Summer Start-Up Starry Bagel

Blast off into summer! This stellar mix of Veggies, Fruits, and a Mini Bagel Moon with Starry Cheese is the perfect way to end the school year! Easy and playful, this lunch starts the summer right with shooting stars and will get your child galactivated for an awesome summer break!

Check out this weeks full Menu here. 

48-hour / 45% OFF closeout sale!

Check out our 48-hour / 45% OFF closeout sale on high quality neoprene carriers! Offer expires at 3 p.m. on Mon. Jan 31st.

BLUE Insulated Carriers - Only $9.99! (reg. $17.99): http://bit.ly/blue-lunchboxes
NAVY Insulated Carriers - Only $9.99! (reg. $17.99): http://bit.ly/navy-lunchboxes

New Bento Lunchbox Dividers Now Available!

If you haven't had a chance to check out our cool new bento dividers, please do.

These bright little cups are perfect for creating and organizing space inside your bento box. They're great for berries, olives, cookies, crackers, beans, nuts, and much, much more. You can even use them to bake muffins or cupcakes!

Includes 2 bento dividers, one lime and one teal.

More information can be found at http://secure.laptoplunches.com/AMAZING/itemdesc.asp?ic=T130-SET2&eq=&Tp=.

Kasha, Pineapple, and More

This Week's Photo



Menu

* Cherry Tomatoes
* Cucumber Slices
* Kasha (Russian for 'buckwheat groats')
* Croissant
* Pineapple Slices


Preparation Notes

A typical North American diet relies heavily on wheat and rice, but it doesn't have to be that way. When packing lunch, don't forget to look "outside the box" for other interesting and nutritous alternatives. Next time you shop for groceries, consider purchasing kasha (buckwheat), amaranth, quinoa, millet, polenta, and pearl barley.

Place the cherry tomatoes in one of the large containers.

Slice the cucumber.

Prepare the kasha according to your taste. (Pictured here: sauteed kasha with onions and tofu.) Other delicious kasha combinations can be found HERE and HERE.

Cut a croissant in half.

Add two slices of fresh, canned, or dried pineapple.

Avocado and Mango for Lunch

This Week's Photo



Menu

* Mango
* Avocado
* Italian Dressing
* Cubed Tofu
* Whole Grain Crackers

Preparation Notes

This cool lunch is perfect for hot summer days. It can be prepared quickly, which not only saves time, but allows you to get in and out of that hot kitchen in record time. Refreshing and delicious!

Peel and cube the fresh mango.

Slice the avocado in half.

Pour the dressing into the dressing container.

Cube the tofu.

Add some whole grain crackers.

Fresh Vegetable Roll-ups

This Week's Photo



Menu

* Sliced Pears
* Vegetable Roll-ups
* Carrot Chips
* Cashews


Preparation Notes

This lunch is light and delicious, and comes together quickly. Be sure to make the roll-ups in the morning so they're not soggy by lunchtime.

Slice the pears.

Prepare the roll-ups. Lay a sheet of whole wheat lavash on the counter. Spread mashed avocado across the surface. Layer on top of that: baby spinach leaves, shredded carrots, shredded cucumbers, and chopped scallions. (A whole wheat tortilla can also be used.) Sprinkle with a few drops of balsamic vinegar, roll it up, and slice it into manageable pieces. Feel free to experiement with other vegetables you have on hand.

Add the carrot chips.

Add the cashews, (purchased from the bulk bin dept.)

Mexican-inspired Rice Bowl

Love this recipe!

* Prepare 2 cups short-grain brown rice as directed.
* Prepare 2 cups black beans or pinto beans (canned or dried).
* Heat 2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet.
* Add 2 cloves crushed garlic, 1 coarsely chopped large onion, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and 1 sliced green bell pepper (and cabbage, broccoli, zucchini and mushrooms, if desired) and saute until pungent and tender.
* Season with juice from 1/2 lime and 1/2 tsp ground cumin.
* Prepare and set aside the following toppings: 1 avocado cut into bite-sized pieces, 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro, 1 cup fresh shredded lettuce.
* Spoon some rice into each bowl.
* Top with beans and sauteed vegetables.
* Add the other toppings.
* Top generously with your favorite salsa and garnish with fresh diced mango if desired.

Neat Loaf Sandwich Menu and Recipe

This Week's Photo

Neat Loaf



Menu

* Bok Choy and Mushroom Stir-Fry
* Whole Grain English Muffin
* Neat Loaf (Try this amazing nut roast recipe.)
* Dijon Mustard
* Steamed Beets

Preparation Notes

This vegetarian "neat loaf" is amazingly flavorful and rich. It takes time to prepare but will keep well for several days in the refrigerator. Pack it as a stand-alone item one day of the week and with sandwich fixings another. (English muffin, mustard, and fresh cilantro are pictured in the photo here, but sprouts, sliced tomato, cheese, ketchup, sliced red onion, lettuce, and spinach are among the many other possibilities.)

Prepare the bok choy and mushroom stir-fry for dinner and save some for lunch.

Steam the beets.

Spoon some mustard into the dip container.

Slice the English muffin.

At lunchtime make a sandwich and enjoy the stir-fry and beets on the side.

Video for Picky Eaters

Looking for some quick tips for dealing with a picky eater in your family? Check out this very informative and to-the-point Cookus Interruptus video:



For more picky eater tips, visit www.laptoplunches.com/ideas.html.

Are you struggling to feed a picky eater? Share your experience.

No Lunch Left Behind

By ALICE WATERS and KATRINA HERON
Published: February 19, 2009

Berkeley, Calif.

THIS new era of government bailouts and widespread concern over wasteful spending offers an opportunity to take a hard look at the National School Lunch Program. Launched in 1946 as a public safety net, it has turned out to be a poor investment. It should be redesigned to make our children healthier.

Under the program, the United States Department of Agriculture gives public schools cash for every meal they serve — $2.57 for a free lunch, $2.17 for a reduced-price lunch and 24 cents for a paid lunch. In 2007, the program cost around $9 billion, a figure widely acknowledged as inadequate to cover food costs. But what most people don’t realize is that very little of this money even goes toward food. Schools have to use it to pay for everything from custodial services to heating in the cafeteria.

[Read the rest of the article at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/20/opinion/20waters.html?_r=1&emc=eta1.]

Thumbnail Images

We've added some enticing thumbnail images to our menu library to help you find the inspiration you're after. Check it out at www.laptoplunches.com/lunchmenus.html. Do you have a favorite lunch? Which menu inspires you most?