It’s that time of year again… packing kids lunches (or our own) and trying not to repeat the same old recipes. Even with the best intentions, I tend to get in a rut for L… I like sending her the things I know she’ll eat (anything nut butter related) but I also want her to get a variety of nutrients.
Here are some lunch ideas to help spark your creativity:
Roll-ups (our favorite, with endless combinations)
- Hummus and shredded Veggies (carrot, zucchini, beet)
- NB &B (peanut, almond or sunflower seed butter with sliced bananas)
- Melted Cheese and Tomato
- Black Bean + Spinach Spread +Cherry Tomatoes
- Avocado (mashed) and shredded cheese
Finger Food Leftovers
- Leftover spring rolls or California sushi rolls
- Jamie’s Tofu and Kale Dumplings
- Mini Corn Quinoa cakes from Healthy in Candyland
- Veggie pizza
- Spinach Spanokopita Triangles
- Katie’s Caprese Salad on a stick
Breakfast for Lunch
- Mini- frittatas with spinach or broccoli
- Healthy muffins, such as Gina’s Carrot-Raisin “Everything” Muffin or Angela’s Zucchini Muffin and a pb-banana “hot dog”
- Pancakes spread with nut butter
- Hardboiled eggs + homemade granola bars or cheddar crackers + Smoothie
- Mini-bagel and egg salad sandwich
For more inspiration, check out Lindsay’s 50 Packable lunch ideas, Michelle’s School Lunch series and Lisa’s Smart Lunch box ideas.
We created a new favorite granola bar this week, using sweet potatoes, dates and nuts. The measurements make enough to fill a bread pan, or 12-14 squares.
Sweet Potato Energy Bars (print recipe)
- 1/2 c. oat groats (steel cut oats)
- 1 c. walnuts, almonds or peanuts (I combined almonds and peanuts)
- 1 1/4 c. dates (or combination of dates and raisins)
- 1/2 c. mashed, cooked sweet potato
- 1 tsp vanilla
- dash of salt
Combine steel cut oats, nuts and dates in a food processor and combine until chopped finely. Add sweet potato, vanilla and salt and continue to blend until the mixture is well blended and begins to pull away from the sides.
Line a bread loaf pan with wax paper, and spread mixture in the bottom of the pan. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, until done.
The steel cut oats give the bars a little crunch, and the dried fruit is sweet enough that no additional sugar is needed. This recipe is gluten and dairy free, and an excellent project for little hands to help dump in the ingredients. It’s also a safe batter to eat straight from the bowl. 
Final tip: If do-it-yourself bars and snacks are are intimidating, remember that the freezer is your friend! Make large batches at a time and freeze the rest to have for the month. Recipes that freeze well include muffins, granola bars, pancakes, mini-frittatas, homemade pizza dough, spanokopita triangles, homemade crackers, etc).
Thanks to Jenn, at Peas and Crayons, for the encouragement to set September goals, (like more variety in lunches!) I’m also linking up with Munchkin Meals for picnic ideas!
What are your go-to lunches?
Thanks for the shout out. I was checking my email this morning and when I saw your headline “sweet potato Energy bars” I immediately checked the recipe out. I’m trying to bake something healthy for kids today after school snack. then I noticed you mentioned my blog!
Thanks again and now I’m off to check out the other bloggers lunch ideas!
Lisa {Smart Food and Fit} recently posted..Shaved Cucumber Feta Salad
Thanks for your great ideas…. happy to include you!
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
I am already in a lunch rut for my daughter, thanks for all the links. The sweet potato bars are very simple with the ingredients I always have.
Farrah @ Fairy Healthy Life recently posted..WIAW: My Goals For Fall
I know! I feel like I fall into ruts so quickly, too. Hope this gave you some fresh ideas!
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
I am so boring when making lunches. Mornings go by so fast and it is just as easy to throw the same thing in their lunchbox. I am just happy they get healthy options such as fresh fruit and Chobani everyday since I know of many kids who get nothing healthy.
Robin recently posted..Pumpkinman Half Iron Race Report 2012
I love those ideas for lunch! I too am trying to avoid ruts and we’ve been migrating to doing school lunches more “bento-style” now, to keep it interesting and not boring. I am finding so many sources of new lunch ideas now and finding my child is actually eating her lunches better this way
Christina recently posted..How to pack a healthy school lunch
Wow you’re post is making me hungry! What awesome lunch options! I will definitely be trying some of these!!! Thanks!
Mindy Bobe recently posted..Premier Protein Review and Giveaway!
Oh those bars sound fantastic. And I need to remember spring rolls. So easy!
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Cool Weather Run & Eggplant, Zucchini, Tofu Bake
All looks good but I just bought a sweet potato so I will certainly be trying these bars later today!! Thanks for the good ideas.
Hope you like them! You can always add a little honey if you like a sweeter bar.
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
thank you for sharing this those bars look awesome I will definitely be making this. I have a newfound love of sweet potato!
lisa @ http://notsofatchick.blogspot.com/ recently posted..My Awesome running weekend
Yes! I love sweet potatoes, too. It’s not even technically fall yet, but I felt the need to start using them more often again.
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
Great ideas, thanks!
Kat @ sneakers & fingerpaints recently posted..Staying Amped! + Recipe: My Mashed Cauliflower
Those are some great husband lunch ideas too! I love that sweet potato bar recipe!!
Corrie Anne recently posted..Bootcamping with Fitmixer
Oh my gosh, so many delicious choices! Thanks for this! And those energy bars sound amazing. My daughter would have pb & j every day, if it weren’t for the fact that we can’t send anything to school that contains nuts or may contain nuts. How do they handle nut allergies at schools in your area?
Joann @ Woman in Real Life recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday, more fun with cooking
Yes- depends on the school. Where she is right now, it’s actually allowed. I’m not sure how the school district handles it… does she like sunflower seed butter?
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
We haven’t tried sunflower seed butter. Do you like it?
Joann @ Woman in Real Life recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday, more fun with cooking
I haven’t bought it (or tried making it) in a few years, but I did like it. It’s a slightly different flavor, but still yummy, in my opinion.
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
Oh my gosh–those sweet potato energy bars look amazing! Thanks for sharing all this!!
misszippy recently posted..Lies race directors tell us
Fabulous lunch ideas! My youngest adores wraps–can’t wait to change em up for her!
Marcia recently posted..Getting Organized
LOVE the pb banana dog! A great way to enjoy my favorite snack without the mess
Thanks for sharing. Happy WIAW…
You pack some darn good lunches! I’m not that inventive and end up with a salad everyday…thanks for the inspiration!
MassachusEATS recently posted..WIAW #30
I’m a huge sweet potato fan! Definitely making the bars soon. Such a good idea!
Thanks for the link love!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Barilla Microwave Meals
Great lunch ideas! Thanks for sharing : )
Michelle recently posted..Ten Years, Eleven Minutes, and First Place – Shoreline Biathlon 2012
There are a ton of great ideas here! And thank you so much for including my quinoa cakes! I am so inspired to make more interesting lunches this year (but then, it is only the 2nd week of school!)
This will be a big help. Thank you!
Candy @ Healthy In Candy Land recently posted..Fall Cleanup
I have your quinoa cakes on the menu for next week, can’t wait to try them!
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
Wanna come pack some lunches for me? I love these ideas! My girl got leftover ravioli in her lunch today – I love when leftovers work for cold lunches. It buys me enough time to get a couple of extra sips of tea in the morning,
Thanks for the shout out!
Michelle {lively kitchen} recently posted..What I Ate on My Birthday
I want one of those bars SO bad!!! i can’t do dates though. Any ideas about what would work? Maybe bananas and add some flour/protein powder?
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Taming a Sweet Tooth + WIAW
Hmm, can you do any dried fruits? A combo of dried apricots and banana would probably work well… possibly the protein powder too.
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
Soooooo yum!!! Your eats look yummy!
Kierston recently posted..WIAW: FUelling UP!
What great lunch ideas…the roll ups look so tasty (and it’s all so healthy) Cheers from the WIAW link Up!
Yum! Those look delicious!
I definitely need to pack more variety in my lunches, at least I don’t buy at work though!
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman recently posted..WIAW: Pumpkin Mookies Recipe
I love the rollups! Did you try putting peanut butter on a wrap and then a banana in the middle and rolling it up! Yum! nothing like a peanut butter banana sandwich! (:
Thanks for the link love! Great lunch ideas. Pinning them. I feel like I am already in a rut and we are only a few weeks in!
Jamie @ Thrifty Veggie Mama recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday
I know! I fall into ruts so easily too- it’s just easier to do the same thing and not have to think about it. Your dumplings were awesome, happy to share!
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
Yum! I was reading up a little about how many calories my friend’s two year old daughter needs and it is more than I do! Those little kids really are a bundle of energy!
Travel Spot recently posted..Tried It
Some of your lunch ideas sound so good, I simply had to pin this post for future reference. Are all these ideas good to get cold or do some require re-heating?
Clarinda @ Enjoying the Course recently posted..What is Beauty?
Hmm, good question! All of these are fine cold or at room temp, but it depends on your preference. I like to reheat frittata, dumplings or spanokapita. Thanks for pinning!
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
Man! I should not be on a foodie blog unless I have eaten. Is there a rule against that? There should be!
These are great ideas for lunch. I am glad you think outside the box and share your thoughts
Sushi at home sounds so yummy.
Raina recently posted..Good workouts.
Ha! Yes, there should be. I get so hungry reading all the wiaw posts before lunch!
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
You have some great lunchbox suggestions! Right now, the girls’ school provides them a lunch and snacks during the day but next year I’ll be responsible for their lunches. A part of me is super excited about it…I love putting together meals for my family and sending them to school with a lunch of items I made with love makes me happy!
Karen recently posted..Trying To Decide
That is fun! I only have to pack two days for L, and for the most part I really enjoy it. Busy nights/mornings can make it more stressful…
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
i love pinterest for this very reason! SOOO MANY GOOD CHOICES!
lindsay recently posted..What I’m Enjoying Wednesday: VLOG
These are such GREAT ideas!! I am definitely going to try a few. My poor kid gets so tired of PB.
Jan recently posted..Project 366 (No I didn’t forget)
Thanks, Jan! I know– pb is so easy, it’s hard to try new things… hope you find some they like!
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
Laura! These all sound so delicious. Thank you for sharing!
Amy Schmidt recently posted..Missing the Running Pain
Thanks so much, Amy!
Laura recently posted..School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars
I never thought about baking with my steel cut oats…we are having a lazy (well switching in fall clothes for both girls so i guess pretty busy!) day at home tomorrow so we may try and do some baking. These look like good breakfast bars for those mornings we have to eat on the way to dropping off Alyssa at preschool. we like to sleep in
Lindsay @ Fuel My Family recently posted..Picnic Lunch Options
I am so making these sweet potato bars! They look great and use all my favorite ingredients. This post is a great one to bookmark for ideas.
Joanna @ Midwestern Bite recently posted..Meals on Wheels
OK, I have to try those sweet potato bars! Cupcake and I LOVE anything sweet potato!!!!!!
Heather @ What Does She Do All Day? recently posted..Munchkin Meals: Picnic Time
[...] School Lunch Ideas + Sweet Potato Energy Bars (mommyrunfast.com) Share this:ShareFacebookPrintEmailTwitterPinterestLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. September 28, 2012 by Muncho Mom Categories: Food | Tags: banana, Banana bread, Muffin, Recipe, Whole wheat flour | Leave a comment [...]
[...] recipes: Shared several this month… Packed Lunch Ideas, Sweet Potato Energy Bars; Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal; Healthy Chocolate “Ice [...]
WOW! Love your list and that sweet potato bar sounds delish! I’m featuring you today at Noon on my Facebook wall!!
Have a great day!
Crystal
Thanks, Crystal! I was glad to come across your link up… is it every week?
Laura recently posted..September Recap and Canvas Photo Giveaway
Sound delicious!!! Love your blog by the way x
Tamzin recently posted..October Challenge, Foodie Penpal Goodness and Giveaway Winner!!!!!
Thank you so much!
Laura recently posted..Appetite for Life Cookbook Giveaway