Gluten Free Lunches On The Go…

Gluten Free Avocado Sandwich made easy with Udi’s GF Hot Dog Buns!

Well, summer is coming to a close and we are back to school and our regular work routines.  Summer was busy this year with time together for our family.  We capped it off with a trip to Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mound, WI.  It was a good break away from home before school started.

I always miss our “togetherness” once the school year settles in.  The lazy summer days with my kids are replaced with fast paced moments together between school and the next activity/homework.  Summer allows me to let go of the schedule and do things on a whim.  Speaking of the routine… As I plan for the week ahead, I thought I would share lunchtime favorites in our house.  I usually keep a list handy so I am able to focus on a few ideas and get things packed quickly the night before.  Some of our favorite Gluten Free On the Go lunches are:

• Sub-style sandwiches on Udi’s Hot Dog Buns – such as the Avocado-Romaine-Rice Cheese sandwich pictured above.  Another favorite combination is Pastrami or Salami and cheese.  Our cheese of choice  (due to dairy sensitivites) is Galaxy Foods Rice Slices – cheddar style – or Daiya’s wedge cheeses.
• Personal size pizza.  Pizza is always a hit!  If you don’t have a recipe for gluten free pizza crust you make from scratch, not to worry… there are a few good pre-made gluten free pizzas in the freezer section of many grocery stores these days.  Our favorites are Against the Grain’s Three Cheese or Pesto Pizza and Udi’s Three Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza.
• Asian noodle salad.  It’s easy to take any gluten free long noodle and add leftover roasted chicken or tofu, chopped napa cabbage and toss with some GF soy sauce and sesame oil.
• Wraps made with chicken salad or leftover mexican beef/beans/rice, these are also great just rolled with deli meats/cheese/lettuce.  Our favorite gluten free wrap/flat bread is a recipe from Kate Chan at www.glutenfreegobsmacked.com.  They are easy to make in a sheet pan and then roll and fill once cool.  One sheet pan makes about five wraps for my crew.
• Spaghetti with meatballs using gf noodles of course.  Make sure to use a thermos to keep the spaghetti warm until lunchtime.
• Quesadillas made with corn tortillas and shredded chicken.  A side of salsa makes these especially delicious!
• Grilled Cheese sandwiches.  We make our own bread, so these are extra special!  Add a thermos of hot tomato soup and this is a great winter time lunch.
• Deconstructed salad.  By separating all the components of a salad, adding toothpicks and dressing on the side, our kids are more eager to eat their veggies while away from home.  I always make sure to add some homemade croutons or breadsticks for an added treat.
• Macaroni and Cheese – if you have a Trader Joe’s close by, they sell a good boxed gluten free version.
• GF Pancakes with a side of syrup and bacon or turkey.  The added protein helps with this “breakfast” lunch, so be sure to add some.  Even a hard boiled egg would do!
• Homemade GF “lunch-able”.  My version of this kid friendly lunch is made with Glutino’s GF crackers, diced cheese, dill pickle slices, diced ham or chicken, and a few Kinnitoo’s GF Chocolate Sandwich cream filled cookies.

Make sure to have the following essentials to pack your On the Go Gluten Free meals:

• Sturdy, insulating lunch box and cold packs
• Hand wipes and a placemat.  We find a placemat helps provide another barrier for safe eating, especially in a cafeteria/school lunchroom setting.  Crate and Barrel has many great designs to choose from, just pick something that will fold up and fit neatly in the chosen lunch box.  A cotton placemat is great as you can wash and reuse!
• Travel “ware”… plastic forks/spoons are helpful.  You can also find bamboo flatware that packs neatly with everything in the lunch box.  That way, no matter where you are or what you have packed for lunch, you always have the utensils necessary to eat in style!
• Leak proof drink containers and condiment cups.  Nothing is more disappointing than a soggy meal!  Make sure the drink you pack is in a leak proof container.  For kids, condiments often help them enjoy crunchy veggi’s, salads or cut up fruits.  Make sure to find portion size containers for condiments such as those sold by Tupperware or Gladware.

When packing lunches for kids, remember to include them in the process.  As they get older, it is important that they learn how to pick foods that will be safe for them to eat as well as balanced and fun.  I try and add something silly or extra special every so often as well.  Like an encouraging note with a roll of Smarties, S’mores for dessert, a favorite drink every once in a while.  Be creative… they may not tell you but kids look forward to the way moms and dads show they are thinking about them throughout the day.

If you are looking for more ideas, check out Kate Chan’s “Gluten Free Lunch: To go!” ideas.  Sometimes when I get stuck and want something new, I review her list and usually find something that will liven things up for lunches.  I also recently found a web-site with some much needed new ideas… Check out Nancy’s blog, Glutenfreeville.com, for a list of “100 ideas” to give your lunchbox an update.  While Nancy’s list is not completely allergy free, it will give you some great ideas.   Just think about the ingredients you can use and I am sure many of these ideas will come to life in creative ways.  Thank you Kate and Nancy, for a bounty of lunches to come!

With a little planning before the start of your week, you will be looking forward to lunch again!  Please let us know what your favorite lunch box ideas are.