If you’re trying to maintain the illusion of being a good parent, I suggest you stay away from searching “healthy school lunch ideas.” Your first result will likely lead you to some childless food enthusiasts over at a trendy site who propose that Asparagus and Gruyere Panini and Curried Egg Salad Pinwheels are among the top “25 Quick and Easy School Lunches.” Apparently, I’m expected to roast asparagus the night before, or perhaps shave it into delicate ribbons with a vegetable peeler. Then, I’m supposed to layer on the gruyere cheese and drizzle lemon juice before using my nonexistent panini press the next morning. And let’s not forget the hard-boiling of eggs and the painstaking task of crafting “pinwheels” from crustless bread, all while my toddler runs around the house naked at 6 AM.
I love my child and want him to eat well. Since I began preparing his lunches for preschool, I’ve rolled up slices of turkey, cut raw veggies, and halved grapes to ensure he doesn’t choke. I even went through a phase where I cut his cheese into various shapes—yes, even irregular pentagons. But let’s be real: I’m all for meal prepping on weekends, like whipping up cold salads or casseroles to make my weekdays easier. However, pressing a panini while dealing with a morning tornado of chaos is not on my to-do list. I refuse to pinwheel, and the very thought of using “pinwheel” as a verb goes against my parenting philosophy. I need to conserve my energy for the essentials.
Even if I weren’t juggling a job, I doubt I’d dedicate time to pinwheeling. My own mother, who stayed home, packed me simple lunches: a baloney sandwich on white bread and a thermos of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup—no artisanal shallots in sight. She spent her time reading to me, not concocting elaborate meals.
One wise commenter on the “25 Quick and Easy School Lunches” post put it perfectly: “Really, I don’t think you should send your kids to school with skewers.” And I couldn’t agree more.
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In summary, while striving for healthy lunches is commendable, let’s keep it real and simple. Being a parent is tough enough without the added pressure of gourmet lunches—focus on what works for you and your family.
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