August 22, 2024
Do you remember the days when the lunch bell rang, signaling the excitement of discovering the treasures hidden in your lunch box? Join me as I take a trip down memory lane, revisiting some items—some I’d rather forget—and the iconic snacks and treats that fueled my childhood adventures and satisfied my youthful cravings.
As a kid, I ate school-provided breakfasts and lunches. My favorite meals were chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes with gravy. I needed to eat at school to ensure I had a meal that day. The strangest thing I saw on the school menu was chili with a cinnamon roll. I tried it, but it wasn’t very good, and I wouldn’t eat it again. Minnesota now provides free breakfast and lunch to all grades, so I’m assuming most parents aren’t sending packed lunches anymore.
If I could create one school lunch item from scratch, it would be breakfast pizza. It was so good—the flavors just exploded on my tongue. The ultimate school lunch menu would include a loaded salad bar, cheeseburgers, and pizza.
To ensure a well-balanced and nutritional meal, make sure the three main components are present: a starch, a protein, and a vegetable. I’m a firm believer that if it’s in a cute package, you will feel better while and after eating it. Also, the secret to any meal is love.
I would like to see a loaded burrito in a breakfast box filled with steak, hashbrowns, onions, peppers, eggs, and cheese, served with extra salsa and hot sauce. For the dinner box, include egg rolls, fried rice, sushi, and seasoned beef or chicken, served with a homemade egg roll! I also enjoy a good New York Strip steak with extra grilled onions and a yummy side salad.
Even though we’ve traded our lunch boxes for grown-up alternatives and our tastes have evolved over time, the nostalgia of those beloved treats still reminds us of the innocence and delight of youth. I hope you can find some classic favorites and discover new tempting treats every time you visit the Cedar Trails Senior Living Bistro or Country Kitchen and that you never stop making culinary memories.
Cedar Trails Senior Living in Freeburg, IL offers independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near St. Elizabeth’s Hospital with convenient access to major shopping centers, including The Orchards Golf Club, Target, Eckerts Belleville Farm, Braeutigam Orchards, and the Belle Clair fairgrounds & Expo Center.
