Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Vegan Lunch Box

I ran across an amazing site the other day. Check it out. I'll wait.

I don't know whether to be completely intimidated or overwhelmingly grateful when looking at those lunches. I don't think I've mentioned it here, but WonderGirl is starting pre-K next year and we will have to begin packing her lunch. We have been very, very spoiled by the fact that her current preschool serves breakfast, lunch and snack every day. DT is really looking forward to making her lunch, but I'm afraid it will be overwhelming - just one more thing to make sure we get done regularly.

The situation is somewhat complicated by WonderGirl's vegetarian status, which is currently in flux. We decided when she was born that we would raise her vegetarian until she was old enough to make her own choices. (Have I mentioned that DT is not a vegetarian? People usually assume he is.) Anyway, WonderGirl emphatically made her preferences known one memorable Tuesday night. We were at a local restaurant that serves fried chicken only on Tuesdays, and although I don't eat it, I can tell from the smell that it is true southern fried chicken and my grandmother would have approved. WonderGirl started asking for pieces from DT's plate, and once she started, the jig was up. That girl can eat. Now she loves most weird seafood (yes on the octopus, no on most fish - huh?) and fowl, with a special fondness for duck. Actual conversation:
DT: Do you want some lamb, WonderGirl?
WG: No, I couldn't eat such a cute little animal.
Ruth: But you eat ducks - aren't they cute?
WG: No, I can't eat that cute little animal any more either. (Pause) Unless it's grilled.

She's generally preferred to eat vegetarian at school because the vegetarian menu there is better, but often eats meat when we go out. A couple of days ago, she told me she wants to be vegetarian full-time, though. Of course, I want to support her if she's serious, but I don't want her to do it to try to make me happy. It also makes me anxious about finding things to pack for her lunches next year that are vegetarian. Because I grew up eating turkey or ham sandwiches every day, meat lunches just seem easier to me. So, back to the point of this post (yes, I made it back eventually!), the vegan lunch box site seems like a great way to get some ideas.

For DT.

3 comments:

Allison said...

Wow, that site was impressive. I have to say it made me tired just to look at all the stuff she makes (actual recipes for boxed lunches!). Lunches can be hard. Child #1 hates peanut butter sandwiches (but will eat ants on a log) and is picky about lunchmeat, will only eat cheddar cheese but loves tuna fish. Child #2 hates tuna fish and is picky about veggies.

My kids usually get some sort of sandwich, either some baby carrots or cherry tomatoes, a fruit and a little bottled water. Sometimes I throw in a granola bar. Sometimes they get cracker-size cheese slices and triscuits, or ants on a log (celery, peanut butter and raisins). Also a big hit: pizza roll-ups, tortillas spread with pizza sauce and mozzarella, rolled up and baked until crunchy.

Allison said...

For clarity:

The cheese and triscuits are an alternative to sandwiches. The ants on a log usually go with a little mini-bagel or a granola bar, so they get their peanut butter and a grain, just not together.

Allison said...

...also:

Leftover pasta salad, with cheese, tomatoes and spinach has been popular. Or any kind of leftover that is good served cold.

Variety. It's variety they like. And it's what makes lunches kind of hard.