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Home » Kids » School Lunches

School Lunch Packing Tips + $250 in Lunch Gear from MightyNest!

This contest is now closed and the winner has been selected. Congrats to...

Stephanie O.!

It's soon going to be that time again...back-to-school. I know some of you can't wait, but for me, it's bittersweet. Especially after our fun travels so far this summer (in the RV!). I've really been enjoying the time with my girls and especially not being so scheduled, if you know what I mean. But alas, it's almost time to get back into the routine.

And with that routine of course comes the duty of packing real food lunches—something I talk about a lot around here! So I'm excited to partner with our sponsor MightyNest on today's post, which includes a campaign to equip our kids in helping to pack their own healthy lunches. Yes, you read that right! As parents, we often try to do everything for our kids, but one of the greatest gifts we can give them is empowering them to pack their own lunches. Plus, I can tell you firsthand that when my girls pack their lunches, it's almost a guarantee their lunchboxes will come home empty. (And as a bonus, this gets us off the hook AND is a good lesson in responsibility—a win-win in my book!)

So I am asking all of you to please take a pledge with me to involve your kids in packing their own real food lunches in real containers this year. What do you say? Some super cool prizes are involved. See below!

Real Food Lunches with MightNest on 100 Days of #RealFood

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School Lunch Packing Tips

    1. Take a step back.
      As I mentioned, resist the urge to just do it for them even if they are making a mess or taking too long! They will have a nice sense of accomplishment when it's all done, plus kids love to feel that they have a say in decisions. Offer them plenty of real food options to choose from, and let them go to town. And consider getting their input on what fruits, veggies, and other healthy options to buy before you even hit the store!
      Real Food Lunches with MightNest on 100 Days of #RealFood -
      -
    2. Plan ahead.
      This is my secret weapon when it comes to packing lunches. I like to have a minimum of at least 3 (or even 4) different homemade goodies in my freezer to help me along throughout the school week. This can be anything from whole-grain muffins to soups, meatballs, or whole-wheat waffles (to be used as sandwich bread). Real food lunches would not be happening in my house if it weren't for this stash!

      Real Food Lunches with MightNest on 100 Days of #RealFood
      Homemade meatballs and sauce ready for the freezer.

      -

    3. Use the right tools.
      I personally couldn't live without the right lunch packing gear. The right tools make it SO much easier and more fun for the kids to pack their lunches! Plus, you can feel good about being waste-free. Here are some fun ones from MightyNest to consider for the new school year.

Back to School Lunch Gear on 100 Days of #RealFood

-
Pack your real food lunch in real containers with these tools (pictured) from MightyNest:

    • Apple/Pear Corer - This one is perfect for kids to effectively cut apple slices to pack in their lunch (or even their snack). Readers ask me all the time what I do to prevent apples from turning brown, and long story short...nothing. :)
    • Waterproof Labels - If containers are properly labeled, there is less of a chance of losing all your precious lunch packing gear!
    • Divided Containers - Kids don't get overwhelmed when all they have to do is fill all the compartments and lunch is done. Plus this one has an adjustable divider.
    • Cookie Cutters - Who ever said cookie cutters are only for cookies? Try them on sandwiches, cheese slices, and even fruit.
    • Fruity Water Bottle - Add some flavor to water bottles with a slice of orange, grapefruit, or lime. Plus these are insulated - my favorite kind.
    • Ice Packs - Not all ice packs are created equal. Try these no sweat packs that are made from recycled plastic bottles!
    • Lunchskins - Reusable sandwich bags made from the same material as a pastry bag. They are super easy to clean.
    • Double Decker Lunchbox - Ideal for packing foods in different compartments (like keeping hot and cold separate or crunchy foods from getting squished)!

-
Real Food Lunches with MightNest on 100 Days of #RealFood-

School Lunch Program

One other thing I'd love to tell you about is the wonderful school program that MightyNest put together. With your purchase of better goods for lunch and home, MightyNest will donate 15% to your local school. A typical lunch gear order donates more than $10 to the school of choice. And MightyNest has a goal to raise $1,000,000 for schools this school year! In all honesty, my school was not a part of the program last year, but as some of you know, we've been redistricted. So I plan to get our new school set up with the program this year.

Meanwhile check out my two using this apple slicer together ...what a cute moment. :)

Real Food Lunches with MightNest on 100 Days of #RealFood
First little sister tries it, then big sister offers to help, then they realize that teamwork is the way to go ...and just check out those happy and proud girls for figuring it out!

Giveaway!

And last but definitely not least, it's giveaway time! MightyNest has some fantastic prizes including $250 worth of school lunch gear to make your packing - or your kids' packing - that much easier AND $1,000 for your school. Three winners will be chosen to win. Enter by using the form below!

The Contest is Now Closed

Contest Details:

  • 1 winner will receive $250 reusable lunch gear
  • 2 winners will receive $100 reusable lunch gear

Contest Rules:

  1. The contest is open to U.S. residents only.
  2. To enter, take the pledge (using the form just above) with me to involve your kids in packing their own real food lunches this year!
  3. The contest will end at midnight EST on Thursday, July 31, 2014.
  4. The 3 winners will be selected at random and emailed directly. The winners will have 3 days to respond before they are disqualified and a new winner is chosen.
Real Food Lunches with MightNest on 100 Days of #RealFood
Happy Packing! :)

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1.6K shares

About Lisa Leake

Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.

Comments

  1. Liz says

    July 30, 2014 at 11:55 pm

    Thanks for your tips! I love your recommendations. :)

    Reply
  2. tammy says

    July 30, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    I have used your website for so many ideas to get my kids to eat clean and I have to tell you the recipes are great. They love the food. Thank you for the wonderful information, resources and recipes!

    Reply
  3. Michelle says

    July 30, 2014 at 11:11 am

    I have always wanted to be that mom that packs these beautiful colorful healthy lunches. In fact, I tried it for a season and actually did a pretty good job. Like many of us, working full-time, havinkg kids on different schedules, and maintaining a crazy busy household schedule can just seem to take over without me even realizing it. Before I know it, I am back to a few days every week of quick grab processed food just to get soemthing in their bellies. I am tired of it and I know, if I plan correctly, I can do it. I AM COMMITTED this school year to healthy meal plans, pre-made foods, and healthy lunches!!!! Having motivating supplies would definitely help!!! If I don't win, this has still inspired me to purchase a starting set of supplies, even if its pieced together and using similar materials. I am grateful to have you to follow. Your website and emails have provided an anchor for me to return to, to never get too far away from feeding my family in a way that I feel gret about. It gives me encouragement as well as practical, real life ways, to give my family the gift of health through real food. Thank you! I will be checking my email daily in hopes of a win! :)

    Reply
  4. Tania says

    July 30, 2014 at 10:22 am

    My son really needs these. He is so hard on his lunchbox...smh

    Reply
  5. Amanda Williams says

    July 28, 2014 at 10:55 pm

    I've shopped here for years and I've always been happy with my purchases, life factory is by far one of my favorite brands! Love love mighty nest!

    Reply
    • Annie at MightyNest says

      July 29, 2014 at 10:43 pm

      Aww, thanks for the love Amanda!

      Reply
  6. Jenee says

    July 28, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    You could set the thawed jars in double boiler, open so you can stir, then dump in thermos.

    Reply
  7. Amy says

    July 28, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    Where can I find tips on defrosting the jars in the freezer and best way to heat int he morning? I prefer not to use the microwave. Didn't know if there was anything easier than dumping into a pan and reheating.
    Thanks,
    Amy

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      August 10, 2014 at 8:31 pm

      Hi Amy. Typically, defrosting overnight and reheating the contents in a pan is my first choice but I have also heated the defrosted jars (minus lids) directly in a pan of water very successfully. :)

      Reply
  8. Vaughn says

    July 28, 2014 at 11:41 am

    Can anyone recommend literature on real food and avoiding processed foods that is targeted at kids? I would like for my 11 year-old daughter to read up on this, rather than us just lecturing.

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      August 10, 2014 at 8:27 pm

      Hello Vaughn. I find Jamie Oliver's Ted Talk to be very effective: http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver. ~Amy

      Reply
  9. Ashley says

    July 27, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    Crossing my fingers. Though I will probably still order from Mighty Nest if I don't win. I love their products and mindset! SO awesome!

    Reply
  10. LaTonia says

    July 27, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    Where did you get the miniature colanders?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      August 01, 2014 at 3:53 pm

      I believe it was from World Market a while back! :)

      Reply
  11. Carol Bronson says

    July 27, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    Thanks for a great website, helps me as I am raising my step-son's 10 & 12 year old girls. We have had them 4 years, when I took the oldest to the doctor she told him "My Meme only lets us have healthy food"!

    Reply
  12. Hannah Cornelius says

    July 27, 2014 at 7:51 am

    So fantastic! I really would love this!

    Reply
  13. angie paluch says

    July 26, 2014 at 9:55 pm

    I'm not sure if I entered. There was no confirmation or a finish button or anything like that. I hope I am entered!

    Reply
  14. AJ says

    July 26, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    I'm having a hard time getting this to work on my phone. This is a great idea, and I know a lot of people who would like to participate!

    Reply
  15. Melanie Blanton says

    July 26, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    Awesome give away!!! Signed up for this for my family and promoted it to my school community.
    If you want to help my classroom get ready for Back to School and not just my lunchbox check out my Donor's Choose project that's almost fully funded.

    http://www.donorschoose.org/project/read-research-create-an-art-infused-wor/1235985?challengeid=295441&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=project&utm_campaign=copyURL&rf=copyURL-siteshare-2014-07-project-teacher_1795633

    Happy packing!

    Reply
  16. Mel says

    July 26, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    Keeping my fingers crossed. Would love to have such cool thing to pack healthier more eco friendly lunches for my 3 kiddos.

    Reply
  17. Sarah says

    July 26, 2014 at 8:10 am

    I am always looking for ways to help my family be healthy~

    Reply
  18. Patricia says

    July 26, 2014 at 7:56 am

    Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway - its so much of what we wanted and needed to help Ellie start school this year.

    Reply
  19. Camille says

    July 25, 2014 at 10:57 pm

    This is such a wonderful giveaway and a great idea for a new start this school year

    Reply
  20. Bev says

    July 25, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    US only :( I'm so sad :(

    Reply
  21. Hailey Hoff says

    July 25, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    I pledge to help my children understand the importance of healthy eating and to understand the importance of saving our planet by using reusable lunch gear.

    Reply
  22. Joan Dahlen says

    July 25, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    I love this idea and I plan to tell my daughter who has two boys, 8 and 12. Could the money raised be split between two schools and could one of the schools be a special needs school? (One of my grandsons has Aspbergers.)
    Also I plan to enter because my 17 year old granddaughter will be living with me for her last year in high school and I would love to teach her how to make healthy lunches for herself and healthy snacks for her special needs pre-schoolers that she works with at her high school. She plans to major in Special Ed therapy while in college.

    Reply
  23. Jason Leake with 100 Days of Real Food says

    July 25, 2014 at 11:22 am

    Just a reminder that you must use the form in the blog post to pledge and enter the contest. Leaving a comment on the blog post is not a method of entry, although you can of course do both! :)

    I'm glad to see so much interest in getting kids to pack their own lunches. It's a win/win! - Jason

    Reply
  24. Jillbert says

    July 25, 2014 at 11:12 am

    I like packing my kids lunches. None of my children ever buy school lunch -- they know the good stuff comes from home. They are 11, 13, and 16 so definitely old enough and skilled enough to do their own. BUT, we have a very small kitchen so there is no room for my three kids to pack their lunches during our morning launch time and our fridge is too small to store three full lunch boxes in if we made them in advance. Besides, they LOVE the lunches I pack. For them, it's like opening a present at lunch time, seeing what mom has made them. So, I will continue to do it. My kids DO know to make food for themselves if needed but, for now, I'll keep my lunch packing post. It's one of my mom jobs that I like and am happy to do.

    Reply
  25. kay says

    July 25, 2014 at 10:44 am

    I pledge to get my daugher involved in packing her own healthy lunch in nondisposable containers. Thanks.

    Reply
  26. Deb Christian says

    July 25, 2014 at 10:13 am

    Taking the pledge to encourage my kids to encourage their kids.

    Reply
  27. Jennifer says

    July 25, 2014 at 9:30 am

    I pledge to help and have my son help pack clean lunches this school year.

    Reply
  28. Aimee says

    July 25, 2014 at 9:26 am

    Ready for back to school real food lunches and snacks!!

    Reply
  29. Allison Nachand says

    July 25, 2014 at 9:23 am

    I pledge to have my kids involved in lunch packing and to continue to use smart, sustainable containers!

    Reply
  30. Jen says

    July 25, 2014 at 9:20 am

    Taking the pledge!

    Reply
  31. Tammy says

    July 25, 2014 at 9:17 am

    I pledge for my kids to help pack real food lunches.

    Reply
  32. Trish says

    July 25, 2014 at 9:15 am

    I have always packed healthy lunches, but I pledge to have everything prepped so they can pack it themselves each morning!

    Reply
  33. Alissa says

    July 25, 2014 at 8:04 am

    I pledge to let my daughter help pack her own real food lunch!

    Reply
  34. Tiffany says

    July 25, 2014 at 8:02 am

    I have pledged to pack my daughters with all fresh real foods. These lunch supplies would be a great help for me to continue this upcoming school year! Thank you for offering this giveaway!

    Reply
  35. Deb says

    July 25, 2014 at 7:58 am

    I pledge to continue to let my girls pack their own lunches and get involved with helping make dinner! :)

    Reply
  36. Karyan Stratton says

    July 25, 2014 at 7:53 am

    I pledge to let my kids get involved in making real lunches this year!

    Reply
  37. Alison says

    July 25, 2014 at 6:49 am

    I pledge to involve my daughter in making lunches. She is just starting school so would love these lunch supplies.

    Reply
  38. Lori s says

    July 25, 2014 at 3:46 am

    I pledge to have my 8 year old help pack her real lunch!

    Reply
  39. Christine C says

    July 25, 2014 at 12:04 am

    I pledge on packing healthy, real food, lunch options together with my four year old, preschool daughter, Charlotte! :)

    Reply
  40. Karen M says

    July 24, 2014 at 11:07 pm

    I take the pledge to have both of my children pack their own lunches with healthy wholesome food!

    Reply
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Meet Lisa! Lisa is a best-selling cookbook author, wife, mother, and passionate home cook. Lisa began blogging in 2010 and has created a community of millions of people who share her love of healthy living, real food ingredients, and family recipes.

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