Does anyone have some good ideas to make for lunch when you do not have access to a microwave for a fifteen month old? She used to like Hummus but now won't eat it. The one thing she likes a lot besides fruit and cheese is rice and beans but I still need to warm it up a little. Things like chicken, beef, turkey cutlets (or ground), rice and pasta need to be warmed.
Sometimes we go to a lake and it's just not convenient to have to use the microwave. BTW, I haven't given her peanut butter yet. Thought it would be difficult to eat. Thank you!
Thanks everyone for the advice. I guess my daughter will eat something if she is really hungry and the food can't be warmed. I do have access to a stove and if I have to I will use it. You see the house is up a huge hill with lots of steps and I was trying to avoid having to heat up food! One question: should a toddler at 15 months eat nuts? Someone suggested almonds. And I am trying not to give her cold cuts just yet. I love them myself eventhough it's not the best thing to eat often. Another mom reminded me how when we were kids, we never reheated our lunch. Yeah and back then I lived on bologna sandwiches and bread and butter! Just trying to do better for my daughter.
I don't own a microwave and I reheat everything on the stovetop. I just put a little water in the bottom of the pan, put it on a low setting and cover. It takes just a few minutes. I prefer this, which is why I don't have a microwave. That and I don't have enough space! :) Have fun!
Hi A.---Is there a reason that you need to warm the food? I think you should just get her used to eating food at the lake cool or at room temp, depending on whether or not you can do that (like foods made with mayo, etc). Personally, I no longer use the microwave at all. I have seen reports and research showing that microwaving food changes the molecular structure and therefore the nutrients. I work with many health care practioners that recommend against microwaves.
Go to these websites for some great ideas:
www.eatingwell.com and www.vegetariantimes.com. You will find ideas for picnic meals, kid friendly meals, etc. The recipes found there are fabulous. Good luck and feel free to contact me if you want to talk more about the microwave issue. In health, D.
I have never made lunch for a 15 month old since they mostly still were nursing at that time. ( and I just would let them play with something I had, chewing on a bit of apple, or cucumber or something like that)
However, I DO have plenty experience with no microwave, we have not had one for years and years due to concerns about safety.
Any fruit or veggies, there is nothing at all wrong with beans for your little one, they are good for them. I have found most of them really like sweet potatoes or yams that are steamed, cut in big chunks, cold or not. Other ideas could include yougurt if you give dairy products and can find organic yogurt. Other veggie and fruit favorites of my children are strawberries ( with care if there are allergies in your family) peaches, nectarines, apples, carrots, cucumbers, steamed aspargus, bananas ( also use with care if allergies) blue berries, pears, and believe it or not kimchee with rice, and small amounts of white fish prepared with just a little salt.
If you have access to a kitchen but not a microwave, get a tiny pot and use it to heat up healthy home made soups for lunch, most children love soup.
If you have a cooler try yogurt or cheese sticks (Cheddar and Colby Jack are my daughters favorites). Revoloution Foods makes a PB&J in sort of a cookie form that is neat to eat. They also make squeeze pouches of applesauce fruit blends. All of their stuff is organic as well. As a snack or lunch desert Earth's Best make cheddar crackers and cookies in many varieties, all of which have added vitamins so they are healthier than traditional cookies or Goldfish.
Enjoy the lake!
torilla roll ups are great... you can roll cheese, turkey, ham, etc... with a little mayo or ranch dressing, it is compact and easier to eat than a sandwich, since it fits right in their little fists.
Might also try garbbing some lunchables, the normal ones just come with ham, cheese, and crackers, which is plenty for a 15 month old.
Good Luck
Well, that was my suggestion. PB&J is a staple and my son LOVES it. I gave it to him for the first time at 13 mos. We have no family history or issues with allergies, so I bit the bullet and did it. Now it's in the regular meal rotation.
You might give it a try. Just cut the sandwich up into little bits that she can pick at with her fingers.
Also, turkey/cheese rollups (or something like that).
I'm a little confused on where she eats lunch - I'm thinking this is for daycare, but you say you are going to the lake. So it's once in a while?
Here is a collection of other people's recipes that I have:
http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook/Toddlers-93092
I think it will help you. Go through and pick out the ones that you think she will like. Some other things we give our son is a quesadilla that has a small layer of vegetarian refried beans (fiber). You could do all kinds of nut butters... almond, peanut... just add apples or spread on bread. She can eat that now if there are no allergies in the families. Empanadas and muffins can be filled with almost anything.
Good luck ;)
I agree with the not warming it...we don't use a microwave for health reasons and my son prefers stuff semi cold half the time. Leave the stuff out for a bit and let it warm to room temp, it will be fine.
Make some pasta salads for her..they are great cold....you can put all kinds of stuff in there she can eat. Dice up sliced almonds, small pieces of cheese, hard boiled eggs, squash, etc and just use a bit of olive oil to dress the salad.
Make up wraps or tortilla rolls, tightly rolled with a bit of meat or tofu, bit of lettuce, tomato, avocado, etc....I've found that if it was tightly rolled, my little one would eat it and it wasn't messy.
And remember, years ago, we were all sent to school with full meals in our lunches with no microwaves or ice packs and we survived! :)
