Last week we talked about how it is that time of year again – Back to School time. We talked about packing lunches and how it seems that some parents just popped right out of Pinterest and have thousands of great lunch box ideas. Their home lunches are not only nutritional they are cute, fun and Instagram worthy. They foods are always pretty and so very fun to look at not to mention eat. Their kids show off their lunchtime creations with pride as they enjoy the oohs and aahs of their classmates. Then there is the rest of us. Our lunches are usually nutritious; we try really hard for that point. We shop and pack and do our best. The lunches are nothing to Instagram but our kids have something good to eat. But wait! There are some fun lunch box ideas that aren’t that hard!

There are a few lunch box ideas that I love. These lunch box ideas aren’t really fancy recipes but they are good, yummy lunch ideas. Here are three recipes that I love. I’ll be sharing these lunch box ideas and recipes all week. Have one you’d like me to share? Send us an email and it might be featured in one of this week’s blogs.

Easy Turkey Wraps

Ingredients:

12 (10 inch) flour tortillas
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 head lettuce
1 (6 ounce) package sliced deli-style turkey
2 cups shredded carrots
2 cups minced tomato

Directions:

1. Spread cream cheese evenly over the tortillas.
2. Top the cream cheese with lettuce leaves.
3. Arrange the turkey slices in even layers on top of the lettuce.
4. Sprinkle the carrots and tomato over the turkey slices.
5. Roll the tortillas into wraps.
6. Cut the wraps diagonally into bite-sized pieces.
7. Secure with toothpicks.

Lunch Box Pita Pockets

Ingredients:

1/2 cup deli ham, chopped
1/2 cup shredded lettuce
1/4 cup shredded carrot
1/4 cup Ranch dressing
1 pita bread round, cut in half

Directions:

1. Place ham, lettuce, and carrot in a resealable plastic bag.
2. Pour ranch dressing into a small resealable container.
3. Wrap the pita bread in plastic wrap.
4. Pack the ham mixture, ranch dressing, and pita bread along with a spoon in a lunch box or bag until lunch time.
5. Assemble pita pocket by spooning the ham mixture into each pita half and drizzling the Ranch dressing on top.

Easy Granola Bars

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9-inch square baking dish.
2. Spread the oats and coconut evenly across a baking sheet.
3. Toast oats and coconut in preheated oven until browned, about 10 minutes; transfer to a large mixing bowl.
4. Mix honey, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook and stir until smooth.
5. Pour the honey mixture over the oats and coconut; stir to coat. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
6. Bake in preheated oven until beginning to dry, about 15 minutes for crunchy granola bars, less if you like them chewy. Cool completely before cutting.