Dear Lisa:
One of the many wonderful things about kids is that they love the same foods over and over. For most of them, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches fall into that category. I certainly wouldn't worry that you have gotten stuck in a rut. Most likely the kids don't mind. Nonetheless, it is always good to try and expand the variety of foods they eat. To get them to enjoy many different types of foods makes cooking more fun and their diets more nutritious.

I have some nutritious alternatives to peanut butter and jelly, and you can choose from among them based on your time. Some suggestions require spending time the night before baking quick breads or muffins -- or perhaps you have a store that sells wholesome baked goods.

Bag-lunch ideas that require no refrigeration:

1. Mozzarella string-cheese sticks
   Orange wedges
   Whole-wheat carrot muffins
2. Bagel spread with cream cheese (you may want to try minibagels for small children)
   Sugar snap peas
   Box of raisins
3. Tortilla rolled up with a slice of mild cheese
   Fresh green beans
   Small tangerines (Clementines are so easy to peel that the kids can do it themselves)
4. Banana bread spread with peanut butter and a little honey
   Cucumber coins
   Melon cubes
5. Cream cheese and apple butter on whole-grain bread
   Veggie mix (baby carrots, snap peas)
   Dried apricots
6. Half of a pita stuffed with shredded carrot and mild cheese (or peanut butter)
   Individual cup of applesauce

How about using the following chart to mix and match from? Select one from each group.

Bread:

• Pita (either small individual size or half of a regular-size)
• Muffin
• Quick bread (banana, pumpkin, apple, etc.)
• Whole-wheat bun
• Bagel
• Tortilla
• Raisin bread

Fillings:

• Peanut butter, plain or with (pick one) honey, banana, jelly, shredded carrot, raisin
• Cream cheese, plain or with (pick one) jelly, apple butter, shredded veggies
• Mild cheese
• Hummus

Veggies:

• Baby carrots or carrot sticks
• Fresh green beans
• Sugar snap peas
• Cucumber coins
• Crisp, tender broccoli florets sprinkled with non-salt seasoning
• Zucchini sticks

Fruits:

• Half a banana
• Small apple
• Orange wedge
• Raisins or other dried fruits
• Drained pineapple chunks (or fresh)
• Individual applesauce container
• Melon cubes

I hope that you can find inspiration in these ideas, and that the kids are excited to find new treats in their lunchbags.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for writing.

Sincerely,
Sue Gilbert