Ezekial pita bread stuffed with green leaf lettuce and chicken pesto salad made with shredded Rocky Jr. broiled chicken breast (dinner leftovers), pesto sauce (frozen when there was an abundance of basil in my CSA box), kalamata olives and pinenuts; Newman's Own spelt pretzels (wrapped in the bandana) and a small box of raisins.
I got the idea to use the bandana to wrap pretzels after talking to a friend who said she felt badly about the number of plastic bags she uses to pack her kids' lunches. In my quest to create a waste free lunch, I thought I'd start to use napkins and bandanas, in addition to my trusty wrap-n-mat, more often to wrap food that isn't significantly wet or in danger of drying out. They are just as easy to use as a plastic bag and more likely to find their way home (because even children realize that it feels a little wierd to throw anything made of fabric into a garbage can). If I was really crafty, I'd coordinate my bandana with a pretty ribbon or small sticker. . .but, well, I'm not that crafty, at least not yet. . .
waste generated: one small raisin box
7 comments:
I love your blog. Have you considered posting some of your recipes? The crepes and frog and toad cookies look great!
Thanks and I will try to post recipes from time to time if there is an interest. I have not posted any yet for a few reasons: first, I haven't found the time; second, some of the things I make are from published cookbooks (I should probably reference them!); and third, many are made up as I go along (so, no recipe to speak of). HOWEVER, that said, both the Frog & Toad's and the crepes are original recipes and I'd love to share. I will try to get them online in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for reading my blog!!
Hey I see it is your quest to have trash free lunches :O}... I send my 7th grader with everything that needs to be tossed. Any recommendations with that? Now remember back when you were 12 and it's a "drama" world with a kid that won't "make a statement".
Anna
Hi Anna,
That's a tough one.
Sorry Anna,- here's the rest of my comment. I have a few ideas on how to get a 12 year old to bring a waste-free lunch, but I don't have a 12 year old and recall being pretty stubborn and single minded when I was one - -so good luck!
You could attempt to find an angle that interests her/him, and, if possible get her friends on board. The environment is "in" being green is hot and MANY celebrities are following a more environmentally sound lifestyle. If this doesn't work, look online for a lunchbox that is fabulously cool. Most of the bento style lunch boxes that are fashionable won't have a place to stick an icepack - -but hey, when your cool, food safety should really take a backseat :). Another option is to simply start small. Buy a great SIGG water bottle (they come in fantastic designs and can store anything from water to chocolate milk without acquiring a funky odor- - see them at reuseablebags.com) and allow the rest of the lunch to be tossed. If that is working, try sneaking in one "disposable" gladwear or other type container and fill it with her favorite snack/treat. Tell her if she brings it home you'll refill it with that favorite item. Maybe if the transition to a waste free lunch is slow, it won't be embarassing or wierd. Another idea is to just educate, educate, educate. I think that when pre-teens and teens, learn about what is happening (hard facts, like how much trash the school cafeteria generates each day and how long it takes for a plastic bag to decompose -never) and how much of an impact it has on our environment (a visit to the landfill may help) they tend to become the most passionate advocates of a cause. I hope this was of some help and I wish you luck!
I am looking forward to post your recipes soon. I am very interested with your healthy recipes. Thanks!
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