Fun for Fall

Sunday dinner:
soba noodles;
steamed asparagus;
tempura vegetables
(lotus root, delicata
squash, onion);
orange slices; skiitake
mushrooms.


Monday:

Ryan's
lunch:
fresh
peach
slices;
pink
rice-cream
cone &
waffle
cone; a
container
of maple
syrup;
steamed
broccoli;
cranberry
pecan
cous cous;
cucumber slices.

AJ didn't need a separate snack because Dada was parent helping in his class. He brought mini banana muffins, baby carrots, & raspberry lemonade.

Tuesday:

Ryan really enjoyed his burrito last week and requested more.
Ryan's lunch: checkered rice (Ryan called it his chess board); bell pepper "oak" & "maple" leaves; Amy's Bean & Rice Burrito (non-dairy); container of applesauce (not shown).

AJ's preschool snack:
Crispy rice bar; grapes.

Nate's preschool
snack: mini banana
muffin; grapes; bell
pepper strips.

AJ let me know after
school that he was NOT
happy with his smaller
snack today. I guess he
really does need the bigger portion; I just thought I'd try something smaller for a change because after all it is only a snack! Mama was wrong!!

Farm
share:
1/2 peck
apples,
onions,
3 squash
(acorn,
delicata,
carnival),
tomatoes,
carrots,
scallions,
peppers,
lettuce,
spinach,
baby red
russian
kale,
potatoes. Not shown: PYO raspberries, hot peppers, herbs, flowers, kale, collards, chard, cherry tomatoes.

Wednesday:

Ryan's
lunch:
Good Dog
"flowers";
chinese
green
beans,
asparagus,
& soy
chik'n
Smart
Strips;
rice "dog
bone";
steamed
broccoli;
grapes;
cucumber
curls; mini
pumpkin apple muffin; carrots; Tofurky slice "flower"; 1 red Panda raspberry licorice.

AJ's snack: steamed broccoli; mini pumpkin apple muffin; cucumber slices; grapes; AJ rice "blocks".

Thursday:

Nate had his first longer day of preschool, and his first opportunity to use his Thomas the Tank Engine lunchbox and bento. His teacher said he opened his lunch and yelled "A Clue!".

Nate's lunch: Blue's Clues rice "clue" pawprint; edamame; orange segments; shiitake mushrooms; cold spinach.

AJ's snack: rice
"clue"; orange
segments; edamame;
cold spinach.




Ryan's
lunch:
rice &
nori
keyboard;
2 note
sandwiches:
1 PBJ,
1 cuke &
Tofutti
cream
cheese;
edamame;
red bell
pepper
strips;
cold
spinach;
orange slices.

Husband's lunch:
veggie burger
with veggies on
whole wheat bun;
bell pepper strips;
grapes; mini
pumpkin apple
muffin; cucumber
slices.

Friday:

Blueberry Flax Pancakes

1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup flax meal or milled flax seeds
3 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup full fat soy milk (I like Vitasoy)
3/4 cup vanilla almond milk
1 T. olive oil
1/2 cup blueberries, frozen or fresh
spray olive oil (for pan)

Heat a cast iron or non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
Mix dry ingredients.
Add wet ingredients and blend well with an electric hand mixer.
Add blueberries.
Spray skillet lightly with olive oil (and again between batches).
Ladle on batter. When holes begin to appear, flip.
Serve with maple syrup or your favourite topping.

Ryan's (Breakfast for) Lunch:
Cherry soy yogurt; four
small pancakes; maple syrup;
raspberries; banana chocolate
nut Save The Forest organic
trail mix bar.






Husband's lunch: rice balls; red bell pepper strips; applesauce; peanuts, raisins, Craisins; smoked Tofurky & vegetables sandwich; Lake Champlain hazelnut praline dark chocolate; carrot sticks; raspberries.

Back to Preschool

This week was soooo busy, especially with preschool starting up again and me getting back to the YMCA for some exercise twice a week.

Monday:

Ryan's Harvest Moon lunch: yellow rice; green grapes; corn with cucumber "husks" propped up with cold spinach; a yellow gel cup; mini whole wheat pita with tofu salad.

Husband's lunch:
mini pumpkin-apple
muffin; green grapes;
flax crackers;
watermelon; pickle;
carrot sticks; mini
whole wheat pitas
with tofu salad.

Tuesday:

Ryan's lunch: rice & bean burrito; salad; cinnamon raisin roll; carrot sticks.











It was Nate's very first day
of preschool. It was only an
hour long the first day, and Dada was the parent helper (it's a cooperative preschool). Snack was brief: organic pretzel sticks and strawberry kiwi 100% juice blend.
AJ's first day back was two hours long. His snack: carrot; cucumber slices; watermelon chunks; cinnamon raisin roll.

Farm
pickup:
kale,
rainbow
chard,
arugula,
corn,
leeks,
potatoes,
tomatoes,
peppers,
celery,
cabbage,
tomatillos,
Delicata
squash,
apples,
peaches,
cherry
tomatoes, jalapenos and red and gold raspberries. Not shown: flowers.

Wednesday:

AJ's snack: onigiri "apple"; cold spinach; apple cinnamon croissant; sesame tofu.
Ryan's lunch was similar, with the addition of tempura squash & broccoli w/ a little container of soy sauce, and some raspberries.













I love it when I can glean breakfast from my lunch preparations. This was the heartiest breakfast I'd had all week: soba noodles, tempura, spinach.
Husband's lunch: cold spinach; cherry tomatoes; tempura; sesame tofu (hidden on the right); soba noodles; apple cinnamon croissant.

People often ask how
I can do so much with
4 kids. I plan ahead a
lot, right down to setting
out the breakfast dishes
and bentos the night
before!


Thursday:

I decided with all the peanut allergies in schools these days that it was time to give sunflower butter a try. I thought it had a funny taste, but I heard no complaints from the boys. I still prefer cashew or almond butter, but it's nice to have this option for preschool which is completely nut-free.

Ryan's lunch: SBJ sandwich flowers; asparagus spears; red bell pepper strips; green beans; vegetable crackers; a Lake Champlain dark chocolate; dried apricots; raspberries.

Nate was too distracted
by fun stuff in preschool
to bother with his snack,
so he ate it later for
lunch: SBJ sandwich
flowers; raspberries;
cherry tomatoes;
vegetable crackers.

There was a class birthday already so I packed him a cupcake too.

AJ's snack: SBJ
sandwich flowers;
vegetable crackers;
green beans; raisins.





Friday:

I'm still learning how to use edible soy wrappers successfully. The smooth side yields a crisper stamped image but curls easily; I'll have to stick to the rougher side in the future.
Ryan's Pirate map lunch: rice; steamed broccoli; Chicken-free nuggets with a container of ketchup for dipping. Not shown: a container of cinnamon applesauce.

I found some missing
tomatoes & peaches
in the shape sorter...
Nate! Later in the day
I found it filled with
apples.

Small Victories

AJ decided he liked asparagus this week! Hooray! I had previously only been able to get him to eat it disguised as a green bean in a salty asian sauce. Ryan was very enthusiastic when we bought it at the supermarket, and AJ repeated him, praising the green vegetable repeatedly as they zipped around the produce department. But even at his pediatrician appointment this week, when asked his favourite foods he said, "Carrots, asparagus, and mashed potatoes."

I never demand that he try anything. I don't think that helps a picky eater at all. I just present a piece of whatever it is along with the rest of his food. Everyone talks about how delicious their food is and we model eating it again and again. It's fun to watch him very slowly add to his repetoire.

And in other news,
Maia is 2 months old
today! So here is a pic
from earlier in the
week. I have yet to
take the obligatory
2 month photo yet
today. But she is 10
pounds 10 ounces
and 23 1/4 inches long.

Here's a photo of the famous
asparagus meal, along with
"Neat Loaf" from the
children's book Benji
Beansprout Doesn't Eat
Meat, and some mashed
potatoes. The Neat Loaf didn't
hold together like it should,
but since it was a kids' book,
I followed the recipe as a child
would and did not use a food
processor. Ryan wants to try
it again at Thanksgiving anyhow.

Monday:


Ryan's lunch: onigiri
bee; Tofurky slice
"flowers"; raspberries;
steamed asparagus; a
cherry (pre-pitted).
It was a smaller bento
so that Ryan could bring
a Thermos his beloved
potato-leek soup, everyone's favourite.

Husband's lunch: orange
cherry tomatoes; cherries;
a pickle; peanuts;
raspberries; Nate's meatless
meatballs; vegetable bagel
sandwich; asparagus.



Tuesday:

Ryan's lunch: 2 amaranth graham crackers; slice of leftover "Neat Loaf"; 2 polar bear animal crackers; purple grapes; edamame; onigiri bear; mini spring roll; cantaloupe bears & kiwi...Vanilla Almond Luna Sunrise bar on the side.

CSA share: napa cabbage; leeks; corn on the cob; onions; red potatoes; carrots; 4 lbs tomaotes; 1/2 peck apples; 1 head lettuce; 1 small pie pumpkin; zucchini; cucumbers; 1/3 lb tat soi greens.
Not shown: PYO cherry tomatoes; kale/chard/collards; hot peppers; herbs; flowers.

Wednesday:

Ryan's lunch: onigiri moon; raspberries; pineapple starts; cucumber stars; marinated mushrooms; "Good Dog" on a whole wheat bun with organic ketchup.

Husband's lunch:
orange cherry
tomatoes; orange
slices; tofu salad
sandwich on
whole wheat bun.




My lunch: HA! See, I
have my bad food days
like anyone! "Good Dog"
with ketchup & mustard
on a whole wheat bun;
french fries; a pickle.



Thursday, September 11th:

Ryan's lunch: onigiri peace symbol surrounded by a rainbow of fruits & veggies.

At home, AJ & Nate had:
mini pumpkin-apple
muffin; onigiri; edamame;
apple slices; green beans;
(and Nate had 2 cherry
tomatoes).



Friday:

I always tell Ryan "NOTHING BLUE!" But I just had to try this food coloring technique from Lunch In A Box. So I guess now I'll be getting requests for blue Pokemon in the future, sigh.

Ryan's lunch: pineapple Pac-Man; peas; steamed carrot "ghosts"; Tofutti cream cheese & jelly "ghost" sandwich; mini zucchini muffin; roasted & salted pumpkin seeds.

Next week AJ & Nate start preschool, so I'll be overwhelmed with cute bento photos! See you then!

Muffin Tins

I thought I'd give the newly popular muffin tin snack/meal presentation a try with the boys. The portions end up about right for my trio, and if I serve it picnic style or on the kitchen footstool, cleanup is a cinch.

Row 1:
grapes,
pretzels,
peppers,
peanuts.

Row 2:
apples,
veggie
crackers,
cukes,
trail mix
bar.

Row 3: dried apricots, Tings, black olives, cashews.

Row 1:

pretzel
nuggets,
lettuce,
peanut
butter,
oranges.

Row 2:
Triscuits,
pickles,
sunflower
seeds,
raisins.

Row 3: cinnamon pita chips, green beans, edamame, cherry tomatoes.

I wouldn't do this every day, but it's a fun way to mix up the typical daily plate of table food at home. My next challenge will be to fill a 24 sized tart tin each with a different finger food!

Try this novel serving idea next time you're hosting a playdate. It's a great way for little hands to reach a variety of bite-sized foods.

Check out the Muffin Tin Meals Flickr group for more ideas.

Chickpeas & Tomatoes

Tomatoes are my
absolute favourite
food, and they go
great with chickpeas
(garbanzo beans). So
without further ado,
my tomato salad
recipe:

Heirloom Tomato Salad

3-5 heirloom tomatoes
1 cup grapes, halved
1/2 cup peas, fresh is preferred, frozen okay
1 T. lemon juice
1 T. snipped chives

Cut tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.
Add grapes.
Add shelled peas. (If using frozen peas, rinse with warm water to thaw.)
Add lemon juice & chives. Toss gently & serve.

Tuesday:

Every lunch of Ryan's this week contained chickpeas. They are a healthy, tasty protein source plus many vitamins & minerals. I use chickpeas in lots of meals: bean salads, chili, chickpea curry, and many permutations of hummus.

Ryan's lunch: hummus & cucumber sandwich squares; carrot sticks; blanched spinach; yellow watermelon; onigiri "dice".

Meanwhile at home,
AJ & Nate had: udon
noodles; baked flax
tempeh; steamed
broccoli; yellow
watermelon.















At the farm in the afternoon, the boys had a great time playing in the Children's Garden while we picked up our share. The bean teepee is really high this year!

CSA farm share: 4 lbs heirloom tomatoes, 1 1/2 quarts cherry & Juliet tomatoes, 1 bunch fennel, 3 leeks, 1/2 peck apples, small bag of plums, 1 head lettuce, 1/3 lb arugula, bell peppers, pattypan squash, eggplant, 1/2 pint golden raspberries, 1 melon, 2 lbs potatoes. Not shown: 2 dozen stems of kale/collards/chard, herbs, flowers.

Wednesday:

Ryan's lunch: red gel cup; onigiri "web"; pasta salad; purple grapes; green beans w/soy cheese cubes and a tomato "Spiderman".

Husband's lunch: apple; cucumber slices; lettuce; chickpea croquette; bell pepper slices; cherry tomatoes; pasta salad.

Thursday:

Ryan's lunch: a cherry (pre-pitted); golden raspberries; green grapes; chickpea croquette; cucumber flowers; english muffin with "Pikachu" tofu omelette.

Husband's lunch:
hummus, lettuce &
tomato sandwich;
cherry tomatoes;
grapes; pasta
salad.






Friday:

Today is National Cheese Pizza Day (yes, I keep track of all those obscure holidays for bento theming purposes--check out various holiday websites like this one). I make an exception for hydrogenated oils on rare occasions, like birthday pizza parties, and day's like today, by keeping a Tofutti Pizza Pizzaz in the freezer; it is the best imitation cheese pizza that exists in my opinion.

Ryan's lunch: broccoli; cauliflower; baby corn; roasted chick peas; an orange slice; a Lake Champlain dark chocolate with almonds; Tofutti Pizza Pizzaz.

Ryan requested that I
include a napkin to
wipe his hands "in
case they get chocolate
on them". So I put an
oshibori (wet towel) in
his lunchbox today.