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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

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Lunch Box Inspiration: Kid Friendly Dinner Ideas You Want to Eat

Yum

April 28, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 28 Comments

While there’s nothing wrong with chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese, after about the third night in a row I’m over it, way over it.

We’ve all had that moment when  you can’t stomach the idea of eating junk food and the kids won’t even consider anything beyond the three food groups of french fries, noodles and sugar, but I’ve learned there is a compromise.

So take out the lunch box, we’re making dinner.


Lunchbox

That’s right, we’re using the same items you use to make your child’s lunch box to inspire you to make kid friendly dinner ideas you’ll not only like, but will actually elevate your kids’ palate and make yours pretty happy, too. And you gotta love that you’re being frugal by using ingredients you already have in your house.

Lunchbox-Inspiration-MamaChallenge

Yep, I’m showing you how to make dinner with items from your kids lunch box. It’s dual-use foods they already love recreated in a whole new way and they can even help you make them.

 

>

Use Pretzels to create Pretzel Crusted Tilapia (or chicken): 

This recipe is a keeper because it only uses two ingredients AND you can really use it on any fish or chicken.

2-4 fish filets
1/2 cup mayonnaise (or you could use 1/2 cup greek yogurt)
1 cup pretzels, crushed

Spread mayonnaise on each filet, covering both sides. Then dredge the fish with the crushed pretzels. Lay in a greased or foil-lined pan and cook at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

Pretzel-Covered-Tilapia-MamaChallenge

Use Ham and  Cheese to create Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu:

One of my favorites is chicken cordon bleu, however, don’t tell your kids that’s what you’re making and you’ll probably get them to eat it more than using the fancy name. “Chicken Roll ups” are made almost once a week at our house.

2-3 chicken breast, pounded thinly (what a great way to get some stress out from your day as well)
9 slices of thinly sliced ham
6 slices of cheese (swiss or havarti work best)
Parmesan cheese or bread crumbs

Use Applesauce to create a Dressing for Salad (or pork chops):

Put your GoGo squeeZ to work for you. I love using applesauce for many things including this delicious and easy apple dijon dressing that tastes good on your greens for a great salad OR using as as sauce for grilled pork chops or even with those Chicken Cordon Bleus.

Apple-Dijon-Dressing-MamaChallenge23a

Click  for this easy recipe from MamaChallenge.com.

Use Juice for a Delicious Stir-fry:

Take that apple juice to a whole new level by using it to marinate your chicken, steak or shrimp for a delicious stir-fry that’s also filled with veggies. Here’s a recipe I love and is gluten free, too.

Gluten-Free-Sweet-and-Sour-Chicken-sponsored

Use Peanut Butter, Raisins and M&Ms to make Trailmix: 

While this might not be a dinner recipe, use this idea of combining leftover snacks into one new recipe for trailmix and eat this as your healthy snack when they get home or as you’re getting ready for dinner. There’s no real recipe for this one – just take a little of this and that and you’ve got a new fun snack they can make and you don’t feel bad that they’re ruining dinner.

Don’t forget dessert: Use Bananas to Make a Quick and Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie:

After a long day who has time to make dinner and much less a dessert? You do. With just four ingredients, you have a cookie you can feel as good making as you do eating it.

healthy-cookies-mamachallenge

Get this recipe.

Make sure you check out my other fun ideas on MamaChallenge TV!

I also need to thank the gracious folks at Viridian in Arlington for providing an amazing kitchen set!

Viridian-Kitchen

This development is everything you want in a home and much, much more. From the beautiful home selection from top-notch builders like M. Christopher Homes to the excellent elementary school, you’ve so many options for socializing, exercising and more – and that’s all at your doorstep.

Just take a look at this home we used as our set (and you can’t miss this “drive-through” shower.)

Bathroom-Viridian

Learn more about Viridian at http://www.viridiandfw.com.

 

 

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Filed Under: Food, GoGosqueeZ, Recipe, TV

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Autumn Rose Reo

About Autumn Rose Reo

Texas blogger, TV contributor, PR pro, and mother of two (including a son with a Congenital Heart Defect) , Autumn Rose Reo is always on the search for REAL SOLUTIONS for REAL PARENTS that REALLY WORK. From parenthood, things to do, reviews, style, recipes and more, she’s always cookin’ up something fun, resourceful and good to know! She’s frequently featured on TV sharing her solutions and in her spare time, she’s helping others promote their business with her own PR shop, The Reo Agency See what she’s burning, party she is planning, or what challenge she is taking on today.

Comments

  1. AvatarRobin (Masshole Mommy) says

    April 28, 2015 at 8:32 am

    I never pack my kids anything I wouldn’t want to eat myself 🙂

    Reply
  2. AvatarLadena says

    April 28, 2015 at 1:17 pm

    Yum. Everything you’re suggesting are great ideas. I bet my kids would eat it all! I might make those chocolate chip cookies today!

    Reply
  3. AvatarTammi @ My Organized Chaos says

    April 28, 2015 at 3:18 pm

    What great ideas, I’ve never thought of these before. Bu, I’m totally sidetracked by the drive in shower – I need that!

    Reply
  4. AvatarDebi says

    April 28, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    These are great suggestions. I always make sure what I pack is something that I would still want to eat. I love the cookies

    Reply
  5. AvatarDee Mauser says

    April 28, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    We love tilapia but I’ve never done a pretzel coating. Sounds yummy and I know my family would love it.

    Reply
  6. AvatarLiz Mays says

    April 28, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    I’d love to try out that gluten free stir fry. Stir fry has always been a staple in my household.

    Reply
  7. AvatarAmber Edwards says

    April 28, 2015 at 6:52 pm

    Oh that Pretzel Crusted Tilapia looks amazing! I need to try that one! We even have Tilapia in the freezer!

    Reply
  8. AvatarMama to 5 BLessings says

    April 28, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    What great recipes. I bet my kids would love the peanut butter recipe!

    Reply
  9. AvatarStacey- Travel Blogger says

    April 28, 2015 at 8:08 pm

    Those cookies look tasty. I am always looking for healthier recipes.

    Reply
  10. AvatarJenny Temcio says

    April 28, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    That tilapia looks super tasty! I have never thought to use pretzels before! It sounds tasty!

    Reply
  11. AvatarAubrey says

    April 28, 2015 at 9:32 pm

    Some very tasty looking ideas. That pretzel tilapia looks fabulous.

    Reply
  12. AvatarAmanda says

    April 28, 2015 at 10:01 pm

    Love your video!! I think my kids might really like that chicken ham and cheese deal, not sure about the stir fry. But I could use some of those cookies 😉

    Reply
  13. AvatarSarah Marturano says

    April 28, 2015 at 10:19 pm

    I am a huge tilapia fan so I am dying to try the pretzel recipe. The Healthy 4 Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies look pretty tasty.

    Reply
  14. AvatarAnn Bacciaglia says

    April 28, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    These are all great ideas. I will have to try the pretzel coating. It would be delicious.

    Reply
  15. AvatarMelissa says

    April 28, 2015 at 10:24 pm

    I’m always looking for new ideas. These look great!

    Reply
  16. AvatarKristin Wheeler (Mama Luvs Books) says

    April 28, 2015 at 11:04 pm

    My kids are so picky and want the same lunch almost everyday. I need to get them to be more adventurous with their eating.

    Reply
  17. AvatarRonni says

    April 29, 2015 at 8:47 am

    We make pretzel covered tilapia often! it’s super kid friendly, grown ups love it and it gets the small frys eating fish!

    Reply
  18. AvatarKelly Hutchinson says

    April 29, 2015 at 11:30 am

    My kids would really enjoy the pretzel crusted chicken. I would make that for the whole family for dinner and send the leftovers for lunch.

    Reply
  19. AvatarMelissa says

    April 29, 2015 at 12:20 pm

    So many great ideas. I think I am going to try the healthy chocolate chip cookies.

    Reply
  20. AvatarLori Felix says

    January 5, 2016 at 6:37 pm

    I am a huge fan of pretzels but have never tried cooking with them before. I can’t wait to make myself some pretzel covered chicken.

    Reply
  21. AvatarMarcie W. says

    January 5, 2016 at 6:53 pm

    These are such creative recipe ideas and ones that all of us, kids and adults alike, would love. I have to say that home has me swooning!

    Reply
  22. AvatarShelley says

    January 5, 2016 at 8:02 pm

    OMG. These are amazing ideas for lunches for ALL of us. AND those lunch boxes…. FREAKING ADORABLE!

    Reply
  23. AvatarScott says

    January 5, 2016 at 9:19 pm

    Forget the recipes, I want that bathroom! That shower is to die for!

    Reply
  24. AvatarDawn Lopez says

    January 5, 2016 at 10:05 pm

    That pretzel crusted tilapia looks amazing! I’m going to be trying a few of your ideas for sure. 🙂

    Reply
  25. AvatarChrysa says

    January 5, 2016 at 11:11 pm

    I love the idea of only 4 ingredients in the cookies. I need to give those a try!

    Reply
  26. AvatarAubrey says

    January 5, 2016 at 11:51 pm

    So many great ideas here. These all look yummy.

    Reply
  27. AvatarSabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says

    January 6, 2016 at 2:02 am

    I love reimagining foods with new uses! It’s such a fun way to incorporate classic flavors!

    Reply
  28. AvatarAmy Desrosiers says

    January 6, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    We love making healthy snacks too! This sounds like a great way to enjoy healthy foods throughout the day for every meal.

    Reply

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Meet this Mama: Autumn Rose Reo

Autumn Rose ReoGet REAL Solutions for REAL Parents that Work! From recipes, things to do, parenting tips (and fails) and how to cope with everything in between, she'll share all the best ways to take on your (mama) challenges... https://www.mamachallenge.com/about/

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