A Few Fun things on Friday

Happy Friday! I had a little time so I thought I would play with some of my gadgets that I have. I am going to try out my egg molds! I got a set from Ann at Anncoo's Hobby and Wendy from Wendolonia. I have already tried and used my picks and rice molds, and they work great and Maranda loves the rice balls anytime, for lunch or snacks!

For the rice balls in this bento I used a rice and grain blend, that I got the idea from Sheri at Happy Little Bento. She had some red rice and white rice mixed with a few other grains. So when I found some red rice I decided to try it, especially since I've been buying several new rice and grains to try. We had this for dinner and I used the leftover for the rice balls. I really liked it, but Wade thought it needed a little more flavor...okay that's easy enough to do.

Back to the egg mold. One set was all in Japanese and I can't read that yet. The other had instructions in English too. I also checked the great directions that Maki had on her Just Hungry

blog, she also has a Just Bento blog that has a wealth of information if you want to start making bento box lunches.

First thing is to boil and peel the eggs. I hate peeling fresh eggs, they are so hard to peel! Ack!

Then place the warm peeled egg in the mold. (it looks all beat up) I placed it in warm water right before using the mold.

Okay... now I used a large egg in a large mold. I think I need an extra large egg here. These molds should work well for rice balls too, which is what Maranda wanted to use them for. Looks like this one will become egg salad!

The next mold is marked large too...but this was from the other set. A much nicer looking egg.

Close the lid and snap it shut, and put it in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.

Ta-Da!! This one worked! That was fun!

I had these cookie cutters that will also leave and impression. I found that Pubix brand wheat bread is soft enough to use for this. Usually you would have to use white bread, so this was nice.

I found this little boiled egg holder. They had a sheep too, but we don't always sit down and eat boiled eggs much so I just got one for photos. It did remind me of my childhood when we use to use egg holders.

Martha from Seaside Simplicity had once said that using ice cube trays are a good way to keep extra lemon, and key lime juice. I ran across these (on clearance of course $2). This will be perfect when our lemon tree has all those lemons I don't want to go to want it to go to waste. Also you won't have this happen to you when you get it mixed up with something else!

Then I picked up these handy storage trays half off at Michael's that work great for my food picks. The other one was for my baran (food dividers).

Best of all it fits perfect in the tiny drawer that I have for my lunch making supplies.
Ho hum...too much for you?

I think that's enough busy work for these lazy days of summer.

Pesto Chicken Spinach Wrap - Bento

This one was for the last day of school! I have some nesting stainless with covers, so I have several sizes. This is the second largest. I think they will work well for bento lunches. Here I have leftover rotisserie chicken, with pesto, tomatoes and lettuce in a spinach wrap. Some nice sweet cantaloupe, strawberries and tiny carrots. I know I didn't take much time on it, but I'll work on that this summer when I have the time. I'm not working summer school this year. So...I hope to be posting more.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!!

School Lunches

I work in the school's clinic and my morning duty is breakfast. I get to watch all the kids at breakfast, making sure they get along (the most trouble I have is between siblings). I have to encourage them to eat so they can get to class in time. I also help them in line and make sure they get their spoons, napkins and straws. If they spill something I show them how to clean it up,( apparently they never do this at home). You should see the look I get when they spill! Here are some of my breakfast buddies.

It was hat day, so this is the only time I let them wear hats inside.

We also have a good manners table. If you want to sit with us, you have to use good manners. If you're not sure, the girls will explain. Okay on to the post....

Since I am in and around the kitchen at breakfast time I see what goes on when they are prepping for lunch. Now in light of Jaimie Oliver's Food Revolution I noticed how much fresh vegetables we do get and use in our school. We also have not had whole milk for some time now. I heard that we are one of the first countys in the state to implement this, we are ahead of the rest. So when I heard him say we need more fresh foods, I was confused. The manager of the kitchen said they work with nutrition and the state guideline and they change the menu all the time, to make sure it works. If the kids won't eat it they have to take it off the menu. If they don't buy lunches, the kitchen looses workers, etc... They work hard at making in nutritious and what the kids will eat. The school menu provides a nutritional guideline, green = the best choice, yellow = the next, and red = the most choice you have to watch out for.

In the morning walking through the kitchen I often see fresh veggies. This zucchini has just been sliced and will go in the oven to steam for lunch.
Fresh lettuce and veggies go into the salad choice daily.

Fresh topping for the turkey sandwich choice for those who do not want salad or spaghetti today.

I was there for breakfast, so I thought I'd show you a taste of breakfast. Scrambled eggs and grits, toast (often whole wheat). Or they can always get cereal (often less sugar).

They always get a fruit or juice.

Here is the school lunch today. Let's take a look at what some mom's packed for their child's lunch.

Here's one, the wrap looks good.

hmm..not bad, sandwich, and she has yogurt in there.

Yes, some pasta, and good, fresh fruit! But wait...more to come.

oh yes, cookies, cheese nips, gummy snack, and that's red licorice under that. Not sure what the bar is.

My favorite....the lunchables!! Oh, and it comes with Capri Sun or (flavored sugar water)

This was just a smattering of lunches that I saw briefly as I was walking to the teacher's lunch room. I've always been surprised on what kids bring for lunch.

My daughter's lunch. She has always been a good eater, and usually has whole wheat bread, she still likes her sandwiches, (no mayo). I got this bread from the Italian bakery by us. She never did like school lunches.

I'm not saying that our school lunches don't need any changes, I think they should do away with the chocolate and strawberry milk, even though they are 1% fat. Have you ever seen chocolate milk on Cinnamon Toast Crunch? It's not a pretty sight. I also think good nutrition and good choices start at home.

Although one thing that needs to stay in school lunches.....

Tots! You gotta have your tater tots! Where else can you get them like this? :D