Back to School lunch box tips.

Getting your kids to help pack a healthy lunchbox.

There are a few things I have front of mind when prepping for the school week

SELF CARE FIRST – through a journey of awareness I have my own self care at the top of the list. Mamas and papas I ask you to consider how you could engage in a little more self care. School weeks are hectic and become busier than we would like them and so often I hear of parents skipping breakfast or running out of time to prepare their own lunch because they are busy taking care of everyone else’s needs. We all do it occasionally but I would like to flag this as the first consideration in the mornings. I have found a ‘morning ritual’ really helps me. For example if its my turn to be up with the kids in the morning I will make myself a warm cuppa and sit in the sunshine or admire the garden, connect with nature before I make everyone else’s, breakfast lunch and whatever else. If its my husbands turn I meditate or have a sleep in or exercise, whatever my body is needing.

LUNCH BOXES IN LESS THAN 5 (and even prepared by the kids) My lunch box essentials are

 make sure you have healthy food to reach for, have the pantry and fridge stocked with lots of vegetables,

 my essentials are raw organic vegetables, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red capsicum

 preservative free organic protein - this can be anything from organic chicken leftover for dinner, ham, organic brie cheese, homous

 other snacks to keep it interesting pickles, corn chips, occasional packet treat (after I have scanned the ingredients, yes Im not perfect and still use the occasional packaged food (gasp), messsy monkey popcorn, messy monkey apple and mango bars and eat rite brown rice crackers.

 fruit, apples, pears, watermelon, grapes and banana for crunch and sip

 something baked, my favourites are Teresa Cutter's oat and choc chip balls, gluten free Anzac cookies or the healthy mammy nut free muesli bars (no nuts and heaps of beautiful seeds for good fibre, protein and a range of nutrients) (kate, maybe we should insert recipes)

DELEGATE Depending on the ages of your children, they might find it quite fun to prepare their own lunchboxes as per the vlog. You could have the veggie sticks chopped up and the protein at arms reach and then they are most likely to eat it if they have prepared it. Choose high nutrient density quick options. Im also aware this could end in a whole lot of pain, feel it out, give them a chance to organise their own lunches.