Since kids are still growing, they need nutritious lunches to help them develop and grow strong. However, when you're considering a divorce, divorced or are in the process of searching for a child custody attorney in Florida, you might not have time to spend hours preparing meals. Packing healthy lunches is simpler than you think. Here are 10 easy ideas for school lunch to help you and your kids get out of the door in time.
1. Pasta salad
This lunch is simple to make after having leftover pasta from dinner. Spoon a couple of scoops into your child's lunch container, add cheese and sliced salami for some calcium and protein. You could also add sauces and salad dressings or sprinkle seasonings like oregano to make the pasta salad more flavorful.
2. Turkey and cheese wraps
Taking just a few minutes to prepare, wraps are both quick to make and versatile enough to please your pickiest eaters. To make a turkey wrap, start with a flour tortilla. Add a couple of turkey slices and layers of lettuce and cheese and then roll up the wrap. Substitute turkey with ham or other proteins and add on other vegetables like tomato or avocado for a healthier lunch.
3. Macaroni and cheese
Mac and cheese is a classic and it's simple to cook the night before from scratch. Cook the macaroni according to the directions on the package. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and stir in 1/4 cup flour. Gradually add 2 cups of milk while continuing to stir the milk until bubbly. Stir in the cheese until it's melted and combine the cheese mixture and macaroni together.
4. Barbeque chicken sandwiches
BBQ chicken sandwiches don't require a ton of prep time when you buy a rotisserie chicken, which can be used to create lunches and dinners throughout the week. Slice off a couple of large pieces of chicken and shred the chicken meat using two forks. Toss the shredded chicken with barbeque sauce and then place a hamburger bun next to it.
5. Cheese quesadillas
Similar to a grilled cheese sandwich, quesadillas are made by melting cheese between two tortillas. Heat a skillet on medium heat and place in a flour tortilla. Cover the tortilla with shredded cheese (such as pepper jack or cheddar). Wait for a few minutes until the cheese starts to melt and add fillings: cooked chicken, avocado, and more. Sprinkle more cheese and top the quesadilla with another tortilla. Press down using a spatula and then flip it over to melt the cheese on the other side of the quesadilla.
6. Tacos
Start by cooking 1 pound of lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir the beef occasionally until brown. Drain the juices from skillet. Stir in salsa into the cooked beef and heat until boiling. Stir and reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 5 minutes while stirring. Place the beef inside the lunch container and put some taco cheese mix and lettuce into a separate plastic bag.
7. Tuna salad sandwich
As another classic staple for lunch, a tuna salad sandwich lets you combine all ingredients into a bowl for an easy clean-up. Start with tuna inside a medium bowl. Add mayonnaise, mustard, chopped celery and red onion into the bowl and stir until combined well. You could remove the red onion and any other ingredients you think your child won't eat.
8. Apples and dipping sauces
Kids love to dip their food in different sauces, which can allow them to make more nutritious choices. Instead of giving kids a snack cake or brownie for dessert, give them a healthier alternative: apples. Make apples tastier with a small serving of caramel dip or some spoonfuls of peanut butter.
9. Yogurt parfait
Yogurt is great for kids because it contains protein and calcium. Wash and slice some fruits you think your kids will like, such as strawberries, blueberries or raspberries. Begin making the parfait by adding a few spoonfuls of yogurt. Greek-style yogurt has more calcium than regular yogurt and is also creamier for a delicious parfait. Layer the fruits onto the yogurt and add some more spoonfuls of yogurt.
10. Fettucine alfredo
As a cheap lunch, you can make fettucine alfredo. Start by preparing the fettucine according to the package directions. Remove from heat and drain the noodles. Heat the alfredo sauce in a sauce pan until heated through and add the fettucine and mix until the pasta is covered. Add salt and pepper to taste.
For more information regarding a potential child custody attorney in Florida, contact Kenny Leigh and Associates. This professional family law firm serves Northeast Florida and South Florida with five offices: Jacksonville, Gainesville, Fleming Island, Daytona and Boca Raton.