Breakfast & Lunch

I have a policy that I only "cook" supper. Breakfast and lunch are no cook meals, except for the special weekend breakfast. Breakfast consists of things like cereal, toast, yogurt, oatmeal, fruit, boiled eggs, bagels, pastries, toaster waffles etc. Lunch is sandwiches, soup, cheese and crackers, veggies and dip, leftovers, salad, quesadillas, hot dogs etc. Nobody has complained yet!

Basically, I only have it in me to cook breakfast every other day.
I make whole wheat pancakes or french toast a couple times a week, and always make lots of extra so we can warm it up the next day. I usually serve it with a protein/fruit/veggie, like scrambled eggs & spinach, or greek yogurt & fruit the day after. I sometimes make a veggie & cheese quiche and that lasts a couple D. as well.

For lunch we do bento boxes, and those are mostly no cook or leftovers. Pinterest gives neat ideas but my kids are usually happiest with simple stuff (cheese cubes, dried fruit or veggie slices, hummus, granola/crackers, cut up meat or hard boiled eggs). My toddler snacks on similar stuff throughout the day too.

My 5-year-old can make her box, and my toddler is starting as well. They have a shelf in the fridge that is all cut up veggies/fruits, single serve yogurts, cut up meat, milk boxes, and cheese. They have another shelf in the pantry with crackers, cereal, dried fruit, peanut butter single serve containers, and whatnot. She loves that independence.

You didn't ask, but for dinner I cook what I want or what my husband requests, and my kids have to go along with it. I tend to like Indian food and my Dh loves Mexican food so we eat those flavor profiles a lot. It's good for their little palettes to experiment and then I don't get bored!

ETA: I have a friend who made me homemade 'boxes' (tupperware) or frozen waffles and pancakes when my son was born. They warmed up wonderfully in the toaster oven.

I stole this idea from my sisterinlaw, used it this morning and my kids loved it!

Pick out three healthy dipping sauces (I did PB, lite ranch and balsamic vinegar but do what you kids like) and have the kids pick things to go with each sauce. We did Bagels, pears and corn & black bean tortillas.

I also love to use no cook vegan recipes and add in left over chicken or shrimp! I also see you live in VA, If you have a harris teeter near you they have some house made soups you can get that are wonderful!

Everyone grazes for breakfast and lunch and snacks most of the summer. Then I try to cook something for dinner but with this heat I always want to eat out. Doesn't happen very often though.

We've always been " on your own" for breakfast since daughter was old enough to choose her own. When she was younger, I made cereal, yogurt, etc daily.

I personally don't eat breakfast foods such as eggs, toast, biscuits, cereal , etc. I do love bacon, sausage and ham.

My daughter lives yogurt with granola and has had that daily for years except for her occasional Chick Filet or Starbucks.

Hubby poaches eggs and has toast.

I eat fruit or leftover pasta, pizza, tomato sandwich, etc. If I have a breakfast meat around, I might make a sandwich like blt.

We never made a huge deal of sit down breakfast or lunch and we typically eat out every lunch at our local grocery with a hot bar, sandwich bar, soups and salads.

I focused in the dinner meal together. Now that daughter lives on her own, she visits about once a week ( minimum) and we cook family favorites.

You are SOOOOOO Blessed to be able to plan 3 meals a day with your family. And now you hubby gets to join you too! WOW! I know so many moms who would LOVE to have even one meal a day with their family! What a blessing you have to be able to be the one who nourishes and sustains your family's health and optimal future!

So first with breakfast, it is the MOST IMPORTANT meal of the day. It should not be taken lightly. In my house it is ONLY the Isagenix IsaLean Pro shakes. (i will send you a link to get some). It is the Best Breakfast Ever, truly it is.
we have a 5 week menu that we rotate. I will send you my email address in a PM and you can email for a list of our menus if you would like.

Food is fun! Food is the reason you are alive! Don't be BLAH about it Be WOOOOOOO HOOOO!

B.