Back to School-Packing Lunches

This post is sponsored by Nature's Bakery but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summer is always the time of year that flies by the fastest.  I can't believe we're already preparing for Back to School.  The kids are ready for some structure, routine and getting out of the house but I'm not exactly sure I'm ready for early mornings, packing lunches, homework and all that goes with the school grind.  Does anyone else struggle with packing lunches?  I do really well for awhile and then I feel like it gets to be the same thing over and over.   It's extra hard because everything has to be kept cold and my daughter's preschool doesn't allow nut products so that takes difficulty through the roof!  I've sat down and brainstormed ideas to make Back to School and packing lunches a bit easier.  I wanted to share some ideas with you in hopes that it takes the guess work out.  I also suggest making lunches the night before and have it all ready in the lunch pail in the fridge.

When packing lunches for my girls I try at least one protein and two sides.  Here is my full list of proteins and sides:

Protein

• Cottage Cheese
• Hard Boiled Egg
• Tortilla Roll Up
• Sandwich
• Uncrustable
• Greek Yogurt
• Protein Muffin
• Salami & Cheese
• Hummus

Sides

• Fruit
• Nature's Bakery Gluten Free Raspberry Fig Bar
• Dried Fruit
• Carrots
• Olives
• Cucumber Slices
• Crackers
• Graham Crackers
• Popcorn
• Fruit & Veggie Squeezie
• Goldfish
• String Cheese
• Rice Cake
• Granola Bar
• Pretzels
• Zucchini Muffin

I wanted to point out Nature's Bakery Fig Bars as they are a new find for us.  I'm always on the hunt for nutritious yet quick and convenient snacks for my kiddos.  Sometimes that can be an oxymoron so when I find something that hits both categories it feels like a huge win.  These are wholesome snacks that are made with real fruit and real grains.  They are non-GMO, dairy-free, vegan, soy-free, nut-free and made with no high-fructose corn syrup.  Those last two items are a huge deal for us since one school doesn't allow nut products and Emily is Fructose Intolerant.

Getting back into the swing of things for school can be utterly crazy and finding ways to make life and the transition easier are really important to me.  Anything that makes packing lunches easier I'm all for.  This is something I don't have to make or think about but just toss in without sacrificing the health of my little ones.  Not only are these healthy but my girls think they are delicious so I know these will get eaten even though they are away from mom when eating their lunches.

Graham Crackers, Tortilla Roll-Up with Ham and Cheese, Grapes and Trail Mix with Cheese.

Cottage Cheese, Zucchini Muffins, Fruit and Hard Boiled Egg.

Greek Yogurt topped with Honey & Blueberries, Carrots and Hard Boiled Egg.

Ham & Cheese Sandwich, Apples and Trail Mix with Cheese.