My Easy Meal Solution: Lunch-a-Bowls

My favorite solution for picnics, road trips, and lunches for picky eaters. It's basically a charcuterie board in a bowl. They can be basic and simple or more sophisticated depending on who it's for.

I am all about practical solutions and helpful ideas. So knowing that it is the time of year when we are all feeling like our schedules are A LOT... I have a fun and helpful meal idea for you.

So come join me on this very random rabbit hole for a minute. 😜

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I don't know what it is about the lunchables that they sell at the store but the appeal of the little boxes with a variety of things to eat is so much fun. The problem is that each of my teens could eat several of those prepackaged things and not even feel full.

So enter my invention = the lunch-a-bowl

It is basically a fun charcuterie board in a bowl. I usually get creative with what we have on hand. If I'm shopping for it ahead of time, I'll get something special just to surprise my family.

This is my solution when I want to prevent my family from getting hangry but we don't feel like having a full lunch or dinner.

• excellent for travel and eating in the car

• great for picky eaters and easy to customize

• uses up random produce left in the fridge

• gets in a variety of nutrients without feeling heavy or too filling

• no cooking required

• gives kids (and adults) choices and variety

• my creativity makes these fun and colorful

• simple to pack up and hand out

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Recently my ideas from lunch-a-bowls have given me fresh inspiration for a new routine.

My youngest and I have started a weekly "snacky dinner".

On Wednesdays, when the teens are at church small groups, we watch a movie related to his literature lessons, eat popcorn, and enjoy a lunch-a-bowl style dinner. It has become a highlight of my week and something we both look forward to. It is also good motivation to finish extra literature lessons during our school time!

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Here are the basic pieces:

• fresh veggies

  • think anything you could put on a veggie tray

• bread / crackers / pretzels

• cheese stick

• fresh fruit

  • I use whatever fruit is in season or on sale

• protien: (a few of whatever I have)

  • pepperonis

  • little smokies

  • jerkey sticks

  • rolled up lunch meat

  • cubed ham or turkey

• + maybe something fun

  • a sweet treat or an unexpected dessert

  • sometimes I save this off to the side

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Tips for making lunch-a-bowls:

• use up what you have on hand

• slice up veggies so they are more appealing

• make it colorful

• put the bread / crackers / pretzels in last so they don't get soggy

• think finger foods and fun to munch on

• have a variety of textures (crunchy, crispy, soft, juicy..)

• pick things that will be enjoyed but also include some veggies for them to try out

• they can be basic and simple or more sophisticated depending on who it's for and why

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Some fun visual inspiration of those basic pieces:

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Questions for you:

How can you use this idea to make one of your evenings easier?

Can lunch-a-bowls help keep meal costs lower when you travel?

Still not sure or need some more ideas?

If you search: "easy charcuterie boards" on Pinterest you will have plenty of visual motivation! 😁

I hope this inspired you to make lunch-a-bowls for you and your family. Try it out and then let me know what worked for you!

🍽️Happy Snacking! - April

lunch while on a long RV trip in Texas