Now that my oldest is starting preschool in a week I am genuinely concerned what I will pack in her lunches! I struggle getting a nice and healthy lunch on the table now with my children at home so I wonder how I will I ever get lunch made first thing in the morning and for the next bajillion school years! Thankfully Katie Morford, a registered dietician, has come out with a recipe book for moms like me that need help with recipes and inspiration to fill those lunch boxes for our kids with healthy stuff kids will actually eat.
Best Lunch Box Ever is packed with 75 delicious recipes of made-from-scratch lunch box mains, snacks and after-school pick-me-ups that are easy to throw together on busy mornings (or even the night before). Katie offers smart, sensible and useful information, including a rundown of the five essentials every lunch box needs for good nutrition, suggestions for simple switches in lunch box classics that add a healthy punch (without kids even noticing), invaluable advice on keeping school lunch at safe temperatures and fresh ideas for transforming dinner leftovers into tomorrow’s lunch — to name just a few of the book’s highlights.
Check out the cutest commercial for a cookbook I have ever seen!
Here is what one of her creations look like straight from the book.
I will not only be using this to make my daughters their lunch but to also make myself better lunches! I am always looking for recipes and ideas for the whole family to eat better.
- One 6-inch whole wheat pita break, split into 2 round
- 4 teaspoons pesto
- 6 mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
- 1/2 small zucchini, very thinly sliced
- Pinch of Salt
- Place a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven or toaster oven to 400 degrees.
- Put the pita rounds on a baking sheet and spread the pesto evenly over the inside of each pita with the back of a small spoon.
- Cut the mozzarella balls into thin slices and lay on top of the pesto, followed by the zucchini and salt.
- Put the pizzas in the oven and bake until the edges are crispy and the cheese bubbly and beginning to brown, about 7 minutes.
- Remove the pizzas from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
- Cut each pizza into six wedges. Wrap or pack into two containers.
These were super easy to make and very tasty. I was actually a little surprised with how much the whole family liked them!
Not only do I have my own giveaway going below but the people over at Best Lunch Box Ever are also hosting a Mega Grand Prize Giveaway. I currently use a stove from the 70s so I would love to win a new range!
Mega Grand Prize Giveaway
There is also an amazing grand prize sponsored by Best Lunch Box Ever that is perfect for cooking all of the amazing recipes from the book — one lucky person will win a DACOR Distinctive 30? Gas Range (ARV $3199) or a DACOR Distinctive 30″ Electric Range (ARV $3399)! The winner can choose between gas or electric and freestanding or slide in models. The Back to School Grand Prize Giveaway is hosted and administered by Best Lunch Box Ever.
The book is written with easy to use instructions and ideas to change it up and prep work since some can be made before hand to speed up those busy morning. She has so many different ideas listed in her book and some are a little surprising to me but with her wealth of information and experience I am more than willing to give them a try with my girls!
At the last minute I decided to make her deconstructed caprese too. These were amazing, super easy and not only are they a good lunch but I would make them to take to a party too!
I hope our kids’ new school year will be a great one! Help keep them focused in school with fun and nutritious lunches!
For more information on the grand prize giveaway and a list of other blogs hosting the giveaway head on over to Mom’s Kitchen Handbook for more information.
Connect:
You can connect with Katie on Facebook and @katiemorford on twitter.
Buy It! You can purchase Best Lunch Box Ever on Amazon for $16.63.
I received a sample product for this review. All opinions are my own and/or my family’s, take it or leave it. Click here to view my whole disclosure policy.
