Meatless Monday: School Lunch Edition

School is starting back for many youngsters around the country and you face the dilemma of what to pack them for lunch.  We've got some great recipes, starting with breakfast on the go, snacks, and lunch time entrees, that are healthy and meatless.  Remember, going meatless one day a week can help minimize your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, but it can also lower your risk for certain cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.  Start your kids off on the right foot by packing them a lunch full with nutritious and delicious food.

For breakfast, try these easy to grab, Marble-ous Blueberry Muffins, from the Fit Cook.

And these baked oatmeal cups allow you to get creative with the ingredients...chocolate chips, walnuts, fruit...something for everyone in the family!  Find the recipe on the SugarFreeMom.com website here.

Of course there are plenty of things to munch on that can be eaten for breakfast or a snack, such as a piece of fruit, yogurt, string cheese, or a bagel, but the snacks we found below have a little more thought put into them.  Even if it's just in the decoration, your child will surely enjoy these fun ideas.

Butterfly snack pack-get creative with the contents-this one features grapes and goldfish, but you can really use anything-raisins, popcorn, trail mix, carrots...what will you use?

Something that is a little sweet, but has no added sugar AND doesn't require baking. These No Bake Cookies are the way to go!

It's 5 ingredients include 8 finely ground whole wheat graham crackers, 1/4 c. raisins, 1/4 c. smooth peanut butter, 4 tsp. shredded, unsweetened coconut, and 2 tbs. plus 2 tsp. honey.  Combine the ingredients and pat into cookie form.  Done and delicious!

For lunch, you may be able to squeak by with a pb&j sandwich, but if you were anything like me as a child-that's just not going to cut it!  Try an easy pasta salad, like this one from More Than Burnt Toast.

Or for a spin on the Peanut Butter-Banana Sandwich-try this one from Parents.com instead!  It's a Honey, Almond Butter and Banana Sandwich.

And of course don't forget, it's all in the packaging.  Use a reusable lunch box instead of paper or plastic bags, and reusable containers instead of plastic sandwich baggies everyday.

These collapsible lunch boxes from Smart Planet save space...

And these stylish lunch boxes from Dabbawalla are machine washable!

Here's to starting off the new school year on the right foot, whether it's for your child's first year of pre-school or senior year of high school-good luck!