Pizza Fridays

At my son's school, pizza is served every Friday, along with a few slivers of iceberg lettuce drenched in ranch dressing, an enormous brownie and chocolate milk - all served in a styrofoam take-out container. This is my compromise:

Pizza from Zelda's (a local pizzeria) with mushrooms and black olives; red bell pepper strips and carrot sticks, a mini apple, and a Cliff Chocolate Chip ZBar.

waste generated: small rectangle of unbleached parchment paper, wrapper from ZBar

Almost Thai

Dinner last night was a Thai stir-fry with rice noodles, broccoli, and a coconut peanut sauce. This lunch was created with the leftovers sans sauce.

Thai rice noodles; sesame broccoli; roasted peanuts; and the first orange from our tree.

waste generated: none :)

Good Things Come in Their Own Packages

I felt rather clever when I came up with this themed lunch, but, if I am to be honest with myself, it was really laziness disguised with a clever title.

Miniature apples (how cute are they?); tangerine; banana; hardboiled egg; and pistachios. It's both a lunch and an exercise for developing fine motor skills.

waste generated: none :)

Turkey Pot Pie

Turkey Pot Pie with wholewheat crust, Diestal brined and oven roasted turkey, cauliflower, peas, mushrooms, and carrots in a white sauce; organic orange segments; redleaf lettuce; and organic chestnut sage stuffing.

waste generated: none :)

Turkey Sandwich, But Of Course

I have returned from my respite, although, as you can see, not exactly spilling with creativity. The classic turkey sandwich lunch: turkey sandwich on homemade organic honey wholewheat bread with orange cranberry sauce, canola mayonnaise and sage chestnut stuffing; berry pie; sliced raw organic cauliflower and carrots. Fingers not included.

waste generated: none :)

Thanksgiving Warm-Up

Diestal nitrate free turkey slices rolled around organic valley cheese sticks (sliced in half, lengthwise and crosswise), speared with a toothpick and persimmon slice; carrot sticks; organic Arkansas Black apple; and potato chips.

waste generated: 4 toothpicks and one paper napkin

Chilly Day

The chilly weather has finally taken hold, and for me, nothing says cold weather is here like hot soup and a sandwich. Today's version of that cold weather staple: Mexican Tomato Lime Tortilla Soup from Moosewood Cookbook (incredibly fast and easy); quesadillas made with sprouted wheat tortillas, monterrey jack cheese, chicken, corn and black beans; whole persimmon from a neighbor's tree; and berry muffin made with whole wheat and almond meal.

Don't worry, I didn't actually pack it all in that little camp pan, although that wouldn't be the worst idea I have ever had. The quesadilla and muffin packed nicely wrapped in the bandana. The persimmon was fine on its own and the funny little pan stayed home with me.

waste generated: none :)