Chicken Chow Mein

Save some of this dinner for a delicious lunch to pack in a microwaveable container the next day. Then all your child has to do is warm it in the microwave at school. And she can even leave the green onions out!

Baked Bunwiches

Whether eaten rewarmed in the microwave at school or enjoyed cold, these sandwiches make a great lunch. They're easy for preteens and teens to make on their own and younger cooks will feel grown-up mixing the filling and spreading it on the buns.

Chicken and Apple Salad Buddies

Chicken salad is a great way to use up grilled or roasted leftovers. Pack the salad and rolls separately, and let your child assemble his or her own mini sandwiches at school. Round out the lunch with milk, a handful of airpopped popcorn and some raisins.

Mixed Caesar Salad

Garlic breath is no problem for Jessica Lajner, who loves Caesar-style salad in her lunch once a week, along with a tortilla wrap stuffed with luncheon meat. Mom stays happy when Jessica rounds out her lunch with seedless grapes or a pear. To keep the tasty and nutritious salad fresh, pack the dressing on the side for kids to pour on at school. A portion of this salad is great to boost the day's vegetable intake.

Amagine Pine Cone Cheese Ball

This cheese ball is very simply, fast to make and can be prepared ahead of time. I have raves all the time when I make it and it gone in a flash. Great for company and also the kids lunches, after school or just because its so good and needs very few ingredients.

Beans, Beans, The Musical Fruit Wraps

Myles Smith from Notre Dame School had fun with the title of this recipe. You can buy refried beans in a can and wrap them with tomatoes and cheese in a tortilla for a satisfying lunch, snack or supper. Or, make your own "refried beans" using a can of your favourite beans - red kidney, pinto or black beans, for example. The recipe was submitted through the Orillia & Area Nutrition Network.

Turkey Burritos

Turkey and vegetables all rolled up in a whole wheat tortilla make this perfect for recharging your child's batteries at lunch. The burritos can be made ahead and either arranged in the glass baking dish or wrapped individually and frozen. Just thaw and increase cooking time by 10 minutes. You can cook the burrito the night before and just have your child rewarm it in the microwave at school.

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