Lunch has always been a thorn in my side. Every day I struggle with what to fix for my little girl and me that is healthy, but also different, and every day I end up with the same same old boring meals…a turkey sandwich or peanut butter and jelly with chips. I seem to come home from my weekly trips to the grocery always with the same ingredients for the same lunches, except, perhaps, on that rare occasion when I’m feeling really adventurous and bring home the makings for tuna salad. (I’m such a trailblazer, right?!)

The straw that broke the camel’s back, however, was when my  2 1/2 year old looked up at me and said that she was “so000 over my lunches.” True story. Those were her exact words. It was then that I made the conscious decision to get out of my lunch rut and start making meals that we could both get excited about. After a quick Google search, I found myself bombarded with creative lunch ideas, and that was all it took. No more plain jane lunches or repeats. I found all kinds of ideas that were affordable, easy and quick, and I could not resist sharing some of my favorites with our readers. So, to all of you who are in the lunch rut, here is your chance to  break free and spice up your mid-day break.

Click on the pictures to get the full recipes.

cucumber wrapsPin

Cucumber Wraps with Laughing Cow Cheese

 

Whole grain rice cake with fat free cream cheese raspberry vinaigrette and almondsPin
Whole grain rice cake with fat free cream cheese, raspberry vinaigrette and almonds. So easy!

 

Steamed shrimp mini tacosPin
Steamed shrimp mini tacos

 

tuna pita sandwichPin

A Tuna Pita Sandwich, but without all the mayo

 

Pizza on village hearth whole grain breadPin
A healthy alternative…pizza on whole grain bread

 

kids flower sandwichesPin

Flowers made from cheese and orange slices….my daughter would love this!

 

Romaine SaladPin
Kicked the rice up a bit by adding broccoli cheddar soup

 

Open Faced Chicken Avocado MeltPin

Open Faced Chicken Avocado Melt. Yum!

 

The Healthy ElvisPin

The Healthy Elvis: almond butter and agave nectar

 

Quinoa and Black BeansPin

Quinoa and black beans with avocado and cilantro

 

kids sushiPin
For the trendy child in your life….sushi and edamame

 

eggplant pizzaPin

Eggplant Pizza Pita Wrap

 

Pineapple Berry SandwichPin
Pineapple Berry Sandwich

 

A tofurky vegetarian turkey spinach wrapPin
Interesting… A Tofurky (vegetarian turkey) Spinach Wrap

 

Add a little sweetness to your lunch with an Apple Dessert WrapPin
Add a little sweetness to your lunch with an Apple Dessert Wrap

 

sprinklesPin
Genious! A touch of sprinkles almost guarantees a happy plate for the kiddos.

 

Tofu FryPin

Simple Tofu Fry

 

Sauteed Turkey Breast SaladPin

Leftover turkey can become Sauteed Turkey Salad.

 

A sweet surprise... Sugar rice cakes with a hot chocolate pouchPin
A sweet surprise… sugar rice cakes with a hot chocolate pouch.

 

shrimp and brocolli pasta saladPin

A not-so-boring pasta salad

 

cute kids lunchPin
Love the cut out stars made of cheese

 

chicken wrapsPin

A healthier version of those yummy lettuce wraps

 

Having tried a few of these, I’m happy to report a few more smiles at lunchtime these days, and I bet, as busy as so many of us stay with work and family responsibilities, these new meal ideas will make lunch not only interesting and delicious, but easy to manage, as well.

We’d love to know what ideas you have – let us know and we’ll share!

 

 

Author: Lindsey Hedgepeth
About the Author
Lindsey Hedgepeth