What Back to School Lunch Looks Like with BUBS Naturals

My youngest son is in a homeschool co-op. Our school district is still practicing distance learning, so we opted into a little co-op to make sure the boys still get outside, get to play outside, and still sometimes see humans that are not called Mom. The other morning I woke up and realized, “Oh. He’s like LEAVING the house! I need to pack a lunch!” 

It had been a minute! Having to prepare to leave the house, and present my child to another adult, wasn’t something we had experienced since earlier this year.

I scoured the kitchen and pantry for lunch items that wouldn’t make me look like the worst mother on the planet. Things were not looking good. Then I saw our tub of BUBS.

Five minutes later, my youngest son had a protein packed smoothie in a thermos with his name on it, a bag of almonds, cherries, and chocolate chips that I shook up to resemble trail mix, a remarkably pathetic apple, and a string cheese.

Welcome back to school, kid.

So, lest you find yourself packing the lunch of shame, here are five quick lunch ideas that take just a matter of minutes. 

1. Leftovers: I don’t know why, but packing leftovers for lunch is never my first inclination. How to heat them up, what if they’re messy, what if the foods “touch”? But never overlook leftovers for your kids lunch. It saves time and money, plus you know your kids will like them because you just watched them eat them the night before. Here’s a recipe forGlen’s Chili, from Glen’s own book of recipes, that will shortly become a staple in your home.
2. Homemade Lunchables: Every once in a while, my kids ask for things in the grocery store. Uncrustables, Lunchables, Boxed Macaroni Dinners, the usual. My middle son loves copycat recipes, so we love to head on home and made our own versions. This is our version of Lunchables, and the kids love them! Super simple; tear up some sliced deli meat, or use pepperoni or salami, pair with some sliced cheese, and your kids favorite crackers and we’re good to go. If you’re feeling adventurous, or want an afternoon cooking event with your own kids, you can make theseRosemary Collagen Crackers. 
3. Overnight Oats: They’re not just for breakfast anymore! Especially when they’re as delicious as theseChocolate Peanut Butter Collagen Overnight Oats. Jam packed with protein, they are just as nutritious as they are delicious. They’re so easy to make, with no cooking required, and you don’t have to worry about warming them up. Kids can just eat them cold, right out of the container. No cooking, no heating, no clean up. Done and done.
4. Muffins:Right, I know. Another breakfast food. (Any hot takes on what my favorite meal of the day is?) But withBUBS Naturals Collagen, you can feel a bit better about literally anything you make because our collagen is totally flavorless and completely dissolves. You can bake it into just about anything, like thisBlueberry Collagen Protein Bread. Or, if you’re a wee bit fancier than that, have a try with thisPaleo German Apple Pancakerecipe. These are not only beautiful, they’re also delicious and packed with collagen protein that you can feel good about giving your kids. 
5. Roll Ups: I don’t know about you, but my kids get a little tired of sandwiches. So every once in a while I toss in a roll up and BAM! They feel like they’re getting some exotic delicacy. Lunch meat is an easy go-to, like this recipe forcrunchy turkey pinwheels. You can easily mixBUBS Naturals collagen into hummus or avocado spread for some added protein. Or, if you’re shooting for an old fashioned PB&J then go ahead and mix a heaping scoop of collagen into the peanut butter before you spread it out.