Lunch-the Frugal Way!
October 13, 2006
Contributing Writer: Cyndi Roberts
It seems that school starts earlier every year. So it's time to start thinking about what to put in those school lunches every morning.
It's also a good time to start making your own lunch to take to work if you don't already. Did you know that by taking your lunch 3 days a week instead of eating out, you could save as much as $800 a year? But it does take some time and effort to make a lunch that is nutritious and tasty and not just the "same old thing".
If we let ourselves, we can spend a "lot" on individual servings, lunchables, and treats for lunches. Here are a few ideas to help you meet the "Frugal Lunchbox Challenge".
Go to the Dollar Store and buy a few of those individual serving-size storage containers. These are very inexpensive and they are worth every penny.
These are great for making your own fruit cups and pudding cups. Or use them to hold dip for carrot or celery sticks or fill with peanut butter and pack a zipper bag of pretzels for dipping.
While you 're at it, you may want to pick up one or two of the small "blue ice" cold packs. They will help keep lunchbox items cold and safe. Sandwiches such as egg salad or tuna salad need to have a cold pack. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, on the other hand, can be packed without one.
Those zipper bags we all love come into their own when packing lunches! Watch for sales and stock up. They can hold vegetable sticks, popcorn, crackers, homemade cookies, etc. Almost anything!
Here's an idea:
Spread cream cheese on a tortilla, add a little salsa, and top with sliced turkey or ham. Place another tortilla on top, cut in fourths and put in zipper top bag.
Also, I have read that you can make up a cake mix and store the batter, covered, in the fridge for up to two weeks. Bake up a few cupcakes when you're preparing dinner.
When the weather turns cool, a small thermos will come in handy for homemade soup or chili. I see lots of these for sale at garage and yard sales, sometimes for as little as 25 cents.
A thermos is also handy to hold whatever drink you or your child likes to take. Try to put some fun in the lunchbox: keep a stash of small, inexpensive toys, cut sandwich bread into cool shapes with cookie cutters, write little notes to your child, cut out funny cartoons. Children love surprises.
A good routine to get into is while you are cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, put leftovers in the storage containers, or make sandwiches and place in the fridge in a designated area for lunch items. Get your kids to help--the more they are involved, the better!
Put napkins, etc. in lunch boxes or bags and place them where all anyone has to do in the morning is fill with the prepared items. Now you can all be out the door in minutes!
Here are a few recipes that will help get you started this school year:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Halloween Fun
Cover lollipops (with the wrapper on) with a Kleenex to resemble a ghost. At the top of the stick,(where it meets the lollipop) wrap and secure the Kleenex with orange or black yarn or curly ribbon. Draw on eyes with a marker.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Apple-Cinnamon Muffins
- 1 egg
- 2 cups biscuit baking mix
- 3/4 cup applesauce
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fish in the River
Make stuffed celery using cream cheese tinted green if you like! Top with Goldfish crackers."They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."
---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)
===================
Helping you live the good life...on a budget! Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly e-newsletter and founder of the website of the same name. Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to find creative tips, articles, and a free e-cooking book. Subscribe to the e-newsletter and receive the free e-course "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".
===================
Recently in Food & Diet:
Cupcake Wedding Cakes
Cupcake wedding cakes are beautiful, fun and can be much less expensive than traditional wedding cakes...
Fun Valentines Day Sweet Treats
Children love to decorate for all holidays and they love to help out in the kitchen and make crafts. The following cover all three of these areas for some special family fun...
The Right Way to Eat for Better Health and Weight Loss
For most of your life, you probably have eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner. Now depending on your eating habits, this may be okay...but many people skip breakfast because they don't have the time, they have a semi-normal lunch and then a large dinner. Avoid this at all costs...
How To Naturally Lose Weight Fast - 5 Secrets
Losing weight naturally is the best way to go. As you lose weight, you will feel better and you will look better to those to whom you are attracted. By understanding the connection between caloric intake and calorie burning, you have the right foundation in place for see significant weight loss...
Healthy Easter Treats -- Easter Bunnies Bring More Than Chocolate Eggs
Easter baskets don’t have to be full of chocolate and peeps. Here are some great ideas that will fill your Easter basket without all the extra fat and sugar...
A St. Pat's Day Feast!
You don't have to be Irish to have fun on St. Patrick's Day. Why not surprise your family with a meal all made of green foods...
Valentine Chocolate Kiss Bouque
Chocolate is a very popular gift for Valentine's Day. Many gift boutiques and flower shops offer beautiful candy bouquets that make a wonderful surprise for any Valentine. However, these arrangements can be quit costly. The good news is that these arrangements aren't that difficult to make. Try making this homemade rendition that is sure to make your Valentine feel very special...
Valentine's Day Recipe: Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Here's a perfect romantic recipe to make on this Valentine's Day: chocolate-covered strawberries. And it's so easy to make...