Sunday 14 July 2013

Beating the Lunch Box Blues by J.M. Hirsch


Beating The Lunch Box Blues: Fresh Ideas for Lunches on the Go! by J M Hirsch
Publisher: Atria Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Release Date: 3rd September 2013
208 Pages

Rating: 4 out of 5

The basic concept behind the book is to cook one main meal of the day 'Dinner', and then create '2 lunch ideas' for the next days lunch box. Great for leftovers without feeling as if that's what you're eating. The book includes delicious recipes for the main meal and options for 2 lunches to be made for the next day from the leftovers. 

Chapters include sections on, 'Fast and Easy', 'Catch of the Day', Poultry, Fish, 'Breakfasts for Lunch', 'Little Bites', Sandwiches, Sausages, Noodles, Salads, Beefy, Soups, and a small section on vegetarian lunches which I would have liked more of.

We've all had that feeling of the 'lunch box blues' with the jam or chocolate spread sandwich, packet of crisps, chocolate cake bar, juice carton drink and bruised banana or carrot thrown in as the healthy piece of fruit & veg option.  Preparing and thinking of alternatives and eating them become a real chore and we end up throwing in all manner of processed rubbish. Not only do we and our children get a nutritionally unbalanced, plastic tasting lunch time meal, we become disheartened and eating becomes just a mechanical necessity. Our kids just throw it away!  This book has great ideas and alternatives with recipes included for a main meal and then the 2 lunch box options with photographs and easy to follow instructions, helping to make lunchtime something to look forward to.
There are many ideas to choose from and it certainly inspires you to try your own food combinations, and including your child's suggestions in the process, to create their healthy lunches.  With the use of a thermos a curry or hot soup during the winter season would be a welcome change from a cold lunch when you need warming up.

I would definitely recommend 'Beating The Lunch Box Blues' for regular packed lunch eaters, and parents with school aged children.  A fantastic little book to inspire ideas for cost effective hot and cold dishes for work or school or even for picnic lunches on days out.

Hirsch writes a food blog about his son's lunches with lots of photographs to further inspire you. Parker is a very lucky boy. I can't promise to be as committed on a regular basis to my children but I will endeavour, with Hirsch's help, to do my best. 

See more at LUNCH BOX BLUES

I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

No comments: