Looking for Healthy School Lunch Ideas?

It can be a challenge coming up with new ideas for school lunches.  If you're lucky and your child's school has the ability to heat up food that expands the menu a little but most schools don't have that option. 

Here are a few basic recommendations:

1. Portions - There are so many great containers out there that offer 3 compartments for food portions. 
2. Variety - These same portion containers allow for variety in your child's meal.  Mixing up a fruit, vegtable, protien, dairy and/or carbs provides healthy variety.
3. Nutrition - Most kids like to see a sweet treat in their lunches but be sure to balance that with some more nutritional options too.  If you do provide a dessert, then there should be a solid main dish and side along with it.

Once you have the basics down it's finding ways to mix things up.  Sandwiches seem to be a staple in most school lunches.  They are great but you can even play with those, make a wrap using a tortilla or take away the carb element all together and just wrap meat and cheese in a roll up.  Fruits and veggies cleaned and cut up should be a staple in every lunch.  My kids enjoy dipping their veggies in ranch so if you need to add a dip for them to eat their veggies, then go for it!  Pretzels, goldfish, veggie chips, pita chips are a few of the alternatives to potato chips. 

For other fun ideas check out these helpful articles:

30 Ideas for School Lunches - http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipes/healthy/ideas-kids-school-lunches

40 Healthy School Lunch Recipes to Make for Your Kids - http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/40-healthy-school-lunch-recipes-make-for-your-kids.htm

Healthy School Lunch Ideas for Kids - http://www.healthychild.com/healthy-school-lunch-ideas-for-kids

Helpful Montessori Resources

Many parents are just learning about Montessori education, along with their children.  Though it's been around since Maria Montessori opened the first school in Rome, Italy in 1907.  The philosophy is still rather new to many parents in the United States.  We thought it might be helpful to share some useful resources on the philosophy and how it works.

The Montessori Foundation- A non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Montessori education in the U.S. and abroad.  Programs and resources for parents, teachers and students.

Living Montessori Now - A website with inspiration and information for parents and teachers. 

American Montessori Society - Order, independence, cooperation, respect. Bring Montessori into your home with the American Montessori Society.

International Montessori Society 

Montessori Primary Guide - A useful site with good explanations on Montessori and all it's environments.

Montessori Materials - A site created to help parents and teachers create Montessori materials on their own.

If you have other resources you have found helpful please feel free to share in our comments section.