Lunch Archives — Bless this Mess

September 6, 2018

Six Quick and Easy Hummus Lunch Boxes

Six quick and easy school and adult lunch box ideas made with Sabra Hummus, fruit, vegetables, and more.

I love back-to-school season! It feels like like a great time to get back on a schedule, revisit your goals now that the hustle and bustle of summer vacation has passed, and regroup and get organized. One of my favorite ways to get organized is to collect a whole bunch of school lunchbox ideas and put them to use. I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel every morning and my kids aren’t getting burnt out on the same things over and over again. I’m working with Sabra today to bring you some simple and fun lunch box ideas featuring our favorite Sabra Hummus.

Hummus is my favorite dip to stick in lunch boxes because it’s thick enough to not make a huge mess. With so many Sabra Hummus flavors to choose from, you’ll never have to repeat a lunch box twice. I like to make some main dish hummus recipes like hummus and veggie sandwiches, hummus ham roll-ups, and hummus chip dip and also use it as a side dish with veggies, crackers, or pretzels. Plus, it’s a healthy and simple after school snack when you pair it with an already prepped veggie box.

I have SIX different lunch box ideas all ready for you! The goal is to make school mornings quick and lunch delicious. Sabra and I are here to help. ENJOY!

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August 28, 2018

6 Easy “Sandwich-on-a-Stick” Lunch Box Ideas for School or Work

6 Easy “Sandwich-on-a-Stick” Lunch Box Ideas are perfect to take to school or work and are a fun twist on all of your favorite classic sandwiches.

Who else is gearing up for the fun and excitement of a new school year? My kids just started again and we are slowly working back into a structured routine after the leisure of summer. I’m always looking for fun new lunch box ideas for school and work, and I know you are too. Today I’m sharing 6 Easy “Sandwich-on-a-Stick” lunch box ideas that are fun, delicious, and no more work than making a traditional sandwich. Plus, who doesn’t love eating something off of a stick? My kids request these all the time.

Today I’m working with Horizon Organic and I’m so excited about it. Did you know that only 6% of all refrigerated milk sold is USDA certified organic? Such a small amount! You all know that hobby farming has my heart, and so I love supporting organic dairy. I don’t have a milk cow of my own, so I get it from the next best source – Horizon Organic. They are committed to small family farms, the environment, and delicious dairy products. We love their cheese sticks and milk boxes and keep them on hand to make packing lunches even easier. Want to learn more about what organic means, especially when it comes to dairy? Find out more on the Horizon Organic website here.

Now on to those lunches! Simple, varied, and fun; you are going to love these as much as we do.

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August 26, 2017

Cucumber Sandwich

The best simple cucumber sandwiches are made with rye bread, herbed cream cheese, and fresh from the garden cucumbers with plenty of salt.

Summer is slipping by fast and the world seems to be ready for apple and pumpkin recipes already. I’m sitting over here in the corner yelling, “But my garden is still producing like crazy! What about that zucchini? That tomato? That cucumber recipe! Waaaait!” So in a personal effort to prolong summer just a bit I’m going to go ahead and post some awesome recipes that feature summer’s bounty. Sure I love me some apple and pumpkin, but I’m just not there yet! Can’t we wait just a few more weeks? In my mind you can’t get more summery than a delicious cucumber sandwich, and that’s just what I have to share today.

A cucumber sandwich is just what a summer lunch should be – light, tangy, fresh, and airy. I look forward to my first cucumbers because I just can’t wait to make this. This also makes a great appetizer or finger food for a party (baby show must have in my mind!), just use those tiny pieces of rye bread instead of a standard loaf and you’ll have yourself an adorable little sandwich (great for finger foods at a party or baby shower).

The recipe is super simple, totally adaptable to your tastes, and is just begging for you to try it today. Enjoy!

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August 23, 2017

12 Healthy Lunch Box Ideas for Kids or Adults

12 Healthy Lunch Box Ideas for Kids or Adults that are simple, wholesome, and meatless – no sandwiches included!

School started last week for my kids, and I’m equal parts sad to have them gone all day and excited to get back into a routine and have a little more structure in my week. Getting organized at back to school time includes meal planning, recommitting to eating wholesome food (which is needed after a summer of fun/travel/vacations/parties/reunions), and figuring out school lunch box ideas again.

I LOVE school lunch box packing and I thought I’d share yet another post this year with new ideas to help get a great lunch in the box in no time flat. We all need more ideas when it comes to school lunches, but these also work great as lunch box ideas for adults to take to work. Just up the portion if you need to!

Aren’t they pretty? I can’t wait to share some of the details about how to make all 12 of these lunch box ideas today.

Tips and Tricks for the Lunch Box Ideas:

I have been using Easy Lunch Boxes for 4 school years now (heading into our 5th year!), and I still love them. I bought them when my oldest went to Kindergarten and just got a second set! They are a great size, easy to clean, and the kids can get the lids on and off themselves. Plus, I just saw they now sell them at Target! They also make great little snack trays for movie night (popcorn in the big spot, candies in the little ones!)
If you have little kids below school age, it’s nice to make their lunch box (and yours!) in the morning when you are making the other lunches. I just stick the little boys’ lunches in the fridge and then lunch is done for everyone, even the ones at home!
Have your kids help you decide what they want for lunch and get them involved in the prep/packing. When my kids have a little say in their lunch, they are much more likely to eat it.
If you have a nut-free school (ours is not), try sun butter (made from sunflower seeds) in place of peanut butter, and omit any nuts.
To cut down on morning prep time, make a veggie box and have the kids take from it for their lunches.

Boiled Egg Lunch Box

Boiled eggs
Seeded crackers
Veggies (tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, broccoli)
Almonds + chocolate chips
Grapes

First up, the forever easy boiled egg. Feel free to peel them ahead of time for your kids if they need the help, but my kids like do to it themselves. You just can’t go wrong boiled eggs in my book. They are a well-rounded fat/protein source and my kids love them for breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

Pancake “Sandwich” Lunch Box

Mini pancakes with nut butter + banana slices inside to make a sandwich
Cucumbers
Fresh berries
Almonds + chocolate chips
Mandarin orange

I know I promised you sandwich-free lunch box ideas, but I don’t think pancake sandwiches count. My kids love it when I make little sandwiches out of peanut butter, banana, and pancakes. They are the perfect little finger food that’s fun to eat. I just make a double batch of whole wheat pancakes one morning and use half of it to make mini pancakes for lunches. Easy, fun, and always a win in the school lunch department.

Burrito Bowl Lunch Box

Rice + black beans + roasted sweet potatoes + fresh salsa
Almonds + chocolate chips
Grapes

Long live the burrito bowl! You can really play with this idea to fit your needs and your child’s preferences. I cook up the rice and roast my sweet potatoes on my meal prep day and then just open a can of black beans as needed. I like to mix in a little salt, cumin, and chili powder with the black beans so that they taste more like taco filling. A little fresh salsa on top brings it all together. Sometimes my kids like cheese, lettuce, or ranch dressing on this too. A wedge of lime in the box to squeeze before serving is always fun too.

Easy Pesto Pasta Salad Lunch Box

Cooked pasta + pesto + chopped tomato
Chocolate chips + almonds
Blueberries

This super simple pasta salad can be made easily in the morning because it’s only three ingredients. You can use leftover pasta if you have it, or you can cook some up while the kids eat breakfast. I normally just cook it the morning of because I’m standing at the stove making a hot breakfast most mornings anyhow. If that won’t work for your schedule, cook the pasta up ahead of time or simply prepare extra when you are cooking pasta for dinner and save some for lunches. Just stir the pasta with some prepared pesto and top with tomatoes. It’s simple, but it’s always a hit at my house.

Corn and Bean Chip Dip Lunch Box

Corn and Bean Salad
Salsa
Tortilla chips
Mixed berries

Corn and Bean Salad/Chip Dip is super easy to make and my kids love it. Just add canned corn, rinsed black beans, and chopped tomato to a small bowl and season with salt, pepper, and lime juice. Sometimes I’ll mix in cilantro or some pico de gallo if I have it. Simple, simple, simple, but so fun to dip corn chips into. Add a side of salsa and some fruit, and you are ready to roll.

Apple Sandwich Lunch Box

Apple sandwiches
Oranges
No-bake oatmeal bites + almonds
Veggies like peppers, broccoli, or mushrooms

Apple sandwiches are always hit in our house. You just cut an apple horizontally into slices, top with nut butter, and add another slice. My kids don’t mind if the apple is brown at lunch, but if yours do you might want to give them a dunk in some lemon water before adding the nut butter (the nut butter doesn’t stick to wet apples though, so you’ll want to dry them off with a paper towel first). You can also add chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, a little Nutella, or granola to your apple sandwich. I used to cut out the core but my kids either eat it all or nibble around it, so do what’s best for you.

Yogurt Parfait Lunch Box

Yogurt (store bought or homemade)
Mixed berries
Strawberries + almonds
Granola (store bought or homemade)

So easy! You are going to love this simple yogurt bar idea because it takes no time to put together. If I’m sending homemade yogurt I normally put it in my favorite one cup (half pint) little canning jars with a lid. I use these all the time, and they are perfect for sending homemade yogurt to school. Or if you buy your yogurt in a big tub, they are great for sending a smaller serving in – they don’t leak but kids can get the lids off. Win!

DIY Pizza Kit Lunch Box

Pita
Tomatoes + mushrooms + bell peppers
Pizza sauce
Mozzarella cheese
Dried pineapple + grapes

My kids love this meal (even though “pizza” like this isn’t my jam) and they are always happy to have it. I get my pita bread from Costco and it’s really good (plus it freezes well so it’s easy to keep on hand). You can chop up the veggies a bit so that they can be pizza toppings or the kids can just eat them on the side. My two oldest dip their veggies in the tomato sauce and eat them, how weird is that. Pizza is always a hit and this easy pizza kit is a simple way to get those kids some pizza.

Banana “Sushi” Lunch Box

Banana Sushi
Carrots + tomatoes + cucumber + cauliflower and/or broccoli
Chocolate chips + almonds

To make banana sushi, simply spread nut butter on a tortilla, place a banana on one edge and roll it up. Slice it with a sharp knife into rolls or “sushi” pieces. This is also the world’s easiest toddler snack and we make it often. Why is banana and peanut butter so good?

Hummus Lunch Box

Hummus
Curry roasted chickpeas
Pita
Veggies such as peppers, tomatoes, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, and/or cauliflower
Dried pineapple

This is a dip-all-the-things in hummus lunch box and it’s a lot of fun to eat. Have you made roasted chickpeas yet?! My kids love them and they are cheap and easy to make. You can make them ahead of time and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to serve them. Sometimes my kids will make little sandwiches with hummus and roasted chickpeas on the pitas, but most of the time they just eat this like a happy little finger food lunch.

Breakfast for Lunch Box

Mini whole wheat pancakes
Maple syrup
Blackberries + raspberries + blueberries
Yogurt (store bought or homemade)

Long live breakfast for lunch! Again, I just make a double batch of pancakes one morning and make half of them into mini pancakes for lunch. They store well in the fridge and my kids think its fun to have breakfast for lunch.

Ta-da! There you have a dozen new lunch box ideas to get your school year started off with a bang. Those lunch boxes were all meatless and not one included a traditional sandwich. I hope you find them helpful. You got this mama!

PS. Don’t forget to tag a picture #blessthismesseats on Instagram. I love to see your lunch box ideas in action!

PSS. If you need even more lunch box ideas this lunch box idea post is similar and super popular but with 8 more awesome, easy, healthy lunches.

March 27, 2017

Mediterranean Salad with Roasted Chickpeas

Filled with roasted chickpeas, cucumbers, olives, and artichoke hearts, this Mediterranean Salad is sure to be a favorite.

Spring is in the air, and salad for dinner is one of my favorite things to transition to this time of year. I LOVE all things Mediterranean in flavor, and this salad is one of my all-time favorites. The roasted chickpeas add enough fiber/protein that you can serve this as-is for a main dish (though the addition of some grilled chicken or shrimp would be delicious), which makes it one of my favorite meatless hearty salads. You can also serve this as a side dish. This would be great with any kind of grilled protein, fresh stone fruit, and maybe a warm couscous or rice dish to go along with it. No matter how you serve it, Mediterranean Salad with Roasted Chickpeas is going to be a favorite all spring/summer/year long.

Can we talk for 2 seconds that is the wonder known as roasted chickpeas? We’ve been obsessed with them all year long and there’s no end in sight. You guys, they are so good warm right off the pan. Don’t think you have to save them for a salad – you can eat them as soon as they come out of the oven for a snack. I love that they are inexpensive to make, they are quick to prepare (takes about a minute to get them into the oven), and when they come out of the oven, they are warm, crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and so delicious. Plus, you can add whatever seasonings you like to them; you really could add anything that you like, want, or have on hand. It’s very flexible!

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February 6, 2017

6 Simple Salad in a Jar Recipes

Life gets busy, but that doesn’t mean that daily salads are out of your grasp – prep a salad in a jar in advance, and you’ll eat well all week long!

Salad in a jar is one of my favorite things, and I wanted to revisit them for you today. A few years ago, I wrote a big old post about how to make salad in a jar that contained all the basic how tos, tip, tricks, and recipes. Today I want to share some of those ideas again, along with some more recipes to add to our growing collection.

What is the appeal of having a salad in a jar you might ask? Well let me tell you, friends! Not only does it last forever (the lettuce literally stays nice and crisp for well over a week), but the prep work is done and you have healthy eating right at your fingertips. Prepping a bunch of these one day and eating on them all week long is the perfect little help you might need to eat well. Life gets busy, and taking time to eat something beyond the quick and easy can get pushed aside. BUT if all you have to do is unscrew a lid, find a fork, and give a little stir, then there’s no reason to not be eating more salad. Plus, the jar is perfectly portable. Throw it in a lunchbox along with a boiled egg and an apple, and you have a delicious healthy lunch to go. Done.

This time instead of just normal green salads in a jar, I also added a tuna salad in a jar and a pasta salad in a jar to go along with all those leafy greens. You are going to love these!

Salad in a Jar Tips and Tricks

Put the salad dressing in first. Add your protein, add your “fixins,” and then add your greens. No matter the recipe, placing your ingredients in the jar in this order is best. Keep the moisture of the dressing away from your lettuce and greens for best results.
Salad in a jar can last 3-10 days in the fridge. Three days for any salad in a jar that includes meat (eat those first) and up to 10 days for salads that have firm veggies and no meat. I like to keep things like eggs, cucumbers, and avocado out of my jar. I’ll add them when I’m ready to eat if I want them. Those things tend to get old the fastest.
Homemade dressing is king. Don’t get in a rut though! Here are 9 of my favorite homemade salad dressings. These recipes only make about a cup too, so you aren’t stuck with tons and tons. Now you can try more kinds. I recommend the roasted garlic. It’s my favorite!
The size of the jar will determine the servings. I like using wide mouth jars because they are easier to fill, eat from, and clean. Use a pint jar for a lunch/single serving and use a quart jar for large dinner servings or a side salad for a family meal. All of today’s recipes are for a quart/large serving. You can see an example of two smaller servings salads in a jar here. If you are new to salad in a jar, try making 2-3 of each size and see how you quickly you go through them.

Now let’s get to it!
Craving more? Subscribe to Bless this Mess to get new recipes, meal plans, and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! If you try this recipe, let me know what you think! Leave a comment, pin it, and don’t forget to tag a picture #blessthismesseat on Instagram. I love to see your kitchen skills in action!

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June 9, 2016

8 Wholesome Lunch-Box Ideas for Adults or Kids

8 awesome adult lunch box ideas that go way beyond the typical sandwich!

I’ve been working on prepping meals/ingredients/lunches/stuff for the freezer more and more lately and it has been such an awesome thing to have done and ready to use! I even had the chance to teach a meal planning/food prep class to over 30 women this past month and I loved it. I’m getting into a great groove and having more food conveniently ready in the fridge is a game changer.

What is it about the spring that is a total zoo? We have everything from the dentist and t-ball practice to the spring dance recital and baseball going on. Having healthy food ready to go in the fridge means that I’m making good choices, even on the craziest of days.

I do pretty well about planning dinner, but it’s a whole lot harder to plan lunch. I thought I’d take a little time to prep some awesome lunches and share them with you today. These are simple, wholesome lunch-box ideas for adults. Kids could enjoy them too but I had adults in mind when I created them. These are perfect adult lunch box ideas to enjoy on the go, at work, or even at the park with the kids. Real food never looked so good.

Tips and Tricks for Making Adult Lunch Box Ideas

The key to great lunches are keeping them simple, using real food, and making things that can be prepped ahead of time and stored in the fridge. All of these lunches hit all three of those things.
Get some lunch boxes you love! I bought a set of Easy Lunch Boxes when my oldest went to kindergarten so that she could start packing her lunch and we still use and love them all of the time. When I’m packing my school kids’ lunches, I’ll often just make three more lunches for the little boys at home. They love eating out of these cute boxes and I love that the work is done. I’ve now bought a few more sets of these and we still love them.
I like to prep lunches while I’m making dinner and already have out my knife and cutting board. You can set out to do a big meal prep session or you can prep a little as you go, it’s up to you.
Have you started making no bake oatmeal bites for your lunches yet? We are OBSESSED with these little balls of goodness.

Here are the details on the adult lunch box ideas!

Easy Pasta Salad (leftover pasta + chopped zucchini/red onion/tomato/bell peppers/ham + salad dressing (roasted garlic, creamy Italian, and classic vinaigrette are awesome in this)
Cashews + dark chocolate chips
Kiwi + blueberries

Hummus
Celery/carrots/bell peppers/broccoli
Crackers
Dried fruit (mango/pineapple/blueberries/apricots) + dark chocolate

Butternut Squash and Red Lentil Curry + brown rice (my favorite leftovers!)
Dark chocolate
Broccoli/radishes/tomatoes
Red and green grapes

Salami + provolone
Crackers
Radishes/cucumber/carrots/black olives
Raspberries

Apple and Peanut Butter “Sandwiches”
Blueberries
Cashews + almonds + pecans + dark chocolate chips
Boiled eggs
Carrots + celery

Egg Salad
Crackers
Black olives/celery/carrots/broccoli/radishes/bell peppers
Dried blueberries/apricots/pineapple + dark chocolate + almonds

Cooked Quinoa + Roasted Veggies + Chicken Breast (great with optional dressing on top, and I love the roasted garlic on this)
Red and green grapes
Pecans + almonds + dates + dark chocolate chips

Green Salad (all the veggies + optional ham/cheese/boiled egg). If I’m going to eat it within an hour or two, I’ll add the dressing before I leave the house. I’ll bring the dressing in a separate container if I’m not going to eat it for a few hours. Don’t dress the day you make it; it gets soggy fast.
Crackers
Blueberries + raspberries
Dark chocolate

Wasn’t that awesome and pretty painless? The noodles and curry are leftovers from a dinner and the boiled eggs and salad dressings can be made ahead of time. Even if you were whipping these up one at a time in the morning, they shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to put together.

If you are looking for other lunch-box inspiration, you might also like these posts:

12 Healthy Lunch Box Ideas for Kids or Adults
5 Secrets to Healthy Packed-Lunch Success
Lunch-Box Inspiration
Lunch-Box Ideas for Kids
My favorite page on all things meal prep and food prep (lots of make ahead meal ideas!)

May 13, 2016

The Ultimate Hummus and Veggie Sandwich

The ultimate hummus and veggie sandwich piled high with veggies and sprout, loaded with creamy hummus, and held together with sturdy whole grain bread. Meatless sandwiches never looked so good!

Few things are more delicious than a perfectly executed sandwich. With summer around the corner and today being National Hummus Day I thought a veggie hummus sandwich would be the perfect way to celebrate. I often go to a restaurant and buy a delicious sandwich and I always roll my eyes a little at myself when I do because it’s just a simple sandwich. But simple sandwiches are so very good! I think the difference between a sandwich you make at your house and the one you might order at a restaurant are the creative/fun/delicious extras and the number of ingredients the restaurant uses compared to what you might make at home.

I’m guilty of making a million ham or turkey sandwiches on bread with some mayo, a leaf of lettuce, and if I’m really on top of it, a slice of tomato. While that tastes fines it just isn’t a “restaurant-style” sandwich. I’m not reinventing the wheel on this post, I’m just here to inspire you a little to get out of your own sandwich making rut and try this beauty. The key for making this restaurant-worthy sandwich at home is using Sabra hummus to add a big old flavor boost as well as a big variety of vegetables too. You are going to love this! Plus, you can’t go wrong with eating a pile of vegetables in the middle of the day.

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April 24, 2015

Quick and Easy Summer Chicken Salad

Quick and Easy Summer Chicken Salad is one of my favorite dishes to throw together in a hurry and eat for the next few days. My kids and husband love this chicken salad and I love all the great flavors and vegetables it has. The best part? You can eat it however you see fit. I like to use mini bell peppers, celery, and cucumber to dip into the chicken salad. My kids liked it served on top of cracker, and my husband likes it on toasted whole grain bread with extra mayo on the bread. No matter how you eat it, it’s great.

This simple summer chicken salad salad is also a really great dish to take to friends and family who need a meal. Whether they have a new baby in the house or have a sick family member, this simple dish is sure to please. I love that it doesn’t need to be heated or cooked before eating. It’s the perfect thing to grab when you are hungry and need something now. Add some fruit, cut up veggies, and even a bag of your favorite potato chips and a loaf of bread and you’ll be sending a bag of cheer that is ready on demand with no effort on their part. Bonus points if you send along some of these chocolate chip cookies.

Today I’m thinking about my friend Ashley who blogs over at Center Cut Cook. I’ve mentioned her before and I’m going to again. Her little family has gone through so much in the last year. Her husband is a year into chemo for stage 4 colon cancer and their miracle baby needs both a liver and a kidney transplant (he’s on the liver list right now and could get it any time!). And the icing on the cake this week? They were in a car wreck and their car is totaled. Seriously.

Today bloggers all over the country are sharing Ashley’s story and asking you fine folks to donate in their name. Enough $1 donations can add up quick. We are doing a big push today and I can’t wait to see the results. The internet is full of amazing big-hearted people. If you are able, please thing about a donation. If that isn’t in the cards right now prayers are always needed as well as help spreading the word. Feel free to share their story on your own social media platforms (facebook, twitter, IG, anything).

Here’s another perk of today. I have links to all kinds of recipes that are perfect for taking to a friend. You can find all of them at the bottom of the post. Pin this for later because I know I’m not the only one needed meal ideas when the time to serve comes!

Here is more information:
Donation Page (this page has great social sharing buttons, so share away!)
Ashley’s first blog post about Ryan’s cancer
Ashley’s first blog post about Miley’s (cutest baby ever) diagnosis
Ashley’s facebook page that gives medical updates on both of her men

Thank you! I’m so glad to share this with you today.

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April 23, 2014

South of the Border Chipotle Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Did you know that April is National Grilled Cheese Month?! Well now you do!

I love a party as much as the next girl, so I thought it only appropriate to celebrate this totally random, yet quiet delicious tribute to melted cheese with you. Of course I made you no ordinary grilled cheese sammich to celebrate. I made you a ridiculously delicious South of the Border Chipotle Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Now that friends, is love.

Have you tried Cabot Chipotle Cheddar Cheese? It will change your taco/nacho/grilled cheese life. I have a hard time finding it out here in Utah, but when I do I stock up. It’s worth sacrificing the fridge space for, and let’s be honest, it doesn’t take up fridge space for long.

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