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Make Lunch Time Fun Time: Back to School Tips from Sara Lee Deli ~ with my added commentary

Shape Up ~ (or ship out)

Make a sandwich exciting by using cookie cutters to create different shapes. Use their favorite hobby or pastime as a guideline: for sports fans, make a football; for dog lovers, try a dog bone shape.

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Just by changing the shape of their lunch you’re going to keep them interested in the healthy lunch you made for them. I hear kids still like to trade lunches in school, keep their mind on their food so you know what they are eating. In my house at dinner time we have the deal, eat what I cook or you don’t eat at all. Very strict I know but then I know they are going to eat the veggies eventually. Harder at school I know but there are lots of ways to keep veggies in them too.

Stock Up on Favorites ~ mine is Hillshire farms

Keep your family happy by having different deli meats on hand. Your kids will all be able to choose their favorite while getting the protein they need. Sara Lee® Fresh Ideas™ pre-sliced deli meats come in 14 different varieties in a convenient, pre-packaged container.

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We like to eat Hillshire Farms which I learned is also owned by Sara Lee.

Keep it Cool

If you need to keep your lunch cool, try freezing juice boxes or reusable bottled waters instead of adding bulky ice packs. The boxes or bottles will thaw to provide a refreshing beverage and keep the sandwich fresh.

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I don’t recommend using bottled water. When you freeze bottled water it gets some of those nasty chemicals in it that we don’t want our kids drinking so use the juice box. Or in my house I would stick the entire lunch box in the freezer and it will be just right at lunch time

Get the Kids Involved

Instead of making lunch ahead of time, pack deli meats along with some cheese and crackers. Kids are more likely to eat what they help prepare, and they’ll have a great time stacking the ingredients to their liking during lunch time.

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Everyone says to get the kids involved. It’s a great idea, one it takes up some time at night when kids are usually grumpy. It also gets them to try more food. Let them help you buy the food too. Give them the healthy options you want them to choose from and it’s ok to give them a cookie every now and then. Moderation is key to all food groups and a healthy diet. When you deprive yourself from something it makes you want it more. So when you are on vacation you will be more likely to over indulge. It’s the same for children. If you keep them away from cookies they’ll just hide the fact that they are eating them.

Here’s a great recipe to jazz up the everyday ham and cheese sandwich into a sushi inspired meal:

Sara Lee Deli Kid Sushi
Ingredients

2 slices Sara Lee® Fresh Ideas pre-sliced Honey Ham

2 strips Sara Lee® Swiss Cheese, thinly sliced, cut 2” x ¼” 

2 slices Sara Lee® Soft and Smooth™ Made with Whole Grain White Bread

1 teaspoon ranch dressing

1 tablespoon thinly shredded carrots

2 sweet baby pickles

Method

Place two slices of white bread with the crusts cut off on a flat surface side-by-side. Using a rolling pin, or glass, gently flatten and fuse the bread slices together. Spread the ranch dressing over the inside middle of the flat bread slices. Place two slices of the ham on top of the ranch dressing. Place the shredded carrots and Swiss cheese on top of the ham. Place the two pickles horizontally and end-to-end at the bread edge closest to you. Starting at the bottom, roll the bread upwards to make a tight cigar-shaped roll. Using a bread knife, cut the roll into sushi-sized pieces approx one inch in length.

Option: Serve on a bed of mixed field greens with chop sticks and extra ranch dressing for dipping.