Moms are notorious for having to multi-task, but what if you’re a mom who is balancing home life with school studies? For those enrolled in The George Washington University on the paralegal degree program, “free time” is most likely something that doesn’t exist in your life. Likely your mornings revolve around making lunches for the kids, feeding them breakfast, getting them dressed, and hustling them out the door on time.
In order to help your morning go a little smoother, here’s a look at some quick and nutritious lunchbox ideas that you can send to school with the kids and allow you to get back to your paralegal studies online.
COLD PASTA SALAD
If you’ve been on the hunt for that perfect insulated thermos to keep lunches hot, why not do a cold dish instead and not worry about it? A cold pasta salad is a wonderful starting point to all kinds of variations. As well you know, the pasta will give your little one energy and help them to stay full.
Start with any kind of pasta shape, cooked and then cooled. Toss in some extra virgin olive oil, seasonings to taste (pepper, fresh herbs, a pinch of salt) and go from there. Popular add-ins include chopped bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cooked baby peas, cooked carrots, and just about anything else you can think of. If your child enjoys flavorful dishes you can add pesto as the “sauce”. This dish can be made in advance and you can do enough to last a few days at a time.
ROLL-UPS
Roll ups are another wonderful way to pack a variety of nutritious ingredients into one simple dish. What’s especially great about roll-ups is that they are easy for kids to eat, making them the perfect lunchbox item. Again you can start with the basic roll up using a soft tortilla wrap and spreading plain cream cheese on it. Add things such as deli meat, sprouts, greens, grated cheese, chopped veggies, and anything else your child enjoys.
If your child isn’t a fan of tortilla wraps but likes the idea of roll-ups, you can use deli meat as the wrap instead. Just stuff everything inside the meat and roll it up.
PIZZA QUESADILLA
What child doesn’t love pizza? This is a fun twist on a typical slice of pizza and also makes it a bit healthier. You will need soft tortilla wraps, shredded cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni. Place all the toppings on top of one of the wraps, and then lay another wrap on top. Place the quesadilla in a skillet and lightly brown each side. Slice the quesadilla into four and pack it up. For an added punch of goodness you can use multi-grain tortilla wraps.
REST ASSURED THEY ARE EATING WELL
By packing healthy and filling lunches for the kids you can rest assured that they have been well fed and are getting the energy and nutrients they need to have a great and productive day at school.