This lens is about making lunch for yourself and your family. Here you will find resources on how to pack a healthy lunch for your school age children or what to take in a brown bag lunch to the office for yourself.
I've included links to various resources for nutrition information, school lunch programs and recipe sites. I recommend cookbooks and books on food politics as well as some cool places to shop for lunchboxes for adults and children.
By the way, in case you're wondering about the name of this lens: "noodle" is my daughter's nickname and "bean" is my son's.
The History of Lunch
- Definition and history of lunch
- What lunch is all about according to Wikipedia.
- The Lunchbox
- A history of the lunch box
School Lunch Information
Online resources on school lunch programs
- Kids Health
- Some tips on helping your child choose healthier foods from the cafeteria as well as suggestions on what to pack in a brown bag lunch.
- National School Lunch Program
- The USDA site's National School Lunch Program page.
- School Nutrition Association
- The School Nutrition Association (formerly American School Food Service Association) is a national, nonprofit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country.
- Rethinking School Lunch
- A program from ecoliteracy.org
- Healthy School Lunches
- A campaign sponsored by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
- School Lunch Inititative
- "The School Lunch Initiative envisions revolutionizing school lunch by making food a central part of the academic curriculum. The Initiative includes gardens, kitchen classrooms, and lunchrooms as contexts for learning."
This a joint venture between Alice Waters' Chez Panisse and the Berkeley Unified School District.
A wonderful and inspiring site with links to The Edible Schoolyard and more. - NutritionExplorations.org
- Very good site on kids nutrition with sections for parents, educators, and school lunch service.
- Ann Douglas's Lunch box dos and don'ts
- Some quick tips and reminders
- Feed me better
- This is Jamie Oliver's campaign/site to ban junkfood and get more nutritious homemade food back on school lunch/dinner menus in the UK. Very well done, looks like he has made a big difference, campaigning for more money for the school cafeterias etc. We could use him over here in the US.
- A success story in San Francisco schools
- Home of the San Francisco Unified School District's Student Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee. If you need some ideas, some ammunition to persuade your school board to improve lunches, or just some inspiration, check out this site.
- Sustainable Table
- Working to educate consumers and increase demand for sustainable food. Wow. This is a great site! There are tons of resources and tips for parents who want to improve their school cafeteria's food under the "Sustainable Schools" section. There are also recipes and links to cooking schools that offer specifically sustainable cooking classes.
- Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
- "The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is the leading national organization working to improve public policies in order to eradicate hunger and undernutrition in the United States." This site is very good for keeping track of current legislation regarding nutrition and also for finding stats in schools across the country.
- The FOOD Museum : School Lunch Reform
- A GREAT site!!! Valuable information on the history of the school lunch program including old photos and advertisements, blogs, photos, and much more.
- Netmums lunchbox ideas
- Healthy lunchbox ideas for school children, featuring a handy chart with five categories: choose one from each column for a well-balanced meal.
- Slow Food USA in Schools
- "Slow Food in Schools is a unique national program of garden
to table projects with children that cultivates the senses
and teaches an ecological approach to food." - Healthy Schools Network, Inc.
- Besides having nutrition information this site deals with environmental issues as well.
Obento!
- Bento Corner
- Wonderful recipes and the most adorable photos too!
- ILoveObento
- This is a blog that will soon be a full-fledged site (Spring 2008). Lot's of great lunchbox ideas!
Checking the ingredients
Here are some resources on things to look for and avoid in packaged foods
- Ban Trans Fats: The Campaign to Ban Partially Hydrogenated Oils
- This is a very useful site that explains how bad trans fats are and why you should avoid them like the plague.
- LOHAS Tip of the Week
- The Most Dangerous Ingredients in Conventional Foods
- High fructose corn syrup
- A quite thorough explanation of high fructose corn syrup and what various studies say about it. Apparently, the word is still out on it, but personally, I would avoid it. If you use a lot of ketchup buy it from Trader Joes if you can, unlike all the major brands, it doesn't have HFCS and it's also organic (and it tastes good).
Featured Item: Laptop Lunch System
I love this idea so much I thought I'd make this a featured item.
Having the nest of little containers encourages you to eat a variety of different foods in each lunch and also makes it easy to provide portion control.There are kid-friendly versions and elegant office options, as well as mix and match accesories like beverage containers. They've thought of everything!
The website is also very useful and has lots of information and ideas.
http://www.laptoplunches.com
New Item: Custom Photo Lunchbox
"Your favorite photo featured on both sides of this classic metal lunchbox. Any photo whether a digital image, print, slide or even artwork can be used! It makes for the perfect gift or a creative treasure chest for your child."What a cool idea!
http://www.oggstudio.com
Stylish Lunchboxes for Your Significant Other
Zojirushi Ms. Bento Stainless Lunch Jar, Lavendar
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010) 
List Price: $52.00
Clava Leather Lunch Box Tote Bag
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price:
From Archie McPhee for Laughs
Great for people who work in Manhattan!
What's for Lunch? Decision Spinner"It's lunch break again and you're too tired to think. Your body is screaming for caffeine and nicotine, but your stomach insists on some sort of sustenance. Fortunately, you have this handy 8-1/2" square spinner device to consult. Just flick the plastic spinner and it will point you towards one of sixteen different lunch options including "3 Martinis," "Teriyaki" and "Vending Machine." Features a fold out stand and hanger so you can prop it on your desk or hang it in your cube."
Hipster Lunch boxes
![Napoleon Dynamite Lunchbox [Toy] [Toy] [Toy] [Toy]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/419P2J8JYHL._SL75_.jpg)
Napoleon Dynamite Lunchbox [Toy] [Toy] [Toy] [Toy]
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $11.99
Used Price:
Last Supper Lunchbox
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price:
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Sex Pistols Lunchbox with Drink Container
Release Date: 10/02/2008
Amazon Price: $21.99 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $21.99
Used Price:
Usually ships in 24 hours
PIRATE DOME LUNCHBOX
Amazon Price: $15.42 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $21.99
Used Price:
Usually ships in 24 hours
Beatles - Sgt. Pepper - Sergeant Pepper Tin Box
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price:
Used Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Kid-Oriented Sites
Great sites for budding chefs and gardeners
- KidsReGen.org
- This is a fabulous site for kids sponsored by the Rodale Institute. Recipes, gardening, things to do. Lots of fun.
- NutritionExplorations/Kids
- Games, recipes, activities and nutrition information for kids. The interactive food pyramid is cool.
- FamilyFun
- There isn't a strong emphasis on healthy food here. There are lots of cakes and cupcakes etc, but its sure to interest kids, and there are lots of good party ideas. Check out the "Snail Snack" it is too cute!
- MyPyramid.gov
- PDFs of the current food pyramid for kids and adults
The Latest Books on Lunch
Bento Boxes: Japanese Meals on the Go
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 01/02/2010)
School Lunch Politics: The Surprising History of America's Favorite Welfare Program (Politics and Society in Twentieth Century America)
Amazon Price: $28.17 (as of 01/02/2010)
Tassajara Cookbook
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 01/02/2010)
Books on Lunch
Lunch Boxes and Snacks: Over 120 healthy recipes from delicious sandwiches and salads to hot soups and sweet treats
Amazon Price: $11.52 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $16.00
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Top 100 Recipes for a Healthy Lunchbox: Easy and Exciting Ideas for Your Child's Lunches
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $9.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Vegan Lunch Box: 130 Amazing, Animal-Free Lunches Kids and Grown-Ups Will Love!
Amazon Price: $14.36 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $19.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
New Books on Food and Nutrition
Chew On This: Everything You Don't Want to Know About Fast Food
Amazon Price: $13.68 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $16.00
Used Price: $0.77
Usually ships in 24 hours
Don't Eat This Book: Fast Food and the Supersizing of America
Ok, this one's not that new, but it's new to me!
Amazon Price: $16.46 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $21.95
Used Price: $0.01
Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item.
Food Fight: The Inside Story of The Food Industry, America's Obesity Crisis, and What We Can Do About It
Now available in paperback.
Amazon Price: $14.78 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $18.95
Used Price: $5.74
Usually ships in 24 hours
Five Books Every Eater Should Read
Because knowledge is power
Fast Food Nation
Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $14.99
Used Price: $4.97
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $26.95
Used Price: $9.28
Usually ships in 24 hours
Hungry Planet: What the World Eats
This is a collection of photo portraits featuring pictures of different families around the world along with a week's worth of food purchases. It's devasting to see, visually, the difference between what a family in, say, a European country like Germany eats and what a family in Mali eats.
Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $40.00
Used Price: $12.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health (California Studies in Food and Culture, 3)
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $16.95
Used Price: $1.00
Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking of the Global Food Supply
Amazon Price: $11.70 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $15.00
Used Price: $7.62
Usually ships in 24 hours
Rethinking the Way You Eat
Here are some books that will "educate" your diet
What to Eat
This is the most useful book I have read on food. Marion knows what she's talking about and cuts through all the confusion and misinformation that's out there.
Amazon Price: $20.94 (as of 01/03/2010)
Real Food: What to Eat and Why
I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot about how much the American diet has changed in the last century. I would be careful about following her advice when it comes to cholesterol over a doctor's, however.
Amazon Price: $16.29 (as of 01/03/2010)
Hope's Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet
"Thirty years after Frances Lappe's Diet for a Small Planet changed eating habits around the world, she and her daughter Anna bring us a new round of iconoclastic recommendations that break overwhelming issues down to a simple matter of personal choice. Hope's Edge presents many of the same issues of the original title, but it also provides a wealth of new discoveries and possibilities in this era of genetically engineered foods, worldwide famine, and growing rates of obesity-related health issues."
Amazon
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 01/03/2010)
What I'll be reading next
These books are on my "to be read" pile
Mostly True: A Memoir of Family, Food, and Baseball
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
List Price: $25.00
Bitter Harvest : A Chef's Perspective on the Hidden Danger in the Foods We Eat and What You Can Do About It
Amazon Price: $28.00 (as of 01/02/2010)
List Price: $35.00
Usually ships in 24 hours
Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen
This one looks good--thanks for the suggestion Crys!
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 01/02/2010)
List Price: $18.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Lunch cookbooks
Specializing in healthy lunches for kids
Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children
This book works with the laptop lunchbox system and the recipes are very good. There is also a lot of information on how to become an activist to get more healthy food in your local school cafeteria. The best book of its type I've read.
Release Date: 09/05/2006
Amazon Price: $15.80 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $22.95
The School Lunchbox Cookbook (Cookbooks)
Good, basic lunchbox book.
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $10.95
Healthy Lunchbox: The Working Mom's Guide to Keeping You and Your Kids Trim
A lot of good nutrition advice. Written by a doctor!
Amazon Price: $17.56 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $19.95
The Healthy Lunchbox
Good, practical ideas from a mom and educator.
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $12.95
The Lunchbox Book: Healthy Packed Lunches for Children of All Ages
Also has reliable nutrition information.
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $10.35
More Lunch cookbooks
Books with ideas for your office brownbag lunches and picnics
Cheap & Easy: A Cookbook for Girls on the Go
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 01/03/2010)
The Brown Bag Lunch Cookbook (Cookbooks)
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
Dim Sum: The Art of Chinese Tea Lunch
For when you feel really ambitious
Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 01/03/2010)
Good Day for a Picnic: Simple Food That Travels Well
Beautiful and inspiring
Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 01/03/2010)
Picnics: Easy Recipes for the Best Alfresco Foods
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
Children's Books
Picture books on the subject of lunch, food and eating for the little ones.
This Is the Way We Eat Our Lunch: A Book About Children Around the World
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $1.55
Lunch Bunnies
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $0.01
I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato (Charlie and Lola)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $6.99
Used Price: $0.77
Usually ships in 24 hours
Something's Happening on Calabash Street: A Story with Thirteen Recipes
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $0.01
Whose Food Is Whose?
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $4.95
Used Price: $0.01
Just for Inspiration
Toast
Amazon Price: $17.00 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $17.00
Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $15.95
Nobody Knows the Truffles I've Seen
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $29.95
My Life in France
Although I never cook the kinds of recipes Julia reminisces about in this memoir, I found the story of her life fascinating and inspiring.
Amazon Price: $17.13 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $25.95
Lunchbox Recipes Part I
Cold noodle recipes
- Cold Sesame Noodles
- A classic Chinese take-out dish that kids really love.
- Pasta salad with tomatoes and corn
- A quick pasta salad that with also be good with peas instead of corn.
- Thai-style Cold Soba
- "A zesty treat--Goes great with bbq'd chicken and a beer."
- Zaru
- Very simple and clean-tasting.
Recipes Part II -- Salads
Salads that travel well
- Potato Salad with Toasted Cumin
- A nice Indian twist.
Lentil Salad with Tomatoes and Cucumber
A very nice late summer lunch with some crusty french bread
2 tablespoons red wine or balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
1 cup diced tomatoes
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 or two garlic cloves, minced
Cook lentils in boiling salted water until just tender, about 25 minutes. Drain well. Combine vinegar and mustard in large bowl. Whisk in oil. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in warm lentils and let stand until cool.
Add cucumber, tomatoes, onion, chives, parsley and garlic to lentils. Season with salt and pepper. Chill for about an hour before serving.
Soup for lunch
Grab a thermos container or spin your tupperware in the microwave
Nantucket Cheddar SoupThis recipe is from Annie's Eat Well Naturally site. I must say I think I would use real bacon and maybe chicken stock instead of veggie stock, but you be the judge. Anything with a 1/2 pound of cheese in can't be bad!
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 leeks, white and light green parts only, well-washed and finely chopped
1 large stalk celery, finely chopped
1 flavorful apple, such as a Pippin, cored and finely chopped
1/4 cup flour
4 cups good-quality vegetable stock
1 cup light cream or half-and-half
1/2 pound sharp cheddar, shredded
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 chipotle pepper, or a few drops of smoke flavoring, or 1/2 cup diced soy bacon
Salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
Cayenne pepper, to taste
Optional garnishes:
Diced apple, lightly sautéed in butter
Diced fire-roasted tomato
Grated sharp cheddar
Diced soy bacon, cooked until crisp
1. In a heavy-bottomed soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add leeks, celery, and apple, and saute about 3 minutes, or until tender. Sprinkle with flour and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes to lightly toast the flour.
2. Add the vegetable stock, whisking briskly to combine. Bring to a boil, add chipotle, if using, then reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes, uncovered, until soup has thickened slightly.
3. Remove chipotle and, using a handheld immersion blender, or a blender or food processor, puree the soup until smooth. Return to saucepan and bring back to a simmer.
4. Add the cream, cheese, smoke flavoring or soy bacon, if using, and mustard. Cook, stirring, until cheese has melted. Taste and add salt, freshly-ground pepper, and cayenne to taste.
5. Serve hot, topped with one of the garnishes, if desired.
Sandwich ingredients
Things to put between two slices of bread
- Smoked turkey, swiss, and honey mustard
- Roast beef, horse radish, and arugula
- Prosciutto, mozzarella, tomatoes and basil
- Sopressata, provolone, arugula
- Ham, swiss and honey mustard
- Roast Chicken, mayonnaise and lettuce
- Hummus, cucumbers, and harissa
- Turkey, cheddar and cranberry sauce
- radishes, butter and lettuce
- cream cheese, smoked salmon, and chives
- Tuna, capers, mayonnaise and chives
- Cream cheese, chives, and green olives
The Outside
What to put on the outside of your sandwich
- Baguette
- pita
- tortilla
- wrap
- hotdog bun
- biscuit
- kaiser bun
- sliced wholewheat
- english muffin
- rye bread
- focaccia
Tabbouleh
This will keep in the refrigerator for three days and makes a good side dish for almost anything.
1 cup bulgur or cracked wheat (uncooked)
1-1/2 cups minced parsley
1 cup chopped tomato
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Soak bulgur in two cups of boiling water for twenty minutes. Combine bulgur, parsley, tomato, and scallions in a bowl. In a jar shake together the lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Drizzle over bulgur mixture and toss to combine.
Asian Cucumber salad
Will last in refrigerator about three days
1 english cucumber, unpeeled
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Thinly slice cucumbers, place in colander and sprinkle with salt, making sure all the slices get salted. Set the colander in the sink and let drain for about twenty minutes.
Rinse the cucumbers with cold water and squeeze as much moisture out with a dish towel as you can.
In a jar shake vinegar, ginger, oil and sugar. Pour over cucumbers and toss to combine.
Asian Confetti Rice
Something to do with leftover rice of any kind
2 cups brown or white rice, cooked
1/2 cup onions, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon roasted sesame oil
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup soybeans (edamame), shelled and frozen
1 shitake mushrooms, finely chopped
Dressing:
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon roasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ginger, powdered
Method:
Brown rice cooking instructions: Rinse 1 cup uncooked, brown jasmine rice. Add rinsed rice to 2 1/4 cups water, bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and let simmer for 45 minutes until water is absorbed.
* In skillet, saute onions, garlic, bell peppers and sesame oil on medium-low heat for 5 minutes or until tender.
* Add in water, soy sauce, soybeans, corn, and mushroom cook till tender.
* To make dressing, in separate bowl mix soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon juice and ginger.
* Remove vegetables from heat. Toss in rice and mix well.
* Add dressing to rice and vegetables. Mix together. Can be stored in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Makes 4 Servings
Options for Asian Confetti Rice:
Give this recipe a Thai flavor by adding in 1/4 cup roasted peanuts and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint. Chicken, shrimp, or pan-fried firm tofu cubes also make delicious additions.
Curried Chicken Pitas
1-1/4 cup plain yogurt
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons garam masala
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 lb. boneless, skinned chicken breast meat, cut into 1/3 inch wide strips
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 jalapenos seeded and thinly sliced
1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste
for garnish:
cucumber
lettuce
tomato
In a bowl combine one tablespoon of the yogurt, the garlic, garam masala and curry powder. Add the chicken strips and stir to coat ( I like to use my hands).
Heat the oil in a skillet and then add the jalapenos, onion and chicken mixture. Season with salt and pepper and cook over medium high heat for about five minutes, just until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the mixture from the pan and after it's cooled slightly add as much of the remaining yogurt to suit your taste. (If it's travelling a while use less yogurt for a drier mixture).
Line a pita with lettuce leaves, add some thinly sliced cucumbers and tomatoes and stuff with the curried chicken mixture.
Alton Brown's Tuna Pan Bagnat
This sandwich actually needs to sit for a couple of hours--perfect for a picnic
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 baguette, approximately 16 to 18 inches long
12 ounces canned tuna packed in oil or water, drained and crumbled
1 small green pepper, sliced into rings
1 small red onion, sliced into rings
2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
1 cup chopped kalamata olives
1 tomato, thinly sliced
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. While continuing to whisk, gradually add the olive oil. Whisk until an emulsion forms. Set aside.
Slice the baguette horizontally into 2 pieces. Tear out some of the soft bread in the center of each side, making a slight well in the bread. Place the tuna, green pepper, red onion, hard-boiled eggs, olives, and tomato on the bottom side of the bread in that order. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the vegetables, top with the second piece of bread, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature for 2 hours before serving.
Cut into 4 sandwiches and serve.
Recipes that work as leftovers
- Italian-American Meatloaf
- This is a great dish, it doesn't resemble the tasteless dry stuff at all. With some crusty bread and a pickle it makes a great sandwich the next day.
Lunch box sites
Cool ways to carry your lunch
- Lunchboxes.com
- This site has lunchboxes for kids and adults from tin to plastic and beyond.
- Builtny.com
- Very chic urban lunch carriers for the stylin' types.
- Melamine Bentobox from Plastica
- Beauty, style and practicality all in one.
- Tin stacked carrier from Pearl River
- The more masculine version of the melamine bento box.
- Thermos
- Stainless steel vacuum food jars and beverage containers. The FunTainer is great for kids
- LaptopLunches.com
- This is a great system for kids, teens, and adults. The box comes with a fork and spoon and different sized containers that fit snuggly in the box. Also included is a guide with recipes and ideas.
- Lunchbox Collector
- You can order tin lunchboxes with your custom design or company logo.
- Fit-Fresh.com
- They're changing the world one meal at a time! Seriously, I haven't tried these products but they do look like an improvement on the standard containers.
- Filexec Universal Carry Cases
- This is a great idea courtesy of Rachel Ray Magazine. These plastic cases come in two lunchbox-shaped sizes and a bunch of different colors. They're cheap (3.99) and kids can personalize them. However, they are not insulated, so keep that in mind when you're packing them.
- Pylones - Lunch box - cat
- Cute plastic animal lunchboxes.
- pottery barn kids | fairfax lunch bags
- Nice selection of colors.
This insulated bag has clips for attaching to larger bags, a zippered mesh pocket on the inside, and an elastic strap that secures a thermos. 8 x 4 x 9" h. - Lunch Boxes at Giftapolis
- Huge selection of kids lunchboxes from Elvis and Betty boop to SpongeBob and Dr Pepper
- Lunch Box Pad - The World is Our Lunch Box!
- A virtual lunch box community. Featuring history, pictures, discussion boards, price guides, news articles, trading post, lunch box care, and much more.
The Lunchbox Museum
While visiting Columbus, Georgia...
Why not drop in and view the collection of 3,500 vintage metal lunchboxes at the Lunchbox Museum? For directions and more information click on the link below.The Lunchbox Museum
Office Supply Gifts
Encourage coworkers to bring in their lunch! Here are some gift ideas for your office mates.
Sharper Image Hot+Cold Mini Fridge (SI714SL2)
No more missing sandwiches!
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price:
J.A. Henckels Twin Pro S 3-Inch High Carbon Stainless-Steel Paring Knife
Eat your apples like an adult-cut in wedges with a schmear of peanut butter.
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $67.00
Oxo Good Grips 10-1/2-by 14-1/2-Inch Folding Cutting Board
Makes a nice gift with the paring knife.
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $16.95
Fiesta 9-Inch Luncheon Plate, Turquoise
So much more dignified than a paper plate. Goes in the microwave, too.
Amazon Price: $15.00 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $15.00
Bodum Ceylon 51-Ounce Ice Tea Maker with Filter
Give this with a nice package of barley or green tea.
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $27.00
Play with your food
Here are some foodie toys for the little ones
Learning Resources Lunch Foods, Set of 17 (Colors may vary)
Amazon Price: $19.68 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $22.99
Deluxe Wooden Lunch Play Set
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $19.99
Wormy Apples Game
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price:
The Storybook Game
Amazon Price: $9.74 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price:
"Molly's Brown Bag Lunch" for 18" American Girl Doll
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price:
Collectible lunchboxes
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Lunch cookbooks
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byContainers for food to go
Handy containers to put in your lunchbox
- Salad blaster
- Keeps salad fresh on the go. Has a seperate small container for the dressing.
- Salad blaster bowl
- The bowl version of the above.
- Snack and dip
- Kids really love to dip their veggies in dressing.
- Thermal snack jar
- This is great for donburi (Japanese rice with toppings of veggies, chicken or eggs. Keeps the rice warm. also can be used to keep things cool, like gazpacho.
- Sandwich stay fresh conatiner
- Shaped like a sliced bread sandwich. Makes sense.
- The Isotherm Bottle from Pylones
- Anyone who can resist these cute thermos bottles is clearly a better man than I!
Lunch boxes and carriers from Amazon
Insulated Kids Animal Lunchbox: Froggie
An adorable lunchbag that your children will adore! Kids just love these for taking their lunch to school or snacks on long trips in the car. Made of insulated PVC, the bags clean up easily with a damp cloth. The lunchbag is available in delightful duckie, froggie, doggie, ladybug, elephant and penguin designs. Zipper closure. Ages 3-6.
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
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Zojirushi Mr. Bento Stainless-Steel lined Lunch Jar, Silver
Also manly but I like it too.
Amazon Price: $41.38 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $65.00
Used Price: $35.00
Usually ships in 24 hours
Cranium Cadoo Lunchbox Tin Edition
Gary Baseman rocks!
Amazon Price: $40.00 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $22.99
Used Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Chicago White Sox Collapsible Lunchbox
These come with lots of different sport team logos. This durable, soft sided lunchbox is made with double layer nylon material and features double lined insulation.
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
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For beverages
These new aluminum bottles are really nifty
Skin Active 0.75 Liter Aluminum Bottle - Color: Black
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $21.99
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Bring Your Own Water
Tap water to go is the best option for the environment and your wallet
First, read this article:Message in a Bottle
You'll never buy bottled water again (or at least only in an emergency).
Then check out some of the cool new ways to carry your own with you.
Target's HipSips will please the tween set.
HipSips
Lunchbox stuffers
Late July Organic Cheddar Cheese Sandwich Crackers, 1.2-Ounce Pouches in 12-Count Boxes (Pack of 4)
Amazon Price: $36.74 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $47.76
Robert's American Gourmet Pirates Booty, 0.5-Ounce Bags (Pack of 60)
Amazon Price: $30.46 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $39.60
Planters Trail Mix, Nuts, Seeds, Raisin, 6-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12)
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $28.80
Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Nut Granola Bars, Peanut, 6-Count Boxes (Pack of 12)
Amazon Price: $39.00 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $47.88
Sahale Snacks, Variety Pack of 5 Flavors, 2-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 10)
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $26.00
International Lunch
Links to interesting ways of doing lunch from around the world
- Tiffinwallas of Mumbai
- Everyday thousands of people get their lunches delivered to them at work by one of 5000 Tiffinwallas in Mumbai.
- Korean food blog
- This is a great description with photos of a number of very popular Korean dishes.
By Ji Young Park - Japanese lunchbox
- A cool diagram of a typical japanese lunch box on kidsregen.org
- GlobalGiving lunch program
- You can contribute to this charity effort to provide lunches for school girls in Burkina Faso.
- Lunchisfun.com
- People all over the world say what they had for lunch and rate its "fun" level.
- German kids' favorites
- Not lowfat...but there are some classic yummy recipes here.
- Hawaiian "fast food"
- I just love collecting these regional specialities! This is the Hawaiian version of the burger.
- Chopstix.com
- A Chinese food blog.
- Aussie Kids' lunches and snacks
- Information provided by the Australian Consumer's Association.
- Tokyo Food Page - Japanese Cuisines
- Japanese Recipe Collection and guide to Japanese cuisines, part of the
Tokyo Food Page, including recipes especially formulated for ingredients available outside Japan. - School Lunch Around the World
- A cute little item from child.com. Children in other countries pick up civilized habits in the lunch line.
Other Food and Recipe sites
- Vegan Lunch Box
- Nice links, recipes, etc for those of the vegan persuasion.
- Nora's Kitchen - The home of Nora Sands from Jamie's School Dinners
- Nora's Kitchen is the home of Nora Sands, the dinner lady who was at the frontline with Jamie Oliver to improve the food our kids eat. Nora's Dinners, her latest book, is full of recipes that children and everyone else can enjoy.
- Lunch Box Recipes - Back to School Lunch Ideas
- From The Visual Guide. There's also a DVD available with hundreds of recipes and ideas.
- Head of the Class Sandwiches
- From child.com: Nutritious lunchbox meals that are a cut above the rest.
- Chef Ann Cooper : Renegade Lunch Lady
- Chef Ann Cooper is a renegade lunch lady who works to transform cafeterias into culinary classrooms for students - one school lunch at a time. She brings you information to learn about the importance of changing the way America feeds its children
- Meerilinga
- This is an Australian site with lots of great lunch ideas. See especially the sandwich filling section for some different ideas.
- Parenting Blog » The Five Ingredients For The Perfect Lunchbox
- Protein, complex carbs, calcium, fruit and veg and... The Treat (optional). Read all about it!
- Ten Best Lunchbox Ideas
- Some simple no-cook lunchbox ideas
- Five Picnic Sandwiches and Inspirations
- Very tasty and original.
- King Arthur Flour
- Everything I have tried has been delicious! I especially like the muffin recipes.
- PowerfulFoods.com
- Healthy Eating By Choosing The Right Foods For Your Diet And Nutrition
- 25 Tips for Better Brown Bags
- Global Gourmet's tips for making a better lunch to take to work.
- Easy School Lunch Recipes - Quick and Simple Recipes for Wraps, Sandwiches, and Brown Bag Lunches
- From Kaboose.com, a nice parenting site.
Please sign my Guestbook!
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Reply
- roamingrosie roamingrosie Jun 26, 2009 @ 8:41 pm
- Neat lens! You've got a lot of great suggestions and recipes, and I love your selections of lunchboxes, too! :)
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Reply
- FitSteph FitSteph Apr 2, 2009 @ 3:38 pm
- Wow what a great lens. And if anyone is looking for healthy meal plans This is one of my favorite health & fitness sites. It lets you track food, workouts, and calories!
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- younggourmet younggourmet Nov 27, 2008 @ 4:18 am
- WOW, as a newsquid I'm impressed 5* and know you are a mum after my own heart and your kids must reckon you are a legend! For more Aussie sites that might interest your readers www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au and www.childrensfoodeducation.org.au Cheers. K
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- OhMe OhMe Oct 11, 2008 @ 9:12 am
- Great links, great recipes, and a great lens. Lensrolling to Pig Roast Recipes.
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- SemperFidelis SemperFidelis Sep 3, 2008 @ 5:11 pm
- I'll have to read this one some more during lunch! lol
Blessed, 5-starred, and favorited by a Squid Angel today! :)
Colleen ~ www.squidoo.com/squid-angel
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- AshleyAnnRyan AshleyAnnRyan Aug 8, 2008 @ 5:04 pm
- Hello,
I would love to feature your lens in my group Parentint on Squidoo. For back to school. Would love for you to join!
Ashley
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- beeobrien beeobrien Apr 11, 2008 @ 9:43 am
- Very thorough, Lisa. Some interesting books here I've never seen before. Great information overall.
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- ILoveObento ILoveObento Mar 19, 2008 @ 9:24 pm
- Lisa,
Thanks so much for putting a link to my blog on your lens! Our website is now open! Yay! You've made a great lens here with tons of great information!!!
www.ILoveObento.com
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- bdkz bdkz Mar 18, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
- What a great idea! 5 Stars and a Squid Angel Blessing!
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Reply
- SpicySun SpicySun Oct 10, 2007 @ 9:46 am
- Hi! Great lens! I can't wait to read more.....Please visit my new lens Spicy Sun Rubs and Dips! It is soooo delicious! Your friend, SPICY!
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