August 22, 2024
Do you remember the days when the lunch bell rang, signaling the excitement of discovering the treasures hidden in your lunch box? Join me as I take a trip down memory lane, revisiting some items—some I’d rather forget—and the iconic snacks and treats that fueled my childhood adventures and satisfied my youthful cravings.
As a kid growing up, I preferred school-provided lunches because of the variety. The strangest thing I saw on the school menu was kraut burgers. They were the most alien to me among the regular lunches at my school in Montana. I bought my lunch because it was simpler for my parents to provide money than to pack it. Today, I think many kids prefer packed lunches due to their food selectivity.
If I could create one school lunch item from scratch, it would be turkey chow mien. It was a food I never got at home, and those little dark turkey cubes had a flavor profile I really enjoyed. The ultimate school lunch menu would allow kids to choose their own bowls, burritos, or salads, utilizing the same ingredients.
My secret trick to making the ultimate lunchbox meal is using sauces and textures that age well. An example is an Italian sub with pesto mayo and crisp vegetables like thin onions and peppers or a mini charcuterie set box.
Packing school lunches and meal prepping as an adult are similar. You must plan and have the right products on hand. Proper packaging helps preserve the items. To ensure a well-balanced and nutritional meal, make sure each food group is represented: protein, dairy, fruit, vegetables, and grains.
I would like to see items in a dinner box that include pho with noodles, bean sprouts, cilantro, carrots, and a thermos of complex steaming broth with tofu to pour over the bowl.
Even though we’ve traded our lunch boxes for grown-up alternatives and our tastes have evolved, the nostalgia of those beloved treats still reminds us of the innocence and delight of youth. I hope you can find some classic favorites and discover new tempting treats every time you visit The Wildwood Senior Living Bistro or Country Kitchen and that you never stop making culinary memories.
The Wildwood Senior Living in Joplin, MO offers independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near Freeman Health System and Mercy Hospital with convenient access to major shopping centers and attractions, including Twin Hills Country Club, Northpark Mall, Grand Falls, Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center – National Audubon Society, Spiva Center for the Arts, and George Washington Carver National Monument.
