Each time I visit my daughter at school during a lunch period or while chaperoning a field trip, I can't help but look and notice what all the other kids have packed/ are eating. Many of them pull a Lunchables from their backpack. Some even accompanied by a can of soda.
I get it - it's easy. And the labels are so deceiving... "Whole Grains", "Great Source of Calcium", "100% White Meat", etc.
It's when you actually flip the container over and read what's really in those items that it makes you shake your head.
That was me. I use to buy those things. Especially when they were on sale.
Super easy, right!? But oh, so, wrong for your health.
Then trying to explain to your child why they can't have them is difficult. Granted Little Miss cannot because of the allergens & gluten, but it's still tough since she feels like she's missing out.
That's why we make our own! For years now, we've done our own homemade cracker stackers, nachos, nuggets, etc.
Today is no exception! Little Miss was so thrilled to have her DIY Mini Pizzas packed for school, just like her friends.
Often times, when I can't sleep, you'll usually find me on Instagram at 3am with a cup of coffee and eating one of my favorite combos: A slice of gluten free toast topped with SunButter and Apple Butter.
Heck, I even top pancakes with this delicious duo.
Much like our SunButter & Honey Apple Sandwiches we make for lunch, there's something so magical about putting apples & sunflower seed spread together for the perfect nut-free bite.
I finally figured out a way to get my favorite pairing into my lunchbox. I didn't want to just do a traditional sandwich. No, this is so much better. My newest obsession... a SunButter + Apple Butter {Gluten Free} Quesadilla!
(Keep Reading + More Pics Below)
I love when I can keep things simple by packing the same foods for Little Miss and me for our lunches for work & school (or now that it's summer - daycare, camp, or just to enjoy at home)!
One great way to mix it up from the traditional sandwich bread is to use waffles. A quick go-to solution are Van's Natural Foods gluten free waffles. They're also egg & dairy free, and made in a tree nut & peanut free facility.
Here we've made them into a yummy lunch idea using egg, guacamole, and deli meat. Check it out!
Since packing lunches is an every day necessity in our household, due to my daughter's food allergy & food intolerances + my own dietary restrictions, I try to pack ours at the same time at night to keep things simple and more efficient.
That's why our Mommy + Me Work & School Lunches are so great - Always similar but different, since after all, we are different people with different likes.
Here's our Gluten, Dairy, Egg, & Nut Free lunches we packed for today in our EasyLunchboxes containers:
The other night I shared a picture on my Instagram page: I had an idea to make making pancakes even easier (or as I joked, make them even lazier). ;)
I usually make batches of pancakes or pancakes muffins (aka "puffins") over the weekends so Little Miss can have them ready for breakfast and lunches with a quick reheat.
I had been toying with the idea in my head for quite sometime now to make them in my Babycakes Whoopie Pie Maker since the cavities are the perfect Silver Dollar Pancake size and thickness.
Well, I finally grabbed the machine and let it do it's thang! The results: PERFECTION. So simple!
Here's how I did it and some fun ways you can use these cute mini pancakes for lunches and snacks, as well:
Little Miss is getting a little spoiled tomorrow.
One of her very favorite things is smoked salmon and we haven't had it in quite some time. Frankly, it can be expensive.
The store had it on special this past week so this Mama was able to splurge a little so we could both indulge for our "Mommy + Me, Work & School Lunches" for Wednesday. They also happen to both be yummy non-sandwich ideas to pack. ;)
My Little Miss loves salami. So this week, I challenged myself to come up with 6 creative ways to use it for lunch! These delicious ideas are great for both school or work. They also all happen to be fun non-sandwich ideas!
As always, our lunches are Allergy Friendly: Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Tree Nut Free, Peanut Free, & more (see notes below for Dairy Free, Egg Free, & Soy Free options).
This week was another hodge-podge week of delicious allergy free school lunches for my Little Miss!
Some non-sandwich ideas, simple flowers of SunButter nut free spread, allergy friendly muffins, and leftovers.
Make sure to read through to the bottom of this post to also get our yummy Crockpot Sloppy Joe recipe. You'll love it - trust me - and nothing is better than using your slowcooker and coming home to a meal done at night!
Let's face it, we all know that {allergy friendly} and {gluten free} breads can be expensive. We also don't always have time to bake our own. Not only that, what if your kiddos don't even like sandwiches to begin with?!
We need some Non-Sandwich {Easy} School Lunch Box Ideas stat! Don't worry - I got you covered!
