Now that the school year is here, I am hoping to better manage my kids’ nutrition by making lunch for my daughters most school days.

deviled eggs and pasta salad bento lunch
The pasta salad and deviled eggs “bento” lunch that I packed for my kids today.

In the past, I used to let them buy lunch, since they liked their school’s lunches. But, it turns out that this year, my daughters would rather bring in their own lunches, so I am happy! It seems that the appeal of the school’s lunches have worn off for my daughters. They also don’t like the long lines they have to stand in to purchase a lunch. When I pack a lunch for them, they get to choose their seat in the lunchroom earlier, and get started on their lunch.

For my kids’ lunches, I purchased some divided Rubbermaid TakeAlongs 3.7-Cup Divided Rectangle Containers, Pack of 3
containers, because I am hoping to pack Bento-like lunches for my kids. The lunches won’t be true Bento lunches, because I don’t think I’ll be able to craft sandwiches that look like cartoon characters and cut cheese into flowers like some moms do. (Take a look at my Bento Lunches Pinterest board to see some really cool examples of a Bento lunch.)

But, I’d like to pack my kids creative lunches that include a little bit of everything — some protein, some fruit and veggies, and perhaps a snack. The divided containers will help me keep everything separate.

Quick and Simple Lunch

This morning, I packed my kids some pasta salad (which I made by adding a bit of Italian dressing, tomatos and carrots to the pasta). I also made them deviled eggs (which they love), by hardboiling three eggs (I boil the eggs by placing eggs in cold water and bringing the water to a boil. I then shut off the stove and let the eggs sit in the hot water for at least 15 minutes.) I made the deviled eggs by mashing the yolks and adding about a tablespoon or two of mayonaise (I used Hellman’s), a tablespoon of relish (Heinz) and a little bit of yellow mustard, and pepper. Each daughter got one and a half deviled eggs with her lunch.

I am a little bummed, though, because the Rubbermaid containers don’t lie flat in my daughters’ lunch boxes. I am thinking of either buying smaller Bento-like boxes, or purchasing bigger insulated lunch bags!