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When it comes to homeschooling and being with kids all day long, I have to do what I can to limit the amount of extra thinking in my day. Second grade math is about my limit, is that normal? (Don’t answer.) Since I can’t skip over place value notation, skipping over standing in front of the fridge and deciding what’s for lunch is the next best thing I have.
I recently learned about the idea of a dinner matrix (this is where you assign a specific food or type of food to each day of the week. For example, pasta on Mondays. Pick a pasta, any pasta!) It was so handy, I thought why not use something similar for lunch?
My entrees are something simple that I know everyone will like. (I save meal time battles for when there are two parents around.)
Here is ours:
Monday: Macaroni and Cheese
Tuesday: Peanut Butter and Jelly or (Cream Cheese and Jelly) Sandwiches
Wednesday: Bean and Cheese Quesadillas
Thursday: Smoothies and Popcorn
Friday: Cheese and Crackers or Grilled Cheese (kids choice)
Saturday: Leftovers/Raid the Kitchen
Sunday: Family Brunch
To each of these I add a fruit and raw veggie. Easy! (The lunch formula: main entree + fruit and veggie.) I rotate through a handful of the same ones every week.
I switch my rotation seasonally so that we don’t get too bored. Honestly, my kids could eat their favorites over and over, so we don’t change a whole lot.
As much as I would love to serve tomato soup and crab salad sandwiches with a cup of custard and a tiny vase of violets, I am unfortunately unable to live up to Mother in Bread and Jam for Frances. (Though as story book mothers go, she’s one of my favorites.)
I hope you feel inspired by our lunch matrix! And read Bread and Jam for Frances! It’s so good.
- If you enjoyed this post, I think you’ll love the rest of my meal planning helps.
- You can get my Simple Home Cheat Sheet here–it has three of my favorite tools for creating a peaceful home on a quick-reference printable.
You’re also invited to join my newsletter, The Lounge, where we I share books I’m reading, resources I love, and candid takes on my real life. It’s the place where we drink hot coffee and eat the good chocolate!
