Quinoa Amaranth Timbale

A quinoa and amaranth timbale (a timbale is a savory custard baked in a mold), homemade black beans, a tangerine, and a piece of dried cantaloupe. Beverage: Rice Dream Horchata.
Verdict: In a perfect world this meal would include some steamed spinach, but Little shmoo refuses all leafy greens (every child has their limit!). The dried cantaloupe was an interesting new treat from the health food store, very much like dried papaya. And the answer is YES, the timbale DID hold its shape in a seven-year old's swinging lunch box! Amazing! 2 stars for no veggie today.

Vegan Ham Roll-ups

Vegan ham slices rolled up with vegan cream cheese (in the picture it looks like only two, but there are five stacked in there), a pumpkin carob chip muffin, watermelon and cantaloupe balls with organic red grapes, and sweet canned corn.
Verdict: Little shmoo had a lot of fun scooping out melon balls and rolling up deli slices this morning. He cleaned it up today, too, eating everything but a bite of corn. 4 stars.

Bagel

A wholegrain bagel with vegan cream cheese, lightly blanched french green beans and carrots in a tarragon vinaigrette, two nut & seed butter cookies, and some organic red grapes.
Verdict: Very quick and easy. Little shmoo said a whole bagel would be too much, but now says a whole bagel will be fine for next time. I wish the nut butter cookies weren't so good -- I'm eating too many! 3 stars.

Tofu Fish Sticks

Tofu fishies with a little ketchup to dive into, organic tater tots, lightly steamed broccoli, and grapefruit segments.
Verdict: These fishies were nice and crunchy (thanks to my friend Heidi for the recipe!). Everything was "tasty" he tells me, although he's used to his broccoli being piping hot, not tepid. Such are the limitations of the packed lunch. 4 stars.

Inari

Inari sushi today! Inari is a sweet fried tofu pouch stuffed with sushi rice. A little pickled ginger is on the side, plus edamame (baby soybeans), an organic pear, and some Botan Rice Candy for a treat.
Verdict: Inari is a great sushi to start the kids on if they're not sure about seaweed. Little shmoo says he prefers the nori rolls but he likes these, too. 4 stars.

Pup in a Blanket

A soy hot dog baked in a dough blanket, with ketchup for dipping. Kiwi & blueberries, peas and corn, and two mint chocolate Newman-O's.
Verdict: On Monday someone was asking which vegan hot dogs are the best. Does anyone have a recommendation? Little shmoo loves them all, especially rolled in blankets, but I still haven't found one I like.
The frozen blueberries turned the kiwi an unappetizing shade of blue when they thawed -- next time I'm sticking to fresh. 3 stars.

Leaves & Sticks

It’s what you always suspected we vegans eat, isn’t it? In celebration of the Fall Equinox today, I put together this earthy menu: maple and oak leaves made from a barley poppy seed crust and filled with roasted autumn vegetables. Alongside are pretzel sticks with peanut butter, lima beans, and apple slices.
Verdict: I volunteered in the classroom today and got to sit with Little shmoo while he ate. He shared an oak leaf with me and happily ate all the rest. He ate the lima beans first. I love this kid! 5 stars.

Cauliflower Soup

Creamy cauliflower soup with some smoky pumpkin seeds to sprinkle on top. Plus a homemade roll, an orange, and two little gingersnap hearts (from the store -- I can't do everything!).
Verdict: I've always felt lucky that Little shmoo loves his brassicas (broccoli and brussel sprouts are his favorites). This is a fantastic soup, filled with cauliflower, potato, and carrots. I was a bit too enthusiastic with the white pepper this time, though, so he only finished half. Still, a good nutritious lunch. 3 stars.

Beans & Dogs

One of Little shmoo's favorites today: hot vegetarian baked beans with veggie hot dog bites. Alongside are green beans, organic tortilla chips, and chocolate banana pudding (he says he'll make an exception to his banana-hating policy if they're covered in pudding!).
Verdict: "I liked it!" Hey, what's not to like? Oddly enough, the tortilla chips were the one thing he didn't finish. 4 stars.

Kitty Cat & Mr. Fish

Could it be? Why, yes! It's...a peanut butter & grape jelly sandwich! Can you believe it? This pb&j is a little kitty cat and with him is his friend Mr. Fish (fish are friends, not food!). I also packed half a banana, jicama & carrot sticks with vegan ranch dressing, and two chocolate chip cookies. Beverage: Raspberry Silk Alive yogurt drink.
Verdict: A classic lunch box. He ate everything but..."I hate banana," he told me. "Oh. But you eat them at home, don't you?" "I hate them at school." Allllrighty, then. 3 stars.