Page 24 August 2014 School lunch – not just a turkey sandwich anymore By Lisa Weisenburger August means back to school and back to the store to buy school supplies. I love shopping for school supplies! However, there is always just a little dread when the fun turns the corner to the lunch box aisle. So many choices. The decision seems so big. This choice needs to have the staying power to last an entire school year. I know why so many of us grew up with brown paper bags: disposable, non-distinct and relatively cheap. Boring! It’s the age of being smarter and healthier, not to mention wiser. A typical school day means most kids have over three hours of brainpower to expend after lunch. The perfect home-packed lunch is healthy, tasty, quick to prepare and cost effective. I knew about bento boxes before I knew their name. The first one I saw was an antique from Japan that I discovered in an antique store many years ago. The concept was neat and tidy, and actually a beautiful way to take a homemade lunch to work. This specific bento box was also expensive and did not come home with me, but the concept stuck. After a little time spent looking, I discovered I had containers in fun colors already in the food storage drawer. To create a creative bento box style lunch, try these simple ideas: The salad Shred a piece of leftover chicken on top of baby spinach. Toss some diced fresh fruit on top with a few raw almonds. Put in a packet of soy sauce that you saved from Chinese take-out night and you have created an Asian chicken salad. I haven’t seen that on the typical cafeteria menu. Delish! The wrap Use tortillas to make a wrap with deli meat, cream cheese and spinach. (I defer to spinach because it doesn’t wilt or brown near as quickly as lettuce.) The side dish My kids love peanut butter and green apples. Easy enough. However, I was noticed them coming home in the lunch container uneaten because they had turned brown and were not appealing. I tried tossing them lightly in lemon juice but the kids didn’t like the taste with peanut butter. Finally, I tried cutting the apple with the apple slicer, putting it back together and securing it with a rubber band. Presto, perfection! Sliced hard-boiled eggs and sliced tomatoes layered onto whole grain crackers means I have my own lunchable without all the preservatives and extra sodium. And I have given my kids permission to play with their food! Tap Into 50 Years of Experience! Serving the Valley Since 1964 602.944.5516 wjmaloney.com Residential & Commercial Plumbing & HVAC 602-840-0010 x200 5001 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018 www.stcs.us YOU ARE INVITED TO A PRESCHOOL INFORMATION SESSION Where: Saint Theresa Little Flower Preschool Date: Friday, September 5th, 2014 Time: 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. Join us to learn more about our nurturing, faith-based preschool program and tour our beautiful new 10,000-square-foot Early Childhood Center. Preschool Learning Program for ages 2 1/2 to Pre-K. Program offered Monday through Friday with full-day and half-day options available. During the Information Session, parents are encouraged to bring their children and let them experience the preschool classroom. For more information about the Information Session or to schedule a personal tour, call 602-840-0010 Ext 200. STATE OF ARIZONA LICENSED CHILD CARE CENTER CDC#14970 • Quality First provider • Religion • Language and literacy • Mathematics • Personal and social development • Social studies • Science • Creative art experiences • Spanish • Music • Physical education • Visiting school library SAINT THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL SAINT THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Faith Knowledge Values Recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School since 2010, St. Theresa Catholic School offers a rigorous curriculum designed to develop strong leaders academically, spiritually and socially. Preschool through Grade 8. PRESCHOOL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

All Minka Aire Ceiling Fans NOW ON SALE Lighting factory | custom lighting 423 Lighting Factory — Custom Lighting HINKLEYSLIGHTING.COM PHOENIX 4620 N. Central Avenue 602.279.6267 SCOTTSDALE 16049 N. Greenway Hayden Loop 480.948.8799