109 & Grub for the Hub

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So folks are are getting down to the bottom of the barrel here as far as what we have for lunch fixins. I know it's something we all go through at the end of the month (especially those that only get paid once at the beginning of the month like we do). So, the lunches might start seeming a bit...hodge-podge. Luckily, Monkey isn't picky and will eat whatever is in the box. So, if the lunches start seeming a bit...odd or less cohesive, you'll know why. 

IN THIS LUNCH: 

• Whole Wheat Crackers
• Pepper Rings
• Banana Chips
• Peas
• Shrimp
• Cottage Cheese
• Brownie with Peanut Butter Coconut Frosting (hers also had a couple chocolate chips, that's the bumps)

That's right today's special treat is some homemade brownies with my special icing. Let me tell you, it's soooo yummy! You can get the recipe by clicking the link above or the photo below! 

Grub for the Hub

So this is what REAL looks like. HAHA. I didn't get to finish his lunch until right before I went to bed last night and it was too dark to take a picture. Well, he leaves before the sun is up, so it was too dark THEN to take a picture. So I asked my husband to take a picture of it at work and send it to me. This is what it looked like. Of course when I packed it the kiwi were in a nice little line kept over by their lettuce separator....so here what it really looked like after he got it to work. :P

IN THIS LUNCH:

• Tillamook Marionberry Yogurt w/ Almonds
• Sliced Kiwi
• String Cheese
• Mini Bagel Sandwich -- Mayo, Swiss, and Pepperoni
• Brownie with Peanut Butter Coconut Frosting.

March 31 - April 4: Round Up

Life certainly has gotten hectic lately! We've begun homeschooling and have added a new baby to the family which has been keeping us all busy and tired! However the lunches must go on. It is one of the things I truly enjoy doing and gives me something to look forward to. If you'd like to see the lunches daily, make sure to like us on Facebook. You can catch the weekly lunch round ups here :)

3/31

IN THIS LUNCH: 

Leftover Enchiladas

Corn on the Cob

Orange

2 Fig Cookies

4/1

IN THIS LUNCH:

Salad w/ Catalina Dressing

Annie's Organic Mac n Cheese

Shrimp

Blueberries

4/2

IN THIS LUNCH:

Chicken Nuggets w/ BBQ Sauce

Cottage Cheese

Orange

Banana

Hello Panda Cookies

4/3

IN THIS LUNCH:

French Bread Sandwich

Leftover Peas

Frozen Raspberries (from last summer)

Strawberries

4/4

IN THIS LUNCH:

Seafood Salad (was on a fantastic sale) w/ Crackers

Lima Beans

Blueberries

Orange

Cheddar Cheese

Happy Packing!

First New Year Lunch!

Back to the Lunch Making Routine

So, I've been slow about updating the Facebook but even less so here, things in life got crazy as they often do. Of course lunches were still being packed and devoured but time to update, take pictures, etc... just didn't seem to present itself. Small update for those that follow my blog, I'm nearly 32 weeks pregnant with my 2nd little monkey! In October (about when the posts stopped) I had to pick up a job which has me getting up at 2:30 a.m. and honestly, the sleep deprivation and illness has been getting to me (not pregnancy illness, I just keep getting colds etc). With the new year, one of the things I wanted to do was try to get back into the blogging habit with making lunches. I really enjoy it so what's an hour out of the day? Haha. 

IN THIS LUNCH: 

• Sunflower Butter/Jelly Puzzle Sandwich,
• Grape Tomatoes
• Chobani Champions Yogurt Tube
• Banana
• Organic Chocolate Milk

This lunch is part of the Meatless Monday Link up! Make sure to check it out and see all the other Meat Free options. 

Spookable

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So today I started training at a new job as well as entered week 2 of my college classes. Needless to say it has been a super busy time in my house! I actually forgot (I know, I can't believe it either), to make her lunch the night before so we were throwing something together this morning. Monkey was happy to help by choosing the picks she wanted to use! 

IN THIS LUNCH: 

• Chobani Champions Yogurt Tube (Dragon fruit flavor)
• Crackers
• Turkey & Swiss Roll Ups
• Baby Carrots
• A banana
• Horizon Organic 1% Milk 

Monkey decided she'd like a different pick for each roll up. I totally didn't mind! So we got a cute little Frankenstein, a skull, a ghost, and bat. Totally fun and all picked up from the Dollar Tree. I think all my bases were still covered for food groups, but I didn't like how rushed and hectic packing in the morning feels. Just not fun. I'll be attempting to get that lunch packed the night before. 

Happy Packing!

Halloween Lunches are Here!!

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So one of my absolute favorite things about October is that we get to start doing fun Halloween themed lunches! They don't all get crazy, like today's lunch, but they do get to have a little Halloween flair! The holidays are my absolute favorite time of year in general, but I also think that's when the creativity starts coming out too!! Here's what monkey had for lunch... 

IN THIS LUNCH: 

• Thick cut ham skull & cross bones w/ medium cheddar cut outs
• Crackers
• Strawberries & Bananas
• 2 whole wheat fig cookies
• Organic Chocolate Milk

I'm also loving the adorable Dollar Tree napkins I picked up for this month! Monkey has actually enjoyed the napkins being packed in the lunch. Last year I never packed napkins and apparently there were several times she could have used one. I have contemplated making my own fabric napkins in different themed fabrics so that we're not wasting so much...but I'm not sure where to start on that... Not sure what fabric would be best to use...and furthermore how many I would actually need to include a napkin everyday! Anyone that has insight on this I would definitely appreciate some tips! I don't want to buy already made napkins, I'd like to make them myself. Thanks. 

Happy Packing!! 

Under Wraps

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So, I learned a valuable lesson with lunch yesterday. Do NOT put cut up bananas in the container the night before. Even if you put juice on it to help keep it from browning, it will brown and get mushy. Thereby having to trash it and put in a new banana. I hate wasting food like that so I was a bit irked by that. 

Today's lunch isn't as pretty as some other lunches, which is regrettable, but Monkey should enjoy it! 

IN THIS LUNCH: 

• Asparagus wraps w/ light cream cheese and thin sliced ham. 
• Pineapple chunks 
• Babybel cheese
• 1 Cup of Popcorn
• Fruit Smoothie feat. Banana, orange, apple, and pear (NOT PICTURED). 

This was our clearance find at Target today. A hot pink Goodbyn for $5 I was really stoked! I was only going to make 3 asparagus wraps for Monkey but she asked for a 4th (she really loves these things). Admittedly, I took this idea from a good friend Trish. She came over to hangout and craft and she brought a snack tray that had these asparagus wraps and they've been a favorite ever since! I never would have thought to make them. Thanks Trish! 

Today we also spent time talking about ''My Plate'' and how we need to represent each of the food groups in our meals. Monkey actually thanked me for giving her good meals! It was nice and she had fun talking about what she had for lunch today and where it went on the plate and what her lunch was for tomorrow (this lunch) and where it went on the plate. I think it's fun to get her involved in covering all her food groups. 

What are your kids having? 

Happy Packing! 

First Day of School!

001 - Designer Monkey

For the first day of school I have a small tradition. I like to let Monkey decide what she will be having for lunch. It sounds small but I like to give her the chance to make her own choices (once in a while :-P). I feel like on the first day it gives her a sense of comfort to know what is coming at lunch, when everything else is so new and different. So, the lunch for the first day was completed selected by Monkey. Here it is, our first  Monkey Munchables lunch (so long to our old blogging name and home). 

IN THIS LUNCH: 

• Turkey/Swiss Puzzle Sandwich on Dave's Killer 21 Grain Bread
• a mix of sunburst and grape tomatoes
• peas (albeit some overcooked!) and; 
• a mix of bananas with orange segments. 

Please forgive the terrible lighting, my kitchen light hates me! Anyway here is her designer Monkey masterpiece. I was actually rather pleased with her food choices! For those that follow my blog and my facebook you all know that Monkey's birthday was last Friday, her birthday party (a gigantic hello kitty bash) was today. She was rather disappointed that she wouldn't be having school on her birthday, so I said, "what the heck," and tossed her a Happy Birthday Pick that I found at the Dollar Tree. I think the thing that surprised me most in this lunch was when she specifically asked for the orange/banana mix. Seemed very random but I had no problem running with it. I just hope the juice from the oranges helps keep the bananas from getting too yucky by lunch (I'll check on them in the morning). These are of course our new Lunch Blox containers that I have been so ecstatic to try! 

For those that are wondering here is how her lunch fit in her box. She is having a Horizon Organic Chocolate milk (also her choosing) and up at the top there is a fork wrapped inside a leftover napkin from her Hello Kitty party today! It's also hard to see because of glare but the lid on the peas actually has a Lisa Frank sticker (I found a pack of them at the Dollar Tree as well!). 

Here is the front of her new lunchbox that she got so excited about when she opened it at her birthday party. I was worried. It wasn't the one she had shown interest in and it wasn't Hello Kitty...so I got concerned that poor Barbie wasn't gonna fly. But, she squealed with delight and hugged it to her chest, so I guess it worked out okay! 

Hope you all enjoyed our first Monkey Munchable! 

Happy Packing!