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5 Yummy Hot Lunch Ideas to Send to School—RECIPES INSIDE!
Plus, tell us: How often do your kids stall at bedtime?
THE RECIPES
5 Yummy Hot Lunches Perfect for School
It’s so satisfying to send a lunch to school that you just know will come home empty, and one almost guaranteed strategy is to include a hot lunch item. This week’s recipes do double duty as easy weeknight dinners and next-day thermos heroes (or make a batch on the weekend and send in lunches throughout the week!). Each one reheats well and pairs perfectly with easy sides kids will actually eat. Think warm mains plus fresh fruit, crunchy veg or a fun dip to round things out. Tap each recipe title below for the details.
♨️ HOT TIP (literally): If you want to ensure lunch stays warm, boil a kettle of water and fill the thermos to the top. Put the lid on and let sit for a few minutes, then empty and dry well. Pre-warming the container gives hot food a head start on retaining heat.
Saucy Meatballs Four Ways
Meatballs provide a great protein boost to get kids through the afternoon. Pack them warm in a thermos with extra sauce and send garlic bread on the side, plus apple slices or cucumbers for crunch.
Hawaiian Pizza Muffins
These savoury muffins taste like mini pizzas. Warm them before packing and include a small container of pizza sauce for dipping. Add pineapple chunks or grape tomatoes to keep the theme going.
Creamy Gnocchi Soup
This is the dream soup for a thermos—thick, cozy and filling. Pour it in piping hot (avoid sending too much liquid unless your container is tried and tested!) and send a little shredded Parmesan on the side for topping. Pair with a soft roll and a side of berries for a balanced lunch.
Taco Mac and Beef
Kids love this cheesy mash-up. Spoon hot pasta into a thermos, then pack shredded lettuce, salsa or crushed tortilla chips separately so they can be added at school. Include orange slices and baby carrots on the side.
Pulled Pork Tacos
Pack warmed shredded pork in a thermos and send tortillas (sort or hard!) in a separate container. Add cheese and chopped lettuce in small containers for assembling at lunch time, and add grapes or sliced peppers to tick all the boxes.
THE PRODUCT
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Click here to read more feedback from real parents, and to learn how Niuriss Toddler Formula can work for you.
THE POLL
How Often Do Your Kids Stall at Bedtime?
This one cracked us up. And was almost too relatable. You too? Weigh in on how often you have to channel your inner press secretary below.
TODAY’S POLL
How often do your kids stall at bedtime? |
Answer from last week’s poll
Do your kids have the best aunt (or uncle) ever?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Sort of. They have important adults in their lives but not an aunt or uncle. (29.2%)
🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ They have more awesome aunts and uncles than they can count. (24.8%)
🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ No, not us. (22.1%)
🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Other (23.8%)
JOIN US FOR AN INSTAGRAM LIVE with STACEY GREEN! | November 23 @ 7p.m.
TUNE IN! We hate to alarm you, but the holidays are fast-approaching…and we know parents need all the help they can get during this hectic time. Join us on Instagram this Sunday, November 23, at 7p.m. as we talk to hilarious foodie Stacey Green for her tips on making it through meal-planning during the most hectic month of the year.
Seriously, pop the popcorn…you’re guaranteed to laugh.
THE GRANDPARENTS
What Is “Grey Divorce” and How Is It Impacting Families?
Grey divorce is on the rise across Canada and it’s reshaping what later-life family dynamics look like. Couples in their 50s, 60s and beyond are choosing new chapters for all kinds of reasons and the ripple effect reaches far past the couple themselves. Click through to learn more about why grey divorce is becoming more common, how it affects finances, daily life and long-term planning, and what it means for adult children and grandchildren who are navigating the shift right alongside their loved ones.
THE QUESTION BOX
I Have a Bunch of Old Electronics to Get Rid Of—What’s the Best Way?
Before the holiday tech rush hits, many of us are still hanging onto a graveyard of old gadgets — the cracked TV in the basement, the flip phone with missing buttons, the laptops we swear we’ll “deal with later.” But those relics aren’t just clutter; they’re packed with valuable materials that can be recovered and kept out of landfills. Our resident tech expert Marc Saltzman breaks down how to recycle aging electronics properly, securely and at no cost, through the national Recycle My Electronics program. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens to your devices once you drop them off—or how easy the process actually is—this guide has the answers. Click through before upgrading your gear.