My DD and I get together for a play date every other week and I'm always struggling for lunch ideas when it's my turn. Anyone have any ideas? We've been through the typical grilled cheeses, etc.

Also, I'm looking for healthy lunch ideas for every day now that she's growing into eating more foods. I often eat cereal, but now that she's eating more "real" foods (10 months), I want to eat with her. Any help would be great! Thanks.

My daughter (16 months old and 11 teeth)...loves chicken salad! I would just make it homemade..shred the chicken and use light mayo and a little mustard...then add apples and onions to the chicken salad for adults!

I just spread a little chicken salad on a slice of bread (just enough to cover it), then fold in half! Not sure why I bother because she unfolds it anyways! She loves that!

Also, cube cheese....really really small.

You can:
Cut watermelon into small pieces...make sure it's seedless.
Bake french fries and chicken nuggets (tyson nuggets =)
Banana slices, halved for little ones
Yo-baby yougart cups
PB&J - whole wheat bread, all natural peanutbutter, strawberry jam
Mac and cheese - I make it homemade and my daughter loves it!
"Flip Side" crackers - half cracker, half pretzle by townhouse...great w/ any dips! Anna likes me to dip hers in peanutbutter!..but you can do creamcheese, jam, anything really!

For teething, my bestfriend told me to use frozen waffles! I buy the nutrigrain...they even come in cinnamon and blueberry! I just break them in half and give to her frozen...she loves it! Then of course I toast mine and dip into real maple syrup!

You can also split a bagel w/ her. Slice in half, then break that piece in half again, give to her (after it's toasted..again helps w/ teething), then you can eat the other half!

__________________
Bekah
Co-founder and CEO of the NOVITZKE FAMILY INC.

For playdates, I keep it very simple because that is usually what kids will eat. I almost always have frozen chicken tenders that I can grill up in a hurry. I then offer platters of fresh cut-up veggies, fruit and chips. With milk or juice, we're good. For moms I will add a salad.

If you want something more adventurous, I've done:
- spaghetti and meatballs, everything like noodles, sauce, cheese and meatballs served separately, of course
- make your own soft tacos, just set out platters of ingredients
- hot dogs (all-beef) with the same sidesas the grilled chicken

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

I have been in a lunch time jam lately. I used to do chicken nuggets and fish sticks often, but seem to have forgotten them! Won't my kids be excited to have something other than ham sandwiches and fruit or macaroni and cheese this week! lol Thanks for the ideas!