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 one 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 lunch formula is a main entree, plus one fruit and veggie. I rotate through a handful of the same ones every week. (I was calling it a matrix for a long time, but it’s actually a rotation!) Same idea, different strategy!
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
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 rotation! And read Bread and Jam for Frances! It’s so good. Here’s a couple pretty pins for your boards, so you can save these ideas for a rainy day.