Simple Lunchbox Ideas + YUMBOX GIVEAWAY

3 Simple Lunchbox Ideas to help you pack real food lunches without spending hours and hours in the kitchen.

Pin Simple Lunchbox Ideas for later!

Happy BACK TO SCHOOL.. Lexington friends!

Today is a good day (and not just because school is back in session).

I'm doing a GIVEAWAY.. and it's a good one! A YUMBOX in your choice of color and style!

If you are a part of the Simply Sissom FB Community , you may have watched my recent FB LIVE about freezer friendly lunch ideas.  I talked about "school lunch burnout" (<-- it's a thing). It hit me hard around January last year. In all honesty, Coop was eating lunch in the cafeteria WAAAAAAY more often than I would have liked. I've spent some time thinking about how to make this year better, and I've decided I was too ambitious (i.e. themed lunches, sandwich cutouts, toothpicks with animals). This year the idea is to keep it  SIMPLE. Simple food, simple lunch boxes and NO surfing Pinterest for inspiration. I'm also making an effort to stock my freezer with healthy options while it's August and I'm feeling motivated.

Last year, I wrote posts about 3 different types of lunch boxes. Obviously I was still into the whole "variety is fantastic" thing.

This year... we're sticking to one. Yumbox. It's my hands down favorite, and with 2 options (panino and original), we just don't need anything else. I like them because there are NO containers or lids that can be lost or that I need to wash. It's just 1 piece. When the boys bring them home, I pop out the tray and put it in the dishwasher. The different containers are leak proof so no worries about yogurt leaking into popcorn, ketchup getting on the grapes, you get the idea.

This is probably a great time to note that I was not compensated to write this post. I use Yumbox, I LOVE Yumbox so I reached out to them to see if they would be willing to provide one for a GIVEAWAY (because you need this).. and they said YES!

SIMPLE LUNCHBOX IDEAS INSPIRATION:

Get the details on each box OR scroll to the bottom of the post to enter the giveaway!!!

LUNCHBOX #1: Classic With A Twist

What's in the Yumbox?

• Apple + Nut Butter Sandwiches: Slice a large apple into ¼" slices. Use a small circular cookie cutter (or sharp knife) to get rid of the seeds. Cover apple slices in nut butter of choice. You can use Sunflower Butter if you are in a nut free classroom or have a child with a nut allergy.
• Granola:  My Crunchy Chunky Granola is my absolute favorite and really simple to throw together (it also stores well in the freezer).
• Carrots:  Carrots are not on the EWG's "dirty dozen" list so I purchase conventional unless the price difference is minimal.
• Cheese: You could use whatever cheese is your favorite.. Babybel is what we had available when I took the pics. In a perfect world I would have given Coop a cheese that wasn't "light" but pickings were slim at the grocery.

LUNCHBOX #2: Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad: I like to make my own chicken salad.. it puts me in control of the quantity and quality of ingredients used. This Healthy-ish Chicken Salad is my go-to (all the flavor, less of the mayo).

Crackers: It can be tricky to find real food friendly cracker options. These are Edwards And Sons Brown Rice Snaps -Vegetable. They are our families current fav, although the boys would still prefer Ritz:)

Blackberries: Blackberries are not on the EWG's "dirty dozen" list so if the cost of organic is substantially higher than conventional (which it usually is) I go conventional.

Cucumbers: Cucumbers are #13 on the EWG's "dirty dozen" list (it actually goes higher than 12..51 to be exact) so I usually opt for organic when possible.

Dye Free Gummies: If I'm not using the dessert well for a dip or dressing, I like to give the boys a little treat. I found these gummies in the bulk bin section of Whole Foods.

LUNCHBOX #3: Banana Sushi

Banana Sushi: Lay out a whole wheat tortilla and spread about 1 TBS of peanut butter (or favorite nut or seed butter), leaving about ½" around the rim of the tortilla. Repeat with jelly. Straighten a banana, and tightly wrap the tortilla around it. Slice into ¾" pieces.

Celery: Celery is #9 on the "dirty dozen" so I recommend purchasing organic when possible.

Plums: Plums are #22 on the "dirty dozen" so I purchase conventional unless the price difference is minimal.

Popcorn: We like Angie's Boom Chicka Pop Popcorn -Sea Salt. That said.. there are lots of popcorns that are made with real food ingredients (and lots that aren't). Just check the label.. you should be able to pronounce all the ingredients.

Yogurt Ranch Dressing: Our ranch dressing is not real food friendly. Cooper doesn't like my homemade version. That said, I believe that life is about balance and if a little ranch helps him eat more veggies, well.. I'm on board.

WIN A YUMBOX!!!

The winner of this giveaway will win a Yumbox in the color and style of their choice. To enter, head over to the Simply Sissom FB Page .

1. Like the Simply Sissom Page (if you haven't already)
2. Share the Simple Lunchbox Video to your FB page OR tag 3 friends who might be interested. The video is pinned to the top of the page.
3. Comment and let me know that you shared!

A winner will be picked Wednesday evening at 8:00 PM and contacted via FB messenger.

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. CONGRATS TO EMILY BROWN!!!!!!

Posts like Simple Lunchbox Ideas + YUMBOX GIVEAWAY:

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Crunch Chunky Granola:

Healthy-ish Chicken Salad: