{"id":5543,"date":"2024-10-01T07:17:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T14:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/?p=5543"},"modified":"2024-09-04T15:37:21","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T22:37:21","slug":"my-easy-meal-solution-lunch-a-bowls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2024\/10\/01\/my-easy-meal-solution-lunch-a-bowls\/","title":{"rendered":"My Easy Meal Solution: Lunch-a-Bowls"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">My favorite solution for picnics, road trips, and lunches for picky eaters. It&#8217;s basically a charcuterie board in a bowl. They can be basic and simple or more sophisticated depending on who it&#8217;s for.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I am all about practical solutions and helpful ideas. So knowing that it is the time of year when we are all feeling like our schedules are A LOT&#8230; I have a fun and helpful meal idea for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So come join me on this very random rabbit hole for a minute. \ud83d\ude1c<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>I don&#8217;t know what it is about the lunchables that they sell at the store but the appeal of the little boxes with a variety of things to eat is so much fun. The problem is that each of my teens could eat several of those prepackaged things and not even feel full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>So enter my invention = the lunch-a-bowl<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/PXL_20201003_220943926-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5546\" style=\"width:600px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/PXL_20201003_220943926-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/PXL_20201003_220943926-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/PXL_20201003_220943926-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/PXL_20201003_220943926-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/PXL_20201003_220943926-1560x2080.jpg 1560w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/PXL_20201003_220943926-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It is basically a fun charcuterie board in a bowl. I usually get creative with what we have on hand. If I&#8217;m shopping for it ahead of time, I&#8217;ll get something special just to surprise my family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is my solution when I want to prevent my family from getting <strong><em>hangry<\/em><\/strong> but we don&#8217;t feel like having a full lunch or dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>excellent for travel and eating in the car<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>great for picky eaters and easy to customize<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>uses up random produce left in the fridge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>gets in a variety of nutrients without feeling heavy or too filling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>no cooking required<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>gives kids (and adults) choices and variety<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>my creativity makes these fun and colorful<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>simple to pack up and hand out<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd6b27360-cf81-4866-b128-544dae537689_3024x4032.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd6b27360-cf81-4866-b128-544dae537689_3024x4032.jpeg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Recently my ideas from lunch-a-bowls have given me fresh inspiration for a new routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>My youngest and I have started a weekly &#8220;snacky dinner&#8221;.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Wednesdays, when the teens are at church small groups, we watch a movie related to his literature lessons, eat popcorn, and enjoy a lunch-a-bowl style dinner. It has become a highlight of my week and something we both look forward to. It is also good motivation to finish extra literature lessons during our school time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Here are the basic pieces:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>fresh veggies<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>think anything you could put on a veggie tray<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>bread \/ crackers \/ pretzels<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>cheese stick<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>fresh fruit<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I use whatever fruit is in season or on sale<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>protien<\/strong>: (a few of whatever I have)\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>pepperonis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>little smokies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>jerkey sticks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>rolled up lunch meat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cubed ham or turkey<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>+ maybe something fun<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a sweet treat or an unexpected dessert<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>sometimes I save this off to the side<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for making lunch-a-bowls:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>use up what you have on hand<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>slice up veggies so they are more appealing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>make it colorful<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>put the bread \/ crackers \/ pretzels in last so they don&#8217;t get soggy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>think finger foods and fun to munch on<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>have a variety of textures (crunchy, crispy, soft, juicy..)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pick things that will be enjoyed but also include some veggies for them to try out<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>they can be basic and simple or more sophisticated depending on who it&#8217;s for and why<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Some fun visual inspiration of those basic pieces:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd649de87-84d6-4f5f-8e69-04bbd8268f56_1755x1755.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd649de87-84d6-4f5f-8e69-04bbd8268f56_1755x1755.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc8b54d94-c081-402f-b419-7f0fbd834e07_1755x1755.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc8b54d94-c081-402f-b419-7f0fbd834e07_1755x1755.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec7e434e-83fb-446d-b8b2-9cb7d68f52e6_1755x1755.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec7e434e-83fb-446d-b8b2-9cb7d68f52e6_1755x1755.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F34d7e2fa-64b5-4352-8017-4beae1e9845e_1755x1755.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F34d7e2fa-64b5-4352-8017-4beae1e9845e_1755x1755.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffdbf9e03-ed5f-4f0b-a2f4-b6182b182f89_1755x1755.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffdbf9e03-ed5f-4f0b-a2f4-b6182b182f89_1755x1755.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff2f02a60-ce92-494f-8a56-bc965f912bb1_1755x1755.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff2f02a60-ce92-494f-8a56-bc965f912bb1_1755x1755.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p><strong>Questions for you:<\/strong><br><strong>How can you use this idea to make one of your evenings easier?<\/strong><br><strong>Can lunch-a-bowls help keep meal costs lower when you travel?<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Still not sure or need some more ideas?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you search: &#8220;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.pinterest.com\">easy charcuterie boards<\/a>&#8221; on Pinterest you will have plenty of visual motivation! \ud83d\ude01<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"%%half_magic_comments_url%%\">Leave a comment<\/a> (links to my Substack so I will see it.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I hope this inspired you to make lunch-a-bowls for you and your family. Try it out and then let me know what worked for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0fHappy Snacking! &#8211; April<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33611c3d-0286-4de9-8930-aea4827dc4e5_4032x3024.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33611c3d-0286-4de9-8930-aea4827dc4e5_4032x3024.jpeg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">lunch while on a long RV trip in Texas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My favorite solution for picnics, road trips, and lunches for picky eaters. It&#8217;s basically a charcuterie board in a bowl. They can be basic and simple or more sophisticated depending on who it&#8217;s for. I am all about practical solutions and helpful ideas. So knowing that it is the time of year when we are&hellip; <\/p>\n<div class=\"readmore-wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2024\/10\/01\/my-easy-meal-solution-lunch-a-bowls\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read <\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5545,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stc_notifier_status":"sent","_stc_notifier_sent_time":"2024-10-01 07:39:59","_stc_notifier_request":false,"_stc_notifier_prevent":false,"_stc_subscriber_keywords":"","_stc_subscriber_search_areas":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,170],"tags":[583,582,580,581,584,579,255],"class_list":["post-5543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mom-life","category-travel-with-kids","tag-easy-meal-ideas","tag-easy-meals","tag-lunch","tag-lunch-ideas","tag-lunchables","tag-meal-ideas","tag-meal-planning"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5543"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5543\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5547,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5543\/revisions\/5547"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}