Preparing a lunch day after day becomes a chore when you don't have the right tools at hand! Here are 12 tips to be prepared at all times!
Purchase of the lunch box
Do not buy your lunch box until you have chosen your insulated bottle and your various airtight containers that you will commonly use. This will prevent you from buying a bag that is too small for your needs.
The choice of the bottle
Steel bottles are the most effective for keeping foods hot or cold, followed by bottles with a glass bulb. Plastic containers should be reserved for more temperate foods as they lose temperature quickly.
Preparing the bottle
Heat or cool your vacuum bottle before use. To cool it, fill it with water and ice, close the lid for ten minutes, then empty the contents. You can also leave the bottle open in the fridge overnight. To reheat it, pour boiling water in it, close the lid for about ten minutes, then empty the water. Make sure the food you pour into it is as cold or hot as possible.
Storage
Afterwash your containers well in hot, soapy water, dry them, then store them without their lids to prevent them from retaining the smell of previous foods. If your bottle still retains an odor, wash it with water containing baking soda. Attention: the majority of these containers are not dishwasher safe, unless otherwise indicated on the label.
Plastic juice box
For your cold drinks, get a small plastic juice box with a built-in straw. Not only will it allow you to save money compared to the small juice boxes sold on the market, but in addition, you can use it as a refrigerant by placing it in the freezer the night before. In this case, do not completely fill the box since the liquid takes up more space once frozen.
Cool Packs
Stock up on ice packs in several sizes to adjust to the contents of your lunch box. Depending on whether there is more or less space, you can slide a block between two dishes. It is best to place ice packs on top of the lunch since the cold goes down (and the heat goes up).
Utensils
Take a visit to your favorite thrift store! A meal is so much better with metal utensils! If you didn't pay dearly for them, it will cost you less if they get lost. Also add a thin, brightly colored placemat: It's so much more joyfulwhat a brown table! And you can be sure that the meal will be eaten on a clean surface!
Hygiene
Provide a wet washcloth that you will place in a small plastic bag. Sticky little fingers will be happy! You can also use disposable wet pads if your child doesn't always bring back what you provide!
Full of dishes
Thrift stores are full of plastic dishes in various sizes. Stock up on food-safe containers. Small ones for dips and dressings, medium ones for snacks and salads, larger ones for sandwiches and hot meals.
Stapal foods
When making your grocery list, think about lunches, not just dinners! By having several basic foods on hand, preparing your lunches will be simplified
Extra servings
Plan extra portions for your dinners to heat them up at lunchtime. To avoid unpleasant repetitions, stagger the meals. For example, Monday night shepherd's pie will be served Wednesday lunchtime, Tuesday night macaroni will be served Thursday lunchtime, etc. Leftovers will make your children less reluctant if they are not served two days in a row.
Abundant raw vegetables
Prepare raw vegetables on the weekend or the day before. We don't always have time to peel carrots in the morning! Cherry tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower,peppers are well prepared a few days in advance. Melons, citrus fruits, field berries, grapes, kiwis can also be prepared in portions that are easy to slip into the lunch box.
