Easy Fun Lunches
Inspo, Ralphs Coupons, Giftcard To Win
MBE partnered with Ralphs Grocery Store for this post
Note: Make sure you're following @MommyBlogExpert on Pinterest. You're going to want to see all of my ideas pinned on MBE's Creative School Lunches Ideas Pinterest Board.
As regular readers know I shop at Ralphs regularly not only because of what they sell but also because of their fuel points rewards program. Now that summer is coming to a close, all too quickly, it's time to think about back to school lunch ideas for your kids.
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| My 4 kids have always loved strawberries |
My go-to place for all the makings of a fun, healthy and appetizing lunch is Ralphs market where I find just about everything convenient and affordable, from bread to peanut butter and jelly, to cheese and yogurt, to healthy snacks and fresh fruit and vegetables. The challenge is to make those ingredients into meals that cost less than $3 each that my kids will actually eat and not trade with their friends.
Scroll down for some creative and whimsical Pinterest Trade Worthy Kids Lunch Ideas for moms to really play with food -- most taking just a few minutes to prepare for your own children this school year.
Get ready to start Pinning!
Scroll down for some creative and whimsical Pinterest Trade Worthy Kids Lunch Ideas for moms to really play with food -- most taking just a few minutes to prepare for your own children this school year.
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| MommyBlogExpert.com |
Cookie Cutter Cheese Shapes
I made these with the Tillamook Cheese I buy at Ralphs because my kids are addicted to it. In fact, I purchase 4-6 bars at a time so we never run out. You make these by first slicing the cheese thinly crosswise, then use small cookie cutters to cut out shapes and letters. You can do any theme (the zoo is what I did here) and pop a plastic animal or palm tree in with this when you put it in your child's lunchbox. |
| Berry Plate for my family |
Berry Fresh Assortment
This is really easy to do. Just choose berries (or other types of fruit, either whole or cut-up) in the same color scheme and then arrange in groups either on a colorful plastic plate, as pictured and then cover tightly with plastic wrap to hold it in place. You can also pack these into a colorful plastic container with lid that they can take to school. The key is to make this mini platter REALLY colorful to whet your child's appetite for some nutritious fresh fruit. |
| Ricecake Peanut Butter, Jelly With Love Note |
Peanut Butter and Jelly Rice Cakes With Love Note
Who says that PB&J has to always be served on white bread? Instead, try taking those two classic foods and spreading them on some Lundberg Brown Organic Rice Cakes from Ralphs. Then add a little note (either pre-printed or hand written) to show your love and pop it all in a sandwich bag. Kids really like things that are crunchy, sweet and salty and this is all three, plus they'll surely appreciate the special message you enclose with it. |
| MBE's Fall Decorated Sugar Cookies |
Hand Decorated Fall Theme Sugar Cookies
For these cookies I used the Ethel's Sugar Cookie recipe from my vintage 1950s Betty Crocker cookbook, along with Wilton's Royal Icing recipe -- but any favorite recipes will work. Then I took different leaf, acorn, pumpkin and other fall-theme cookie cutters to cut these out. Go to town decorating these after they're baked with the royal icing and your choice of sprinkles and then watch the smiles on your child's face. |
Frozen Yogurt Treats by MBE |
Frozen Yogurt Treats
For those of you who are lucky enough to homeschool, like we did, your options for creating fun lunches are even wider because you can serve hot, chilled and frozen foods. I made these sweet desserts for my kids with Mountain High Yogurt I bought at Ralphs. Then I filled fun shaped cookie cutters with yogurt, added some raw oats, raisins, sprinkles and red hot mini candies to bling them out and froze them for a few hours. These are such a blast to make and your kids -- even traditional school children -- might want to help create these for a delicious after school snack, too. |
| My son at our local Ralph's Store |
Ralphs Giftcard Giveaway
The fun doesn't stop there. Ralphs is giving one lucky MommyBlogExpert reader a $25 Ralphs giftcard. Read on to enter this giveaway.
MommyBlogExpert's Ralphs Giftcard Giveaway ends August 17, 2013 at 12 am PT and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will receive a $25 Ralphs giftcard. Winner of this MBE contest will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize.
MommyBlogExpert's Ralphs Giftcard Giveaway ends August 17, 2013 at 12 am PT and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will receive a $25 Ralphs giftcard. Winner of this MBE contest will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize.
Ralphs Grocery $25 Gift Card
GIVEAWAY
Ends 8/17/13
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FTC Disclosure: I'm a long-time Ralphs shopper. In addition, I was compensated to facilitate this post and I am participating in a Pinterest contest that Ralphs is sponsoring for bloggers involved in this campaign. Ralphs is also providing the prize for the giveaway. However thoughts are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.