Meal Ideas : Lunch

shockandawe · #1 May 19th, 2011, 06:32 AM

Grain/Carb Options

Bread - plain or toasted
macaroni
quinoa
rice
sweet potatoes

Fruit and Veggie Options

Peas
green beans
creamed corn
tomatoes skinned
bell peppers skinned
broccoli
cauliflower
carrots
squash
strawberries
bananas
fruit cup

Protein Options

Peanut butter
cheese
tuna fish salad
egg salad
scrambled egg
left over chicken
left over pork
left over beef

AndiNW · #2 May 19th, 2011, 07:50 AM

These are good. A couple of questions:
1. Do you cook the bell peppers?
2. How do you prepare the quinoa? I have some in the pantry, but don't know what to do
with it.
3. Anyone try cream cheese yet?

I also do skinned cucumber, quartered grapes (usually without the skin), unsweetened applesauce cups - especially the blended ones (blueberry, mango, cinnamon).

Ally-Mac · #3 May 19th, 2011, 08:33 AM

yes to cream cheese -- Sydney will eat that. I've put it on toast and/or waffles. I've also added a tiny bit of jam on top too. She loves it.

Fruit cups are a yes here! It's good because I buy them for my lunch so I'm happy she likes them too.

Daffodil · #4 May 19th, 2011, 09:59 AM

I make almond butter and jam sandwhiches a lot and share with Arie, she loves them.

starrsgirl · #5 May 19th, 2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndiNW

These are good. A couple of questions:
1. Do you cook the bell peppers?
2. How do you prepare the quinoa? I have some in the pantry, but don't know what to do
with it.
3. Anyone try cream cheese yet?

I also do skinned cucumber, quartered grapes (usually without the skin), unsweetened applesauce cups - especially the blended ones (blueberry, mango, cinnamon).

Ditto on all these questions. Actually, I don't even know what quinoa is.

Also, do you just chop up all those fruits and veggies and give them to baby at once? Or make a meal somehow out of them? As in, pair them with a grain or protein?

AndiNW · #6 May 19th, 2011, 10:21 AM

It depends. I usually do a grain and vegetable. Protein right now is it or miss...depending on what we are having. Then I do fruit as a dessert. Sometimes though if he doesn't seem that hungry, it just gets a pasta/bread or just a veggie. Like last night we were at the mall for dinner (we hadn't planned on it, so I didn't bring anything for Wyatt), he just got some steamed rice and I had an applesauce in my diaper bag.

Daffodil · #7 May 19th, 2011, 10:23 AM

I've got quinoa in the pantry...its supposedly like the healthiest grain. Seems pretty easy to make you can do a rice cooker, stove-top, or microwave. I have some frozen veggies too, maybe I'll make them together...

but how to season? I'm so bad at cooking!

shockandawe · #8 May 20th, 2011, 07:00 AM

Sorry - didn't see the questions til this morning. Let me answer:

1. Do you cook the bell peppers? Sometimes yes, sometimes no - I do skin them either way, and dice them super small. If I do cook them, I tend to saute them with a bit of cooking spray and a bit of water.

2. How do you prepare the quinoa? I have some in the pantry, but don't know what to do
with it. You're supposed to cook it like you do rice. So that's 1 part grain to 2 parts water or stock. To be honest, I haven't tried it yet - it's in my cupboard too...but I've promised myself we're trying it this weekend. This is why I thought of it. Here's my plan for dressing it after it's cooked: chopped almonds (which I will probably either dice super fine or remove for Maggie) blueberries (I'm also thinking rehydrated dried apricots, or diced peaches might be yummy), sunflower oil and a bit of honey and a few spritzes of lemon juice.

3. Anyone try cream cheese yet? Yes, and I'll admit to cheese whiz as well. I'm lucky Maggie is a good eater. She'll try just about anything.

Today, I've made two types of couscous salad - one with pecans and diced apple with the same honey and lemon dressing as above for me mostly. The other with diced veggies (peppers, cooked carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes) with an italian salad dressing. I'm strongly considering the creamy cucumber dressing too though!

EDITED to add: The couscous was a hit, and I went with creamy cucumber dressing for the veggie one. Maggie loved them both!

shockandawe · #9 May 21st, 2011, 05:52 PM

So the quinoa was a HUGE hit with Maggie tonight, and super yummy, and way super easy to make. Follow the directions on the package. You need to rinse it first, but I did it the same as I did the couscous salad the other day with diced apple, nuts and the honey and lemon vinagrette, it was DELISH!

I'm hooked on this stuff!

bundle2baby · #10 May 22nd, 2011, 01:54 PM

Thought I'd chime in here with avocados, which are a hit with both kids. We are staying away from cheese and peanut butter, he seems sensitive to dairy and I have a peanut allergy. We are also avoiding tomatoes for now. He loves steamed broccoli and pasta with very light butter.

Karlie · #11 May 22nd, 2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shockandawe

So the quinoa was a HUGE hit with Maggie tonight, and super yummy, and way super easy to make. Follow the directions on the package. You need to rinse it first, but I did it the same as I did the couscous salad the other day with diced apple, nuts and the honey and lemon vinagrette, it was DELISH!

I'm hooked on this stuff!

Your new siggy is beautiful! Happy family!

Arei_720 · #12 May 22nd, 2011, 03:37 PM

here's a few of ours:

seaweed and white rice (nori & gohan- mil is japanese)
flour tortilla and cheese (quesadilla)
whole wheat pita with hummus

EquestrianMama · #13 May 22nd, 2011, 04:23 PM

Ali loves spaghetti O's. I buy these little pasta rounds and make up a mild spaghetti sauce from scratch. Then I freeze individual portions of cooked pasta in sauce and thaw them as needed. She goes NUTS!

shockandawe · #14 May 22nd, 2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karlie

Your new siggy is beautiful! Happy family!

Thanks! Only took me nearly a year to spend the time to update it...hahaha...

Daffodil · #15 May 22nd, 2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karlie

Your new siggy is beautiful! Happy family!

I agree, I love your siggy!!! Especially your husband's expression, that is a daddy who ADORES his little girl!

Lauren, your daughter is so cute with her pasta!!! LOL!!! And that pic has made me realize I am WAY too cautious with my daughter...I tend to end up feeding her to avoid a mess. Of course, this means she doesn't really feed herself.

Its funny, I'm not a neat-freak, but I have always been super bothered by anything wet or sticky...so I'm going to have to talk myself into this!

Karlie · #16 May 22nd, 2011, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daffodil

Lauren, your daughter is so cute with her pasta!!! LOL!!! And that pic has made me realize I am WAY too cautious with my daughter...I tend to end up feeding her to avoid a mess. Of course, this means she doesn't really feed herself.

Its funny, I'm not a neat-freak, but I have always been super bothered by anything wet or sticky...so I'm going to have to talk myself into this!

I have the same phobia! My kids eat topless on highchairs on the lawn and then I hose everything (including them) off after. (It's really really hot here all the time, nobody call welfare!!)

jessanddane · #17 May 23rd, 2011, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karlie

I have the same phobia! My kids eat topless on highchairs on the lawn and then I hose everything (including them) off after. (It's really really hot here all the time, nobody call welfare!!)

I'm picturing this in my head and dying laughing! I can't imagine driving by the neighbors house and seeing this!!! LOL you have got to post a picture of that!

shockandawe · #18 May 23rd, 2011, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karlie

My kids eat topless on highchairs on the lawn and then I hose everything (including them) off after. (It's really really hot here all the time, nobody call welfare!!)

LOL! It's finally getting warm here and I have to be honest, I considered this method of feeding her just the other day. Not the first time I've thought about letting her eat naked, but I did consider the hosing option - particularly since we were already eating on the patio!