Coming up with simple but intriguing lunchbox ideas can be a tricky task for any parent. Leanne Katzenellenbogen in her book Simple, Fabulous Lunchbox Ideas presents a variety of tips and recipes for the lunchbox.
Coming up with simple but intriguing lunchbox ideas can be a tricky task for any parent. Leanne Katzenellenbogen in her book Simple, Fabulous Lunchbox Ideas presents a variety of tips and recipes for the lunchbox.
I must seem like a nerd. One of my favorite childhood memories is learning how to read, and probably because my mother made it so much fun.
I remember my mom driving down the main street of George while I sat in the back seat of the vehicle spelling out all the names of the shops we passed by.
My favorite was the Caltex garage, which we would frequent so that I could give the Caltex bunny a wave and spell out C A L T E X at the top of my lungs.
I particularly remember opening my lunch box every day to be greeted with the most divine treats and daily notes, which included messages from my mom, words I was struggling to spell at the time or synonyms of words I had just learned.
This trip down memory lane brings back a variety of other recollections, including that of my teacher stealing my lunches (they were just that good)!
Katzenellenbogen draws on her dietary knowledge to present recipes ranging from mock sushi, Star PB & J and honey and soy chicken drumsticks.
With each recipe containing a nutritional information table, your lunchbox nightmares will turn into fun activities that can be celebrated with your children.
Katzenellenbogen’s tips for the lunch box include getting your children involved with their own lunchboxes, adding a bit of margarine to the bread to keep it from going soggy, and making sandwiches the night before to avoid adding to the morning rush.
When it comes to drinks, she suggests water as the very best choice or otherwise a milky or yoghurt drink.
She mentions that if you do include a fruit juice, it should be diluted.
My own invention, the sandwich owl (see pic) can be created very easily and will definitely keep your children interested in their lunches.
The following Food Based Dietary Guidelines were developed by the South African National Department of Health:
1. Enjoy a variety of foods.
2. Make starchy food part of most meals.
3. Fish, chicken, lean meat or eggs can be eaten daily.
4. Have milk, maas or yoghurt every day.
5. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit every day.
6. Eat dry beans, split peas, lentils and soya beans regularly.
7. Don't use too much salt or food that is high in salt content.
8. Use fat sparingly; choose vegetable oils rather than hard fats.
9. Don't eat a lot of sugar or use food and drinks that are high in sugar.
10. Drinks lots of clean safe water.
11. Be active!
