Vegetarian Back-to-School Lunches

I know, I know, you're starting to sweat.  Your kid is due to head back to class in only a few short days and that means lunches.  Lots and lots of lunches.  If your kid complains that they can't look another PBJ in the face again, then you have come to the right place.  Having worked as a teacher for a decade, I know a thing or two about what to pack and how to keep things healthy and interesting.  When you are a vegetarian (or have one as a son or daughter), there usually aren't that many choices in the lunchroom (who wants their kid to eat that stuff anyway?), so you might as well get to be friends with the good old lunchbox.  First, the basics.  These are the pantry items you might want to consider.  Of course you must read labels to determine which ones are healthy and which ones are schlock:

Category #1: Grains (mostly anyway)

-whole grain crackers
-graham crackers
-pretzel sticks
-muffins
-rice cakes
-rice balls
-cooked grains such as quinoa or barley
-tortillas
-pasta salad
-granola bars
-banana bread, zucchini bread, or pumpkin bread
-bagel chips
-dry cereal
-bagels
-pita bread

Category #2: Proteins (though to be fair, many of the above have protein too)
-cheese (Babybell and stringcheese are great, but be creative!)
-vegetarian deli slices (I like the ones from Turtle Island Foods)
-beans (so many kinds and so many ways to prepare them)
-nut butters (almond, sunflower, cashew)
-tofu (baked, broiled, fried!)
-eggs
-yogurt
-cottage cheese
-cream cheese
-hummus
-avocado

Category #3: Veggies
-peas (in shell or out)
-carrots
-celery
-cucumbers
-bell peppers
-tomatoes (I know, technically a fruit!)
-broccoli (steamed?)
-cauliflower (steamed?)
-greenbeans (steamed?)
-corn

Category #4: Fruit
-berries (mmmm!)
-cherries
-grapes
-oranges (get easy to peel for little kids)
-melons
-pineapple
-apples (only when other things aren't in season)
-applesauce (I use the tubs as an emergency back-up item)

Of course you are not going to buy all of these items at one time, but it does give a person ideas.  Just mix and match these ingredients to keep things fresh and interesting.  You do not have to make a four course dinner to satisfy your hungry child, just give them good quality items, and be sure to take their tastes into account as well.  Getting their input and participation will dramatically increase the percentage of lunches actually consumed.  Do not fear the box!