Spicing up the Brown Bag

Written by Anita Romaniw

It’s back to school and time to dust off the lunchboxes, stock up on brown bags and face the challenge of feeding your lunch bunch. Lunch is important. Kids who eat healthy meals have more energy, better attention spans and better behavior….all of which helps them learn better. But, the most nutrient-packed lunch won’t be eaten if it doesn’t look good, taste good or if it’s “boring.”

Here are some tried and true favorite lunches.

Chicken Tortilla Roll-Ups

Ingredients:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 cup finely chopped cooked chicken
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 medium sized red pepper, finely chopped
5 green onions, finely chopped
1 tomato, seeded and finely chopped
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. chili powder
½ tsp. salt
1 package of 10″ flour tortillas

Directions:

In large bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, chicken, cheddar cheese, red pepper, green, onions, tomato, garlic powder, chili powder and salt. Spread 2 generous tbsp. of mixture evenly onto each tortilla, leaving approximately ½ inch from the outside edge of the tortilla without the filling. (If you spread the filling to the edges it will seep out when rolling up the tortilla). Roll up each tortilla tightly. Wrap in plastic wrap and slice evenly into 1″ pieces.

Salad or Pita Pocket Combos

Moisten the pita with mayonnaise or salad dressing and add one of the following combinations:

• Hard cooked egg, chopped cucumber and onion
• Chicken chunks and sliced seedless grapes
• Turkey chunks, chopped nuts and bean sprouts
• Salmon or tuna, and red or green pepper slices
• Ricotta cheese and fruit
• Chopped ham and pineapple
• Shredded cheese and grated carrot
• Cheese and tomato

Crunchy Sandwich

Ingredients:

1 can drained tuna, salmon or 2 oz. chicken or turkey
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 small apple, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Place on your favorite roll, pita, bagel or wrap and enjoy!

Lunchmeat Rollups

• Place a slice of cheese and a small pickle spear on the end of lunchmeat and roll up.

• You can spread the lunchmeat with mayonnaise, mustard or cream cheese.

Try these for a change from bread

• Muffins
• Bagels
• English muffins
• Scones or biscuits
• Flat bread Pita bread
• Rice cakes
• Cracker bread
• Melba toast
• Bread Sticks

Hot Stuff

Pack a safe, hot lunch in wide-mouth thermos. Try one of these favorites:

• Leftover chili, curry or macaroni and cheese
• Pasta shells and sauce
• Baked beans, soup or chowders
• Perogies

Little Extras for After-School Snacks

• Mini pizzas or burritos
• Samosas or Cornish pasties
• Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
• Peanuts, almonds or other nuts
• Peanut butter or cheese with crackers
• Dry Cereal
• Animal cracker cookies
• Graham wafers
• Banana loaf
• Pudding cups
• Yogurt