Thrifty hot lunch ideas!

Nomoneymummy_2

Have 2 different probs at the mo,

1* Its getting colder and I'd like to send my kid (6) into school with something that will stay warm untill lunchtime, School WONT let us send in hot soup etc or hot flasks as there is a health and safety issue, app i may send it too hot and burn her or something!! I've assured them I always send luke warm but no joy!!
School lunch costs £9.75 :eek: a week and I cant afford that, only have one in full day at the mo but next year when there is 2 of them the cost would cripple me! Plus its still pretty dire here for hot lunches.

So are there any hot ideas or ways I can keep something hot without the health and safety monster getting angry??? I'm tempted to start bringing her home at lunch but it would mean I'd end up doing 5 back and to trips and I'm wondering if it might deprive her of playtime etc!!! ( I dont drive and youngest would have to come with me getting wet/cold etc)

Prob no 2* is hubbys lunch.... something warming, filling and cheap that can be made the night before (he has microwave at work!!), hes not a huge soup fan and I'm running out of ideas now!..

Reverbe

Sorry to hear that nomoney. That seems really unfair to me. The H&S issue has really gone too far in some instances.After all there would be nothing to stop your DD from burning herself at home..not that you would of course. Schools must realise that people just do not have the money to spend on overpriced school meals just because they fear getting sued in the new compensation culture.. Gosh that silly woman in the US who sued Maccy D's when she drove with hot coffee between her knees really opened a can of worms didnt she.

Good luck and I hope you find some ideas to help.Can you not have a word with the school board perhaps with some other mums in similar situations?

For hubby try pasta, chillis, stews.. these can all be Leftovers.. Sure some posters will come up with better , thats just off the top of my head.

thriftlady_2

I think this is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard:rolleyes: My dd's school is perfectly happy for her to take hot soup etc (if I could be bothered:D) That's what thermos flasks are for and there's a whole range designed for food as well as drinks.

Do they let the children run in the playground, because, you know someone could fall over and get hurt?

Oh, and what about teachers drinking hot drinks near the children is that allowed?

I think you should start a campaign to ban hot school lunches on the grounds that the children could burn themselves. And to be on the safe side you'd better not give your kids hot food at home either because most accidents happen in the home :rolleyes:

I don't know what to suggest really except to say that cold food is just as nutritious. Maybe think about more substantial foods like pasties or little pies, sausage rolls, meatballs, pizza slices.

For your OH what about pasties etc (leftover stew pasties go down a treat with my lot), sausage and beans, beany casseroles, chilli, anything stewy really. Just siphon off a portion of the evening meal for him to microwave;)

HTH:)

tori.k

i will go for the easy one chilli, curry ,spagbol , jacket spuds beans and cheese all can be reheated easy. as for the kids one of mine has a foodjar thermos its wider than a flask he takes stuff like sausage casserole when he goes fishing, i dont know if school would see it as the same as a flask (because thats all it really is)

Trinny

Hello

The question about your husband is easy - i usually take leftovers from the evening meal the night before - so pasta with sauce, curry and rice, left over roast dinner (the roasties are not as nice nor are the yorkshires but most other stuff is ok) sausage and mash.

Just get into the habit of making a little extra for the evening meal - then box it up. I have saved quids just stopping buying lunch and reheating a home made meal. Today i had left over chickpea and spinach curry ( a jamie feed the fam for £5 recipe) and left over boiled rice. stuff like curry, chilli, lasagne, shepherds pie etc all taste better the next day. YOu also cant beat HM soup.

As for your child at school - not sure if this works but what about a jacket potato in a food flask - you could pack separate grated cheese, tuna mayo etc. Its not liquid so it should pass the health and safety police. Otherwise - does a food flask hold shepherds pie, lasagne? if you can get hold of something like that then you are fine - otherwise you could deliver the meal to school two days a week and send a cold meal at other times.

HTH

Trin

Nomoneymummy_2

thriftlady wrote: »

Do they let the children run in the playground, because, you know someone could fall over and get hurt?

Oh, and what about teachers drinking hot drinks near the children is that allowed?

I think you should start a campaign to ban hot school lunches on the grounds that the children could burn themselves. And to be on the safe side you'd better not give your kids hot food at home either because most accidents happen in the home :rolleyes:

HTH:)

H&S would prob have a fit about my parenting style... kids help make dinner , they stand away from the stove etc (I'm not totally irresponsible!) but they lay the table (ohh sharp spicky fork!!) mix things (raw egg alert!) and do lots of other bits while we cook!!

LMAO at ban hot lunch campain, it would prob be taken seriously aswell!!

we've just had a note in the newsletter today as some of us mums to a pick up pool, (I do this very often as I'm at home and close!) we use it as a running late, problems arrise etc back up, I or others will pick kids up, sort dinner and wait for parents to collect, theres no charge and is genrally done out of kindness and understanding that people get stuck in traffic/sitters let down etc etc, so note reads...

Messages...
Please give messages in person when dropping children off in the morning regarding any changes to whom collects your child at the end of the day.
We need to be informed in person and not via telephone or messages through other parents on the door, these methods will not be allowed exepting emergencys in future!..

I'm guessing good old H&F would have a fit that I cook for other children plus the nanny state laws are closing in! (though its still legal to have them for 2 hours aday without childminding licence!!)...

Well anyway tried the bigger flask chunky food thing last winter, still a no to that grrr!! But thanks for all the hubby ideas!! Will be using many!

As for school lunches, maybe I should open my own school cafe, I'm based opposite, I could undercut the oppisition and run them out of town!! (Joke!!):D

talulahbeige_2

Food flask? Can someone please give me an idea of what this is? Obviosuly its a flask to kep feed warm but what does it look like etc? Sounds ideal for me as we dont have a microwave at work but i love taking leftover meals to work

Nomoneymummy_2

Ohh and Thriftlady the hot drinks are actually banned from the school my pal teaches in for that exact reason!!! Staff room only!!

thriftlady_2

talulahbeige wrote: »

Food flask? Can someone please give me an idea of what this is? Obviosuly its a flask to kep feed warm but what does it look like etc? Sounds ideal for me as we dont have a microwave at work but i love taking leftover meals to work

Here you go;)


Blimey Nomoneymummy, your school sounds paranoid!

Nomoneymummy_2

talulahbeige wrote: »

Food flask? Can someone please give me an idea of what this is? Obviosuly its a flask to kep feed warm but what does it look like etc? Sounds ideal for me as we dont have a microwave at work but i love taking leftover meals to work

Think normal flask but wider so you can get spoon/fork into it... lakeland does them i think.. and obv good old ebay!!! Some have spoons on lid etc.
They're wonderfull... stupid me bought four of them before eldest started school thinking her, little one me and Daddy ( I used mine when I worked nights no microwave etc).. they are great and I'd greatly recommend one as long as H&S dont ban you from using it!!! (Still p*ood at that!!)

Nomoneymummy_2

Thriftlady, they certainly are... though as its also mentioned in the newsletter that 2 male parents blocked someones drive on school run then flashed and threatened the complainer they may have a small reason to be!! The few spoil it for the many maybe!!!