8/24/12

And she's off.....

My big girl started Kindergarten today.  Sniff sniff.  It's bittersweet really.  She was very excited, which made me excited!  She was actually very excited about her lunch too!  Lucky me, I get to slowly transition into packing two lunches.  B doesn't start Pre-school until next Monday.  So I have a week of practicing with just L :)  Here's what she got today...

We had grassfed hamburgers last night so she got one of those leftover.  I also added some turkey, some cheddar cheese blocks, unsweetened applesauce, shelled pistachios, and parsnips.  For dipping, I packed ketchup and ranch dressing.  Then, I tossed in a V8 juice box.  I actually bought and planned on sending the small water bottles every day but guess what...they don't fit!  I was able to wedge the juicebox on the side of her lunchbox thank goodness.  So, I need to find some new options for drinking.  Warm water is always an option but there has to be something else out there.  Will have to do some investigating this weekend!  Any suggestions are welcomed :)

In all honesty, the parsnips were a last minute throw-in.  While I was packing, I realized I forgot to buy her vegetables at the grocery store.  I had it all planned out and boom!  No veggies!  So, I had parsnips on hand and that's what she got.

I've also already discovered that I need to buy some dividers (maybe cupcake papers?) to put some of the little food in like the pistachios and parsnips.  All in all, I think my first packed lunch turned out pretty well!  She won't starve so that's a success in my book!  Can't wait to see what was actually eaten when she gets home this afternoon :)

Preparedness 101

"Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success" ~ Henry Ford

First thing's first.  Be prepared.  One thing I've learned is that I'm certain to fail if I don't prepare.  So, I've bought an entourage of items to use for packing lunches.  So far I have divided lunch containers (three pack), small Ziploc brand containers (for sauces, dressings, etc.), large multiple divide lunch container (Wal-Mart only had one left.  Boo!), a "cereal" container that has a compartment for cereal and a frozen gel bottom compartment for milk and an attached spoon (not sure what I'm going to use this one yet but I'm sure it'll be something great!), various other sizes of Ziploc containers, screw top containers, 2 wide mouth Thermos', ice packs, and two lunch boxes.  Also, not pictured, an assortment of Ziploc baggies.

I have a feeling I will be buying new lunch boxes already.  None of my pre-divided lunch packs fit into the ones the girls picked out.  Oh well...I feel a shopping trip to Pottery Barn Kids in my very near future.

I've also been trying to hold off on going to the grocery store until the last minute.  L is only going to school one day this week so I think I will just grab enough goods for that day, then do major shopping this weekend.

T minus 3 days

T minus 3 days.  School's about to start.  This will be my first year packing a lunch....not just A lunch, but two lunches.  Prior to this year, both girls attended a home day care that did all the work for me.  Now, with L starting Kindergarten, and B going to a day care center, the task is on me.  I'm stressed.  My confidence is lacking.  I've bought everything from ziploc baggies, to Tupperware, to special lunch storage containers, to thermos' to ice packs!  I have no method.  I don't even know how much food to pack.  Yeah...I'm stressed.  To top it all off, our family is 80% paleo.  Throw out the iconic PB & J's, bags of chips, pizza, and whatever else junk food (which is actually served by the school itself because it meets "Federal Guidelines") is typically given. 

I know I'm not the only mother that has felt like this.  My hopes are that this blog can inspire some other Paleo and non-Paleo parents.  As well as help me through your comments and suggestions!

My intentions are to post daily pictures of what the girl's lunchboxes look like, along with a description of the contents.  As well as shopping lists and recipes for some of the dishes.

One disclaimer I must make for all you die-hard Paleo people.  As I stated before...we are 80% Paleo!  In addition to that, we eat dairy sometimes.  This means, occasionally, I will either choose to make a non-Paleo lunch, or be human and just slip up.  So, lighten up and just take what you can...and don't worry about the rest!