Back To School Made Easy

Some great tips to keep lunches (and snack time) healthy and simple!

Posted on Sep 06, 2022 by Jack McCann
Tags: Newsletter back-to-school

Despite our crazy busy life, we have managed to send our kids with a healthy school lunch every day. This isn't because we're some sort of super-lunch-parents spending hours making pinterest postable lunches. Quite the opposite!

Easy lunches comes down to:

  1. Planning ahead
  2. Having the right tools
  3. Being efficient

Anyone can have a healthy lunch for their kids! Your kids will be healthier, feel better and maybe you'll even eat better lunches too!

My goal is to make sure that I make an extra lunch each day for myself so that I get healthier too!




This Part is Not So Healthy
But Fun!

A side note before we get to lunches -- just because...

Betsy's mother always made fresh cookies for them on the first day of school. We've got a couple great recipes for you to start that tradition in your family.

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These are the classic chocolate chip cookie, but with a simple recipe that is fast and easy to make

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I dare say this is the best cookie in the world. I challenge you to try it and send me any cookie recipe you think is better.


Plan Ahead For Healthy Lunches

By planning ahead you'll get the following benefits:

  1. Save time and stress
  2. Produce keeps fresh longner
  3. Kids will enjoy eating their veggies and fruit

Prep the Produce

Before you put the groceries away, get all of your produce and organize it.

This keeps the veggies and fruit fresh and tasty all week. While rushing to get the kids on the bus, you'll never want to sort through strawberries to clean off bad spots. Plus the kids won't eat it if the produce has gone half bad due to a lack of prep-work.

Berries and grapes

  • Remove stems or greens
  • Cut out any slight bruises on larger berries, otherwise avoid cutting
  • Separate any with small blemishes to be used first (just put on top of container)
  • Wash and put into the fridge ready to use (use their original containers with good air flow or crack open your storage containers)
  • Store in low humidity fruit drawers or in a warmer part of the fridge

Veggies (cucumber, carrot, peppers, etc)

  • Pre-cut and wash
  • Store with a small amount of water in the container, can be fully sealed or veggie drawer with low airflow/high humidity.
  • Cucumbers: only cut about 3 days worth and avoid coldest part of the fridge

Apples or pears

  • Cut the morning of and keep in as large of pieces possible
  • Put the cut side down so it touches the bottom of the stainless steel lunch box - this keeps it from browning. If you must cut more sides to make it fit, snug them up to the edge


Have the Right Food Around

Keeping some hard boiled eggs in the fridge or having extra frozen deli meat on hand ensures you'll always have the right food available.

Did you know all of our 'uncured' deli meat can stay in the fridge for 30-45 days if the package is still sealed?

Just keep a pack or two in the back of your fridge so it is always ready to use.

None of our deli items have any of the binders, phosphates or other chemicals used to boost fat and water content in the grocery store meat. We don't use the growth drugs that are used in the deli meats found at even the fanciest natural food coop -- ask your store to verify with the manufacture if their products use ractopamine or not.

These ingredients or drugs are often NOT on the label so unless it is certified organic, you should assume they are in their products.



Here are some of our kids' favorites and that amazing sourdough made with organic non-hybrid wheat.


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Hot Dogs

$28
2.05 lbs avg

Box 156
$13.66/lb

The best hot dogs in the world!

  • 2 packs of the healthiest hotdogs for you and your kids!

We often are able to add beef or pork liver into these hotdogs to add some extra nurients
"Uncured" items which are still sealed can be safely stored in the fridge to save freezer space. See details here

This is a flat rate box and is priced per box.

Click here to view ingredients

Lunch Meat Sampler

$49
4.9 lbs avg

Box 164
$10.10/lb

Great for lunches, picnics or snacking

Each order has five packs of deli meats from the following selections: 
  • Pepperoni
  • Sliced emulsified ham  
  • Sliced rustic ham
  • Bologna
  • Beef Gyro 



Emulsified ham is great for kids. It is an emulsified deli ham (officially called a pork roll) without any fatty parts like a traditional ham roast would have.

For the Gyro, you will want to crisp it up in a hot pan just before serving.

This is a flat rate box, weights will vary

Sliced Ham - Rustic Ham

$28
2.1 lbs avg

Box 167
$13.33/lb

Our famous deli ham

  • 2 packs of sliced rustic ham (~1lb each) 



This is a flat rate box, weights will vary

Click here to view ingredients

Pepperoni

$25
1.65 lbs avg

Box 173
$15.15/lb

So excited to have pepperoni I could feel good about enjoying!

  • 2 pack of pepperoni, small pre-sliced packs





Our kids love this as a cold cut and it is great in a pasta or egg scramble too! Oh -- and our simple GF Pizza Potato Recipe is awesome

This is a flat rate box, weights will vary

Click here to view ingredients

Summer Sausage

$29
2.1 lbs avg

Box 174
$14.04/lb

This is one of our best and most popular sausages

  • 2 packs of Beef/pork summer sausage


"Uncured" items which are still sealed can be safely stored in the fridge to save freezer space. See details here

This is a flat rate box, weights will vary

Click here to view ingredients

Produce - The Seasonal Box

$39
10 lbs avg

Box 50
$3.90/lb

Seasonal organic produce

One smaller organic and local produce CSA

  • Mixed share includes fruits and veggies
  • Target for 1-4 people depending how often you'll cook and eat great produce


See what's planned for the coming week (and in past deliveries) in our Produce Blog

Weight of this package will vary week to week depending on the value of what is included.

Please note that we are aiming to include a balanced share which maximizes local and heirloom produce. However, we also want to minimize food waste by ensuring the included food is usable in our busy lives! Plan on some foods from out of state, especially fruits and outside of the Minnesota growing season.

Produce - The Fruit Box

$45
8.5 lbs avg

Box 54
$5.29/lb

Amazing fruit at its peak!

This is a fun package - there are so many amazing fruits from around the country which just don't make it into the grocery store.  

This package will include a mix of specialty seasonal items along with every day fruit staples. Focus is on quality and organic produce


See what's planned for the coming week (and in past deliveries) in our Produce Blog

Weight of each week's package will vary depending on the value of what is included. These items will be local when in season, but always organic even when out of our local season.
Minnesota's fruit season is fairly short; we will feature seasonal specialty fruit year round at its peak flavor, but will also include every day fruits in every package.

Almonds - Roasted Sea Salt

$22
1.25 lbs avg

Box 700
$17.60/lb

Organic Almonds

Organic roasted almonds with sea salt

  • Use within 3 months of thawing


  • Dry roasted at Tierra Farm, NO oils or sugar added.

    Peanut Free facility

    Click here to view ingredients

    Sunflower Seeds - Roasted & Salted

    $9
    1.5 lbs avg

    Box 7092
    $6.33/lb

    The classic snack

    Organic sunflower seeds - roasted and salted (no shells)


    NO oils or sugar added.

    Click here to view ingredients

    Nut Mix - Maple

    $25
    1.25 lbs avg

    Box 711
    $20.00/lb

    A touch of sweet, all from trees

    With maple glaze

    Organic, dry roasted and sea salted

    Processed in a peanut-free facility 
    • Cashew
    • Almond
    • Hazelnut
    • Pecans
    • Walnut

    No oils added, only sea salt, organic maple syrup and organic wheat-free tamari soy sauce

    The price listed includes sales tax

    Trail Mix

    $15
    1.5 lbs avg

    Box 714
    $10.00/lb

    A great snack!

    The classic organic trail mix

    • Roasted sea salt cashew
    • Pumkin seed
    • Sunflower seed
    • Sultana raisins
    • Cranberries
    • Diced apple
    • Chocolate Chips

    Chocolate Chip ingredients:
    Cane sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, soy lecithin (emulsifier), vanilla extract.

    Bread Heritage White Sourdough

    $26
    4 lbs avg

    Box 833
    $6.50/lb

    Sliced Sandwich style bread

    2 loaves of our white heritage sandwich bread.

    Non-hybridized wheat is made from a heritage Turkey Red variety. Many gluten free members are able to tolerate this bread.  

    Each loaf is a larger 2 lb sourdough made with organic heritage wheat, water, yeast, olive oil and salt. 

    <
    Unless you are eating this within a few days, please keep in the freezer and pull a slice out as needed.

    We love collaborating with Travis at Backwards Bread for all of our sourdough. To learn more about what makes this bread unique and healthy, click here.

    All bread weights are pre-baking and not net weight.

    Click here to view ingredients

    What about Sugar?

    If you feel your kids won't eat anything if it doesn't have some sugar or processed carbs in it (i.e. granola bars or treats), that is a challenge.

    We have found there are times when we have to re-program the kids' tastes and get them 100% off sugar for a while. No syrup on pancakes - nothing.

    Although it might take a month, it really helps reset their taste buds' expectations.

    Here are some key benefits you'll notice once you slog through those first few weeks:

    • Happier kids = happier parents: They'll have more energy since their mind isn't expecting the dopamine boost that suger has been giving them.
    • Better focus - The up and down of sugar really affects their little bodies ability to focus at school and have enough energy to get through the day
    • Better eaters - Once their bodies aren't expecting sugar, all the other food tastes better. Those cherry tomatoes taste SWEET again.

    Dried Fruit

    Instead of granola bars, juice drinks, or cookies, offer some dried fruit for snacks or the "dessert" at lunch. You'll be amazed at how well a handful of dried pineapple or mango will go. Even some higher quality raisins can be a huge treat.

    Offering higher quality ingredients will teach your kids to enjoy whole foods and eschew the unhealthy processed stuff.

    Black Mission Figs - Dried

    $14
    1 lbs avg

    Box 730
    $14.00/lb

    Organic Premium Figs from CA

    Black Mission Fig fruit from CA - the best figs! 


    Use within 3 months of thawing

    NO sulfur preservatives or sweeteners added (from our friends at Tierra Farms)

    Note: Many (most?) dried fruit contain a sulfur-based preservative which has known risk factors for exacerbating health issues like asthma. None of the dried fruit we offer contains these added chemicals.

    Mango - Dried

    $22
    1.5 lbs avg

    Box 732
    $14.67/lb

    Organic large mango slices from Mexico

    Dried Mango - large slices from Mexico

    Our kids LOVE these! 


    Use within 3 months of thawing

    NO sulfur preservatives or sweeteners added (from our friends at Tierra Farms)

    Note: Many (most?) dried fruits contain a sulfur-based preservative which has known risk factors for exacerbating health issues like asthma. None of the dried fruit we offer contains these added chemicals.

    Cranberries - Dried

    $16
    1.5 lbs avg

    Box 734
    $10.67/lb

    The BEST Cranberries

    These cranberries are SO good - they are sweetened with just organic apple juice and totally changed our view of what a cranberry can taste like. 


    Highly recommend using these in our scone recipe (maybe with a bit of chocolate chips).

    NO sulfur preservatives added (from our friends at Tierra Farms)

    Note: Many (most?) dried fruits contain a sulfur-based preservative which has known risk factors for exacerbating health issues like asthma. None of the dried fruit we offer contains these added chemicals.

    Click here to view ingredients

    Very Berry Mix - Dried

    $20
    1.25 lbs avg

    Box 739
    $16.00/lb

    Mixed Dried Berries

    A great mix to add to granola or just to snack on.  All organic:

    Golden Raisins, Mulberries, Cranberries, Flame Raisins, Golden Berries, Pomegranates, Goji Berries, Blueberries


    Use within 3 months of thawing

    NO sulfur preservatives added. Cranberries & blueberries have organic apple juice as the only sweetener. (from our friends at Tierra Farms)

    Note: Many (most?) dried fruits contain a sulfur-based preservative which has known risk factors for exacerbating health issues like asthma. None of the dried fruit we offer contains these added chemicals.


    The Right Tools

    Look - if you don't have the right tools, this just isn't going to work.

    The right tool makes providing a healthy lunch much more realistic.

    Reusable Lunch Containers & Bags

    Having high quality lunch and snack containers will give you a lifetime of avoiding wasteful plastic bags and paper items.

    We love the items featured in our No More Paper Or Plastic article.

    They are all easy to throw in the dishwasher.

    We just have one extra set for each kid so that we never have to rush and wash things by hand.

    Key Items

    • Insulated containers for warm foods
    • Silicone bags for snacks or sandwiches
    • Stainless lunch boxes
    • Silicone muffin cups for a colorful look and easy clean up

    Card image

    The 5 things you need in order to save money and save the environment by ditching single-use items

    Sharp Knives

    Having a sharp knife is critical to getting the prep-work done fast.

    I hadn't kept up with my knife sharpening because I was lazy, but yesterday I went through all of our knives and sharpened them so we were ready for school.

    Then I cut through 2 pounds of strawberries - I was just shocked at how much easier and faster it was.

    Hones are NOT sharpeners. If you think you have a sharpener, but it is long and pointy, it is NOT sharpening your knife.

    If you want any chance of keeping up with prep-work for school lunches or want to enjoy cooking, you NEED a sharpener.

    Card image

    The most important tool is a sharp knife. A really sharp knife. Fortunately, there is an easy and inexpensive solution.

    BONUS:

    One other helpful tool is to use shelf liner under your cutting board so the board doesn't slip.



    Simple beats pretty

    Don't think that all your meals need to be some fancy Food TV or instagramable moment - Go for simple and fast with high quality ingredients!

    Once you plan ahead and have the right tools and food on-hand, you can be super efficient with your time.

    I can't tell you how much time it saves to have those veggies pre-cutup - no waste and we can quickly throw the lunches together.

    Thinking about what meals to cook for the week that will make good leftover lunches helps a lot too!


    Think of meals you can cook which will make good leftovers for lunches.

    Here are some ideas:

    • Mac and cheese
    • Regu pasta
    • Pizza (use our heritage sourdough crusts)
    • Egg salad sandwiches (hard boil eggs and mix with aioli)
    • Tortilla rollups with cream cheese, deli meat and/or our pulled pork
    • Smoothies
    • Thai Pasta

    For the foods best warm, use the insulated containers we recommended above - just warm up in the morning and they'll be tasty at lunch time!

    Card image

    An easy homemade pizza sauce to die for...

    Card image

    A simple crowd-pleasing and versatile pasta sauce

    Card image

    A delicious take on a family favorite of ours - learn how to quickly and painlessly make your own aioli for your family!

    Card image

    This has been a favorite recipe of ours for a good 10 years … but we never realized until now that it would be PERFECT with ground pork! We’ve always made it with chicken or as a vegetarian dish but with the pork it has just now reached its full potential. This is a quick and easy weeknight meal – enjoy!

    Card image

    The 5 things you need in order to save money and save the environment by ditching single-use items

    Card image

    Simple but yummy smoothie with a unique local fruit.


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