Lunchbox Favorite Chicken and Leek Salad

What is that saying about best laid plans……….

The best laid plans of Mice and Men often go awry.

That should nicely explain things. I had the best of meal planning plans this week. I try and make dinners that transfer well into lunches. My plan, as good as it sounded, was to make Pad Thai last night and use that in lunches for today. Cold Pad Thai is pretty darn good. Pad Thai was an EPIC FAIL. Sigh! I tried a pre-packaged Pad Thai sauce, followed the recipe on the container, and YUCK! I've made better Pad Thai with a jar of peanut butter (will do next time). Everyone choked it down, but it was agreed not to make it again. I really hate wasting food, and typically do a darn good job of making food go far, and using leftovers. This dinner is dog food! Literally, we are going to have some happy dogs tonight.

So, this morning, I had to rearrange my meals for the rest of the week. The leftover chicken salad was GOING TO BE dinner tonight, but is becoming lunch. I have a family favorite Bean and Cheese Burrito dinner that is a go to last minute meal, and it is taking the place of Chicken Salad tonight. Phew! 

How do you handle meal planning mix ups? Do you meal plan? Do you have favorite last minute meals? 

Wednesday's are half days at M1's school, so I only need to pack 1 snack….I still pack two. Whatever is leftover becomes her after school snack. 

Main Lunch:

• Chicken and Leek Salad: I know I linked you to this before.
• Banana: Simple. I know some of you are thinking that is pure sugar. Well yes, it is a high glycemic food, and yes, it is a more starchy fruit. But children, especially active children like M1, need a little extra carbohydrate and sugar. In a natural form like a banana, it's an easy powerhouse of usable energy and minerals to keep her muscles energized for school/play/BJJ practice, etc...
• Juice Box: This is M1's pick for today. I let her pick them out at the grocery store last shopping trip. 

Snack Time:

• CocoNutty Granola: Have you tried this recipe from Sarah Wilson's "I Quit Sugar" website and book? If not, you are MISSING OUT! This stuff is awesome.  I love it by itself or on top of plain yogurt. I made mine with raw honey, butter, cashews, almonds, coconut flakes, chia seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, and macadamia nuts. All raw, all sprouted. (except the coconut, chia and flax.)
• Diced Ham/Salami/English Cheddar: M1 loves English Cheddar, she dislikes most white cheeses (odd I know, but insist that the orange ones taste better). The salami and ham are free of added Nitrates/Nitrite. OH! that's a good topic to discuss. Noted!