Back to School!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! I remember the first day of each school year. New backpack. New clothes. New Trapper Keeper (yes, these still exist I looked it up, although my kitty folder is now considered "vintage"). New lunchbox. Ah the memories. Wait. What? Did you catch that? New LUNCHBOX!?!

So, back when I was a kid (corduroy bell-bottoms), we had two choices really - brown paper bags (colored if your family was fairly well-to-do) or metal lunchboxes. As I got older the soft-sided and hard plastic lunchboxes became more popular and the metal was discontinued (metal poisoning, toxic something or other - whatever) and then they just faded out all together. Kids started buying lunches at school because they 1) hated what their parents made them, 2) forgot their lunches at home (see #1) or 3) their parents just felt it was a better option than the lunches they were going to force feed their poor kids (see #'s 1 and 2). Now, they are making a comeback. Sadly, I cannot for the life of me remember what glorious lunchbox I had but I'm fairly sure it was Donnie & Marie which later turned into Strawberry Shortcake or

something close to that which then in my later years became a fantastic storage facility for my Crayola Crayons. I DO however remember what I used to get IN those lunchboxes and frankly (sorry Mom) I wasn't pleased. 

This is where I need to get into the fact that my Mom (sorry Mom) isn't that great in the kitchen. She did the best she could but frankly (sorry Mom) looking back it's a wonder I survived. During the winters it wasn't bad because I would get soup in my thermos - tomato (my favorite still to this day), chicken with stars or sometimes SpaghettiOs! But in the summer - ham with butter and pickles or bologna. Blech! Where was the PB&J? Where was the tuna fish and the egg salad (although that might not have been a good call sitting unrefrigerated all day)? Where was the turkey? Now there are so many alternatives with kids who are being brought up in a "foodie" society that it's much easier to find things kids will eat, but back then we had limited options so I can't blame Mom too much (better Mom?).

Twenty-something years later (ok, it's been thirty-three years - are you happy now - meanies) lunches are filled with hummus, cucumbers, turkey wraps, green grapes, nectarines and even avocado/cucumber sushi rolls. Bento boxes filled with a variety of tasty treats like caprese salad, fruit & cheese plate, pasta salad, quiche, PB&J "sushi rolls" and oh so much more! Not to mention the fancy-schmancy carrying devices they have now. Compartmentalized

boxes, boxes that look like LEGOs, stackables and reusable totes oh my! There are even lunchboxes that have built-in chalkboards to write notes of encouragement (I never got notes in my lunch . . . MOM!). The point is this . . . what the hell was my point? Oh yes, kick it up a notch parents! I know you're busy but get the kids involved in their nutrition and making their own lunches. It will save you time and aggravation because THEY made it and THEY have to eat it and it will encourage them to get creative with their lunches and have fun in the kitchen. Little chefs turn into big chefs who turn into Michelin Star winning chefs (sigh)!