August 22, 2024
Do you remember the days when the lunch bell rang, signaling the excitement of discovering the treasures hidden in your lunch box? Join me as I take a trip down memory lane, revisiting some items—some I’d rather forget—and the iconic snacks and treats that fueled my childhood adventures and satisfied my youthful cravings.
Growing up, I preferred a packed lunch because I could create my own sandwiches the night before. My grandmother always let me choose what I wanted in my lunch, and my favorite treat was a “smunchie”—a peanut butter, honey, and jelly sandwich melted on the stove top. I still enjoy it as a late-night snack sometimes. The strangest thing I ever found in my lunch was Vienna sausages; I tried them once and didn’t like them. I started packing my lunch because the school didn’t offer salads, and I wanted to eat healthy, making things easier.
If I could create one school lunch item from scratch, it would be mostaccioli. I used to love it, but I know I could make it even better with a handmade sauce. My ultimate school lunch menu would include a sandwich station, pasta station, salad bar, and fresh fruit—enough to provide a balanced meal with just those options.
The secret to an ultimate lunchbox menu is a good homemade dessert, which can compensate for any disappointing lunch. Packing school lunches as a kid and meal prepping as an adult are similar; you always want to ensure a well-balanced meal that covers all food groups, including protein, veggies, fruit, and a snack.
For a breakfast box, I’d like to see a breakfast burrito filled with sausage, egg, potato, onions, peppers, bacon, and a homemade breakfast cheese sauce, served with homemade salsa and some fresh fruit.
Even though we’ve traded our lunch boxes for grown-up alternatives and our tastes have evolved, the nostalgia of those beloved treats still reminds us of the innocence and delight of youth. I hope you can find some classic favorites and discover new tempting treats every time you visit The Westbury Senior Living Bistro or Country Kitchen and that you never stop making culinary memories.
The Westbury Senior Living in Columbia, MO offers independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near University Hospital and Boone Hospital with convenient access to major shopping centers and attractions, including Mizzou Tigers, Columbia Mall, The Broadway Shops, MKT Nature and Fitness Trail, Finger Lake State Park, and LA Nickell Golf Course.
