We Paired Thematic Lunch Boxes with the Most Appropriate (and Delicious!) Meals

From the bookworms to the sporty types, the spunky music lovers and the theater kids, going back to school is all about personality. Having your own unique style in school will always be the rage.

One way to do that is to rock an awesome lunch box. Lucky for you, we’ve figured out what should go inside them. These lunch box pairings will be the envy of all the kids at your lunch table. Eating well is never out of style.

Japanese Bento Box

Amazon

What’s inside: Sweet and Sour Chicken Bento

Just One Cookbook

Presentation, presentation, presentation. Bento boxes are not only filling for the tummy but also a feast for the eyes. You’ve seen the pictures on the ‘gram and Pinterest—the ones with the elaborate too-cute-to-eat animal and cartoon designs. Well, lucky for you, bento boxes don’t have to be that intricate (but you do you, queen).

The key is color—think for every different color you have on your plate, the more nutrients you get. I aim for at least three different colors—and small bite-sized pieces. You also want to mix it up with some cooked components, like the meat and rice, and some raw, like fruits and veggies. It’s all about balance and creativity with bento boxes.

These are especially good for younger children who are picky eaters. If you add little eyes and whiskers on a vegetable they don’t like, more often than not, they’ll eat it. It’s just too fun not to!

The simplistic design of the lunch box has plenty of compartments for your different bento components, and even comes with nifty little wooden fork and spoon.

Check out this awesome recipe for Sweet and Sour Chicken Bento from “Just One Cookbook” that won’t take hours to make but will get you excited for lunch every day.

Fender Speaker Lunch Box

Amazon

What’s inside: “The Elvis” Sandwich

Healthy Recipe Ecstasy

This music lover’s lunch box needs the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s favorite famous sandwich: peanut butter, banana, and bacon. No jelly, though. This sandwich always does better with a drizzle of honey instead.

Though the classic Elvis ‘wich calls for a stick of butter for frying (yikes!), we’re taking a healthier route with this recipe, using whole grain bread and no butter-frying.

Jazzin’ up the normal PB&J will take only minutes to prep in the morning.

The lunch box design is a classic, just like your favorite music. And the sandwich is just as famous as who it’s named after. You simply ♫ can’t help falling in love with ♫ “The Elvis” PB & banana. *ba-dum-tss*

Brunch Emoji Lunch Box

Paperchase

What’s inside: Waffle Sliders

FlapJacked

When you graduate, you’ll be spending all your money on brunch, so you might as well get used to the amazing breakfast/lunch combo now.

Waffle sliders have endless possibilities. I’m from the South, so you know what I’m about to suggest…chicken ‘n’ waffles! You can use mini freezer waffles and sandwich them up with popcorn chicken, or peanut butter and sliced apples, or any assortment of sliced meats and cheese. You can also use dinner leftovers, like barbecue pulled pork, and make savory waffle sliders. Pair it all up with some fresh berries and yogurt, and you’ve got yourself a waffle bar lunch!

What I love about this lunch box is that it’s very “now” (with the emoji smiley face and rainbow eggs—heck yea!)—all the cool kids will love it. The insulation will also keep your waffles from going soggy.

Picnic Basket Lunch Box

Amazon

What’s inside: Kid-Friendly Charcuterie

Recipe for Perfection

Let’s put the class back in classy. This is me in high school—a wannabe foodie who thought her lunch box was the talk of the hall.

I’d carry my lunch box like a prized possession, a handbag, a picnic on-the-go. I am a sucker for charcuterie and I think it has endless possibilities of nutrition and diva-level finesse.

The picnic basket lunch box is perfect for a kid-friendly charcuterie. You can pack sliced meats, cheeses, crackers, jam and jellies, nuts, fruits, veggies, and dip. That covers dairy, produce, grains, and protein!

The lunch box even comes with plates, mugs, and a blanket—you’re a socialite, of course. Pack a small bottle of sparkling grape juice if you really want to go all the way with this fancy lunch. Orange juice and sparkling water is another option to make mock-mosas.

Tacocat Lunch Box

Cafe Press

What’s inside: Build-Your-Own Tacos

My Kitchen Escapades

It’s true. Tacocat spelled backwards is tacocat.

This lunch box is for the edgy internet babies and taco-lovers alike!

And the food inside ain’t bad, either. Tacos are easy meal prep for packed lunches. The best part is that they’re versatile. You can pack a variety of different ingredients and build unique tacos each day. Chicken, steak, barbecue, veggie—and think of the toppings! Pack shredded cheese, lettuce, and sour cream.

Simply switch out the proteins and toppings and it doesn’t feel repetitive. You can also do taco bowls and ditch the tortillas altogether. Moreover, it’s fun to build them when the lunch bell rings.

This meal gives you grains, protein, veggies, and dairy, all in one. Taco lunches cost next to nothing and will feel like a fiesta come every lunch hour!

Related Video: What’s In Your Lunch Box?

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Pack These 6 Healthy DIY Juice Box Alternatives in Your Kids’ School Lunch

As much as I harbor nostalgia for the store-bought, 100 percent artificial-everywhere-don’t-care juice boxes of my youth (anyone here remember Hi-C’s limited release Ecto Cooler?), I recognize that they’re not the healthiest lunch box choice for the future leaders of tomorrow.

Fortunately, these days, if you want to take control of your children’s juice box options, all you need are the right vessels and a little bit of creativity in the kitchen. As far as the former is concerned, sure, you could recycle and reuse some old water bottles for your DIY juice boxes. Or, if you want to get a little more “high-tech” with it, you can turn to newer innovations in reusable juice box ware, like Drink In The Box containers or these multi-use pouches. As for the health-minded homemade juice alternatives to fill them with, here are ideas for six favorites.

Coconut Water Lemonade

SugarSoil

Naturally high in good-for-you things like electrolytes, potassium, calcium, magnesium, amino acids, and antioxidants (and low in calories), coconut water is a no-brainer replacement for the standard juice box. Tasty as coconut water is on its own, guaranteed no kid is going to complain about about this jazzed up lemonade variation. They taste tropical lemonade, you taste the sweet satisfaction of knowing they’re getting vitamins and nutrients. Get the recipe.

Watermelon and Mint Water

The Merry Thought

The solution for the kid who turns their nose up at plain old water? Easy: Fruit-infused water. Think of it as fruit juice “light,” delivering genuine flavor without the artificial, sugar-laden sweetness. Plus you can include the pieces of fruit in the juice box as a kind of bonus snack. The concept has endless, customizable possibilities—fruit medleys, fruit and herb combos, etc.—but we’re particularly partial to this classic watermelon and mint duo. Get the recipe.

Orange Twist Sports Drink

Mommypotamus

Help your little one save some of their hard-earned allowance money at the vending machine with this DIY sports drink. For this rendition, all you need is water, fresh juice, sea salt, raw honey, and concentrated mineral drops, and poof, your kid is ready to crush it on the field or court (or both). Get the recipe.

Sugar Free Strawberry Soda

Super Healthy Kids

Fend off those soda cravings with this easy homemade soda alternative. This sparkling juice is all-natural and sugar-free (well, at least free of artificial sugar) and completely customizable to your kids’ tastes. Strawberry soda is just one of many delicious, can’t-get-it-from-a-soda-fountain options you can make. Maybe next week it’s blueberry or pineapple or mango-peach? Get the recipe.

Tangerine-Raspberry Iced Tea

Good Life Eats

It might be a bit of a leap for most kids to love the bold and herbaceous flavors of green or black tea (not to mention the potentially undesirable levels of caffeine they contain), but fruit-flavored herbal tea? Now there’s a great, health-conscious juice box replacement option. This recipe cleverly combines tangerine and raspberry-flavored teas to create an easy-to-love lunch box staple. Get the recipe.

Homemade Yogurt Drinks

Laura Fuentes

Getting enough calcium into your children’s’ diet is always a top priority, and something that the juice box you’ve been adding to the daily balanced lunch just doesn’t help with. So here’s a thought: Trade the juice for a homemade yogurt drink made with real fruit. Get the recipe.

Related Video: How to Juice with Your Food Processor

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Tired of Trail Mix? Try These Tips for Storing and Cooking Food While Camping

Camping can be a wonderful experience—there’s the beauty of nature, there are friends, there are s’mores—but it does require a fair amount of planning for it to be successful. Forgetting a flashlight? Been there. No matches? Check. Making six trips to the store after repeatedly overlooking key items? Again, guilty. We’ve learned from previous camping mistakes. But we’ve also relied on other resources, like Robin Donovan, author of “Campfire Cuisine: Gourmet Recipes for the Great Outdoors.” Donovan has tons of wisdom on how to pack a cooler, prepare food safely, and cook over a campfire, because you should eat well even in the great outdoors.

Chowhound’s Campfire Cherry Cobbler

Pack Your Cooler the Right Way

Follow these tips to keep your food cool and safe.

• Buy an appliance thermometer and use it to be sure your cooler stays at 40°F or below (frozen foods you want to keep frozen should be stored at 0°F or below).

• Prechill your cooler by filling it with ice 30 minutes before adding food.

• Prechill all foods and beverages before adding to the cooler.

• Prefreeze meat, poultry, seafood, fruit, and noncarbonated beverages—already frozen, they’ll help your cooler stay cold longer.

• Bags of frozen vegetables (such as corn and peas) do double duty as ice packs, helping to keep the cooler cold until you’re ready to defrost or cook them.

• Block ice will last longer than ice cubes or ice chunks. Make your own block ice by freezing water-filled 1-gallon or 1/2-gallon resealable freezer bags. (Use the type of freezer bags that stand up on their own for easy filling.) To minimize leakage as the ice melts, double-bag the ice blocks.

• Pack the food you will use first on top, and try to group the food by meal to avoid unnecessary opening and rearranging of the cooler.

• Keep nonperishable beverages in one cooler, perishable food and beverages in another.

• Keep the coolers well stocked with ice and open them as little as possible.

• Keep the coolers in a shady spot or in the coolest part of your car.

• If you’re planning a long trip, use two coolers. Fill one cooler with what you need for the first half of the trip. (Be sure to plan your meals so that the most perishable items appear on the menu in the first half of the trip.) Place the food you won’t need until the second half of the trip in the second cooler, pack it with ice, and seal it with duct tape. Don’t open it until it’s time to start using that food.

Chowhound’s Campfire Breakfast Toad in the Hole

Preparing Food Safely

• Always wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before and after handling food.

• Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood away from other food.

• Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood in the cooler until ready to cook.

• Always thaw frozen meat, poultry, or seafood thoroughly before cooking, to ensure that it cooks evenly.

• Frozen foods should be thawed in a cooler at 40°F or below. Be sure thawing meat, poultry, or seafood is well wrapped to avoid dripping juices onto other food.

• To thaw food more quickly, place it in a sealed, leak-proof plastic bag and submerge the bag in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the food is completely thawed. Cook immediately.

• Never use the same dishes or utensils for both raw and cooked meat, poultry, or seafood.

• After cutting raw meat, wash your hands and the cutting board, knife, and work surfaces with hot, soapy water.

• Always keep marinating meat in a cooler with a temperature of 40°F or below.

• If you’re unsure how to tell when meat is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer. Place it into the thickest part of the meat to test for proper temperature:

• Ground meat (beef, veal, lamb, and pork) should be cooked to a temperature of at least 160°F.

• Ground poultry should be cooked to 165°F.

• Beef, veal, and lamb (steaks, chops, or roasts) should be cooked to 145°F.

• Pork (chops or roasts) should be cooked to 160°F.

• Dark poultry meat should be cooked to 180°F. Breast meat should be cooked to 170°F.

Note: These are the temperatures recommended by the USDA.

Chowhound’s Campfire Couscous Salad with Bell Peppers and Mint

Creating Distinct “Cooking Zones”

Once your coals are ready for cooking, you can create “cooking zones” by varying the depth of coals in different areas under the grill. The closer the coals are to the grill, the higher the heat will be in that area. By creating different temperature zones, you can simultaneously cook foods requiring different heat levels.

Create three distinct cooking zones by dividing the grilling area into three sections. For high heat, layer the briquettes under one section so they are just 4 to 6 inches from the grill rack. For medium heat, pile the briquettes under the second section so there are 8 to 10 inches of space between them and the grill. For low heat, in the third section spread the coals so there is a 12-inch space between the coals and the grill.

Chowhound’s Campfire Banana Boats

Wrap It Up: Cooking in Foil

Cooking foil-wrapped food over hot coals is a convenient way to create dishes with multiple ingredients and complex flavors. The important things to remember are to use a heavy-duty foil (to avoid breakage) and to leave room inside the foil (to allow heat and steam to circulate). You are essentially creating a mini oven in which to bake your food.

Cooking in foil is an ideal preparation method for fish too delicate to keep from flaking apart on a grill rack or for dishes in which you want to retain the sauce and juices as they cook.

Foil can also be used to protect food you wish to cook directly in the coals, like our Boozy Campfire Cheese. Whole potatoes and yams wrapped in foil, for example, can be baked in the glowing coals (this is one instance where you don’t need to leave room inside the packet). Cook the yams or potatoes about 45 minutes, or until they are easily punctured with a skewer.

Use fairly large squares of foil—about 12 inches by 12 inches. This will allow enough room for the heat and steam to circulate inside the foil packet.

To prevent food sticking to the foil, always coat it with oil or butter before adding the food. I prefer to use olive oil spray for most dishes, as it contributes flavor as well as nonstick qualities, but any nonstick cooking oil spray will do. Alternatively, use a paper towel to rub 1/2 teaspoon or so of olive oil, vegetable oil, or butter on the foil.

A few additional advantages to cooking in foil are that packets can be made up ahead of time and stored in a cooler until ready to cook, leftovers can be kept in their cooking packets for storage, and cleanup couldn’t be easier.

Chowhound’s Campfire Fondue S’mores

Related Video: 12 S’mores Recipes That Put a Spin on the Campfire Classic

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These Fashion-Forward Lunch Boxes Are Perfect for Work and Back to School

“Back to school…back to school…to prove to dad that I’m not a fool. I’ve got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight. I hope I don’t get in a fight. Oh, back to school…back to school.”

You don’t have to be Billy Madison or a child to enjoy a new lunch box, but the prospect of heading back to school for a brand new year of learning and crustless PB&Js surely makes the purchase all the more exciting.

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite lunch boxes, all of which have gotten quite an upgrade from the ol’ wrinkled paper bag we were accustomed to as kids. From high-tech and modern to clever and nostalgic, there’s literally a lunch carrier for every preference and personality.

Check them out below!

Wooden Lunch Box with Chopsticks

Amazon

This may be a bit too sophisticated for the average child, but if you’re a grown-up who wants to impress your co-workers with chopstick skills, look no further. Buy it here.

Artist Designed Neoprene Lunch Tote

Amazon

Oh, look at all the pretty colors! We never thought our lunch bag would like it came straight from the Museum of Modern Art, but we’re certainly not complaining. Sometimes food can be a work of art. Buy it here.

Thermos Wookie Lunch Box

Amazon

This Chewy-inspired lunch box is kind of disturbing, but sure to delight some “Star Wars” fans, as long as they don’t mind the inevitable crumbs and food stains in the wookie hair. Buy it here.

Stainless Steel EcoLunch Box

Amazon

This is an ideal option for any eco-friendly minimalist. It also pairs particularly well with barbell moustaches, skinny jeans, and hipster flannel. Buy it here.

Unicorn Lunch Pal

Amazon

Who wouldn’t want to rock a unicorn (with a 3D horn!) in the elementary school or work cafeteria? If that person is you, we’re not sure if we can be friends. Buy it here.

Insulated Lunch Purse

Amazon

We’re pretty sure this “lunch purse” looks better than most of the designer bags in our closet. And its sole purpose is to hold a sandwich and a bag of pretzels. Gotta love fashion. Buy it here.

Reusable Lunch Sack

Amazon

The brown bag makes a triumphant return, and this time it gets a practical and sustainable upgrade. We love how you can customize the timeless classic by writing messages. Ours would say “keep out” as a clear message to pesky lunch thieves. Buy it here.

Despicable Me Lunch Box

Amazon

We’re not particularly obsessed with Minions, but we’re obsessed with this Minion-shaped lunch box. This is exactly the face we make when our lunch hour is delayed because of a late meeting. Buy it here.

Stackable Lunch Box

Amazon

No, this isn’t a tiered Thermos. It’s all about efficiency with this lunch box of stacked compartments. You can also surprise your kid with a treat like M&Ms. Where will you put them? They’ll have to guess. (But they only have three options, so it’s not that difficult.) Buy it here.

The Beatles Drum Lunch Tin

Amazon

It’s an inarguable fact that The Beatles are one of the best bands of all time. It’s also an inarguable fact that a drum-shaped lunch tin is an amazing thing. Combine two great things for a product that will have everyone envious. Buy it here.

Related Video: How to Make a Veggie-Filled Kid Lunch

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10 Back-to-School Burrito Hacks for Fueling the Year Ahead

It’s that dreaded time of year for many of us – back to school. Sure, it means sweater-weather and new school supplies, but it also means bidding adieu to the dog days of summer and our free time.  Plus, we come home honnngrayyy from class with very little time to throw together real dinner. Oh, and we need to pack something for lunch between classes AND grab breakfast on the go.

Sound overwhelming? Well, when you’ve had a few days in a row of $12 so-so salads purchased at the place on the corner and inhaled without pleasure, or chips and salsa for dinner…again…while catching up on Mr. Robot, we are here to help you hack.

Pick a night, set aside an hour or so, and bookmark this page for some serious freezer burrito hacks that will get you set for the return of homework and group project hell. They’re easy, they’re quick, and they’ll save your student budget for things that really matter. Like beers.

The most important things to remember are:

1. Temperature – make sure your tortillas and your ingredients are all roughly room temperature. This way, the tortilla won’t crack in the middle (ugh major leak fail) and the ingredients won’t steam up the lovely burrito you just assembled, thereby creating a soggy mess.

2. Sog factor – to ensure a delicious burrito upon defrosting or reheating, skip the soggers – that means guac, sour cream, and sauces. Don’t worry – we’re not here to deny you of these earthly pleasures, just keep them on the side! This way, you’ll have a great base-level burrito with a few clutch condiments added upon unwrap to prevent burrito soup.

3. Wrap it like you mean it – a tight tortilla wrap is your friend. Then wrap it tightly again with foil and plastic wrap before freezing. Wrap it like those girls on Instagram wrap their bellies.

1. Chorizo Breakfast Burrito

This classic recipe scales up beautifully – go ahead, make 10 of them. Toss them in the freezer and you will actually be excited to get out of bed.  Pop it in the microwave while you’re getting dressed and you’ve got the ideal commuting breakfast with a kick. Get our Chorizo Breakfast Burrito recipe.

2. Chicken, Bean, and Cheese Budget Burritos

Good Cheap Eats

It doesn’t get easier or cheaper (student loans, wheeee!) than these freezer flavor bombs. Save the $9 from that impulse burrito and make these babies instead. Get the recipe here.

3. Vegetarian Black Bean Burrito

Meatless Monday morning just got better with this vegetarian breakfast burrito. You won’t miss the meat because the roasted poblanos pack heat and the scrambled eggs bring the protein. Trust us, you’ll be full well past lunch. Get our Vegetarian Black Bean Burrito recipe.

4. Sweet Potato Veggie Burrito

The Vintage Mixer

One of the best times to make freezer burritos is when you have seemingly random leftovers. Corn salad? Roasted squash or sweet potatoes? End of summer and early Fall produce are perfect to throw into a couple freezer burritos. Future you will thank you. Get the recipe here.

5. Ham, Egg, and Green Chile Burritos

Foxes Love Lemons

You’re getting the hang of this now, right? A salty meat, some gorgeous scrambled eggs, and a hit of something hot and roasty? This one checks all the boxes. Get the recipe here.

6. Carnitas Carnitas Carnitas (with Negro Modelo)

Chowhound

You’ve made it this far, I trust you’re on board. This is not a burrito recipe. You’re beyond that. This is a recipe for the best damn carnitas you’ll make from one badass San Francisco chef. With beer in them. Make these carnitas, pop them into a few freezer burritos, and your friends will be trying to trade you their artisanal snack pack for this lunch win. Pro tip: Skip the guac and go easy on the salsa verde for your freezer version. Get our Carnitas recipe.

7. The Old School

Taco Tuesday of your youth? Crunchy shells, a packet of seasoning, maybe some queso? Makes you want to hit a late night fast food chain after your homework (read: happy hour) is done? This is the one to keep on hand. Simple. Unpretentious. Scarfed. Get the recipe here.

8. Four Ingredient Green Chile Chicken

Sarcastic Cooking

It has 4 ingredients. Including the chicken. You put it in the slow cooker. It is impossible to mess this up. Make this meat, place into burrito, wrap and freeze. SEND. Get the recipe here.

9. Heartburn-free Middle Eastern Burrito

Eats Well With Others

You made it this far! You love burritos! But maybe you’re craving something outside the standard Mexican-based fare. Try these incredible lentil and rice burritos (lentils have LOADS of protein and iron!) for a new twist on your freezer staples. Seriously just make these. Get the recipe here.

10. Carnitas-Avocado Breakfast Burrito

Despite their name, these satisfying burritos can actually be eaten any time of day. Get our Carnitas-Avocado Burrito recipe.

Related Video: How to Roll a Burrito

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Riselotes al Salto (Elote-Flavored Risotto Pancake)

Get Recipe!

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Gluten-Free Vanilla Birthday Cake

Have your cake and eat it too! If you need a festive cake without gluten, dairy, or eggs, this is THE cake to make. It's tender, soft, and tastes great with chocolate frosting. (And sprinkles!)

Continue reading "Gluten-Free Vanilla Birthday Cake" »

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