Week of Lunches - February 8, 2016

Kid lunches:
- Bagels
- Applesauce
- String cheese

Our lunch:
- Salad in a jar. 
     
Salad layers:

• lettuce
• garbanzo beans
• chicken
• tomatoes
• avocado
• cucumber                                                                                                                                        

I kept the salad dressing separate.

- grapes (side)

Snacks:

- mini peppers and hummus

- zone bars (not pictured)

A Week of Lunches

Okay this is not a post to flaunt how I prepare our weekly lunches. Everyone has their own way of doing things. A few of you have requested a post on how I make a week of lunches. Sunday is my day to make lunches for the whole entire week. This actually only takes me the max, an hour and half. Not too bad when you don't have to make lunches every. single. day. Also, this helps us to eat and snack healthy throughout the week. If I don't prepare I will go for unhealthy snacks or lunches. I will do my best to post our weekly lunch. 

The Kids Lunch

• Mini chocolate chip muffins http://lovetocookagain.blogspot.com/2012/08/chocolate-chip-muffins.html  Our kids love this recipe. 
• Carrots
• Yogurt

Our Lunch

I put a package of chicken in the crockpot and pour any marinade over it. Cook between 6-8 hours. Take out and cool. 

Lunch:

• Chicken and sautéed vegetables. This week I did peppers, zucchini, squash and onions.
• Oranges
• Carrots
• Trail mix (for Jeremy)

Snack:

• Apples and peanut butter. I divide peanut butter into separate containers.
• Zone Perfect bars. 

Breakfast:

Betty Crocker's Banana Bread. http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/banana-bread/51427396-6764-4b0a-a73a-78c683c703d2

The kids love to have some kind of breakfast bread or muffins for breakfast.

The key to this bread is immediately wrap it in foil when it comes out of the oven and place in the freezer. It will make the bread really moist. Also, we love throwing in a package of chocolate chips. 

Basil Parmesan Chicken Salad

This recipes was adapted from Mikey's In My Kitchen.

This recipe is simple and very good. Enjoy.

Ingredients:

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 

2-3 Ribs of Celery, Diced

1-2 Cloves of Garlic, Diced

1-2 Cups/Handfuls Fresh Basil

1/2 Cup Olive Oil Mayonnaise (I used regular mayo)

1/4 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook chicken in a crock pot on low for 6-8 hours.

Shred and combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and add chicken to mixture. Stir until chicken is evenly coated. I added a little more salt and pepper. 

Taco Cups (This Lunch Rox)

I just found this on Pinterest. Love this idea for school lunches!!! I am going to add chicken to this. 

1) Use tortilla of choice (I prefer Joseph’s Flax, Oat Bran & Wheat Flour Tortillas)

2) Use a circle cookie cutter or biscuit cutter to cut the tortilla

3) Place the circles into a mini muffin tin and spritz with olive oil and sea salt

4) Bake for 7-9 minutes at 350 or until cups are crispy