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 1: might have kids who already love to do everything for themselves, 198 00:11:05,559 --> 00:11:10,120 Speaker 1: or maybe your kids are like mine and will happily 199 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:12,839 Speaker 1: sit back while you do it all. And if you're 200 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:15,439 Speaker 1: a micromanager like me, you just think, oh, it's easier 201 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:18,199 Speaker 1: if I just do it. No, it's not so their 202 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 1: reactions may vary, but here are some points to consider 203 00:11:22,679 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 1: when you share with them. Remind them that they are 204 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 1: old enough and capable enough to be packing their own lunches, 205 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 1: and that this idea that everyone in the family helps 206 00:11:32,120 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 1: keep the household running and packing their own lunches is 207 00:11:35,480 --> 00:11:39,720 Speaker 1: one way to participate in that family system. And the 208 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:42,440 Speaker 1: best part. Making their own lunches means they get to 209 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:45,120 Speaker 1: choose what they pack, and we're going to guide them 210 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 1: a little bit, but they get to make those choices. 211 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:50,839 Speaker 1: You're going to help them set it up. And if 212 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 1: they want to request certain items for their lunch boxes, 213 00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:55,200 Speaker 1: that's something you can do. You can go to the 214 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 1: store together, you can order online and get those things 215 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 1: and kind of giving some of that responsibility to them. 216 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 1: Not only is not packing lunches a joy, but it's 217 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: amazing because you get precious time in a critical time 218 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 1: of day back. It's really amazing. So you're going to 219 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:18,320 Speaker 1: have the talk you are going to at the beginning 220 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 1: of the school year, say congratulations, you get to pack 221 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 1: your own lunch this year, And who knows. The reactions 222 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 1: are going to vary, but I was surprised. My Oliver 223 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 1: was actually stoked he was really excited, and that's when 224 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:32,960 Speaker 1: we kind of planned a trip to the store to 225 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:37,120 Speaker 1: pick out some things. And you know, if this is 226 00:12:37,160 --> 00:12:39,080 Speaker 1: a time for a new lunch box. Maybe your kid's 227 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:41,920 Speaker 1: been using the same lunchbox K through three, maybe this 228 00:12:41,960 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 1: is a great time to get a new lunchbox. To 229 00:12:43,520 --> 00:12:45,880 Speaker 1: get them excited about it, but just let them know, 230 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 1: create a formal opportunity to pass the lunch baton and 231 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:54,160 Speaker 1: say this is your job now, but you're going to 232 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:59,120 Speaker 1: show him the ropes. So if your kids, given the 233 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:03,560 Speaker 1: opportunity to pack their own lunches would probably pack goldfish crackers, pretzels, 234 00:13:03,559 --> 00:13:06,240 Speaker 1: and tortilla chips. We might need to talk about what 235 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:09,720 Speaker 1: a it's somewhat balanced to lunch looks like. So whether 236 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,160 Speaker 1: you want to utilize like we have a small white 237 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 1: marker board in our kitchen, or you want to use 238 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 1: a printable or something like that. I think, especially when 239 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 1: they're getting started in packing their lunches, writing out some 240 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:24,400 Speaker 1: different options of things they can grab is a really 241 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:28,720 Speaker 1: helpful way to show them what they have to pick from. 242 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 1: And it's also a good time to really talk about 243 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:37,840 Speaker 1: what they like and what they don't like, and how 244 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 1: you want them to be able to enjoy what they're 245 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:43,719 Speaker 1: having for lunch a day. You don't want them to 246 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 1: be bored to death with the same old sandwich. And 247 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 1: so we're going to go through a couple of different ideas. 248 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:52,560 Speaker 1: If your kid can only think of one, you know, 249 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 1: I only want a bagel and cream cheese with an 250 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:57,319 Speaker 1: apple and a string cheese. Like we're we're going to 251 00:13:57,400 --> 00:14:01,440 Speaker 1: talk about some things. You also need to make it easy, right. 252 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:04,600 Speaker 1: So when I decided I was no longer the chief 253 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:08,560 Speaker 1: lunch packer for my ten year old, I decided that 254 00:14:08,679 --> 00:14:12,360 Speaker 1: I wanted to create a bin or a station for 255 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 1: different items I could corral for Ali to really pull 256 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: together a lunch. So it doesn't need to be pinterest worthy, 257 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:23,200 Speaker 1: It does not need to be perfectly organized. It just 258 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:25,960 Speaker 1: needs to get the job done. So what that looks 259 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 1: like in my house is a refrigerator bin, a freezer bin, 260 00:14:29,800 --> 00:14:35,440 Speaker 1: and a pantry bin that all say lunch and you 261 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:38,840 Speaker 1: can put whatever you want in there. Now, I do 262 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:41,240 Speaker 1: think there should be a decision made between you and 263 00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:44,280 Speaker 1: your kid, because if you stuff it with things that 264 00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: you think are healthy but your kid will never eat, 265 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:50,680 Speaker 1: you are not solving any sort of problem. So be 266 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 1: willing to give and take a little bit. And this 267 00:14:52,920 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 1: might be a perfect opportunity to go to the store. 268 00:14:55,960 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 1: But these are the categories. This is the agreement that 269 00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:01,880 Speaker 1: Ali and I have. He needs to pack one fruit, 270 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 1: one vegetable, one main meal which has some element of 271 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:10,280 Speaker 1: protein usually, and then he can pack a sweet and 272 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 1: salty snack. So and then he always packs water. So 273 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:18,600 Speaker 1: we kind of have those different categories, and like in 274 00:15:18,680 --> 00:15:23,480 Speaker 1: the fridge, in the lunch bin, he'll say, like, we 275 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:25,880 Speaker 1: just did this because school starting up again for us. 276 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: And so he likes string cheese, but only a specific brand, 277 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:30,960 Speaker 1: so I have to get the specific type of string 278 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:34,720 Speaker 1: cheese that he likes. He likes apples, he likes carrots, 279 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 1: like baby carrots, he likes those small bell peppers, and 280 00:15:39,040 --> 00:15:42,400 Speaker 1: he likes purple grapes, and so those things live in 281 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:44,880 Speaker 1: a lunch bin, and that is his specific bin to 282 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 1: grab from to pack his lunch. At the end of 283 00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:51,280 Speaker 1: the week, I always kind of restock that. So I 284 00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:54,800 Speaker 1: may have some baby carrots that live in our produce store, 285 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:57,200 Speaker 1: but at the beginning of the week, I will add 286 00:15:57,200 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 1: some of those to the lunch bin, and then I 287 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 1: only have to do it once as opposed to every 288 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 1: single day. Now in the freezer bin are things like 289 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 1: frozen go girts we like to do. You maybe have 290 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:11,560 Speaker 1: seen it, maybe you haven't. It's a great hack for 291 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 1: lunch where you take an entire package of sweet Hawaiian 292 00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 1: rolls and if your kids like spread, you could do 293 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:24,760 Speaker 1: either mayo or mustard, something along those lines, some ham 294 00:16:24,920 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 1: or turkey, some cheddar cheese, and you put the tops 295 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:32,960 Speaker 1: on and you pull them apart, or you cut them 296 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:38,120 Speaker 1: up individually and put them in individual bags and you 297 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 1: freeze them and they can just grab a sandwich to 298 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 1: toss in their lunch box. They freeze and thought beautifully. 299 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: The one downside here is I have tried them with 300 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 1: different types of containers and ultimately the best thing to 301 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 1: keep them fresh is just a good old fashioned baggy, 302 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:59,760 Speaker 1: like a freezer baggy. So you could also do this 303 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 1: with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and make it so easy. 304 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:07,920 Speaker 1: Other freezer options frozen at a Mammy, which also has 305 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:11,720 Speaker 1: a lot of protein. Actually, you could have frozen burritos, 306 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:14,960 Speaker 1: have them pop them in the microwave or the toaster 307 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 1: of them before, wrap them in foil, pops them in 308 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 1: their lunch box that works great, and those really are 309 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 1: the frozen things that we have the best success with. 310 00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 1: Now I want to talk a little bit more about 311 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:30,400 Speaker 1: some refrigerator ideas. I gave you the fruit and veggies, 312 00:17:30,760 --> 00:17:35,880 Speaker 1: but also things like ranch cups. That's another huge one. 313 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:42,000 Speaker 1: Ali will take celery and carrots and the bell peppers 314 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:46,600 Speaker 1: and dip them in ranch or hummus cups. That's fantastic. 315 00:17:46,760 --> 00:17:50,760 Speaker 1: So if you can increase the veggie intake with something 316 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:53,120 Speaker 1: to dip them in, that is always a good way 317 00:17:53,119 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 1: to go. Hard boiled eggs is another one. And then 318 00:17:56,280 --> 00:17:59,040 Speaker 1: finally the pantry. Right now, this is where a lot 319 00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 1: of the fun snacks live. Right we're talking about the 320 00:18:01,840 --> 00:18:05,560 Speaker 1: bags of chips or popcorn or pirates booty. But I 321 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:08,520 Speaker 1: do like to balance some of that fun with things 322 00:18:08,520 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 1: that I feel good about as a mom. So I 323 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:14,359 Speaker 1: am not opposed to buying bags of chips. My kids 324 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 1: get chips just like many other kids. But I do 325 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:19,479 Speaker 1: try and create some healthy options as well. So that 326 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:24,520 Speaker 1: looks like trail mix, jerky and unsweetened apple sauce, packets, 327 00:18:25,560 --> 00:18:30,080 Speaker 1: dried or freeze dried fruit, definitely some energy bars if 328 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 1: your kids will do it. Dried seaweeds awesome. You could 329 00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:37,680 Speaker 1: do those squeeze packets of nuts or seed butter, which 330 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:41,560 Speaker 1: is also great, whole grain crackers, mini boxes of raisins, 331 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:45,639 Speaker 1: stuff like that. So once again, I just want to 332 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:48,919 Speaker 1: emphasize the things that you put in these lunch stations 333 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:52,200 Speaker 1: in your refrigerator, your freezer, or your pantry. They need 334 00:18:52,280 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 1: to be things that you know your kids will eat. 335 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:57,600 Speaker 1: Right now, Occasionally you're going to push them and say, well, 336 00:18:57,600 --> 00:18:59,399 Speaker 1: what have we tried this, or what if we tried that? 337 00:18:59,840 --> 00:19:03,880 Speaker 1: But at the end of the day, lunch that your 338 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:08,600 Speaker 1: kid is eating away from home should be not the 339 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:11,000 Speaker 1: time you're trying to introduce a new food to a 340 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:14,720 Speaker 1: picky eater. Let them pack things that you know that 341 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:18,000 Speaker 1: they will eat. And I think getting them involved in 342 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:20,919 Speaker 1: that process of stalking those different bins is going to 343 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:24,520 Speaker 1: help a lot. Okay, now let's talk about the actual 344 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:28,720 Speaker 1: box bag, whatever it may be. If you are still 345 00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 1: fussing with multiple containers, lids, plastic bags, do yourself a 346 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:37,320 Speaker 1: huge favor and get a Bento lunch box with one lid. 347 00:19:37,880 --> 00:19:41,479 Speaker 1: This changed everything for me. It will simplify lunch packing 348 00:19:41,760 --> 00:19:45,000 Speaker 1: so much and clean up. I've tried a handful over 349 00:19:45,040 --> 00:19:48,520 Speaker 1: the years, and I am not shy about the fact 350 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:51,000 Speaker 1: that I love Planet Box. I wish I had a 351 00:19:51,040 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 1: code for you guys. I don't, but they always run 352 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:57,160 Speaker 1: an amazing back to school sale, typically in the month 353 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:00,000 Speaker 1: of August early September for thirty percent off, and that's 354 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:01,960 Speaker 1: cheap as it's going to get that's the time to 355 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:05,960 Speaker 1: buy them. What's great about this stainless steel bento box 356 00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:09,280 Speaker 1: is that the quality is fantastic. It has a five 357 00:20:09,359 --> 00:20:13,520 Speaker 1: year warranty. Also, it's the easiest lunch box I found 358 00:20:13,560 --> 00:20:17,840 Speaker 1: for little hands to open. They're fantastic, Like great company. 359 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 1: They have some bags as well that you can actually 360 00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 1: put the bento box inside of, but most of our 361 00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:26,800 Speaker 1: lunch gear comes from Planet Box. Others that I've purchased 362 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,919 Speaker 1: and liked are lunch Bots. Lunch Bots are also a 363 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:34,360 Speaker 1: stainless steel bento box option. I just the lid functions 364 00:20:34,359 --> 00:20:38,040 Speaker 1: a little differently, and before when Ali was younger, he 365 00:20:38,080 --> 00:20:39,520 Speaker 1: could never get the lid off and that was a 366 00:20:39,560 --> 00:20:42,680 Speaker 1: little frustrating for him. But what's great about that stainless 367 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:46,040 Speaker 1: steel material is that if you've got cold food, it 368 00:20:46,160 --> 00:20:48,160 Speaker 1: helps it stay cold, and if you've got hot food. 369 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:51,239 Speaker 1: It helps it stay hot, So not only is it 370 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:54,480 Speaker 1: easy to clean, I think it contributes to keeping that 371 00:20:54,560 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 1: lunch fresh. And then if you're wanting something that is 372 00:20:57,800 --> 00:21:01,879 Speaker 1: a little bit more colorful and fun, bent Go is 373 00:21:01,920 --> 00:21:05,959 Speaker 1: another great option. It is like a plastic form of 374 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:09,439 Speaker 1: a Bento box, and it does have some innovative design 375 00:21:09,440 --> 00:21:11,479 Speaker 1: and that you can kind of remove this top trade. 376 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:13,679 Speaker 1: It can go on the top shelf of your dishwasher 377 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:19,920 Speaker 1: and makes that little easier to clean. But ultimately I 378 00:21:20,040 --> 00:21:22,400 Speaker 1: did have a bent Go a couple of years ago 379 00:21:22,440 --> 00:21:26,200 Speaker 1: and one of the one of the hinges snapped off. 380 00:21:26,359 --> 00:21:28,000 Speaker 1: I think it's great, I think, and I think they've 381 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,160 Speaker 1: got a warranty as well. They are very beloved, like 382 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:34,120 Speaker 1: thirty thousand plush reviews on Amazon, So take a look 383 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:35,840 Speaker 1: at that. If you've got a kid who wants something 384 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:38,480 Speaker 1: colorful and fun, that might be a great way to go. 385 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:41,520 Speaker 1: All right, a few more tips for kind of setting 386 00:21:41,560 --> 00:21:44,520 Speaker 1: your kid up for success. Definitely shows some mercy, right, 387 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:47,160 Speaker 1: Like you've passed the lunch to baton, but every kid's 388 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:50,160 Speaker 1: gonna sleep in or have a bad day, and make 389 00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:52,360 Speaker 1: sure you step in. And that's the time for mom 390 00:21:52,400 --> 00:21:55,280 Speaker 1: to step in and help out with lunch. And then 391 00:21:55,359 --> 00:21:57,919 Speaker 1: finally I kind of mentioned this, but let it go 392 00:21:57,960 --> 00:22:00,800 Speaker 1: to a certain extent, it can be easy to meddle. 393 00:22:01,280 --> 00:22:05,840 Speaker 1: And if I notice that Ali, my fifth grade of 394 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:08,640 Speaker 1: the King of Garbs, has packed the sandwich, crackers, pretzels, 395 00:22:08,640 --> 00:22:11,800 Speaker 1: and a cookie, I'll step in and suggest, hey, grab 396 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:14,280 Speaker 1: an apple and a string cheese, Or if I'm peeling 397 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:16,960 Speaker 1: an orange at breakfast, I'll ask him if he wants 398 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:18,719 Speaker 1: me to throw some in his lunch. But otherwise they 399 00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:21,159 Speaker 1: just try and let it go. By some standards, the 400 00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:24,200 Speaker 1: lunches they pack themselves are not going to be picture perfect, 401 00:22:24,520 --> 00:22:27,560 Speaker 1: and that's okay because they're learning. They're learning about balance, 402 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:31,679 Speaker 1: about their own appetites, about what foods will sustain them 403 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:34,040 Speaker 1: so they don't get hungry about how much they need. 404 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:37,400 Speaker 1: And so by having those three separate bins, I kind 405 00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:40,120 Speaker 1: of have given him the building blocks for healthy lunches 406 00:22:40,480 --> 00:22:44,000 Speaker 1: and a guide, and I occasionally suggest things, but ultimately 407 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 1: I want him to make his own decision, just as 408 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 1: he'll be doing for most of his life. Right, So 409 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:54,040 Speaker 1: then I can kind of make an effort as mom 410 00:22:54,359 --> 00:22:57,760 Speaker 1: that what's missing from his lunch selections get served at home. 411 00:22:57,880 --> 00:22:59,880 Speaker 1: So that might be a few more veggies, fresh fruit, 412 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:05,600 Speaker 1: things like that. Ultimately you can relieve yourself of lunch duty. 413 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:08,080 Speaker 1: Get them past third grade. Now, look, I've got a kindergartener, 414 00:23:08,119 --> 00:23:09,760 Speaker 1: so I'll be making her lunch. And I've got a 415 00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:11,639 Speaker 1: preschool or so I'll be making hers as well. But 416 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:16,320 Speaker 1: even to a limp, eliminate one lunch is so free. 417 00:23:16,920 --> 00:23:19,560 Speaker 1: So whether it's a system that looks like ours, or 418 00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:22,439 Speaker 1: you have like the different lunch stations or the different bins, 419 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:26,240 Speaker 1: or it's a different setup, all I'm going to suggest 420 00:23:26,280 --> 00:23:30,800 Speaker 1: that you do is figure out something you can systemize, 421 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:33,600 Speaker 1: something you can say, all right, here are the boundaries 422 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:37,080 Speaker 1: for packing lunches. Whether it's something I do, we do together, 423 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:39,719 Speaker 1: or you do it on your own. This is what 424 00:23:39,720 --> 00:23:41,240 Speaker 1: it's going to look like this year. And it's going 425 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:43,159 Speaker 1: to be much easier to do at the beginning of 426 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:45,640 Speaker 1: the school year rather than the middle of the school 427 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:48,639 Speaker 1: year when everyone's frustrated because your kid doesn't like what 428 00:23:48,680 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 1: you're packing for lunch, or you're frustrated they're only packing 429 00:23:52,160 --> 00:23:55,960 Speaker 1: pretzels and oreos every day. Set up a system and 430 00:23:56,720 --> 00:24:02,240 Speaker 1: kind of a system of expectation. Now that we'll set 431 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:04,959 Speaker 1: everyone up for success, all right, you guys. That's it. 432 00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:07,359 Speaker 1: So we talked about lunches. We've got our dinner ideas 433 00:24:07,359 --> 00:24:08,960 Speaker 1: for the week, and you know you can always find 434 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:11,680 Speaker 1: me on Instagram and they're in Recipe Club, where I 435 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:15,840 Speaker 1: sure five new recipes every month to make dinner easier. 436 00:24:16,280 --> 00:24:18,120 Speaker 1: You can also join my family and you'll make over 437 00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:21,200 Speaker 1: course if you're looking to organize and outfit your kitchen. 438 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:23,840 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for listening this week, and I 439 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:25,480 Speaker 1: can't wait to chat next week.