Monday Morning Mayhem
It’s finally here – a new school year. For most of us, it has already begun and for a few it’s just around the corner. For all, it marks a “fresh start.”
In my house, “fresh start” also means something else – getting back into a methodical, early morning routine.
As excitement, anxiousness, and sometimes tension traipses through the early morning air on the first day, the biggest challenge after a summer of “sleeping in,” is disengaging the kids from their bed sheets. Once accomplished, they proceed to schlep on their clothes (sometimes with eyes still shut) and drag through the rest of the morning albatross of last minute wardrobe changes, tangled hair, and sibling bathroom rivalry.
Fear not — at least the lunch that you judiciously packed the night before is prepared and the Vegan snack you dutifully set aside is already in play. Whether you’re rushing to the bus stop with the kids in tow, escorting them to their classroom door or like me and jumping into the carline (because 3rd and 5th graders think that walking them inside is “babyish”), you see the First Day Finish-line in full view.
Side Note: This menu works for you, too. I always make enough for me, too.
On today’s menu…
Snack:
I chose Veggie Straws and a fruit of your choice. Although there are several on the market, my kids favor this particular option. I’m grateful because these are not only Vegan, but also void of GMO’s, artificial colors/flavors, and preservatives. The color comes from beetroot and spinach powder, potatoes, and tomato paste. They are also gluten-free. Yay…its a win, win!
Lunch:
I had to whip out my multi-compartment container for this one. You can find these anywhere and they don’t have to be just like the one pictured. I found mine on Amazon.
As I prepared this meal for this blog post, my oldest daughter got really excited because she knows how delicious it is. I think kids fall in love with color first (me, too). We eat with our eyes and this one is a rainbow of good, wholesome food. Be creative with your choices. Just be sure to include a healthy balance of fruits, veggies and protein/grains. I have pretzel sticks and pretzel crisps, chopped red pepper wedges, carrot sticks, and a combo of nectarine chunks and blackberries. Center-stage in hummus, which comes in so many varieties. This particular one is a Roasted Garlic, Red Pepper hummus. Scrap the garlic if your kids are not fans. The key to each meal is color and variety. Pair it with almond milk, calcium-fortified OJ, or good ole’ water. Enjoy!
As that car door closes behind the kids and I pull off the curb in front of the school doors, I’m left with a mix emotions. They range from excitement because you know they are embarking on another milestone, fear because I hope Grace remembers where her class is, and just a hint of sadness because another school year also means another year closer to adulthood. I also feel a sense of relief because guess what—Monday’s done.
Check back tomorrow for… “What’s in Tuesday’s Lunchbox?”
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