Evidence Lost

Two random photos. One post- with out the pre-, and one versa-vice-a:

What day was this? What did I put in that he DID eat? Evidence lost. But this does show that some days, even the favorites go untouched (he didn’t eat raita? what, no meatloaf? even with the ketchup there?).

And the always lovely: Chicken apple sausage, yellow grape tomatoes, raspberries, raita.

This one was probably a hit? We’ll never know for sure.

On Being Back to Blogging, Boredom, and Good/Bad Box Fillers

With apologies for my long absence that may or may not be obvious since I’m back-dating these posts.

This posting flurry may signal a return or just a bubbling up, a few small efforts. Did I get bored with my own lunchboxes? No. But other stressors — career development, our new pet chickens — have been taking my time and attention.

I’ve wondered if this blog might get boring as repetition of greatest hits may be the case from here on out. Except that every once in a while I feel compelled to take a risk. Partially because his bento box is really too big for a toddler lunch, and with so many compartments to fill, what’s the harm?

This Lunch, He Really Liked

Cucumbers and tomatoes, strawberries, plain baked chicken, Trader Joe’s raita.

Mmmmmm, good.

Vegetarian Delight

Cheese and avocado sandwich on sprouted grain bread; pieces of syrian egg-zucchini-cheese casserole (kusa bi gibneh); kiwi; red lentils, yogurt, tomatoes.

And now, the recipe for Kusa bi Gibneh (a.k.a.: Squash and Cheese)

1 lb zucchini
1 lb cheese — muenster, or muenster mixed with a low-fat medium-soft cheese (light havarti, or Heini’s yogurt cheese if you can get it.)
5 eggs
1 large yellow onion

Slice zucchini into thin rounds and simmer in enough water to cover for 20 minutes or until soft. Drain. Set aside to cool. Chop onion. Sauté till golden brown. Grate cheese and mix with eggs.

In a 9 x 12 Pyrex dish: Mix together the onions and zucchini, then add 2/3rds of the egg/cheese mixture in small batches, mixing quickly, so the eggs don’t cook in the warm squash. Dot the top with the remaining 1/3 of the egg/cheese mixture.

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes — till top is browned. Let cool a few minutes, cut and serve.

Greatest Lunch Ever

Speaking of learning from previous less-than-popular box-fillers. This one was almost a guaranteed hit. You can feel it as you’re peeling those effing little kiwis.

Kiwi, plain roasted skinless chicken tenders, Annie’s bunny snack mix, cucumbers and raita.

Yeah. I rocked this one.

Mango Is Still a Hit

Trying to go with the favorites here:

Chicken apple sausage with ketchup, yellow tomatoes, brown rice, fresh mango.

Mmmmmmango!!!

Store Bought and Fraught

On this day, the journey to lunch was fraught with peril. As I was putting this together in the morning, I gave Jonah a few bites of the turkey meatloaf and the bean salad, just to make sure he liked them. Based on the tantrum he threw when I told him he’d have to wait until lunchtime to eat the rest, I assumed this box would come back empty. Not so.

Whole Foods’ deli case turkey meatloaf; ketchup; Whole Foods’ deli case bean salad with roasted tomatoes; blueberries; strawberries

At least with the blueberries, there is an explanation: They had blueberries as part of their school-provided morning snack.