The Lunch Challenge

I spend quite a bit of time rambling about what we're having for dinner, but there are two other meals each and every day that still need consideration. Joy is having a lunch recipe link up over at fivejs.com, so I thought I'd chime in on how the Stumpfs handle lunch.

The vast majority of lunches are prepared by oldest daughter, Emelie (13). During the school year this frees me up to continue working with one of the other children. Now that it's summer, I'm usually trying to get some project wrapped up while Em makes lunch. Although now I tend to wander in and help her when I can, mostly to spend some time with her.

In the past I would plan one lunch for each day of the week to be repeated each week. That made planning for the big grocery trip quick and easy.

Over the last few months I've been trying to prepare enough dinner to have leftovers for lunch. This has benefited both the pocketbook and the ease of preparation. We still stock some lunches ingredients for when the leftover bank is low.

Here are some of our lunch "stand-bys:"

• Parmy Pasta (cooked pasta, buttered and sprinkled with Parmesan, jarred spaghetti sauce on the side)


• Mac & Cheese, Frozen Pizza


• PB&J or PB& Honey


• Black Beans with Cheese, Sour Cream, and Tortilla Chips (this is always a HUGE hit)


• Hot dogs (when we're completely desperate)


• Baked potato platter (micro bake potatoes, chop them up and top them on a platter so each can take as much or little as they want)


• Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches


• Spoiler Sandwiches (spread bread with peanut butter, top with chocolate chips and marshmallows, grill like grilled cheese)


• Cheese & Crackers (but this gets too pricey for everyone to feel "full")

We drink kool-aid or Lemonade prepared by Ted (11) or Caleb (7) that is sweetened with Stevia. We try to have either fresh or canned fruit at every lunch. A big bowl of popcorn is usually present, too!