Healthy School Lunches: Sometimes It Takes Bribery

Over the last couple years, I’ve gradually been going green, and it’s not until recently that our efforts have been more aggressive. However, with that said, I’ve always taken time to stop and explain to my children every step we are taking, all the whys and all the hows. My children are 12, 10, and 7, so there is quite a bit they understand and can participate in. Plus, I’ve always been the kind of Mom that feels the more communication between my children and me, the better.

When I was in college last year–attempting to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up–not having to make cold lunches every morning for my kids was great. Then when I quit school and realized what my children were actually consuming at school, I nearly choked. Even though my daughters’ private school had a very conscientious lunch lady (she only had about 150 students to feed daily), I knew my girls were most likely not choosing healthy each time. And my son’s public school? Carbohydrates and chocolate milk. Everyday.

Things have changed greatly at our house when it comes to food. We’ve cut down on eating out. We maybe go out once a month now as a treat for good behavior. We don’t buy junk food ever. We began a new meal planning regime where everyone in our home gets in on dinner planning and cooking. We are eating more local foods until our garden starts to provide us with what we need. We discovered that my cow’s milk allergy had passed down to my oldest and youngest children, so rice and goat’s milk is what we drink. Now it became time for me to tackle school lunches. How do I bring up the fact to my kids that they don’t get to have hot lunch anymore without some serious whining and rebellion? My kids loved eating hot lunch. 2 out of my 3 kids will be attending school this fall, while my youngest will stay home to be home schooled again. I had to come up with something. I decided it was gonna take bribery.

And what lovely bribery it is too!

Super cool, environmentally friendly, garbage-free lunch boxes from Lunchopolis. I found these at our Boise Co-op and knew my kids would love them. Now we just needed to sit down and have a chat. We began by explaining that this coming school year, they would not be able to eat hot lunches. And we explained the why–the hot lunches, we felt, were not healthy and well balanced. And for my son, consuming cow’s milk everyday was exacerbating his asthma. They had concerns, and we discussed them.

Then I brought out their new lunch boxes. That sealed the deal. They ooohed and aaahed and listened as I told them the tinted containers and beverage bottle were reusable and left no garbage behind to be thrown in a landfill. They half-way listened to me when I told them the bag was lead-free and insulated. As they walked away during my wonderful speech, I think they may have heard me holler after them that they would be taking yummy, yet healthy lunches to school everyday.

I think that went well. I’m sure at least some of what I said went in their little subconsciouses, don’t you think?

For more on her journey into urban homesteading and sustainable living, come visit Beth at her personal blog Coming Up For Air.

Original 5 Minutes for Going Green Post