One day during the summer, when the day was set to be hot and I found our summer bucket list sitting stagnant, I packed us up and headed to the beach. There were blankets, towels, two bookbags, our favorite water shoes, snacks, a sun hat for me — and, of course, lunch: a PB&J sandwich on whole wheat. It isn’t the most refreshing meal on a hot day, but it’s the easiest and the most gratifying for stomachs; we work up an appetite between ducked-under waves and a dozen of sandmen. While the occasional and surprising crunch of sand in the middle isn’t my personal favorite, it’s one of the many traditions I want my kids to remember about those hot summer days at the beach.
When I was pregnant with River, there were weeks when I only ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I’m sure my friend Courtney can remember the days walking down Bedford Avenue in search of a deli that would oblige. And with Oak, I was obsessed with cold cuts (despite it being one of the pregnancy nos), with mayonnaise and cheddar cheese, until one day in my second trimester — I gagged it up. I couldn’t eat them anymore, and haven’t had a cold cut since.
Maybe it’s just an old wives’ tale, or maybe it’s just my luck, but River isn’t a huge fan of PB&J, though I loved it while pregnant with her, and she still eats it. And Oak won’t eat a cold sandwich to save his life (but River loves them). And so, it was a complete surprise to me when their grandmother got them to eat a sandwich they both loved. So much so that this sandwich has been in their lunches a few times last week, and today (already). It’s an almond butter and apricot jelly sandwich! Have you tried it? It’s part sweet, but also very savory. I think the apricot keeps it light and a bit refreshing, and the almond butter is kind of like having a piece of chocolate in the middle of the day, which isn’t too bad after a morning of learning. I’ve paired it with strawberries, grapes and some thinly slice cucumber sticks.
While I am no food expert, there is a ridiculous amount of joy that consumes me as I am making their lunch at night knowing that it takes half the time, but guarantees an empty lunchbox upon their return home. Of course, I am not getting rid of my warm leftover-dinner-for-lunch routine, as I think it makes me (and them) feel a bit full in heart and mind as we go through the week.
Any go-to kid sandwiches of your own?
One kid is all about the obj and one prefers hummus and pita. Paired with the fruit, carrot sticks and sometimes a cookie or piece of chocolate. Apricot jam is now on the must try list!
Sounds the same! I personally am obsessed with hummus and warm pita. Let me know how you like it!
I tried this sandwhich with my kids over the week and it’s a new favorite! Thanks for sharing! We usually alternate between sunflower seed butter with strawberry or grilled cheese with pesto.
Wow! Same situation with my 2 kiddos: my 8 y.o. son loves a cold sandwich because I loved deli sandwiches when pregnant with him. His little brother pretty much eats a pb&j every day for lunch, and that is what I would eat daily at least through the first trimester with him. So funny how that happens! Love everything about your blog! Thanks for sharing!
Good to hear weather aren’t the only ones! Its so odd!
xo
L
Hey Hayley!
I am so happy it was a hit! I’ll try the sunflower seed butter with strawberry or grilled cheese. I never put pesto on a sandwich, but my children love it. I’ll have to give it a try.
xo
L