E-Newsletters

A Good Word Cooking for a Crowd FYI Moments for Moms Pages and Tunes Reflections Side by Side Unlimited! Women@Work Laugh Lines

Daily Prayer Focus

Pray for the World

Pray for Christians around the world, particularly those persecuted or harassed.

Reader Poll

How do you like the new Leaders Unlimited Web site?
	I love it!
	I didn't find it helpful.
	It's okay.

View Results

Laugh Lines

Lunching in the A.M.

I should have paid more attention in my home economics class. At the time, all those “helpful hints” in the kitchen seemed insignificant and uninteresting. After all, I had a mom. As long as she knew what a “balanced meal” was, things would be fine.

Mrs. Cotton (my teacher) would give us worksheet after worksheet showing proper nutritious meals. She said the more colorful a meal was, the more healthy. I remember because I thought that if I could get a meal to look like her favorite lime green dress with pink seahorses, I was sure to get an “A.”

Yes, those pictorial guides of wellness sure would come in handy. You see, I’m the mom now. I’m staring at the cupboards wondering how I’m going to pack a delicious lunch, á la Mrs. Cotton, in three minutes or less for my two daughters. Let’s see—tuna (which they hate); diced tomatoes (colorful, but messy). Aha! In the back of the cupboard, I spot a lonely jar of peanut butter. Saved! I quickly put together two sandwiches, using the last four pieces of bread.

I know what you’re thinking. I should have planned better. I have great intentions. Somehow between the bank run and the library, lusciously ripe grape tomatoes elude my memory until it’s 6:30 a.m. and the pressure’s on.

OK, sandwiches done. Now I need something colorful. I wonder if pickled jalapenos make a good side dish? I managed to locate celery, half an orange and a few potato chips…well, crumbs. Divide it. Bag it. Put it in a sack—and DING! “Mother of the Year” starts playing over loudspeakers, confetti falls as the kids lift me up on their shoulders chanting, “My mom’s the greatest!” and my husband gives me a smile that says he’s the luckiest man alive.

“Why are my potato chips smashed?” asks one of the girls. Suddenly, my moment of entrancement is over. I’m snapped back to reality.

“Those aren’t crumbs,” I respond. “Those are shreds. Haven’t you seen them? They’re all the rage!”

Not fooled for a second, she laughs and gives her mom a kiss on the cheek as she heads out the door with her sister.

Pam and Kathy’s 7 Tips for Packing Lunches

Plan how many lunches you will need to prepare in a week.
Plan an easy menu for each lunch.
Look online for creative lunch ideas.
Ask your kids to help plan the menu or shop with you for lunch items.
Take a few extra moments at the beginning of the week to bag all the veggies, chips, etc., for the week.
Freeze juice boxes and use them as an ice pack during summer months.
Write a joke to place inside the lunch box.