August 16, 2024
Do you remember the days when the lunch bell rang, signaling the excitement of discovering the treasures hidden in your lunch box? Join me as I take a trip down memory lane, revisiting some items—some I’d rather forget—and the iconic snacks and treats that fueled my childhood adventures and satisfied my youthful cravings.
As a kid, I preferred school-provided lunches because a contracted company prepared them, and the food was good. We had a variety of choices throughout the week, including Italian, Chinese, and Mexican dishes. My favorite meal at school was pizza burgers, which I still make occasionally. I also loved the school’s peanut butter bars and have made them at home. In fact, my school even published a recipe book when I was in elementary school.
If I could create the ultimate school lunch menu, it would include healthy options rich in protein and other nutrients, as many kids rely on school meals for their main nutrition. The secret to making the ultimate lunchbox meal is to ensure the food looks appealing and includes plenty of fresh fruits and veggies with delicious dips.
Packing school lunches and meal prepping as adults are similar in that both require planning to ensure healthy options are available. To pack a well-balanced and nutritious meal, focus on purchasing 90% of your food from the fruits and vegetables aisle, avoiding the middle aisles with fewer healthy options. The lunch presentation matters, too; if you don’t pack a lunch for a child, they may end up eating less nutritious food.
For a breakfast box, I’d love to see yogurt, cheese, fruit, nuts, a breakfast muffin made with eggs and loaded with veggies, whole grain toast or crackers, smashed avocado with bagel seasoning, and a hard-boiled egg. In the dinner box, a grain bowl with veggies and chicken on top would be perfect.
Even though we’ve traded our lunch boxes for grown-up alternatives and our tastes have evolved over time, the nostalgia of those beloved treats still reminds us of the innocence and delight of youth. I hope you can find some classic favorites and discover new tempting treats every time you visit the Vitalia Montrose Bistro or Country Kitchen and that you never stop making culinary memories.
VITALIA® Montrose in Copley, OH offers independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near Cleveland Clinic with convenient access to major shopping centers and attractions, including Mud Run Golf Course and Driving Range, Summit Mall, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Summit County Metro Park, Stan Hywet, and Hale Farm.
