The 9yo is a good eater that understands (intellectually at least) that she must eat lots of different veggies in order to be healthy. That said, she’s still nine and getting her to eat those veggies can be infuriating when she’s going through her picky phases. Ours are more taco-n-nacho than pasta-n-cheese, but they are no less frustrating come dinner time.
I try to dial it back for lunch duty…I have no magic formula for packing a healthy lunch. My biggest concern is that she stay fueled – no introduction of new and exciting things (’cause that’s more about me) and I make sure that she gets an itsy-bitsy voice in what ends up in her tiffin. All that means is giving her a couple of choices at the bulk bins when we’re shopping and remembering to ask things like “Apple or pear?” as I am packing her meal in the morning. In return, I get an empty lunch box instead of a grouchy kid at the end of the day. That’s worth it, no?
aneelee 
Love it! As I’ve just started packing my daughter’s lunch for the first time, I appreciate the reminders. 🙂
Is the broccoli cream pesto the one from Smitten Kitchen? I’ve been meaning to try that out.
It is. We tried it for dinner the previous night and it was enough of a hit that she asked for it for lunch the next morning. 🙂
Love the tiffins – where did you get them? And love the thoughts here too – good reminder that food shouldn’t be a battle field (and the bit about the new and exciting being more about the parent than the kid – too true)
Thanks! It’s so easy to lose sight of what’s worth fighting over in the day and I can let go for at least one meal. Phew. The tiffins are the snack stack from To-Go Ware. I got them online, but Wheatsville carries them now, too. Love them! Perfect size lunch for her.