Spring Fever

March is here, and with it comes Spring fever in full force. Cravings for all things fresh and fruity, bidding farewell to the immeasurable amount of warm soups and oven-roasted dishes from the Winter. All of that in the past with the emerging of glorious March. The third month of the Gregorian calendar. The windy month. Thirty-one days of enthralling anticipation. Daydreams drift by of all the delicate, fragrant, and fresh delights of Spring. Portraits of bouquets, greenhouses, rain, melting rivers, meadows, speckled eggs, and birds chirping in the morning chill. The promise of waking earth beneath feet.

Until next time,

The Maple Press

Meal Plans: February 27-March 05

Last week's meals were amazing, bright, colorful, and satiating! The Egg + Potato Salad was so simple, and delicious, and alternating with the Egg Sandwich was a good way to mix it up. The Baked Salmon was also really easy, but the Crispy Potatoes needed more time in the oven to crisp, compared to the fish and Broccoli, though the Lemon Sauce brought it all together beautifully. The Lemony Garlic Chicken and Orzo Soup was surprisingly very deep in flavor, and so filling; making up the leftovers on Tuesday night. The Broccoli + Cheese Pasta was simple and satisfying, but the Dutch Baby knocked it out of the park (sooo good!).

Pizza is never a bad way to end the week, and the Citrus Slices over Yoghurt drizzled with Honey, alternating with the Cherry Cheesecake Brownies, was the perfect way to end a meal each night. This week once again highlights citrus from Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Orange Chicken to New England Style Haddock Sandwiches with fresh lemon squeezed on top and Basil-Yogurt Panna Cotta with Grapefruit Gelèe. Lunches will still feature citrus slices, which is a perfect way to freshen up the middle of the day.

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This upcoming week's meal plan:

SUNDAY

Lunch - Broccoli + Egg Fried Rice (recipe source)

Dinner - Lemon Ricotta Pancakes (recipe source)

Dessert - Basil-Yogurt Panna Cotta with Grapefruit Gelèe (recipe source)

MONDAY

Lunch - Pasta + Cannellini Beans + Tomato Sauce (recipe inspiration)

Dinner - Homemade Takeout: Orange Chicken + Rice + Broccoli (recipe source)

Dessert - Chocolate Chip Cookies (recipe inspiration)

TUESDAY

Lunch - Broccoli + Egg Fried Rice (recipe source)

Dinner - Leftovers

Dessert - Basil-Yogurt Panna Cotta with Grapefruit Gelèe (recipe source)

WEDNESDAY

Lunch - Pasta + Cannellini Beans + Tomato Sauce (recipe inspiration)

Dinner - New England Style Haddock Sandwiches (recipe source)

Dessert - Chocolate Chip Cookies (recipe inspiration)

THURSDAY

Lunch - Broccoli + Egg Fried Rice (recipe source)

Dinner - One Pot French Onion Pasta (recipe source)

Dessert - Basil-Yogurt Panna Cotta with Grapefruit Gelèe (recipe source)

FRIDAY

Lunch - Pasta + Cannellini Beans + Tomato Sauce (recipe inspiration)

Dinner - Leftovers

Dessert - Chocolate Chip Cookies (recipe inspiration)

SATURDAY

Lunch - Broccoli + Egg Fried Rice (recipe source)

Dinner - Pizza with Side Salad (recipe inspiration)

Dessert - Basil-Yogurt Panna Cotta with Grapefruit Gelèe (recipe source)

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Kid's Lunch Box:

As always, each weekly meal plan will include a kid's lunch box menu with two options to switch between during the week. The lunch will incorporate most components of the above-listed lunch menu, with slight variations if needed. The layout will always feature the PlanetBox Rover Stainless Steel Lunch Box along with other Planet Box accessories such as the Rover Pod 4-Pack, Rover Little Square Dipper, Rover Big Round Dipper, and Rover Little Round Dipper. Check out The Maple Press post on PlanetBox lunchboxes here.

Until next time,

The Maple Press

Lunch with PlanetBox

Bringing a home lunch to school used to feel embarrassing, with an ugly brown paper sack and plastic bags full of squished sandwiches and chips. It was better than the alternative of mystery school food that was uninviting, boring, and often gross. Mom tried her best, and so did the school (maybe...), but neither would ever be as cool as PlanetBox.

PlanetBox is the revolution of lunchboxes. Eco-friendly, stainless steel lunch boxes that come with fun, colorful, useful accessories to up the lunch game. It's a great way to get kids involved in planning meals, making lunch, and helping the environment.

With three lunchbox size options and a tray for at-home meals, finding the perfect fit for different appetite needs is a breeze. Shuttle, made for kids three and up, is the smallest option and is ideal for small appetites, lighter meals, and snacks. Rover is perfect for a large variety and smaller appetites, ages three and up. Launch, the largest, is designed for kids ten and up with bigger appetites and larger serving sizes.

Keep wet, messy foods in the Dippers to prevent spills, and sort out small morsels with the Pods. Keep food cold until lunchtime by packing the night before, storing it in the fridge, and packing an ice pack or two inside in the morning. It's also easy to clean due to being dishwasher safe. Their Carry Bags are 100% recycled and are easy to hand-wash.

Their website has an extensive FAQ section that answers ALL the questions, and their blog section offers amazing lunch suggestions. In addition, their social media is chock-full of lunch inspiration. Partnered with their Lunch Planners for the Shuttle, Rover, and Launch, home lunch will never be embarrassing, uninviting, boring, or gross again.

Currently on sale until February 25th, for 25% off site-wide in honor of Random Acts of Kindness Day, with donations made to No Kid Hungry for every purchase. Get one today!

Until next time,

The Maple Press