School lunches VS. Daycare lunches

[youretooloud]

I just packed lunches for my kids.

Our schools have over 1500 kids in the elementary schools. I don't expect decent food to come out of a lunch room that serves that many kids..... and it wouldn't matter anyway, because by the time the kids get through the lunch line, lunch is over, so they don't even get to eat.

[kathiemarie]

I think the only way this is going to change is for people to pack their kids lunch. If you don't like what is on the menu don't buy it!!! I packed my kids lunch for 15 years. My youngest gets hot lunch only because we "won" at a school fundraiser and to be honest I was sick of packing lunches. I just make sure she hs a heathly breakfast, snacks and dinner. One meal of "junk" type food a couple times a month is not going to kill her.

[Meyou]

I've had horrible luck with thermoses. My son lost TWO aladin ones on the first day of school last year.

What brand do you use?

I've had good luck with the pretty substantial Thermos brand stainless steel ones. They're pricey at around $20 each but they don't leak and keep everything nice and hot. I've told my kids if they lose it they lose hot lunch until next year. They both love taking leftovers so the threat has worked for me. We've only lost 1 in the past 3 years and they're still going strong.

Like this one:

http://www.thermos.com/products/vacuum-insulated-16-oz-silver-food-jar.aspx

[nannyde]

I've had good luck with the pretty substantial Thermos brand stainless steel ones. They're pricey at around $20 each but they don't leak and keep everything nice and hot. I've told my kids if they lose it they lose hot lunch until next year. They both love taking leftovers so the threat has worked for me. We've only lost 1 in the past 3 years and they're still going strong.

Like this one:

http://www.thermos.com/products/vacu...-food-jar.aspx

Thank you.

My son put his lunch pack down on the first day. I can't remember what the total was but it was something like sixty bucks by the time I figured the thermouses, rubbermaid containers, ice packs, and the actual lunch pack.

I was like:

At first I was upset because of the thermouses because I found him two OLD SCHOOL ones brand new like the ones I had when I was a kid. I found them on ebay and they were built like a tank.

Then when I realized all the OTHER stuff I had in there I was

He loves school lunch so threatening him with it wouldn't work. He loves their crappy food. He thinks the Des Moines Public School is a way better cook then his Mama.

[Doodlebug]

I have a DCM that subs in the school lunch room and she talked about the day that the cook tore up left over hamburgers from the day before and added it to beef broth with the leftover vegetables. That was lunch!!

I don't understand why my 10 kids need to be fed specific things and I am popped in on by the food program three or four times a year to check when they are feeding hundreds of kids each day and anything goes.

[Meyou]

Thank you.

My son put his lunch pack down on the first day. I can't remember what the total was but it was something like sixty bucks by the time I figured the thermouses, rubbermaid containers, ice packs, and the actual lunch pack.

I was like:

At first I was upset because of the thermouses because I found him two OLD SCHOOL ones brand new like the ones I had when I was a kid. I found them on ebay and they were built like a tank.

Then when I realized all the OTHER stuff I had in there I was

He loves school lunch so threatening him with it wouldn't work. He loves their crappy food. He thinks the Des Moines Public School is a way better cook then his Mama.

Oh my goodness!!! I would have lost my mind if that was all lost on one day. I'm picturing myself just tossing dollar bills out the window (or flicking loonies in my case).

It's lunch from home or starve for us so that helps my threats. They much prefer leftovers or something hot to literally a year of tuna sandwiches everyday if they lose their thermos. We don't eat processed meats so the sandwich choices are slim with the peanut restrictions unless I have a ham, roast or chicken cooked for them to pick off of. Muhaha!

[melskids]

i bought the thermos brand ones much like meyou posted. my older sons is bigger, though, with a handle. they were pricey, but worth
it,and my boys know if they lose them, they replace them

as far as the venison chili, youre going to laugh. i dont use a recipe for anything. i basically just chuck stuff in a pot...its how my mother taught me...

but i'll try to tell you the basics of what i put in there...

ground venison, canned tomatos, sauteed red and green peppers and onions, fresh garlic, chili seasoning mix, (my friend makes organic
homemade spice mixes, but you can use the packet ones from the store)
every possible bean you can think of...dark kidney, light kidney, black, white, all of them.. and a TON of other seasonings...whatever looks good... but believe it or not....i always add celery seed and nutmeg...i think thats the secret..but who knows...

[nannyde]

i bought the thermos brand ones much like meyou posted. my older sons is bigger, though, with a handle. they were pricey, but worth
it,and my boys know if they lose them, they replace them

as far as the venison chili, youre going to laugh. i dont use a recipe for anything. i basically just chuck stuff in a pot...its how my mother taught me...

but i'll try to tell you the basics of what i put in there...

ground venison, canned tomatos, sauteed red and green peppers and onions, fresh garlic, chili seasoning mix, (my friend makes organic
homemade spice mixes, but you can use the packet ones from the store)
every possible bean you can think of...dark kidney, light kidney, black, white, all of them.. and a TON of other seasonings...whatever looks good... but believe it or not....i always add celery seed and nutmeg...i think thats the secret..but who knows...

Yeah yeah

that's how I make mine... really close.

I add a dash of cinnamon in too and whatever beans I have. I really like having a bunch of different beans in it.

I use buffalo broth for the base.

[melskids]

Yeah yeah

that's how I make mine... really close.

I add a dash of cinnamon in too and whatever beans I have. I really like having a bunch of different beans in it.

I use buffalo broth for the base.

i wish i had access to the types of game meats you do. around these parts its pretty much venison and turkey..that's it. can you order it from somewhere? does anyone even do that?!

[nannyde]

i wish i had access to the types of game meats you do. around these parts its pretty much venison and turkey..that's it. can you order it from somewhere? does anyone even do that?!

You can have it sent but it's really expensive.

I'm lucky to have a rancher that delievers.