So, you forgot to eat lunch again? Yeah, me too. Somehow I manage to pack sack lunches for my preschoolers, pay the meal bill for the school child, and then totally miss eating something myself! Luckily, I’ve created a pretty awesome routine of stashing the perfect combination of packaged foods in my bag each morning to make a pretty well-rounded SNACK lunch. It’s easy and helps keep this mama from being hangry before dinner.
When the kids are all in school, I’m hustling to finish work or creative projects, run those errands that I’d much rather do alone (I’m looking at you eyebrow threading and post office line.) The next time I look at the clock it’s time to pick up kiddos, and start the afternoon routine of homework, lessons, and then making dinner and bedtime.
On days they aren’t all in school, we are usually out having an adventure before lunch, then I pack lunches and snacks to eat on the go before getting Plum down for a nap. And while I know that sitting down at the table with a nutritious lunch, prepared thoughtfully by myself, for myself, would be the ideal way to enjoy lunch each day, that’s just not happening!
Instead, I’ve started tossing a great combination of snacks into my bag each day that fill me up with the necessary energy, protein and nutrients, and even some superfoods to keep up my mom energy. They are all snacks my kids all enjoy, too. So inevitably on days we’re all together, pieces of my snack lunch get passed around and shared, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve partnered with Lorissa’s Kitchen today for a closer look at what this super snack lunch looks like!
SNACK LUNCH for Busy Moms:
Lean protein from Lorissa’s Kitchen premium beef strips (available to buy here.) I was introduced to these tasty little bites of flavored meat at Alt Summit this year, and was hooked! They come in pork, chicken, and beef strips, all responsibly raised. The flavors are really fun. Ginger Teriyaki chicken is my kids favorite, Korean Barbeque and Szechuan Peppercorn beef have surprisingly different, sweet and smoky flavors. The Sweet Chili is just spicy enough I don’t have to share it, so it’s probably my favorite. Without preservatives, nitrites, or MSG I feel better about eating it regularly, and passing it around at the playground, too. The bags come with a resealable top, so I can keep one in my bag all the time. I love how the lean protein keeps me feeling satisfied for longer than eating just carbs. And it’s really delicious!
Complex Carb Bar. My latest favorite has been the Fig Bar variety from Costco, because it’s whole wheat and real fruit. I can buy them in bulk to keep in the pantry and my kids love them too. Once in a while I have regular granola bars, and they fill the same need for some quick energy without too much junk.
Superfood Squeeze. How did we all survive without food in pouches? Seriously, I started feeding Plum baby food pouches, stayed hooked on the applesauce variety because it’s so easy, then somehow grabbed these Chia Squeeze packages on a grocery run when I realized they are made for moms! The texture takes a little getting used to, but I love the taste, and they pack some necessary omega-3s .
Whole Fruit. I like apples because they are pretty durable and can handle being jostled around in my diaper bag without too much damage. They also give such a satisfying crunch on a hot day, and fill me up with fiber pretty quickly.
H2O. I’ve been drinking a ton of water lately, and I can definitely tell a difference in my overall well being and state of mind. I feel sharper and more awake when I’m fully hydrated. With the upcoming summer, it’s a great habit to form if you haven’t already.
The only trick for success with the snack lunch is keeping stocked up on all of these favorites so that they can be grabbed at a moment’s notice and brought along on errands and adventures. And maybe packing a second one when you have littles along, because yours will be confiscated by tiny fingers before you know it!
Created in partnership with Lorissas Kitchen.
