Outrageously Good & Nutritious Lunch Ideas for Moms

By Kathy Thorpe, MA, CHom ©2010

Whether it's for kids, teens or adults, lunches can be made of wholesome, nourishing food that will keep energy high and brains working well into the afternoon. Whenever possible use organic, free range natural food. Try some of the following ideas:

Make any of the following vegetarian or vegan by eliminating the meat or cheese. Just make sure you are getting good protein with every meal!

• Hot soup in an insulated thermos with rice crackers or crusty bread
• Turkey & cheese with mayo & mustard wrapped in iceberg lettuce
• Whole wheat tortilla wrapped around turkey, cheese, mayo and baby greens
• Humus, avocado, cheese, turkey or chicken in a pita pocket -- add lettuce, grated carrot, and tomato.
• Tortilla with beans, rice, avocado, tomato or salsa
• Bagel with scrambled eggs or a bagel with almond butter, raisins, fruit-only jam or a banana
• Egg, tuna or chicken salad on top of mixed green salad with pretzels or rice crackers on the side
• Whole grain bread with veggie cream cheese and sliced cucumbers
• Cottage cheese with pineapple or peaches and trail mix served with veggie chips

For gluten free lunches:

• Rice balls with grated carrot, cucumber, tuna, chicken or salmon wrapped in a sheet of nori seaweed or rolled in sesame seeds.
• Spring rolls: dip a sheet of rice paper in hot water and wrap up rice noodles, slivered carrots, bell peppers, sprouts, cucumbers with dip: peanut butter mixed with rice wine, tamari, sesame oil & honey.
• Rice, grated carrot, cucumber, tuna or chicken wrapped in a sheet of nori seaweed
• Sweet potatoes, baked tofu and broccoli
• Hummus (plain or red pepper) with veggie sticks and rice crackers.
• Bento lunch with teriyaki chicken, rice, and colorful pickles.

Additional snack ideas:

• Almond butter, celery & raisin "Ants on a Log"
• Make an edamame dip for veggies and crackers.
• Plain yoghurt with berries
• Olives or pickles
• Add fresh fruit (rather than juice) to every lunch. Sprinkle sliced apples, pears or banana with lemon to keep from browning.

The most important thing of all is to infuse the food with a lot of love and include a little note telling your kids how fabulous they are!

Kathy Thorpe, MA, CHom, is a classical homeopath and a writer. Prior to becoming a homeopath, Kathy taught English, Literature and Business English at the U.C. Berkeley, University of Colorado, and the Economics Institute. She can be reached at 303 583-0179 or info@sixpersimmons.com.