Last week on the Mama Manual Facebook page, I asked a question which got many mamas typing away.
I posted the following:

One of the most popular responses was preparing lunches.  Now, this is one thing I definitely do not mind doing, and I do have a handful of tricks for you!

Here is how to make preparing lunches more bearable (much more bearable!)

1. Pick the right time.

   Choosing to prepare lunches after dinner is no fun for anyone.  The last thing we all feel like doing after cooking, eating, and having to clear up is to start all over again.  Some of you mamas might be fine for preparing lunches in the morning, but this is not for me either.  The most time-efficient way I have found to do this is to prepare as much as I can while my kids are having snacks.  Having a breakfast counter helps, as while I prepare snacks for them, they are eating and we can chit chat face to face.  A few good examples are cutting cheese into cubes, washing and preparing fruit, portioning crackers and making roll ups out of wraps.

2. Bulk prep

   This relates to the above. If I am cutting cheese into cubes, I cut two days worth and store in airtight containers.  With fruit, I would rather do it daily to ensure freshness.  Pasta salads can be prepared for 3 days if refrigerated and stored correctly. Roll ups can also be prepared in bulk too.

3. …and bulk cook!

   I like to prepare a filling lunch for my husband with brown rice and veggies.  I cook for 3 days worth store in individual portions/containers in the fridge, ready to go.  The same goes for my kid’s lunches.  I cook patties, mini pies and pasta in bulk.

4. The freezer is your best friend

   If you are planning to cook something that can be frozen, plan to cook in larger quantities and freeze. This is what I do when I make patties and mini pies.  I like to prepare pasta sauces with hidden veggies.  This can also be frozen.  I use little Ziploc bags to freeze individual portions.  When I want to prepare some pasta for lunch, all I need to do is boil the pasta and mix in the (defrosted) SAUCE!

5. Use ingredients being used for dinner

   Now let’s say you are cooking a stew for dinner.  Chop up extra potatoes and make a potato salad.  Veggie soup?  Use some of the veggies to steam and blend into a sauce along with some parmesan and Greek yoghurt.  Curry rice?  Boil extra rice for a rice salad.  This tip is so easy to implement, and is sure to make preparing lunches more bearable!

6. Repurpose dinner leftovers

   This is not only a great way to cook up a great lunch, but a great way to avoid waste!  Some examples include: roast chicken – use extra chicken for salad, bread filling, mini pies, or shredded as a snack.  Salad – use as a bread or wrap filling, or on the side. Extra veg – add to rice and stir fry, use in a mini-pie, or to make patties.  Any kind of protein is perfect for pies or patties too!

7. Invest in portioned containers

   My daughter loves her Yumbox.  I find it very practical to ensure I give her a good mix of foods, as well as being very practical in terms of serving different snacks and food according to what is available.

8. Make it fun!

   You can easily turn lunch prep into a simple cooking activity with your children.  Kids as young as two are perfectly capable of simple tasks such as washing fruit, picking and sprinkling herbs or stirring.
   Or, turn on the music!  Your favourite tunes just might make preparing lunches more bearable, and a whole lot more fun!

9. Ask everyone what they would like

   There’s nothing worse than preparing lunches only to get back a sad, full lunchbox.  Do ask your family members what they would like for lunch.  You just might get inspired too!

10. When all else fails, buy lunch!

    In the event that an impossibly hectic week just so happens, we buy lunch.  This applies to my husband and I, and my son who is 12 and has access to a tuck shop at school.
    If you feel you have too much to handle, allow yourself some grace and buy lunch.  Ready-made lunch never killed anyone, and your stress levels will thank you for it!

I honestly hope that I have inspired some of you who so passionately stated that they hate preparing lunch.  Leave a comment below and let me know if I have! 🙂

Nakita xxx