Do you ever sit down and wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?”, or “If only I would have done something with that idea!” I do that all the time. My problem is I am too practical. If I can’t see myself spending money on it, I wouldn’t expect someone else too. BUT…It happens everyday! Just sit down and watch a commercial. Some of that stuff, I wonder who in their right mind buys it. Well, someone does buy it, or their wouldn’t be a commercial. American’s waste more money on the next gimmick, than anything else!
There are a lot of these gimmicks in the grocery store. Already prepped foods, that are really just expensive versions of the real thing. Ore Ida Steam and Mash potatoes is a good example that comes to mind. $4 for a bag of potatoes that are already peeled, that you still have to cook and mash. When you could go to the produce department and buy 5 lbs of potatoes for $2.50! I just don’t understand how people are OK to throw their money away like that.
With school either starting or just around the corner the kiddos are seeing the commercials for all the new lunchbox snacks and treats. One that has been around for a long time is the Lunch-able. I understand that they are cool, but have you seen the small amount of food in those things. They cost a couple dollars a piece. Well, today we are making our own Shortcut-ables that are going to have more food, and be just a bit cooler than the typical lunch-able.
All you need is…
- favorite lunch meat
- cheese
- tortillas
- small cookie cutter any shape
- fruit
Take any small cookie cutter (we chose a heart), and cut out lunch meat, cheese, and tortillas.
I cut out the tortillas first because I had a genius idea. I wanted everything to be the same shape including the crackers. So, I took the tortillas and cut them out with the cookie cutter. I place them on a foil lined baking sheet and baked them at 450 degrees until crisp, about 5 min. These make the best little crackers! Plus, you can use gf corn tortillas and they would be just as yummy!
Now, find a neat little reusable container with compartments, or I had some of these Reynolds Shaped cups. Since they were hearts it worked perfectly. I put ham in one, cheese in another, etc.
I even cut watermelon in heart shapes. You could cut any fruit, bread, etc. I even thought about making little cookies after the fact! Add a pudding cup and a juice box, and you are good to go!
The possibilities and the shape are endless! You could make a themed Shortcut-able lunch for different holidays. My kids absolutely loved lunch today! Even though it was simple ingredients, it was the creativity that made lunch fun! They have already dug out the shapes that they want tomorrow. I think I may have created some pretty cute little monsters. 
Don’t forget the other great lunchbox ideas!
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Love this idea! The little heart tortillas is a great idea!
I often think the same thing at the grocery store. “Why are you buying that?” is what runs through my head. The worst is when I used to go to Sam’s Club. I finally stopped my membership because I found I could save more with coupons at the grocery store. Plus, ever time I went I would look at people’s carts overflowing with products that I could get cheaper somewhere else. Honestly, I think many people do not think about what they spend money on. They want it and it is convenient so they buy it!
Thanks for sharing your lunch box ideas! I will do this for sure!
What a cute idea- love it!!
Genius! I will be doing this for my daughter’s school lunch.
These are so adorable! Well done
I just love the heart shaped theme!
I am the same way about trying to save money on stuff like this. I think sometimes people just get so sucked into the marketing that they forget they could easily do the same thing themselves!
i understand where you are coming from, but with all the great coupons right now and always, if you can get them for free…hey free is free, and it must be said…this kind of pre-prep CAN be easier. Now if you are paying FULL PRICE, then it is not so great, but with twin infants, i need EVERY SPARE SECOND I CAN MUSTER!!!!
Cute idea when we have no coupons for the prepared little packages though, although from last weeks $1 sale and coupons, i have 12 packages. That should last me until next sale ;0)
Jackie,
I am all for getting things free with coupons! It is great when you can do that. I am just giving some fancy lunchbox ideas to keep the kids interested!
I don’t like the lunchables that much cause when I make my own I know what kind (quality) of food is going in. That is all.
I understand the time thing. You could make enough of these one night for several lunches. I am a make ahead person anyway!
Got it. I often get baby food for CHEAP, however, since i prefer all organic for my little guys, I make my own. It is more time consuming and actually more expensive b/c there arent’ many coupons for produce…but it is worth it for the better stuff for the boys. Oh, and i have LOADED up on Sprout Organic from 2 weeks ago when i got them for free!!!!! ;0)
Now making cookies, i leave that all to PILLSBURY ready made e very time…those CAN”T BE BEAT
Where do you find thicker lunch meat to actually use for cookie cutters?
You can have it sliced this way at the deli, or there are specially marked thick lunch meat packages, or you can do what I did and just put a couple pieces of thin lunch meat together
I have some John Morrell’s Off the Bone lunch meat that is nice and thick. Got it pretty cheap with a sale and a coupon.
This is a super cute idea! My son will love it just have to figure out what shape we will use. Thank you!!
i think little stars would be cute too!
We have a little star cookie cutter that we are going to do this with too! Plus, I have a little set of ABC cookie cutters that would be perfect for the first day of school!
ok so if i were to want to send this to school… how would i go about that?
We had so much fun making these today. Thanks for the great idea!
Where did you find the Reynolds heart baking cups?
They are one of those items that they put out at valentines day. I snagged some on clearance last year.
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