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Category Archives: health & fitness

#fitnessgoals

i honestly FORGET to exercise.
and FORGET to eat well.
i get stuck on auto pilot.
or eat based off my feelings… #allthesugar
and i love to sleep late so very much.

so i made this list today and hung it in my bathroom.
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i put it where i spend time everyday…and hope i will notice it and i’ll say “oh yeah… that is why i should do it!”
i am reeeeeally good at coming up with reasons to not exercise.
so this should be a good competitor with my excuses.
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and then i made this list and hung it in the kitchen.
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and i might make one for my dashboard of my car.
because making the healthy choice is sometimes not even on my radar!

AND… i am doing a new workout dvd!
i know that i switch programs often but let’s face it… doing the same routine for too long gets really dull.
i like to have a variety to choose from.
i enjoy knowing i can mix it up when i get bored.

This new program is called “The Master’s Hammer & Chisel”
(super corny name but a good workout)
the nutrition program in H&C has the same color coded food containers as the 21 Day Fix program.
so the H&C seems to be kind of the Body Builder version of 21 Day Fix?   🙂
jay kay.
it’s just more weights AND cardio.
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i know… that is a lot of skin… makes me cold just looking at them!  it’s like 20 degrees here today!
but Autumn Calabrese DID really bulk up!
and still not wearing much clothing… HA.

i am not looking to be a body builder or a bikini competitor.  (gasp!)
i just want to be healthy(er).
and move my body.
and feel good.

i loved the 21 Day Fix program!
it was challenging but not impossible.
if you are just starting out with fitness… start with that!
it’s a really good place to begin.
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both the H&C and the 21 Day uses the food containers for portion control.
it’s almost fool proof.

so….. WHO WANTS TO JOIN ME!?  🙂  🙂  🙂
let’s have our own online fitness accountability and encouragement group!!
seriously!
come on….. it will be fun!  (as fun as working out can be…)
LET’S DO IT!

My friend Marta is a women’s fitness specialist.
she will be our coach to encourage us through 21 days of accountability.
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she’ll share nutritional tips, motivational information and challenge us to become our healthiest selves.
i promise to check in often to share how the workout went for me, share recipes & other fun stuff.

to join the group…

1. click here at www.fit-fam.org to order either the Hammer & Chisel program, the 21 Day Fix program OR 21 Day Extreme
(the other programs don’t use the same nutritional program so these 3 options are what this group is going to use)

2. email Marta at hausofgirls@gmail.com with your order number and she will sign you up for the group

we will start the group on January 25 and continue through February 15.
that gives you time to receive your program & get prepared.

i’m smiling already just thinking how good we are going to feel mid febraury!!!

let’s do this!
accountability is good thing!
questions?
ask away!

Kim - I finally heard back from Marta about whether or not the 21-day fitness plan was Gluten Free (it is!!!), so I am thinking it may be just what I need to jump start my weight loss. How many people are there signed up for the challenge? Thanks for offering to host this accountability group!!

Jodi - I also have already purchased the 21 day program last summer, can I still join?

Ashley - Hey there! I’ve never commented but I wanted to recommend trying a barre fitness class. I’m a runner and have done the beach body dvd programs too and in the past 4 months of attending barre classes at a local studio, ive seen amazing results. And it doesn’t feel like working out- it’s hard but super fun. Anyways, just wanted to share 🙂

Marta - Hey all! I’ll try answering some questions….
email me if it’s easier so I don’t miss anyone.
hausofgirls@gmail.com

Jenn- if you buy the program, there will be no reoccurring fees or anything like that! I’ll add you to my group for free. just email me your order number so I know you purchased and I can email you back.

michele- did you purchase from me? or do you have another coach you are working with? email me: hausofgirls@gmail.com

megan- yes, you can eat whatever you’d like (except donuts with every meal, obviously! ha) and I will help you with the nutrition part for sure. that is my “thing.” 🙂 and you’ll need some light dumbbells, a mat and a big yoga ball or a bench– either one is great. you can modify the exercises if you don’t have these items. you DO need some light weights though for sure. I use 5 and 10’s mostly.

Michele - I purchased the 21 day fix last summer but never stuck with it. Can I join the group anyway or do I have to purchase a new program?

Kim - I have 30 lbs. to lose, but wow would it be a great kick start to lose those first 15 in 21 days. A couple of questions before I “sign on the dotted line” #1 – I cannot eat gluten, so want to make sure that I will be able to follow the 21-day fix and not eat any. #2 – are we expected to do 30 min. of exercise all 7 days of the week? Ai-yi-yi. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can! (I work full time and am 58 years old, but am determined to begin to be a little selfish and think about myself in 2016).

meg duerksen - Megan… That’s a good question! I’ll have Marta leave a comment here for that. And I would think you can adjust the container system for vegetarians. I’ll have Marta answer that too 😀

Lola - I might be stealing some or ALL of your lists!!! JOY is my word for this year-I pick one each year (well I only started last year-that word was brilliant:) BUT I start TUCK on Thursday-it’s workout with some resistance props and yoga and ballet barre. It will make me stronger once I an walk again after a few sessions! I NEED this. I used to be soooo fit and also just naturally did not gain weight and I love the snacks and the sleeping in and winter is ugh BUT I am doing this! It’s this-making my body work for me-and finishing my book! As I write this I am in the airport at St. Maarten where it is beautiful! I am traveling home from spending some time with my son at medical school and with the island. I am going back to awful weather BUT I am going to work out! I will think of you and your inspiration when I don’t want to go!!!!

Megan - Next question: Where are the necessary supplies for Hammer & Chisel listed? I can’t find them anywhere on the website.

Megan - It’s too much of a coincidence that I’m hearing about Hammer & Chisel two days in a row. A sign from the universe that I should do it, perhaps?

Question: Are there vegetarian food options with the little container system? How do you work in feeding your family along with sticking to the program? I’m so tempted to join…

Sarah Lahrman - I’m in!!!

Lori H - Good for you, Meg! Would you consider making your list (s) a printable for us? I would need to change the “40” to a “53” – or I could pretend that I am 40! 🙂
Lori

Maribel Q - I’m 5 5 and 140ish. I’m sort of ok with my weigh gain over the last seven years since having my son. I’d much rather be firm and fit and also change my eating habits. Is this the 21 day program for me

Katie Skiff - MArta rocks but I’d probably have a heart attack if I jumped into H&C.. Oiy! I do like the program tho, and have seen REAL RESULTS. So yeah… just my 2 cents! 🙂 I love your signs, and am going to do something similar in the kitchen esp. And on the snack cupboard. And the freezer….

amy jupin - so which one is the hammer and which one is the chisel?
heehee

you are gonna rock this challenge!
i just know it!

meg duerksen - Dear T-licious! the accountability part plays out by checking in that did your work out. you can commiserate with other in the group about how challenging it was or you can tell everyone how strong you feel or struggling with temptation or share a healthy snack you just discovered! kind of like a fitness support group! 🙂 Knowing that everyone in the group is using the same nutrition program and exercising hard helps make it not as hard to get going. hopefully! no photos of weigh-ins. unless you are dying to share! then you could. i will not be doing that. and i prefer to wear autumn’s “clothes” as my headband. HA HA HA

meg duerksen - Jean – yes! there is no other charge. the group is free with the purchase of a program. 🙂

T-licious - How does the accountability part work? I don’t have to take pictures of me weighing in do I? Does Autumn’s outfit come with the DVD’s? Cause I’d like to wear that, on one of my calves. But seriously, how do you check in, etc?

Jenn - I have a question….All I do is select the program I want and that’s it? Its just the one time charge? No reoccurring charges? I guess that was three questions 😉

Karin - You should read my food story. I just put it out on Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/OnlyOneAnswer?ref=search_shop_redirect

Kelly S. - I never thought I NEEDED accountability in life, but I DO, and it works.

One of my 2016 goals is to walk, run or bike 2016 miles this year (comes out to 38 miles a week). A far-reaching goal for me, but I’m on pace. Great job making a plan for your goals.

Jenn - Ok! I’m seriously thinking of doing this. I want and need to loose 10-15 lbs. I’m tired and sluggish. I run on a regular basis, but I need to get my eating under control. And like you, I love sugar…oh sugar you taste so good, but so bad for me.

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we love our Planet Box!

about two months ago annie and i were talking about food.
talking about healthy food vs. processed food… gluten free or dairy free… and how food affects our body, mind & emotions.
we decided to try gluten free together as best we can.
the first thing that meant was taking a lunch to school instead of eating the cafeteria lunch.
we researched lunch boxes to make it fun… and hands down Annie wanted the Planet Box.
i contacted them and they sent one to Annie for us to review!
what a rad company!

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it comes with an insulated bag… the locking tray with dippers, utensils and an ice pack.
she was SO EXCITED to get started on this new “healthy lunch” plan.
(i am not kidding!  she was!)

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there are several color choices for the bag and then you can also choose from many choices of magnet designs.
we chose the dogs.
🙂

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the tray opens up and has compartments for food and holds the small containers.
the containers can be taken out at any time.
but be careful because we accidentally threw the small container away  🙁

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one cool thing about a planet box lunch box is very little waste.
no ziploc bags… no plastic spoons.
Just put the food in the compartments, shut the box and “lock” it…and it stays!

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the ice pack slides right into the sleeve next to the utensils and doesn’t sweat.

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so since the Planet Box came… annie has been making all of her own lunches!
AND they are 99% healthy and gluten free.
even if we should decide to not stay gluten free she has learned a lot already about healthy choices.

the compartments are fun to fill… thinking of what you could do differently each day.
she is saying things like “i need a protein” and I AM LOVING IT!

she is trying lots of new foods & being brave!
Annie truly does enjoy the process of making the lunch too using the boxes – it’s like an art project with food!

IMG_0167carrots – ranch – cucumbers – greek yogurt – strawberry&grape(and one marshmallow)kabob and a hershey chocolate.

the same week we started using the Planet Box,  i enrolled in a session with Marta – @hausofgirls_fitfamily called “Healthy Kids” where she taught about making good choices as moms, teaching our families about what we are eating, setting boundaries and taking charge of our kid’s health.

it was a really great course!

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one of the Marta’s phrases i hear in my head now at the grocery store is “just don’t buy it”
she said “If you don’t want your kids to eat it… just don’t buy it!  You are the mom!  You’re in charge of what food comes in the house.  If it’s bad for them – DON’T BUY IT.”
it seems obvious but i wrap this whole mom guilt/i want them to be happy/food is happy/sugar is happy/i don’t want them to complain thing all together and after 20 years of grocery shopping i realized i am the one who has taught them to eat this way!
BUT… i am also the one who can teach them better ways now.

liiiiiight bulb. (in my best Gru voice)

Marta is starting another round of Healthy Kids on May 18.
You will definitely learn A LOT.
You will think more about how your family eats and what you want for their future.
Click HERE for all the info on the course! and sign up today!
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here are 8 of annie’s lunches that she has put together:
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we tried a pb&j on a gluten free waffle.  i thought it was delicious.  she disagreed.  🙂
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AND GUESS what?!
Planet Box was so awesome & sent Annie this Planet Box but they also said i can give away a Complete Rover Set to one of YOU!! (US Residents only)
whaaaat?!  that is a $59+ prize!!
YES!!
i am super excited for you!
GO to the PlanetBox.com and see all of their really cool products!

ok… to enter to win:

tell me your favorite lunch box item when you were a kid!

sadly… mine was the Hostess Cupcake.
and i still kinda want to eat one right now.
like… a lot.
but i won’t.
because i don’t have one in my house… because “just don’t buy it”   🙂

CONTEST WINNER:  Beth – I loved fruit roll ups and cookies and sandwiches. Oh gosh,I loved it all!

Stacey - Hey Meg! I showed this to my daughter. Today is her birthday and we ordered her the exact same setup (electric red and doggie magnets). She is super excited for it to get here. She is in 5th grade….question, do you think it’s enough food for lunch? I was wondering if she would be starving by the time I pick her up from school. How does Annie do? Our school serves breakfast each morning. I think she should be fine. I can always throw an extra apple in there. Thanks for posting this!

Just a note for others ordering this…it is super expensive for a lunchbox. I used amazon rewards which helped to order on Amazon. And I made a few threats if it gets lost or stolen!

amber - I have wanted one of these lunch boxes for so long! Just can’t make myself spend the money. (have you guys found thislunchrox.com?- so fun!) My favorite lunchbox item would have to have been a boring peanut butter & jelly sandwich. It always smelled so good when I opened my lunch:). Or a fruit roll up. The not-healthy kind. Thanks for the chance!

Michelle @ Sunshine and Hurricanes - Little Debbie Star Crunch. My mom never, ever bought them but I always wanted one. I bought a box for myself in college ate them all in 2 days and voila, I was cured! 🙂 NEVER. AGAIN.

Sarah Karren - My favorite lunchbox item as a kid was my My little pony thermos with milk– with the pink screw on lid that you used as a cup.

Jane M. - fritos were my favorite lunch box treat!

Susan - Mine was the Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pie. My Mom always put one in my sack lunch on a field trip. 🙂

Marilyn M. - I loved the smoked turkey and cheese..always, salad and fruit.

Mindi - My favorite lunch box item was fun fruits or a fruit roll up!

Michelle - my favorite was cool ranch Doritos! The smell of them now reminds me of the school cafeteria!

Rebecca - Chocolate chip cookies! (Still are!)

amy snodgrass - My favorite was the snack pack pudding!!!!!!! I have one kid with food allergies and has to take his lunch to school every day so this lunch box would be awesome!!!!

Julie Bauhs - Ding Dongs!!!

Keri - PB&J!

Amanda Angert - My favorite lunch box treat was the Little Debbie swiss cake roll….or a Little Debbie Star Crunch 🙂 They both make me gag now though! lol

Erin - i used to love those tiny cans of pineapple juice – i was always excited to get one of those!

elma - Love those boxes!! My favorite was a fried egg sandwhich !!!

Janelle - I rarely brought a lunch to school but my fave cafeteria food was the apple crisp! My mom even asked the lunch ladies for the recipe

Kate - My favorite was probably peanut butter and jelly. Not very exciting! I do remember one time I opened my lunchbox and it was EMPTY. I thought, my gosh, my Mom hates me. It was mortifying, and at age 7 or so, it was a life tragedy. Turns out, in her sleepy frazzled Mom state, my Mom packed 2 full lunches into my sisters lunch box, and none into mine. I still remind her about it to this day…haha!

Rebecca Torzewski - That is probably the fanciest lunch box I have ever seen. We are leaving on vacation in less than a month and doing some hiking and that would be perfect to take along :). My favorite lunchbox item when I was a kid would have to be those peanut butter nutty butter bars I think they were called. My mom would also always cut a cartoon out of the paper and stick in my lunchbox to make me laugh, memories!!

Lari - My favorite lunchbox item was when my mom surprised me with a treat…either cookies, a cupcake or the occasional candy bar.

Lydia M. - My favorite treat was watermelon! I was the perfect snack for after recess. 🙂

Kim - Def the Little Debbie Oatmeal Pie!

Courtney Howard - My favorite lunch box item as a kid was Parmesan goldfish crackers. Not the more-popular cheddar ones! To this day I still think the Parmesan ones are better:)

Staci - Loved loved loved chicken noodle soup (the canned kind) in my Snoopy Thermos! Hot soup on a winter day reminded me of my mom while I was away from her at school!

Mia - tuna + potato chips! My mom thought of this yummy combo. Try it! 🙂 Now I send in a bag of chips with my daughter when its Tuna Day in her school… she happily eats the tuna with chips and its caught on with her friends too.

Mel - My favorite thing was my little thermos that had a flip top. I would pour my kool-aid into the little cup/lid to drink out of. I loved that thing! I love the PlanetBoxes now. I’ve been looking at them and wanting one for my daughter!

Rebecca Wade - I loved loved loved twinkies. So gross, right?!

Lisa - I actually never had a lunch box. We used the brown paper bags. So bad for the environment! haha! My favorite “item” wasn’t a food item, it was the drawings my mom used to do on the lunch bag. I loved them and thought she was SO talented!

Susan C. - Cheetos. But I wouldn’t eat them now, no no!

GB Jost - Peanut Butter & Honey

Maria - I loved Fruit By the Foot!!

Kristin - I really loved Lunchables. They were such a treat when I was little!

Carrie R - My favorite lunch was a peanut butter sandwich – and the very rare, but fabulous surprise of a HoHo. Yum!

Shannon R - PB & J sandwich on wheat bread with the crust cut off. Yummy!

Renee V - A toss up between pretzels and Chewy granola bars.

Lori Herring - Ritz crackers and Peanut Butter 🙂

Lauren - I loved Swiss cake rolls! I’d eat the chocolate off the outside and unroll them 🙂

Cara - Rarely got to take my lunch…but always got a Hostess Sno-bal (?). 🙂

Kirstie - The notes my mom would write on my napkins!

Kami BK - I ate school lunch K-6, because it was part of the tuition at a private, Christian school. I was SO excited to go to public school in 7th and bring my own lunch. I loved summer sausage, sliced cheddar cheese, and Town House crackers. I shudder to think of the sodium and fat content.

Jamie - Little Debbie oatmeal pie…

Heather S - I had the “awesomest” Cabbage Patch Kids lunchbox when I was in elementary school and I vividly remember being excited when my mom would buy Hi-C juice boxes (because it was a rare treat).
I would love to send my kindergartner off to school with this next fall!

Emily Landers - i love this! This would be great for work! I’m allergic to gluten so this post makes me extra happy! My favorite item as a kid was Cheetos and I still love them but they are so unhealthy.

Kristel - I loved getting a few red vines and I would drink my milk with them! My daughter is starting kindergarten in the fall and I would love to use one of these with her!

shannon - Frozen schwans waffle with a bit on powedered sugar. It would unthaw just in time for lunch. 🙂

Courtney - Annie did a fabulous job packing her own lunches! They looked delicious! My favorite lunch as a kiddo was scrambled tofu with veggies…

Laura Williams - Capri Sun! I think it was just the different packaging and getting to stab it with the straw 🙂

Amy - When I was in elementary, my favorite food in my lunch was a braunschweiger sandwich! I wouldn’t eat it now as an adult but I loved it then!

Margaret - Little Debbie oatmeal cream pie, like every day;-)

Sandy W - Mine was Ding Dongs. I can’t stand them now, but loved them as a kid!

Meredith - My mum makes a beautiful basic vanilla cake in a slice tin and ices it with chocolate icing. It was always a great day when I found a square of that cake in my lunchbox, lovingly wrapped in grease-proof paper. She still makes that cake & it’s my children’s favourite:)

Rhonda - Ding Dongs. 🙂

jen - Twinkie!!!

Lesley Hayden - Please don’t tell my Mom, but I used to trade the home-baked goodies she put in my lunch for the pre-packaged Dad’s oatmeal cookies my friends brought. Gasp! I would NEVER do that now.
Love the line “just don’t buy it”! Definitely applies to me too!

Jen Smith - I, too, loved the Hostess Cupcake but since my mom didn’t buy them very often they were truly a special treat.

Mia Gallivan - My favorite treat was a Hostess cherry pie.

Amanda C - My mom used to make me rollups instead of sandwiches…i loved those!

Debbie - On rare occasions I got Hershey’s miniature candy – I loved Krackle.

Amy - i could use 8 of those lunch boxes for my family! I’d say some of my favorite lunch items were little Debbie fudge rounds and pomegranates ☺️

Karen Roque - My favorite was Twinkies! 🙂

christy - Oh boy so not healthy but I LOVED fruit roll-ups haha!

Jenny Wenzel - Fruit Roll Ups…they were new back then 🙂

Becky Kerr - My favorite lunchbox item was graham crackers with frosting. Still like them to this day! Brings back memories of my school age years.

susan - Great post! Growing up my fave was the Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pie…oh my….

Growing up in the 70’s my mom was such an organized mom raising 5 little kiddos..this was the schedule for homemade sandwiches that we took turns making EACH AND EVERY WEEK.
Mon: Peanut butter & Jelly
Tues: Bologne and mayo
Wed: Velveeta (yes i said it) w/ Mustard
Thurs: Chicken Loaf (not really sure what that was) w/ lettuce and mayo
Fri: Tuna….always Tuna on Fridays……make that warm tuna by lunchtime : /

Love my mom….wish i could be half as organized as she is!!!!

Michelle B. - Hostess Cinnamon Crumb Cakes.
Yep, I was a kid in the 70’s 🙂

Michelle - Utz sour cream & onion potato chips!

Lori - My favorite had to be ravioli in my little plastic thermos 🙂

Tcsd - I loved fruit snacks. Who knows what was in them, but they were delicious at the time.

carrie - Favorite lunch box item = the note from my mom 🙂

ileana - Peanut butter and jelly on store bought bread – my favorite as a kid! Cool lunch box!

Sarah - Mine was Hostess Suzy Q’s! Yummm.

Ashley - Fruit roll ups or gushers. A rare treat!

Mona D - Ham and cheese, on white bread

Mary - Fruit roll ups. And or boppers

ranee - chips…i was a chip girl. and still am, in all honestly.

Lynn Ann - Fruit roll ups!!

Jill - I loved taking cheese sticks and slowly pulling it apart!!! I would love this lunchbox for me and/or my boys!!

Kas - Sweet Bing Cherries! I felt so special when Mom would pack them for me!

Lynette - I loved Ding Dongs when I was a kid. Not very healthy at all!

Amy McD - I always ate the school lunch, and never had a sack lunch. Except for field trips I guess –my favorite item was probably the chips/crackers! 🙂

Melissa - I always took a strawberry jam and butter sandwich for lunch. I never ever ever ate school lunch because I was too shy to stand in the hot lunch line. I so need one of the because now I’m a teacher and I still like to bring a home lunch.

nora - Oreos. Whenever Oreos showed up in my lunchbox (it didn’t happen often), it was a happy day.

Krystie Brinkley - Peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

Heather W. - Ham sub from the deli of our local grocery store (Winn Dixie!). Loved those things.

Patty - Love the lunch boxes. I can’t remember my favorite lunch item but I do remember my Mom putting a hotdog in my hot water filled thermos! I grew up in Puerto Rico where school lunches were a hearty fare of rice and beans. My Mom thought it would be cool if I had a more “American” lunch, so floating hot dog came to school with me. Gotta love that Chica!

Julie A - My favorite was the fruit roll-up my mom put in my lunch for dessert. 😉

Gina - My moms chocolate chip cookies

Cassie hinnenkamp - a package of little cinnamon roll cakes, I think they were Hostess. So delicious, so terrible!

Donna - I loved it when my mom would make blueberry muffins from a box for my lunch!

Lori Heathcote - My very favorite lunch item was a hostess ding dong, when I was done eating it I always folded up the foil wrapper and made a snowflake with just my hands.

DiAnn Cardona - Peanut butter with strawberry jello on Wonder white bread. Hands down, the best sandwich.

DiAnn Cardona - Peanut butter with strawberry jello on Wonder white bread. Hands down, the best sandwich ever.

Victoria - I loved when my Mom would get us chocolate milk in the little carton. I don’t think it happened often but I remember loving it.

Side note, as a child my family bonded over food (or at least I did/do) and it’s hard for me to think of family without biscuits and jelly, pound cake, chocolate chip cookies, etc. I find that I have bonded with my daughter over food too and in a way that means treats of Dunkin Donuts occasionally or a frosty from Wendy’s. I love that you and Annie are interested in making her lunch choices healthy together. Looks like I need to get a Planet Box and try this with my 9yo daughter!

Mary N. - I would have to say either the Hostess cherry pie, or Pringles. this was back in the late 60’s and early 70’s. It was such a treat!

Lisa Kolman - When I was a kid, we lived in Germany. It was the 70’s and there were lots of American “kid” foods that I remember missing. Once in a while, my friend who lived on the American army base would bring me a snack pac chocolate pudding cup and I was so excited. They didn’t have those in Germany at that time. I also remember asking her for Jiffy peanut butter. I also missed white bread, peanut butter and honey on dark rye just isn’t the same! I am suddenly flooded with memories, but I will spare you! My daughter would love this lunch box. I have seen them but they are a bit spendy! So, thanks for the opportunity to win one and thanks for your blog!

Sincerely, Lisa Kolman Spokane, Washington

Keyla - My sister and I bought school lunch most of the time and my favorite item was the small carton of chocolate milk. For some reason I brought my lunch every day of 3rd grade and every single day I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I have not eaten PB and jelly together in the same sandwich since. o.O

Amanda Soltoff - Love the lunchbox!! I loved getting chocolate pudding, especially if it was the vanilla swirl kind!

Michelle - I remember once my mom put a little baggie of peanut m&m’s in my lunch with a sweet note. It was such a surprise and I don’t know which part I loved more–the m&m’s or the note. I do this type of things all the time for my kids so I’m not sure it will be a special memory for them. I’d love to get them into packing THEIR OWN lunches (with healthy choices) and this lunchbox would be a great way to start!

Pam - Roast beef sandwiches! Also, I’m curious why you believe gluten free is healthier? I am celiac and must eat gf but boy, it’s hard to make up for the nutrients in wheat bread, crackers, etc. Many gf substitute products have very little nutrient value, especially for children. Just curious!

Becky S. - My mom would put cream cheese on graham crackers, by lunch time the cream cheese had softened the crackers. I guess it sounds like of gross, but it was soooo good!!

Kate martin - ding dongs

Whitney - Sad to say, but it would have to be fruit roll-ups. Child of the eighties.

Amanda Hughes - My favorite lunch box item when I was a kid was the sweet. I always ate it first because it was sure to be stolen. duh 😉

Love, love, looove the lunchbox! Annie is very proficient at making lunches…I’m going to need to take some notes.

tinaehb3 - I loved double stuffed oreos…still do. I carried them in my tin “Annie” lunchbox that I LOVED!

Charlton - I didn’t start taking my lunch until high school, but I had a little debbie snack every day – either a fudge round or star crunch! My grandmother still keeps star crunches around when she knows I’m coming by. At 35, I still can’t resist a star crunch! 😉

Yauney Sikes - When I was a kid my mom would freeze a juice box for my lunch. When lunch rolled around i would rip the top off and eat it like a thick slushy with a spoon. It was always the best!

Kim Heinen - My favorite was a “Whatchamacallit” candy bar!

Marie - My best friends mom was always nice enough to send extra tuna fish with mayo in a container for me. My best friend and I would eat tuna with crackers. By far the best lunch box item.

Amy J. - A juice box, anything to not have to drink milk from the icky cartons!

AlyssaErin - My mom used to pack the BEST homemade roast beef sandwiches. OhMyGrandma! It was like Christmas morning (seriously) when I opened my lunchbox to find one of those sandwiches lovingly wrapped in wax paper!

Heather E. - I would say a toss up between just a plain old’ ham and cheese sandwich and a Zebra Cake. 🙂

Amy Huff - My favorite was the rare chocolate pudding. So tasty. We took our lunch everyday but could get school lunch 1 a week which for me was pizza day. My brother preferred hamburger day and my sister was a fan of spaghetti. 🙂

Stacy Tat - I always liked getting chips – this was a treat!

Heidi - Our family is also gluten free and we are so pleased that our son is able to get a gluten free lunch at school in Walton. He loves to take a lunch from home once in a while, though!
I never got to take a lunch to school when I was growing up unless it was a field trip day… oh, how I wanted to have the lunches that my friends brought! My favorite was to have the snack bags of Cheetos in my lunch. My day was made if I had something like that!

tonya - hot soup in a thermos- I loved the little thermos and to pour it in the cup!

Anna - Cookies! Of course. But in 4th grade my teacher went through all of our lunches and took out anything that had sugar. Then I told my momma and she took care of that!

Jenna - I don’t remember packing a lunch when I was in school. But the best was when grandpa would pick us up from school with a snack even though they lived 5 minutes from the school. The swiss rolls were the best!

Michelle - I’m glad you said a cupcake bc mine was Nutty Bars. I so want to change that for my kids! It’s tough! But I know it will be worth it!

Tiffany Gardner - Wacky cake. Totally wacky cake. I don’t think that was the entire lunch but it was my favorite thing in school for lunch. Tiffany

Laura Martin - I have to say my favorite thing was a bag of dry cereal like cherries.

Shalee - My favorite lunch box items was left over flautas and a snowball. I haven’t had one of those in so many years. So fluffy!

Angie Shepherd - Turkey sandwiches

Laura B. - Swiss Miss yogurt cups were my favorite lunch box snack.

karen - swiss roll cakes

elizabeth - my mom’s tuna fish sandwiches 🙂

Gretchen P - My favorite was putting spagettios in the thermos when we packed lunch. Those lunch boxes are amazing!!

Lindsay - Pb sandwich 🙂

Lauren - Pizza Lunchables, every field trip without exception!

Brianna - My favorite was Wheat Thins with cream cheese…not something I have on a regular basis, but my brother and I always make it on family vacations!

cathie w. - My mom lived by the “just don’t buy it” mantra 30yrs ago. So it was a super fun treat to find a fruit roll-up in our lunchbox.

tracy b - what a great giveaway, thanks for the chance to win! Favorite lunchbox item hands down was the Tastykake butterscotch krimpets- still a big fan.
happy mother’s day !
Tracy

Kathi - Mine was Hostess Ho Hos!

Sara Brown - I really think my 7 year old would get into this! Thanks for sharing. My favorite lunch box item was a little debbie oatmeal cream pie! YUM! If I had one right now – lookout!

Jackie - Sesame snaps! Oh man, when I opened up my lunch box and saw one of those I was in heaven!!!

Tammy - I LOVED tomato soup in a thermos with corn chips in a baggie 🙂

Tracy - That’s easy! PB&J! Still love em!

Stephanie - It was always a great treat to open my metal Scooby-Doo lunch box and see a Little Debbie oatmeal sandwich! 🙂

sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com - favorite or not, it was pb&jelly sandwiches. was there other food in the 70’s???

Kathie - My favorite lunch item was always PB&J (only grape). Now days, I want hummus almost daily!

Katie - My parents never bought treats – but leftover Halloween candy was pretty special.

Jill - My favorite lunch box item was the pepperoni pizza lunchables! Uck! I don’t think I could get one of those down now, but they were delicious then!

Holly - My favorite lunch box item was my dad’s homemade chocolate chip cookies!

Sandy Monterde - My favorite was a tuna, lettuce sandwich on wheat bread 🙂

Amy - My mom makes her own raspberry cherry jam, and the best was when she would make PB & J with that jam. YUM!

These are so cool! I think its a great learning tool and bad habit crusher! 🙂

Karen T. - I used to trade for Ho-Ho’s, then peel the chocolate off and unroll it before eating.

Elizabeth - I always loved when we would go on Field Trips because that’s when we got to pack items we didn’t normally get to pack like the Little Debbie Fruit Pies.

Jen - I have no memory of packing a lunch when i was a kid!! I ate Little Debbie Oatmeal cookies with cream and orange “drink” when I was in high school for lunch every single day. UGH. Now I bring a variety of foods in random plastic containers so I would love to win a Planet Box! I follow a couple people on Instagram who make the most beautiful lunches with them.

Lisa - PB&J

Debbie Lynn - Sadly, mine was a Zinger. The dark pink(red?), with the coconut. Remember those? Those were the bomb back in the day!

KWolff - My favorite lunch treat when I was little was a slice of my mom’s cherry or apple pie. She would bake a pie, slice it and wrap the pieces in foil and stash them in the freezer. Every so often I would open my lunch to find that beautiful triangle of foil in my Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox. I knew it was going to be a good day!

Nicole - I used to love when my mom would sneak in a Reese’s peanut butter cup. And I loved my thermos! Is that weird?

Amy - momma’s home-made chocolate chip cookies!

Camilla - I don’t really remember what I loved eating in my lunch box, but occasionally my mom would slip a note into my lunch box. That was always my favorite! Now I try to do that every day for my kids.
These Planet Boxes are awesome, and the healthy lunch ideas are too!

Tammy Allen - My favorite lunch box food is fruit kabobs.

Sadie Allen - My favorite lunch item is cucumbers with garlic dressing for dipping!

Rena - My mom used to make sandwiches that were so good, I used to sell them to the highest bidder. Ha!

Jennifer - I loved when my mom would put a bean sandwich in my lunch. It sounds kind of gross, but it was good. Cooked beans, drained, mixed with mayo and added onion salt, pepper, etc. Spread on bread and then enjoy. We were poor and trying to eat vegetarian and this is what she came up with. I liked it!

Karen - Sadly I had to eat the lunch school provided. But my favorite would have been a swiss cake roll.

Robyn - I brought my lunch pretty much all the time, and my mom made it everyday 🙂 I realize now that I’m a parent how nice that was, I make my boys make their own lunch 🙂
I always loved a good ole peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and still do. Not the best choice…but if I make one now, it’s on whole wheat bread, almond butter and sugar free jelly!

Holly - Twinkie. Although I never got one – Mom didn’t buy that stuff! But it was the favorite dream item. 🙂

Mandy - I NEVER packed my lunch as a kid. My mom was a school teacher and really believed in eating a hot school lunch! I love this for my child as he is a super picky eater and Ive been trying to teach him about “healthy” foods.

michelle - I did leave you a favorite- peanut butter and jelly but, I must
add my mother was the lunch lady- way back when things were made from scratch so I ate there a lot and LOVED it. When I didn’t
which was usually on field trips, it was the pbj, cheddar and sometimes, when we were lucky, a can of Shasta wrapped in foil. Good times! Thanks for making me think about that today.

Marie - My favorite lunch box item was strawberries, in my strawberry shortcake lunchbox of course:)

Elizabeth - My favorite lunchbox item when I was a kid was big delicious strawberries. I knew my mom spent extra time to cut out the green stems because she new I didn’t like to eat around them. I wanted to pop the entire strawberry in my mouth at one time! lol
As a mother of two boys now, I realize it is the little things like this that mean so much. It really is all in the details.

michelle - My favorite then, and really pretty much now is peanut butter
and jelly with a piece of cheddar cheese. I really need to go to
string now but can’t help it.

Thanks,

mf

Diana Yarborough - Cheese!

Still love it.

rachel - My favorite was a good ol bologna sandwich!!

Eleanor - my mom had a bread machine and used to make homemade bread for our lunches every single day. i LOVED my fluffy homemade bread. 🙂

Liz Hurst - Meatloaf sandwich! Even thought the kids said it looked like dog food, I loved them!!!

bree - Yep, pretty sure it was a ding dong! Or cheetos. Oh dear. But that lunch box is just genius.

Lisa - I think it was probably any store-bought treat, because we never had treats in the house like Hostess cupcakes or Ding Dongs (7 kids + single mom = no $$ for fancy treats). I’m impressed with Annie’s lunches – kudos to her! I’d like to build a lunch-box habit like hers!

michelle cooley - Carrot sticks…..
i was a nerd

Kristen K. - I loved and miss my thermos, with the stubby plastic cup as the lid…and it always matched the design on the front of the lunchbox! Mine just had water in it (soup was too fancy, I guess!), and I ALWAYS had a pb&j sandwich, for.like.every.day, for 12 years. But I loved it, and I’m a plain Jane…still! Favorite Lunchbox Cover Design? STAR WARS! 🙂

Carol Myers - Mom’s Leftover Beef Stroganoff from Sunday lunch (in a thermos, no less) was my VERY favorite thing to find in n my lunch box. I’m sure there was no concentration going on in those mornings when I was looking forward to having that in my lunch!!! Good memories….. 😉

Chris - Hands down, my favorite lunch box item was nacho cheese doritos. My daughter would say her favorite is fruit. Luckily she has much better eating habits than I did when I was a kid!!

Stephanie - Ho-ho’s or chocolate chip cookies!

Toni D. - I’m embarrassed to admit the Hostess SuzyQ was my absolute favorite treat in my lunch. Probably why I have eating issues now. Ugh!

michele fry - loved a good p&b sandwhich…still a favorite!!

Jodie R - I wasn’t much of a lunch eater but probably crackers and cheese with cherry tomatos on the side.

Kerrie - My favorite item was a peanut butter sandwich – no jelly. And the note my mom would put in my lunch box! Choosing the lunch box was pretty special too!

Mollie @Sprinkles of Life - I’ve had my eye on these!! Would love to win. Makes me smile so big at Annie’s awesome lunches!!!

Annie - Strawberry fruit roll ups were my world!

Judy - I always have a peanut butter and fluff sandwich!

Bridget - I had MAJOR lunch box envy growing up. There was a kid in my class who always got TWO FULL Ziploc sandwich bags of Cheetos — one to eat as snack, and one to eat with lunch. And he savored every.single.cheeto. It killed me. I think I’m still a little jealous.

Brenda - My fav lunch box item was PB&J on fresh white Wonder Bread! I still go for PBJ (not on a GF waffle) but on a piece of whole wheat. My kids are out of the house but I’ve tried to adopt the “just don’t buy it” mentality for my husband & I.

Alice H - Soup!! in a thermos. LOL! My mom said that is all I wanted to take to lunch every day. Thanks for the giveaway!

Michelle - I’m super impressed with Annie’s lunches! My fav was always PB&J!

Heidi - My favorite was anything sweet!

Amy G. - Funyuns. Hands down. 🙂

shar y - I had a red plaid metal lunchbox. It had a red plaid thermos. My favorite thing was whatever was in the thermos. Weird! But, I loved having things from that thermos!!

amy jupin - fave lunch item…hmm…maybe a snack pack.
chocolate pudding.
vanilla pudding.
it was the layers.
yummm.
p.s. annie, i like your stripey tank top!

Sandra K - Like you Meg, my favorite was a Hostess treat – the apple pie! I was a big fan. Would love to win this for my daughter, who is Annie’s age! 🙂

Jen - A bologna sandwich. On a roll. With mayo. The smell of bologna brings me back to that cafeteria every time!

Sara - Tapioca pudding. In those little plastic cups….they were my fav.

Sarah - I was never a sandwich eater growing up (still not a huge fan) but I love(d) cheese – my favorite lunch accessory

Amy Mumaw - I used to love when I had cookies in my lunch box!!! or a note from my mom !
Amy Mumaw

melissa ann - I love lunch! Growing up, it was a PB&J sandwich. I had one every day for probably three school years straight. Lol. Gotta say that even at 36, if offered a PB&J for lunch, I’ll probably accept it. Good stuff!

Karol - My favorite lunch item was a Big Wheel. Strangely, I can’t find the, with that name but I have seen Ding Dongs and believe this is the same item. I packed my lunch every day from the time I was 7 and it always consisted of a bologna sandwich, an apple, a Big Wheel, and milk in a thermos (gross)!

Amber Hutchinson - My mom was a bit of a health nut, so I always savored the 1 or 2 Fig Newtons that showed up in our lunches from time to time!

shannon - My mom feed us really boring lunches as a kid: tuna sandwich, apple, a pickle (?!?), nothing fancy or fun. Occasionally if we had field trip I could pick a special snack and it was ALWAYS Hostess raspberry zingers! The fluffy cake, the raspberry filling, and that sprinkling of coconut was perfection to my little girl taste buds. As a mom I would never feed them to my kids, but I have to admit to grabbing them once or twice while shopping by myself and eating them in the car to dispose of the evidence! 🙂

Heike Gutwein - My mom would make these pb&j wraps using tortillas – so good!!

Nan - My favorite was always Little Debbie oatmeal cream pies. Yum!!!

Jen - Anything hostess – twinkies, ho hos, cupcakes…you name it!!!

Annette - I always loved Pringles in my lunch. They fit right in there with the “just don’t buy it!” way of thinking. 🙂

Ann Marie - I was 1 of 4 kids and both of my parents worked so I never got to take my lunch. I was so jealous of all the kids that did get to take lunch to school!! So now I give my daughters the option!

Maegan C - Great job Annie!!

martha - Hi, Love the lunch box! sounds gross but my favorite lunch box food was cream cheese and grape jelly sandwiches! we didn’t have anything like Planet Lunch Box..ours were wrapped in wax paper and in a paper bag. My mom always drew a 🙂 on the napkin so it felt special! Great job showing your girls healthy can be fun!

Kim Rohrbough - I loved cheetos and always sandwiches. And my Holly Hobby lunch box!

Jessica Zust - Little Debbie brownies!

Shawn Rossi - Little Debbie Oatmeal Pie (and I want one now too!)

Penny - As a child I always wanted to have the little tin cups of fruit that I saw my friends have. As the youngest of 7 children we just couldn’t afford that. I normally had a pb&j and an apple and maybe graham crackers with frosting in the middle. Those were our staple “cookie”! I would love this lunch box for work!

SkY - leftovers. My school had a microwave!

Kyra - My favorite cold lunch sandwich was Oscar Meyer bologna with mustard between two slices on white bread with butter. As an adult I have only ate that combo when I was in my first trimester of both pregnancies. :]

Becky J - ok- I just had the sweetest trip down memory lane thanks to your question Meg on our favorite lunchbox item from childhood…it was that when I opened my metal lunchbox, it was a little bit of home-yep, I was one of those kiddos who was so often nervous to be at school and away from home 🙁 so I would see my Momma and her love in my pbj, the way she sliced my fruit and folded my napkin! {Shout out- I love YOU, Momma}Funny- I grew up to be a teacher- hahaha 🙂 but tried to be super-sensitive to homesick little hearts as I taught 1st grade for over 10 years – Happy Mother’s Day dear ladies!! God bless you, each one!!

Vicki - It was always pb & j for the win for me!!!! Thanks for all the healthy lunch tips posted above!!!

Jamie - Twinkies were my favorite lunchbox treat! I would love to win this for my daughter’s lunch! I love Annie’s colorful lunches!

Lisa - Those look super cool and practical!

Alice Shanks - My favorite item in my lunches as a child was the note my dad would leave for me- every.single.day. I looked forward to these little love notes and still treasure them! My parents worked so hard so that I could have a great education and I am so grateful to them for all of the sacrifices they made for me and my sister.

Erin - Zebra cakes! Those were so good!

Erin - Zebra cakes! Those were so Google!

Rebekah - I love that you and Annie are traveling this path together! Sadly, my mama never let me pack a lunch. It was all cafeteria all the time. My kids favorite is a fruit roll up hands down!

Julia - turkey sandwiches.

my daughter was just complaining about her school lunch in the car yesterday. About how I always put the same thing in her lunch. This lunch box would be such a huge motivation to make a change.

kathi - My fave item? The handmade lunchbox made from a cut bleach bottle and fabric that matched my dress! What was in the box? Not so much. Every day it was a white bread bologna or pickle loaf sandwich with mustard – yuck. Today, we have so many more options and I’m loving Annie’s choices. She could be my personal lunch chef! (The Oscar Meyer song is now stuck in my head!)

Heidi Jo the Artist - My first thought was I really liked my Duke’s of Hazzard lunchbox and Strawberry Short Cake one too. Then in the next sentence I realized you meant food! Fruit roll-up all the way! I’ve done a lot of muffin tin lunches for our kids, so fun to be creative. Thanks for the chance to win!

Tess S - I loved the idea of lunchables. Until I had one. And the slimy meat made me sick to my stomach. The same thing happened with my kids when I finally gave in and allowed them to each bring a luchables kit as a lunch option. They all moaned and said “you were right, mom. this is horrible.”

Beth - Nacho cheese Doritos! I didn’t get them often, but when I did – BEST. LUNCH. EVER.

And now my kids never get them in their lunches either. : )

Colleen - We were lucky enough to have homemade , affordable school lunches at my very small elementary school so bringing a bag lunch was a field trip treat! My mom would surprise us and draw something cool on the inside of the bag. I liked the bag almost as much as the giant red delicious apple and licorice inside!

jill funkhouser - love those nutter butters!!!

Nicole - My fave was the little applesauce cups! Yummmm 🙂

Emily - Favorite lunch item was anything I could trade with another kid to the the Hostess items. My mom was already on the “don’t buy it” system so we NEVER had the goodies and I always wanted those!
Fun giveaway!

Inga - I didn’t take lunch often because we had great homemade food in the cafeteria and only white milk was offered unless you were allergic then you could have a little grape juice cup. I hated white milk and always wanted the juice but never got it. So I guess I drank nothing! In middle school we could buy ice cream bars, cones, sandwiches for a quarter extra, my favorite was the chocolate eclair ice cream bars. Delicious. They also had strawberry so if they were out of chocolate, strawberry was a good substitute. These lunches boxes are awesome!

Maribel - I loved apple filled pies. They are still around , the only way I can describe them as a mini pie turnover. They come in a chocolate pudding or vanilla but the apples are the best.

Hillary - Definitely PB&J. Every. Day. 🙂

Carly - Mine was dunkaroos! Hoping to pack more healthy choices for my kiddos than that!

Amy - I would have a braunschweiger sandwich. I love it back when I was in elementary school. It wouldn’t be something I would choose now but I loved it then.

Amy - In elementary school I would have a braunschweiger sandwich. It makes me laugh now as that would not be something I would eat but I liked it then!

Amber C - Fruit Roll ups! I used to wrap them around my finger and then eat them off =)

Stefanie S - String cheese and fruit cups.

SaraLyn - The apple my mom used to core for me, long before there were apple corers because she knew I hated to see the apple turn the icky brown color when she sliced it. (This was also obviously before a genius discovered that lemon juice prevented that.) And I’ve obviously tragically dated myself with this comment, but one of my girls would LOVE this incredible lunchbox, for sure!

Carolynne - My favorite lunch item as a kid was ho ho’s…lol
I would love to use one of these boxes.. I have recently been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and I should start eating gluten free..this would so help!

Robin Riley - My favorite was when my mom would include a piece of her homemade cheesecake.

Amanda Squibb - Frozen mini twix bars, mmmmmm. 🙂

Natalie - Fruit roll ups!

Pam Szverra - My favorite was the Little Debbie treats! But, alas I have given processed sugar up (again), trying to keep my figure!

Karyn - My go-to for years was PB and marshmallow fluff…Makes my teeth hurt just thinking about it!

Annie’s lunches are inspiring. Thank you for sharing these ideas.

Karyn - My go-to for years was PB and marshmallow fluff. Makes my teeth hurt just thinking about it!

Annie’s lunches are inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

Rita - We had little thermoses that we would freeze homemade ice cream in and take in our lunches. It was SO good – and other kids wanted our dessert so bad! Such good memories!!

Jody - I think anything Hostess was my favorite “treat” in my lunchbox.

Maria - Twinkles and orange caprisun are what I can remember liking…I didn’t even have my first pb&j until college and my roommate got me hooked on them!

Jill - swiss rolls!!

Tracy D. - My favorite lunch item was spaghetti o’s in my
Thermos.

Meagan - My favorite lunch item when I was a kid was the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches my grandma would make me. She would always make a heart in the peanut butter and cut the sandwich in half and tell me that when the sandwich was together it represented our hearts as one. She always made me feel special. She still makes the sandwich the same way for me and my two kids when we visit her. They like it just as much as I do!

Melissa - I always wanted the cheese and crackers with the little red spreader, but only on field trip days would I get one. I loved those darn things.

Ekta - Jelly sandwich on white bread any day!

Vonda - my favorite lunchbox item was a peanut butter & banana sandwich.

Carrie - Mine was Little Debbie Nutty Bar, and I would eat one in an instant if we had them in the house. Which is why I don’t buy them. 🙂

Bethany Kutz - Not actually a food item..but my sweet mom would write me silly little notes in my lunchbox with pictures. Loved them 🙂

Julie H. - salami and cream cheese roll-ups

Mary - I loved Cheetos!! And fruit roll-ups of course 🙂 Great giveaway! Thanks!

Arlene - Wow what a cool product. My favorite lunch box item growing up was definitely pizza lunchables!

laura - I loved my iced tea juice box and whatever tasty snack I chose that day.

Morgan - I always loved a soup in a thermos. It made me feel so grown up!

Frankie - My grandma would make me butter and sugar sandwiches! Now that was really healthy!

Stephanie Wilson - It must be old age (just turned 40 ;)) but I can’t think of a single lunch box item that I loved as a kid. But now I really want a Hostess Cupcake. Or a Ding Dong. Or a Twinkie….

Becca - i would go with zebra cakes! Mmmm

michelle - Little Debbie brownies

Heather L. - I’d have to say that my fond memory was also a Hostess one … Ding Dongs … sigh. 🙂

Naomi - I liked Zingers! The kind with pink coconut sugar…kinda like a twinkie but pink and coconutty…amazingly awful for you…and yummy!

Hanni Stones - Hands down I loved peanut butter and jelly. I never ate school lunches and so I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day and never got tired of them. I still love them every once in a while…not every day 😉

Courtne Huffman - This is an awesome giveaway! My favorite lunch item as a kid was lunchables… the classic one that came with the dijon mustard and an andes mint. 🙂

Holly - mine was green (white) grapes!

jessica - My favorite was Twinkies!

Lindsay - Nutty bar and chocolate milk. Oh my!

Shelby - I used to walk home for lunch! It was the best 🙂 When I stayed at school my fav was tomato soup in a thermos….

Jennifer - I ate the school lunch from kinder – 12th grade and loved it – I love cafeteria food and in my defense my favorites were the baked potato and salad bar in 6th grade.

As a teacher now I bring my lunch and while it’s usually filled with an apple, carrots, and yogurt covered raisins, I do love an occasional salami sandwich (on whole wheat thank you very much) 🙂

Carla Beem - Fluffynutter-Peanut butter & marshmallow cream

rebecca - This is embarrassing, but my first thought was Ecto Cooler juice boxes 🙂

Jennifer McLin - I brought pb sandwiches (no jelly ever) every single day as a kid but I had a friend that would bring Buddig lunch meat in a baggie. I thought she was so cool and always wished my mom would send me the same!

Melissa Smith - Hands down, whenever I got a Little Debbie. By lunch time it was usually smashed. However, deconstructing the Zebra cake or Swiss roll was half the fun…and it also took up the majority of lunch period to eat it that way.

Sara - I loved (and still do!) potato chips. The crunch. The salt. Yum!

Kristi Rediske - It was a very long time ago and we went home for lunch, my favorite thing was a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich!

karen armstrong - jelly sandwich 🙂

erin - We were never allowed to pack our lunch and had to buy school lunch, so for me, anytime we got to pack a lunch it was fun!

Molly - I loved BBQ corn chips! We rarely got them, which made them more of a treat 🙂

Michelle A - I loved the tiny boxes of raisins or the animal crackers in the circus box. But my favorite thing was finding a note from Mom!

Kasey - Can she come make my kids’ lunches? Those are awesome! I must have been strange kid, because I remember getting excited when my mom put raw turnips in my lunch. I wasn’t a complete health nut, because my favorite dessert was a star crunch. : )

Stephanie - Mine was definitely my mom’s homemade cookies. She was and is such an awesome baker. But she was also the only mom whose kids were eating healthy in the 80s. Lol. She refused to feed us margarine, and we were the first family (ever, I think. Lol) to eat natural peanut butter with the oil on top. No one would trade with me!!

Jamie - I would say a jelly sandwich or a Twinkie!

Robyn - My moms homemade chocolate chip cookies!

Marah Hays - My favorite was cookies n cream chocolate bars!

adrienne - Favorite item was frozen grapes!

Laura - Peanut butter & honey sandwiches – yum!

MC - Hostess Hobo’s hands down my favorite.

Megan - I loved peanut butter, chocolate chips and flour tortilla rolled up. Definitely not low carb, low sugar….

Joleen - I think mine was the classic PB & J. 🙂

Sarah - Pb&j!!! Still my lunchbox favorite today!

Tina Jacobsen - My favorite lunch box item was spaghettios in the thermos!

Liz - Favorite item was bologne sandwich with cheese and mustard. 🙂

Verena - this is so awesome! annie did such a great job packing her lunches and making good choices. we have been using the laptop lunchbox, which is a great one too, but i have been eying the planet box for quite some time. thanks for a chance to win! I grew up in Germany and never had to pack a lunch for school since school was over at 1pm but my kids love pistacchios for some extra protein

Diana Tijerina - Sadly i had to eat the cafeteria food. The times i did pack a lunch my favorite was the twinkie! So yummy!

Laura Arens - I love the Swiss cake rolls!

Elle Fouse Cass - I didn’t get to bring my lunch much but I remember being jealous of my friend Kim Hostess Ding Dongs!

Gina - I didn’t eat sandwiches as a kid. I liked the meat that went in them, and I loved bread (still do!), but together it just didn’t fit. Completely different story now! Anyway, my mom used to give me bologna for lunch, which I loved. But, even better was that she would use cookie cutters and cut it into different shapes. I think my favorite was around Halloween when I would get “ghost bologna.” None of it went to waste, because she’d put the edges into my lunch too, but it was always a surprise to see what shape my meat was going to be that day!

sandy johnson - Tuna sandwiches!

Kelly - I loved Oreo cookies!!

Jane - green grapes hands down were my favorite lunchbox treat!

mary byberg - i would have to say my favorite item was pb & j!

leslie - Wow, I read “hostess” and all of a sudden I wanted one of those yellow zingers. The lemon ones. Remember those? Yikes. … We found out my son is sensitive to artificial colors, flavors, certain preservatives AND gluten a few years ago when he was four and having trouble with motor development. Honestly it was the best thing because now we eat 90% healthy so that we don’t exclude him in our treats. Silver linings. How I would cherish this lunch box, hope I win. 🙂

ChristinaB - Egg salad sandwiches were my favorite as a kid. 🙂

Rebecca - My mom used to pack a special sandwich when we had a field trip day at school. She put cream cheese and salami on a bagel. It doesn’t really sound that special now – but I always thought it was an awesome treat! Ha!

Jennifer G - I loved those Little Debbie Star Crunch treats!

Jamie - Little Debbie Swiss rolls!

Annette - Little Debbie Zebra Cake

Karey - i always took my lunch and I would have half of a ham and cheese sandwich and some kind of dessert. My favorite item was a Twinkie. How awful is that? I don’t think I’ve eaten a Twinkie since I graduated high school and plan to keep it that way! I love your motivation to get your family eating healthy. It’s helping me to do the same!

Amanda G. - Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies! It was always a treat to open my lunchbox and find one of those!

Kristina - Ding dongs! If I win, will Annie send suggestions?

Katie - I started packing a lunch in fifth grade, and it included yogurt with granola, a V8, and a piece of fruit. My fav was not really in my lunchbox, but on Fridays I got to buy a school chocolate milk 🙂

Michelle - PB&J from kindergarten to present day!!

Janna - What an AWESOME giveaway; ) Yep I’d have to say twinkie too! EWW!I would most Def NOT buy those for my kids. …look ever; )

Amber H. - Sadly, I was just ecstatic if I could talk my parents into letting me take a cold lunch to school. That in itself was a treat. Of course, it was usually filled with things like chips, ding dongs, and he like. You know, the healthy stuff. LOL

Misha - Peanut butter and marshmallow cream sandwiches were my favorites!

Lisa J - Sadly… mine was Drakes Ring Dings!

Chris - My favorite was a big thermos full of Kool Aid. An oatmeal cream pie is a close second.

Jill - FLINGS!!! There were like a Cheetoh…. but a totally different flavor! Loved them. They were melt-in-your-mouth good!

Margie - Twinkies

Jamie - I loved my pb&j sandwiches which I added chips to. 🙂

Vicki wehrley - Homemade cookies!!!

Laura - Tuna fish sandwich with potato chips layered into the sandwich at the last minute…yummy!

Jacci in Ohio - Fruit Roll-Ups, yo! 🙂 Seriously. We ate the GROSSEST food in the 80s!!! 🙂
But it was so yummy at the same time.

Sarah C - My favorite lunch food as a kid was a bacon sandwich (on white bread).

Michele - My favorite item in my elementary school lunch box was the half of a cheese sandwich that my mom packed for me every single day. Simple…just white bread, american cheese, and a little bit of mayo…but something about how she stacked on the cheese and cut it in half just the right way has always made me remember just how much she loved me!

Quinn - I loved (and still love cheetos). Our go-to in lunch boxes now are homemade uncrustables and I am working on getting them to eat some lunch meat–I am sure that this awesome lunch box would some how help us in the lunch meat eating endeavor–right?!?

Ashley - Aaaahhh!!!! Great giveaway. I have to buy three of these in the fall when my kids go back to public school. Winning this would so help out.

I know this is bad, because I eat really healthy, but mine was Devil Squares. And I still love them. Like if you put one or twenty in front of me I couldn’t resist.

Toni B - I was always excited to get a twinkie or some potato chips to go with my sandwich and thermos of tomato soup.

Sami - My favorite item would be anything in a lunch box. Both my parents worked when I was a kid and I was never given the option to bring my lunch. Good thing our cooks were amazing and that was before central kitchens!

Wendy - I went through a phase of tomato juice and a yoplait yogurt. I ate that every day in the 8th grade! Thanks for the giveaway! -Wendy

chris - spaghettios in a thermos – that was a treat! and I can even remember once when a ding, dong was included too!

Gail - Homemade chocolate chip cookies!!

Katie Phillips - I loved a homemade turkey and cheese sandwich. Nothing like it for me! 😉

traci - Always a peanut butter and honey sandwich 🙂

Traci in Virginia - My Mom used to buy me cheese doodles for my lunch whenever we went on a field trip and had to pack. Also the hostess cupcake. That was the only time I got them! I was always thrilled! 🙂

Su - I did not bring lunch from home as a kid. . ate the school lunch which I do not remember complaining about. But my kids will not eat the school lunch. .and honestly, I do not want them too. Occasionally as a “treat” I let them buy on pizza day. I pack all the kids lunches and hubby’s now. . .my preteen girl would love this box. Thanks for a generous giveaway.

Vanessa - definitely a pb&j!

Stephanie R. - Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies….loved them!

Krista - My favorite was when my mom would give me a little baggie of Chips or Doritos. we never had that stuff in the house. No sugar cereal either 🙁
I love how Annie put a little treat in her lunch every day in the tiny square compartment. Cute kid!

Jen w - My favorite lunch item was Tang…drank it ALL the time! Such a great lunchbox!!

Laura Wilder - Back when you could have peanut butter at school – ants on a log! I did the healthy kids session too and a sugar detox, thanks to you! Marta is great. I can’t unlearn that new knowledge – it sticks. Every time I pack lunch now it’s there to remind me not to take the easy route. 🙂

Sara H - Fruit roll ups!!! (I’ve never bought them for my kids tho-whoops!)

Lynn - Chips! Anything that ended with an “O”. Cheetos, Fritos, Tostitos, etc. They were also good trading items!

sandy olmstead - My favorite lunch box item was a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread!(no jelly)

Alicia - I would take a whole tomato and eat it like an apple. Kids thought it was weird then and I think that is weird now!

Heather S. - My favorite lunch box item was a tuna sandwich with bbq chips on it. Very strange, I know, but I CRAVED it!

Melissa - Love it and it would help my kids to pack their own lunches!

Heather S. - I rarely used a lunch box growing up since I was an MK in Africa & went to a boarding school. However, if I were to have a picnic or bagged lunch my favorite would have to be a good ol peanut butter & jelly sandwich b/c those were RARE treats! 🙂

RaChelle - Lunch was best when we went in field trips and our mom let us pack a can of soda, wrapped in foil to keep it cold 🙂

Stacey Armstrong - This is gross but my favorites were always Lunchable days!

jan - I didn’t take lunches to school and can’t remember anyone doing that, but there must have been. We took a lunch to Bible School and I always had a bologna sandwich on white bread, a banana and kool aid, packed in a brown paper bag. I don’t eat white bread or bologna anymore, but would have to say my favorite back then was the bologna sandwich. The planet box looks like a great way to pack a healthy lunch.

Katie Skiff - I didn’t get to take my lunch that often and I’m sure it was just a bologna sandwich!! So my favorite part was my Strawberry Shortcake lunch box and thermos!!

Kacy - The few times my mom did pack a lunch for us, my favorite was the peanut butter on celery sticks!

Gayle - Fruit Roll up!

Ashley - Sadly I would have to say a Twinkie. I completely agree with the “just don’t buy it”. My husband and I decided a couple of years ago to switch our family to real foods. My kids also love to help make their school lunches. This lunch box is awesome. It would make doing lunches for 3 kids so easy!

Debby - My favorite was as bad as yours, Meg!! I loved Zingers- raspberry & coconut flavor. (If they didn’t have these in KS, they were like Twinkies covered in raspberry jelly & rolled in shaved coconut.) They were even better frozen!!!

Debby

Shawna - I ate at school.

Michelle Erstad - Hands down~a bag of Funyuns~loved the onion taste and the crunch! Always needed a piece of gum or a mint after…

Shawna Vogt - I did not take a lunch box…my mom made me eat at school.

angela conklin - A bologna sandwich! Now, I can’t imagine eating bologna! Would LOVE to win this and them maybe buy some for the grands! This is awesome!

Rachel McGough - what a great lunch box! I am with you, the hostess cupcake!

Maggie - One of my best friends in elementary school was Japanese and her mom would send rice balls (wrapped in seaweed) in her lunch. I loved them and my friend was sick of them so we would trade. I’d give her my peanut butter and jelly sandwich and she’d give me her rice ball.

Amy P. - My mom made the best school lunches! My favorite was probably the sandwiches she made – mustard and some sort of lunch meat (olive loaf was my favorite!)

May - Metal My Barbie lunch box with thermos!

Gail Nutter - I loved it to take an iceberg lettuce salad with tuna and peas and ranch dressing. Sounds gross now, but I loved it as a kid!

Laura - My fave lunch box items (that my Mom never sent but I traded for) were potato chips and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches – yum!

Kelly - hands down my favorite lunch snack was the strawberry fruit roll up!!

Sabrina - This is so cool!!! I always ate hot lunches at school, so I never got to bring a lunch. Everything my friends brought looked yummy though! Especially fruit roll ups! 🙂

Sarah D. - I loved sandwiches!

Patricia - I was sooooooo excited when I got a lunch box that came with a thermos! 🙂 My favorite lunch was when my mom would make me chicken noodle soup to take to school. It was awesome!

Amy - bologna & cheese on white bread…wow!
but I also liked cottage cheese with fruit in my lunch box so it all evens out right?!

TEre - A squished pb&j. I loved that.
Or the peanut butter cake from the cafeteria. Still love that.
It’s really hard not to pack something made from love that resembles a cookie. It’s just what I know, ya know?
How did the bigs handle the transition. They are so engrained in what they eat…don’t you think? Mine are. But maybe it’s not too late for #4. I shall try, once I win this faboo lunch box! xoxo

kristina - Lunchables! They were always such a special treat for field tips or special days.

Trindin - Ham sandwich with butter…sounds weird but I remember it.
Thanks
Trindin

Jen - Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls!

Tina - my favorite lunchbox item would be cheetos. i only got them on special occasions like field trips so when i would see them in my lunch it was a great day.

Leah - My favorite lunch box item was probably those crummy granola bars. The little ones. That came in like oatmeal raisin flavor. THOSE were a treat when I was a kid. HA! 🙂

shelley - salami sandwich!

Rhyea - Blueberry muffins! I was so picky as a kid that I lived off blueberry muffins and jelly sandwiches. My poor mom!

Erin T - My favorite thing, was a Creamy Skippy Peanut Butter sandwich on white bread. I still love them, but just not as often (like hardly ever). I really liked this.

Jess - I loved when my mom bought Lunchables…this is kind of like making your own Lunchable though!

Kelly - Always a little debbie of some sort, of course back then there was mayble only like 5 different ones, now there is like 500… Lol

Lisa D - Swiss Cake Rolls…..unrolling them and eating them up!

tara h - Double stuffed oreos! My husband occasionally will buy a package and knows he had better hide them instantly!

Donna - I actually loved it when my mom would stick a little note in my lunchbox. The food was always good, but the notes were awesome!

Julie B - Peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Like everyday.

nicole - My parents were “healthy” before their time….so I grew up on PB & honey on rice cakes with carob power balls! Would LOVE to win & try this box for my kids!

Joanna - Ding Dongs! My brother and I would hide them from each other so we had to race all over the kitchen each morning to find them before the other one did and took the last one.

Jana - Mrs. Baird’s made this round snack-size chocolate cake, chocolate icing, cream in the middle and pecans pieces on top. I can’t think of the name of it….but it was dreamy.

Amy N. - I loved to take cold leftover macaroni and cheese (my mom’s homemade kind, but on the rare occasion we had the kind from a box, that was good too!). I still love cold mac and cheese! Especially scooped up on corn chips! Super healthy… 😉

Andrea - My favorite lunch item was Dunkaroos.

Karen smith - Pb&j with potato chips

Nancy Cresser - My favorite snack was Lays potato chips! Especially when I put them on my bologna & whit bread sandwich!!

christina - I loveeed fruit by the foot! Food I could “play” with was always more fun 🙂

Lisa Lee - My favorite lunch box item then (and now) is pretzels! I’m a bit of an addict. Love all kinds of pretzels!

Rachel Schumacher - What a cool lunch box – my daughter would love this.
My favorite lunch box item was probably the Swiss Cake Rolls. What a memory of my childhood.

Cindy - Lay’s potato chips. I still crave salt.

Corey - Lunchables

Erika - Hands down – pudding cups were ALWAYS a staple and always my favorite. 🙂 Love this lunch box!

lindsey - Great giveaway! I’ve been eyeing these boxes for a while now. They look amazing. My favorite was of course chocolate, those Little Debbie brownies are still my weakness!

Kim - Super fun prize. I always loved the Hostess Swiss Rolls. Ashamed. But they were oh so yummy. I always had to eat all the chocolate off the outside first and unroll it to eat it.

Jenny Waldrop - Unfortunately mine was in the little Debbie type family too. It was these apple turnover things. You can still buy them at the gas station. Nasty.

Jennifer R - My favorite was the little Debbie oatmeal cookies with the white filling in between! Yum!

Ellen V R - Just a good ‘ol PB&J sandwich!

Holly Flynn - Sadly, mine was not a healthy choice either. Sunkist fruit snacks. Orange was my very favorite. Grape was a close second.

I’ve been having these very same ‘healthy choices’ conversations with my 6 year old. I’d love to empower him in the way you have empowered Annie.

Thanks for the great contest, Meg. You rock!!

Pam H. - I didn’t get to take a lunch when I was a kid! Funny how times have changed…now I take my lunch to work – so this is for Nana (me)! LOL

Brady W - Hands down, it was a lunchable. We weren’t super rich growing up (meaning, we had everything we needed but often went without little extras) and on special occasions like field trips and such, my mom would pack a Lunchable and I always thought those were the BEST days!

Mollie - Any kind of sugary treat was my favorite.

Alena - Pepperonis! Or cold kidney beans. I was pretty cool. Haha!

Jenny B. - That looks like fun! I almost never took my lunch to school as a kid. I always looked forward to a hot lunch in the cafeteria. The food was so much better back then, though. No frozen chicken nuggets. Those ladies made everything from scratch. The rolls… oh my… not exactly healthy, but homemade, hot, and delicious! 🙂

Jessica White - My mom never gave us junk food in our lunches. I always envied the other kids because they did have hostess in their lunch & I didn’t. Of course now I see the benefits of what she was trying to teach us. IF I had had hostess that would have been my favorite. But since I didn’t it would probably be frozen grapes. Or the fresh baked chocolate chip cookies the cafeteria made when I was in high school. The ones that were just underbaked enough that they were the perfect amount of chewy & gooey every time.

Sherry Crow - Sherry – If I had to name a favorite it would probably be the faithful standby of PB&J they never get old even when you are in your 40’s.

alisha - I always loved taking soup or mac n’ cheese in my Care Bears thermos.

Stephanie V - My favorite was always a twinkie. Though my mom rarely bought them for us!

Jodi - Ants on a log aka: raisins on celery topped with peanut butter!!

sam - I don’t remember taking a lunch as a kid. We lived blocks away from the school and walked home for lunch. However, I do remember my mom going to the Hostess outlet and eating frozen Suzie Qs as an after school snack.

Shiloh Walter - Swiss Cake Rolls!

Crystal Woller - Such an awesome lunch box!! My favorite lunch box item was also dessert: a vanilla pudding cup!

Kathie M. - I loved String Cheese when I was a kid!! It was my favorite! 😀 I love this give away!! I am struggling to make healthy lunches for myself and work on getting my twin boys who are 3 on the right path for successful eating as they grow up! This would be amazing! <3

Liana - My lunches were always so basic and pretty healthy as a kid. I was always jealous of the kids with Hostess products! My fave was probably PB&J. 🙂

Brittni - My absolute favorite was little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pie! I could eat those for every meal!

Gina Mitchell - I loved yogurt covered raisins!

Pam - My favorite was always the small bags of chips you get. Variety pack so you got a different kind each day!

Ashley - I used to take cream cheese and olive sandwiches every single day!

Rebecca - The dessert of course….always a Tastykake.

AmandaK - I am trying now the “just don’t buy it”, but it is hard , for them and me both! I don’t remember favorite lunch box foods, I remember the boxes! Metal! One the Annie movie, all beat up on the first day!

Nicole G. - A peanut butter and guava jelly sandwich on white bread with the crust cut off.

Jennifer Roehl - I love this idea of teaching kids to eat healthy. We have been trying to do much of the same with our 3 daughters. Unfortunately, as a kid I ate a lot of junk food! I think my favorite lunch box item was a sandwich baggie of Doritos. I still love them but just do not buy them or it would be trouble!

Sam D. - The little notes from my mom everyday 🙂

Josie J - Planet Box would be awesome for my 4 year old.

Little Debbie Nutty Bar – Peanut Butter and Chocolate, best combination!

Sarah Madgwick - Hands down, Twinkie.

KatieV - I’m totally on board with the “just don’t buy it” philosophy! 🙂 And I’d love to win this. I honestly don’t remember my childhood favorite, but since I brought my lunch nearly every day, I think my “favorite” was when I was allowed to buy school lunch. Ha!

Megan - I never liked the lunches my mom packed, but I was always super jealous of my best friends pb&j on white bread. My mom “just didn’t buy it” (white bread), so I never got one!

Andrea - My favorite lunch box item as a kid was the Snack Pack pudding because it was in that little can! You peeled the lid off it like you did a soda can back then, and ate the pudding right out of the little flat can!
Ah, the good ‘ole days!

Anna - Lunch meat roll ups with cream cheese and pickle! These planet boxes look awesome. I follow their IG feed and am always inspired. We pack our school lunch every day and would LOVE this. 🙂

Ann - I so want one of these! I loved the chips! I’m so impressed that Annie is making her own lunches. She’s an awesome kid 🙂

Sally Hoagland - My favorite lunch item was a Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Cream Pie. Always a great surprise when my Mom packed one for me!

Allison - My favorite was a can of lipton iced tea with lemon. My Mom only gave me those when we went on field trips – because I would have bought milk at school otherwise. Do kids even do that anymore?? Drink boxes hadn’t really been invented yet! LOL!!

Kim Fry - My favorite was a Little Debbie swiss cake roll!! Annie’s lunches look yummy…way to go!! Thanks!

Sherry Cartwright - I remember how cool we thought we were because we took our lunch in a Tupperware lunchbox with all the containers inside rather than a paper sack. My favorite treat in the lunch box was rice with nori [seaweed]. No other kid was carrying that to school for lunch. Made me smile each time.

I wish I still had that lunchbox. Instead, I have plastic bento boxes that I use to pack my son’s lunch and my own. Love the Planet Box rover box. Very cool.

Kate LS - I was always jealous of my friends who got hot lunches!

Amy Olivas - My favorite was a strawberry jelly and cream cheese sandwich! But I was always envious of kids whose moms cut their sandwiches diagonally. (My mom always cut vertically) I am now a diagonal sandwich cutting mom of 5 boys.

Sarah N. - I loved a fruit roll up as a lunch box treat!–especially the kind that had cool shape cut outs:)

natalie - Little Debbie nutty bar!

Allison - I used to have my Mama’s old Charlie Brown and Snoopy thermos. She’d do soups, broths, ravioli’s, but ONCE IN A BLUE MOON, she’d surprise me with Ramen Noodles. It was always such a treat and I was always giddy to see them in there. She also used to include little cards with quotes or little love notes from her. SO special.

Tonya - Hot Cheetos or the fruit snack “smiles.”

Shauna - A granola bar was my favorite thing. My daughter(also named Annie!)would love to have a neat, new lunchbox!

Annie - My favorite lunch box item was an Oatmeal cream cookie from Little Debbie… I CAN NOT stand them now.

Beth - Oh crud! Now I see it was “Lunchbox *ITEM*”! Now everyone knows about my issues…and that wasn’t even the question!

Oh well! Yes, I loved the Twinkies we would very rarely get on field trip days. THey were the best!

Susan A - Bologna & Miracle Whip on white bread, no crust. Please don’t make me eat that now. 😉 Love the Planet Box lunch boxes.

Beth - I *didn’t* have a favorite lunchbox as a kid b/c my mom got me the Tupperware one. And all the other kids could set up their metal ones in front of them with the tray out, like little barriers….and I couldn’t! Because the Tupperware one wouldn’t stand on it’s side like that! It’s probably why I *wasn’t* one of the popular kids for the next 12 years! 🙂 Can you tell I have issues?

Kristin S - Oh, this box is so great! I use so many containers to take my lunch. This would save that.

My mom froze yogurt containers so they would not only be my “ice” but would mostly thaw by lunch time so it was dessert-y at lunch. I did that all through high school too. This was back when yogurt containers were big and yogurt wasn’t all mixed up. I always had plain or coffee Danon and the containers were waxed paper/cardboard. I still prefer plain yogurt which usually freaks people out.

Maureen - Pudding. But not prepackaged, homemade by Mom, in my Charlie Brown thermos.

Amber Koehn - I usually ate school lunches as a kid. But every now and then, my mom would pack my lunch in my awesome My Little Pony lunchbox, complete with matching thermos. My favorite lunch item was chocolate milk. I never got it at home, so I loved having it at school. ☺️

Sabrina rivadeneyra - love love this idea and my son would totally thrive off it. My favorite lunch item was always fruit roll ups

denise - My favorite item was probably the can of chocolate pudding . I cut my tongue many times licking the metal pull-tab lid. But it was worth it .

Liz - My mom would never buy me the Little Debbie Starcrunch that I loved so much, so I would trade pretzels with another girl for her starcrunch or Nutty Buddy- I think that’s what they were called 🙂

Jen - I loved PB&J. I think I had one every.single.day.

Jermaine D. - I think I felt pretty cool when I had a squeeze-it in my lunch box! Pretty sure they aren’t around anymore.

Kim - Little debbie swiss cake rolls. We used to get them in our lunches on fridays!

Ashley - Sadly i can’t remember my favorite lunch box snack, but this lunch box looks amazing! I would love for my little boy to use one like this!

Margy - I honestly don’t ever remember having a lunch box. I had to just eat from the cafeteria. I remember in high school buying my lunch in the cafeteria… I litterally ate a soft pretzel and chocolate milk EVERY.DAY. Of course that continued to college where I ate a cranberry orange muffin and chocolate milk EVERY.DAY.

Now that I am 32 and my second and last baby is now 9months old and FINALLY sleeping thru the night I’m able to refocus, get back on the exercise routine & im REALLY looking at my eating habits. I figure if I can clean up my act then I can try to get the kids and hubs on the same boat. It will be an uphill battle for sure, but It needs to be done!

Love your blog Meg! 😉

Becky - I had a bologna and American cheese sandwich with miracle whip on it when I was in elementary school all.the.time. But, my favorite was probably the treat 🙂

Laura Kelley - Love me some Marta. And I cracked up and gagged a little because my favorite lunch item was Vienna sausages with mustard and a saltine craker. Holy moly.

Heather Eddy - I didn’t take lunches as a child, but as an adult, I love salami, light cheese sticks and greek yogurt. 🙂

andrea - def. the juice box 🙂

Amber - A good old fashioned peanut butter and jelly. I ate one every day from kindergarten through sixth grade 🙂

s - Home made chocolate chip cookies

Noelle L. - This looks awesome! My favorite lunch box item was nutter butter bars. definitely NOT a healthy choice!

Bethany - Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies…I would savor those and would NEVER trade with other kids.

Joanie - halloween candy. My mom made sure our lunches were always healthy, but after halloween we were allowed to pick out some candy to put in our lunches until it was gone.

Stephany Waters - I think I ate a PB&J everyday when I was in elemenatry school! I’m going to be a newbie lunch packer for my little in the fall and would LOVE to have this box!

Allison Diller - My favorite was Swiss cake rolls. I never buy them now as they are awful for you but loved them as a kid. 🙂

Denise - pepperoni and american cheese sandwich! Ugh…so bad for me!

Tammy Westbrook - Anything with cheese!

Kate - A rainbow brite- and a muppets… Hard to pick:)

Bethany - Fun! I will start having to pack a lunch for my son next year. I’ve been looking at all the divided lunch boxes to decide which one would be the best choice.

My favorite lunch box item as,a kid was chicken noodle soup in my thermos.

Renee C. - Little Debbie anything! Love these boxes – have been looking at them for a while just haven’t ordered one yet. Thanks Meg!!

Tracy R. - I never liked my packed lunches! I loved pizza day at school! It was a rare treat to buy lunch! Luckily, my girls love to take a packed lunch and I would love to win this!

Marian - I am a traditionalist… pb&j!

Amanda M - Hostess Ho-ho’s! And sadly, I just bought them for my kids lunches for the first time this week! Because just like you mentioned – “food is happy/sugar is happy”.

Lisa Vinograd - Squeeze-It juice! Also ritz crackers with peanut butter. & cold pizza! My mom made the best lunches!! 🙂

Sarah Skloss - I loved when my Mom would wrap a can of Dr. Pepper in foil to stay cold. I didn’t get that often but when I did it was the best day ever. LOL

Danielle - Any type of cheese!!

Jessica Noble - Favorite lunch box item was probably fruit snacks of some kind…like Gushers or Fruit Roll-Up. Or maybe a Devil Dog. Yum.

Karie - Ho-ho’s…um, yeah. My kids don’t even know what those are 🙂

Beth - I love this post. I was just looking at the planet box website last week!

As a kid, I usually ate in the cafeteria, but on field trips I packed a lunch – so an individual bag of chips, that I liked! I remember being so excited to pick out my own thing.

Sarah - PBJ. Still one of my favorite lunches! 🙂

Stephanie - PB&J. Still love them.

Heather - Peanut Butter & Jelly! and it still is!

Anne - Any Little Debbie Snack!

Emily - Favorite lunchbox item: Nutter Butter Bar, but not the two pack, mom was stingy and would only let us take one of the two bars each day!
I just saw these on Zulily a week or two ago and really thought about getting one for my next year Kindergartener, I need to stock up!
Question- do you just have one insert and you hand wash it each night?

Jolie Darby - Gatorade! Yum!

Michele - The chips, I loved the chips now I don’t even send that in my kids lunch!

Janel - Bologna & Lettuce sandwhich…and those little bags of chips! ugh!

Ashley H. - My favorite lunch box item was the napkin with a message from my mom! 🙂 I also loooooved when I had cheese cut into shapes!

This box would be PERFECT for my daughter getting ready to start kindergarten!

Mary Beth Hunt - I can still remember eating velveeta and miracle whip on soft white bread. I loved it!

Amber - I loved fudge rounds when I was young. And nope I don’t buy them now either.

Amy Bell - I am on a health journey and would love this box for my kids!

sarah r. - Bagels with cream cheese.

Katy - I ate PB&J every day in elementary school but occasionally my mom would flatten the bread with a rolling pin and then slice and roll it up like sushi– for some reason it tasted 100x better that way!

Christy P - We also had hot lunch and as I recall the chili and cinnamon rolls were quite yummy!

sheryl - Oh my favorite lunch treats were Ring Dings! Not sure if they still make them? Favorite sandwich was PB and apple jelly.

Kim - Star crunch, haven’t had one in years, but they were my favorite!

Michelle - A favorite doesn’t really jump out at me BUT I remember being SO JEALOUS of a kid in my class because his mom packed him an entire sleeve of Oreos every day. Now as a mom I am baffled by this… But as a 3rd grader I was green with envy.

Sharon - I am sorry to say that our bag lunches were pretty awful (this Planet Box sure would have changed that). Probably my favorite part of lunch was the carton of chocolate milk, sold for a nickel in the cafeteria.

amy - My favorite food was Little Debbie Nutter Butter Bars. Sadly, they are not in my house either.

Kara F - The cute notes from my mom… oh no, the ones I never write to my kiddos… oops, better get on that!

Heather Thornburg - My favorite lunch box item was probably cinnamon applesauce! 🙂 It was such a treat to have the “cinnamon”…

Rebecca - My favorite lunch box item were the Bunting meats! Yum!

miracle - Oh SWEET!!! My favorite lunch was when my mom packed an ENTIRE pack of that fake crab meat. You know the white cod fish shaped like crab and dyed pink. Yep, loved that. Weirdest kid at my table.

Chelsea - i loved a pepperoni sandwich… Sounds gross to me now.

Tara Long - I never took a lunch box that I can recall. I always ate school lunch. But my favorite after school snack was a Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Bar and a small coke in a glass bottle. I had this every afternoon at my grandparents Mom and Pop general store. Thankfully, I know better now about healthy snack choices. Oh to be a kid again…

Stacy Mc - Ham, swiss, and mustard on rye.

Christine A - I have been drooling over Planet Box lunch sets for so long! My favorite lunch box food as a kid was fruit leather. I still really like it. I also used to BEG my mother for lunchables, but she wouldn’t buy them for me. She did make homemade lunchables for me, but in 2nd grade that just didn’t cut it. I feel guilty now about the whining I did then …

miracle - Oh SWEET! I have been gah gah over these lunch boxes for awhile and had not decided whether to get them or not! I have a cheaper silicon version that I use for my kids, but HELLO, please choose me so I can have the real dealio. My favorite lunch item as a kid was…fake crab meat. Seriously, I would love it when my mom would pack me an entire pack of that colored cod fish that is shaped like crab.

Karla - Bologna sandwich. Now I think Yuck!

Kristina - My favorite was the thermas that came with the lunch boxes not so much the food 🙂

Beth - I loved fruit roll ups and cookies and sandwiches. Oh gosh,I loved it all!

Crystal - My favorite was any sweet treat my mom packed me and also little notes she would write and stick in there.

Becky D - Peanut butter and syrup sandwiches!

Tammy Jane - I would love to win one of these for my daughter, Sadie. She is in the 8th grade and has probably only eaten lunch room food a couple of times. She is old enough to make her on lunch now and her favorite item for her lunch box is cucumber sushi that we can buy at our local co-op. When I was a child I took my lunch to school every day and my favorite item was when my Mom would make me a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Thanks for the giveaway!

Amy Rhodes - We would get a can of soda once a year, only on field day. That was my favorite thing in my lunch box. It was always wrapped in tin foil because back in those days we thought it kept it colder.

Michelle - We never packed lunches when I was a kid unless it was a field trip. A packed lunch was always special… it didn’t matter what was in it it 🙂

Megan - Favorite lunch box item from childhood has to be pringles!

Holly - Every time I eat a bologna and cheese sandwich I am taken back to kindergarten. 🙂 We were not creative lunch makers!! But I loved lunch….my favorite part of the day!

Amelia W. - I was homeschooled so I never really had to pack a lunch until college. But, we always ate fresh veggies from the garden!

Kasie - Fruit snacks!

Shelly - Nutty bars!

Jennifer - My favorite was muppets in space. Awesome.

Karrin - I loved when my mom packed anything other than a PB&J! I felt like I ate those EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. 🙂

Jenny - OK this has got to be the coolest thing ever. My kids are not eating enough at school…so many excuses…but this an exciting way to resolve that issue. My son is so hungry when he comes home and is over eating because of it. He is ten, 5′ 4″ and over 150. He NEEDS this…
my favorite childhood food…sesame Vienna style white bread toasted with a ton of butter. I remember toasting about 1/2 a loaf between my Grandmother, me and my sister…yikes!!!

Susan - I loved Little Debbie Swiss rolls!

Abby - I rejoiced anytime we had leftover chicken from dinner because it meant getting a chicken salad sandwich with lunch!

Amy m - Can Annie come make lunch for me? I wish I had gotten started eating healthy so young.

Our lunchtime staples were sandwiches and Little Debbie’s – so good, so unhealthy.

Jessica W. - My favorite was ANYTHING Little Debbie!

(May 12th is my birthday so I am hoping I win! That would be the best gift ever!)

Candice - My mom used to make us knox blox with cream on the bottom. Mmmmmmmm.

Anna Eshleman - I actually LOVED taking my mom’s famous curry chicken salad th grapes and almonds. It was delish! I definitely got made fun of for eating such a “non traditional” food item, but the chicken salad won! I would LOVE a Planet Box for my 4 1/2 year old as she starts Kinder next year!

Candice Lowe - The planet box looks awesome! And Annie’s lunches look delicious! My favorite lunch box item was a Little Debbie star crunch.

Ashlea Catalana - PB & J with “Nip Chee” crackers and Gushers! I loved lunch time in elementary school and can remember all of the trendy ways to bring your lunch. My favorite was the mini cooler. Ha ha! So fun! 🙂

Jen - Rainbow Bright!

Rachel - I loved muffins in my lunch, preferred them over a sandwich

Julie - Probably Twinkies! And yep I just don’t buy them! 🙂

Kelley - I love planet box! One of my students had one when I was teaching and I loved seeing what his mom packed everyday!! It makes lunch time so fun!!
Ok favorite lunch box item- pb&j. Then and now!

Meggan D. - I used to LOVE a rice cake with peanut butter and jelly!! Soooo good!!

Kelly - Um, YES hostess cupcake!

Tricia Alexander - What an awesome little kit. Anything that would make a child enjoy packing their own lunch is great in my book!
My favorite lunch item was Spaghetti-o’s in a plastic thermos (that barely kept it luke warm)!

Amanda - I loved yoghurt!!! It was even my reward for not crying at the dentist:). I hope I win!!!

Ashley A. Michael - Definitely the salts! Chips, cheez-it’s, Cheetos! Man oh man, it never got better than that!!!

Cecilia Sullivan - My mom used to send me bread with butter and jelly or bread with a slice of ham. I used to save my coins to buy an empanada. I like empenadas better 🙂

Beth Ann - Bringing to lunch to school as a kid was a special treat – for field trips only typically, so like once a year. We were on free/reduced lunch so it was cheaper for my family to eat at school than bring it. That being said when I did get to bring a lunch we would go all out and get Lunchables! Gross! Now the thought of them make me gag, but I loved them as a kiddo. Now, my 1st and 3rd grader bring their lunch to school just about everyday. What grade is Annie in that she can pack her own lunch?

Vicki Whitney - My favorite lunch box item was Snack Pack pudding because I love pudding and back then it was new!

Rachel - Ssips!!! They were cheap ice tea juice boxes that we only got for field trips!!! My fave!

Ellen - Give me a good ol’ chocolate chip cookie… like you, I don’t have one in my house. Oh well.

Amanda - This is the best invention EVER!! Sadly, my favorite lunch box item as a kid was any Little Debbie treat! 🙂

Elisa - string thing, from my friends lunch box because my mom “just didn’t buy it”

tuna fish sandwiches too. looking back, I’m surprised I had as many friends with that stinch.

[hope I win!]

Amy Woods - My favorite lunch item were my moms Malt-o-Meal muffins. She made them quite often and I loved when I found one in my lunch box! 🙂

Christy - My favorite lunch box item as a kid was probably always dessert – the Nutty Bar wins hands down! (Although I can’t tell you the last time I ate one of those….) PlanetBox sounds like an amazing company, and I loved seeing all of Annie’s lunches – provided some great ideas for my own kids’ lunches! Thanks!

chrissi - love these boxes, almost as much as annie making her own food choices. i would of loved her lunches when i was her age, okay, i would like them now too. my favorite lunch food was an orange, i had to have one every day. my mom rarely bought treats but i could always count on that orange as my sandwich was always tossed♥

Jessica scott - I always loved grapes and strawberries! I don’t remember eating a ton of different fruits as a kid so I have tried to expose my kids to different fruits like mango and kiwi.

Jennifer - This is probably strange, but an onion roll sandwich. I still love that bread to this day and it always takes me back to 4th grade when I first had one!

Jackie O M - Cheese Whiz and Saltine sandwiches ~ by the time I was making lunches for my kids? nevuh, evuh!

Lindsey L - Triscuit crackers and cheese were always my favorite!!!

Tasha - Cheetos!!!! I’m a sucker for all things salty and crunchy. Of course, my kids only get the dye free version now. I’ve been lusting after the Planet Box lunch kits for awhile now for both of my boys.

Jude - This is a tough choice, but it would have to be the Hostess cupcake for a sweet, and Troyer Farms Salt and Vinegar chips for a salty 🙂

Stephanie B - That is an awesome lunch bag!! So great she is enjoying being healthy. Well of course your favorite part of lunch is dessert! I use to get a single twix bar sometimes… always my favorite!

Sara Helen - Favorite lunchbox item – PB&J. A classic – it just never gets old. So much YUM.

jamie - i LOVE that annie is having so much fun with packing her lunches. we started eating carb free during the week {per my son’s pediatrician} so school lunches had to get creative. no more sandwiches or pretzels or wheat thins. but he has done such an amazing job adjusting! i would be SO EXCITED to win a planet box! i would also love to see more of annie’s lunches! did i see a gluten free muffin in the photo? i actually don’t recall packed lunches as a child, just favorite hot lunches. and i want a hostess cupcake now!

Tara Sewell - Peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwiches! They were a special treat from my granny!

Caroline - Swiss Cake Rolls! Oh dear . . .

Sue Thompson - Anything by Little Debbie in my lunchbox was a good day! 😉

Mis - I had a peanut butter sandwich (no thank you on the jelly) in my lunchbox every. single. day. from kindergarten to eighth grade. All grown up and it’s still one of my fave go-to lunch items. 🙂 Guess I never grew out of them. 🙂 LOVE PlanetBox! Fun giveaway! Yay! Thanks, Meg!

Ashley - I loved bologna sandwiches! OR peanut butter and lays potato chips! 🙂

Sandra - Sandwiches were my least favorite! I’d guess that Little Debbie treats were my favorite (star crunch or oatmeal cream pies). Fortunately, I won’t buy those regularly…maybe 1x year!

Jena meyerpeter - Peanut butter and jelly with cream cheese sandwich! Love those lunch boxes!

Jill - My favorite was a roast beef sandwich with ketchup made from the left over roast on Sunday nights. Yum. Favorite treat was a piece of red licorice wrapped in foil.

Sharla - Ok, I’m a dork. No mention of my favorite lunch box snack – I loved the chips! 🙂

Desiree Thompson - My Favorite Lunch item was pudding cups. It was always a great day when was included in my lunch.

Sharla - The lunch box and Annie’s lunches look great! I need to do better with my work lunches also 🙂 I think my boys would love these.

Elizabeth C. - Hotdogs…worse that a hostess cupcake!

Alyssa Mantooth - I really loved a pb&j on white super soft bread. Like you, the white bread doesn’t get to come home with me.

Ashley R - Oh man, tough choice!!! I think it’s a tie between PB&J (on wheat, never white….though I now have to be gluten free so we do GF bread) or Fruit by the Foot. Those were a special treat growing up for my younger brothers. They’re 5 & 6 years younger than me so I’d occasionally convince my mom to throw one in my lunch too. 😉

Kelly Heney - I loved a salami and tomato sandwich on Scali bread with a Ring Ding for dessert…that seems soooo long ago 😉

Tessa - Jelly sandwiches on white bread … and they were always soggy. This sounds quite gross to me now! 🙂

Traci Jones - peanut butter & jelly on good gummy white bread mmmm 🙂

Lee Ann - Oh my goodness! I have been eyeing these for SO long! They’re so spendy! We would LOVE to win. My kids lunches look like those but in 8 different little containers. We would love to have it all in one.

So proud of Annie’s choices. That is AMAZING! Proof that change can happen.

My favorite was probably anything store bought and name brand. Not generic chips in a fold over baggie – but maybe dorritos! Something I only had on field trip day.

Janelle - My favorite was a red and white Tupperware one. It had lots of little containers.

Stacy - Twinkies! My Mom would always make our desserts for our lunches homemade. I had a friend who never got homemade desserts, but she brought Twinkies once in awhile (something my Mom never bought at our house). Every time my friend had a twinkie, she would trade me for my homemade dessert.

Janelle - Juice boxes for sure…that’s the only thing I remember having. I’m sure my mom packed a lot of pb&j sandwiches, too.

Alysa Clark - Hands down, the TWINKIE was my favorite lunch box item when I was a kid. Ahh, the wrapper. The smell. The deliciousness… =)

Dianne - Love the lunch box. I am my daddy’s daughter. We both loved cold meatloaf sandwiches with miracle whip and ketchup. Couldn’t eat it without Fritos! Wow, I miss him.

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zoodles

IMG_4439In efforts of continuing to try to eat healthy meals and snacks… i bought this gadget:
THE ORIGINAL ZOODLE SLICER   to make Zoodles!
it’s easy and inexpensive and kind of even fun!

you just put the zucchini in the end of the Zoodle slicer and start spinning.
one end makes larger thin slices and the other cuts the zucchini into a spaghetti shape.
(please excuse this photo that makes me appear to have giant man hands)

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pretty cool right?!
looks like a bowl of pasta… but it’s VEGGIES!

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i just put the zoodles (this is two zucchinis) into a pan with coconut oil & some garlic and cooked it for less than 5 minutes.
stir or toss it as it heats up and as it changes and gets a little bit tender – it’s done.
if you over cook it it gets mushy.
it barley takes any time at all.

we were having spaghetti so i made these Zoodles for me instead of pasta.
i did switch our family over to gluten free pasta but i love the idea of using vegetables instead of pasta.
it’s fresh.  it grew from the earth.  it’s not processed.  it’s a vegetable!

then i added meat marinara sauce on top and that was the meal!
of course i couldn’t get the kids to try it yet but i loved it!
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i went on the hunt for more recipes to use Zucchini Noodles and these all look GOOD!

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Zucchini Noodles with Pesto

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Pad Thai Zoodles

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Zucchini Noodles in Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
this one might be the first one i try!  it is making my mouth water!

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Zucchini Shrimp Scampi  (but if i make this i will use chicken…)

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Zucchini Noodles & Avocado Walnut Pesto

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Thai Chicken Zoodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce

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Pesto Zucchini Bacon Frittata

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Pumpkin Spice Sweet Potato Noodle Waffles
this one is obviously not made with Zucchini but it looked REALLY good and i was so intrigued but seeing her use sweet potato Noodles in a waffle iron?!  Who knew that could be done?!

there are other kinds of spiraling gadgets… this one is popular on Amazon:

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iPerfect Kitchen Tri-Blade Vegetable Spiralizer

and there is even a whole cook book devoted to spiraling food!

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Inspiralized: Turn Vegetables into Healthy, Creative, Satisfying Meals

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the lady who wrote that cookbook has a great blog with all kinds of recipes using lots of different vegetables.
this Chicken Zucchini Noodle Soup recipe was on her site!

i hope i can get my kids to try zoodles someday.  🙂

but for now i am pretty impressed that even i am eating them.
five years ago… NO WAY.
this being a grown up thing isn’t so bad after all.

Holly Flynn - We are new to Zoodles too by way of the Veggetti. That name. Veggetti. I laugh every time. You missed one of our favorites in your post. Carbonara.
http://sweetcsdesigns.com/paleo-low-carb-carbonara/ I add fresh peas. And had to watch Alton Brown’s YouTube video to learn how to poach an egg. But it’s worth it. My husband asks for this at least once a week. And my kids are coming around ‘cuz let’s face it. Everything’s better with bacon. Even zoodles.

Ann - I always love your food ideas! So I know this has nothing to do with this post, but I really like the look of your white painted table and chairs. Did you spray the chairs or paint them with a brush? Did you sand a lot first or just use a good primer? Thanks

Carrie - Meg – Zoodles with chicken and peanut sauce is amazing! I make it on Sunday and eat it cold for lunch for a couple of days. You can use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery to make it even easier.
I love that when we have zoodles for a meal we are each eating about 1 1/2 to 2 zucchinis.

Abby - I’d love to know what brand of GF pasta you use for your family.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - This is on my list. Yum!!

Carol S. - So glad you posted this, I am low carb and have been meaning to try one of these for years. Just ordered on amazon prime…looking forward to trying it out!

Kathi - I’ve been doing this for a while and I love them. I’m glad you discovered zoodles 🙂

Library Momma - Is there a lot of waste? It looks like you can only do half the squash. Thanks!

Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel - Oh my gosh, aren’t zoodles just THE BEST!? Thanks for including my Pad Thai Zoodles… I hope you try them, they are SO good!! I’ll definitely be trying some of the other delicious recipes on your list! Yum!

Christy - I keep checking them out & then never hit the purchase button. I need to add it to my kitchen collection. I love squash & eat it often.

My son won’t touch zucchini either, not matter how it looks. I started adding shredded zucchini to my marinara for spaghetti & lasagna. He doesn’t taste the difference and now he knows my secret, but never complains.

Cassandra - A spiralizer is on my want list!!! Right now I make the zoodles using a vegetable peeler, still delish! My girls(4&2)devoured them, way to try new things & lead the example for your kiddos 🙂

Brady - Ok, be honest with me here! I KNOW they won’t taste exactly like pasta noodles–but are they at least kind of tasteless? I’m not a huge veggie fan but have been trying to incorporate them a little more. If they don’t have a weird “veggie” taste, I could handle it. Can you taste the zoodles or are they just a good neutral base for whatever you put with them?

Shelly - This is the only way I will eat “spaghetti” at home. It is so good! I add italian seasoning to my zoodles, it gives them a nice flavor to go along with the spaghetti sauce.

Laura in Sacto - I just received the exact same one as you! I made a cucumber salad. (only use english cucumbers) I wouldnt purchase the more expensive zoodle maker, because frankly I do not have enough space for more gadgets.

Bethany - I think I’m going to have to get one of those. I’ve been hearing a lot about it in the last year. The recipe with the sundried tomatoes looks AMAZING!

Kim - Hmmm….this is something I may have to look into further. I have Celiac Disease and cannot have Gluten. I like the idea of using veggies in place of pasta. Thanks for idea and recipes.

jo - Enjoyed your post as I just purchased a Paderno spiralizer. thnx for the link to cookbook blog.

Lisa - Some of these look so good! I might need to buy a zoodle maker. 😉

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trail mix, a playlist & crazy strong abs

three quick things today.

1. this is my trail mix i made up for when i want a little sweet and still be getting the good stuff.
i buy the Cranberry Delight trail mix at Dillons (Kroger) which is by the chips at our store.
and a bag of dark chocolate covered raisins.
i dump those two into a bowl or a ziploc and then i add some golden raisins too… not a lot.
sometimes i add unsweetened coconute flakes.
and as i eat it and the bowl emptys out… i add in more whole almonds.

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occasionally if the chocolate raisins are low i will throw in some dark chocolate chips if i have them.
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it’s super yummy… great little snack.
of course you shouldn’t eat much at a time… moderation and all that, you know.

 

i have been doing Les Mills Pump for 6 weeks now.
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love it.
LOVE IT!!!
but with all dvds i get tired of the talking… how could one not get tired of the same words over and over??
so i turn on my music loud and mute them.
this is my playlist i have right now for PUMP:

playlist
no judging!
i like to jam.
i am not tech savvy enough to give you a playlist that actually plays…. i wish i was.
if someone knows how to do that… feel free to tell me how.

 

and then yesterday i came across this video of a core workout routine.
holy cows.
kind of looks like fun… wish i was 16 again so i could do this EASILY!
i would’ve loved it.
but even though i am 39… i am going to try it.
because why not?!
remember my word was ACTION.
this video is a lot of that.

 

 

 

Kathy - I LOVE your playlist!!!! Fun songs! I mix a little of the new songs just like these with some fun dance songs from the 90’s – just love to have upbeat fun songs playing, helps the workout be more fun!!

Lola - MEG!
You just inspired me to make a playlist!!!!!!!!!
It’s called SPRING15!

Thx
Hearts!
Lola

sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com - dang, girl, you got it going on with that playlist!

Carin - Do you feel or notice a difference in your body from doing the Les Mills?

Maclaine - Great playlist! I’m loving https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL_EXAyGCkw and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JCLY0Rlx6Q right now too.

Alicia - There has never been a time in my life where that workout would have been EASY!! But it does make me want to try it!!

Iris Brown - OMG! Just watched that ab video. Is my eyes suppose to water while watching? I’m out of breathe from sitting. I will try it too and hope to just make it to the chorus. Thanks for the inspiration. Bless the Lord O my Soul . . .

Bridget - Choreography + plank = amazing!! Thank you for inspiring us today, Meg! I’m going to try choreography + sitting @ my desk and see what happens. :o)

Alice H - That ab workout makes it seem like the song Uptown Funk is REALLY REALLY long. LOL! And that trail mix looks delicious!

Carrie - My daughter’s gymnastics team does that workout! That must be where they got it! They just updated it to that. They used to do a really similar one to the song Power. It’s hard, and my daughter is really tired when it’s done, but I think it makes their conditioning a little more fun.

Beejay - So cool you have Les Mills dvds to follow. I live in New Zealand where Les Mills gyms started and I go to one…..just home from a Body Balance class tonight. They’re the best! 🙂

Becky - That video makes me feel like I could do anything! I mean, I couldn’t actually do THAT, but it makes me feel like it. What inspiration!

Jennifer @ Ellison Lane - Wow, that was awesome. I think I’ll try it though I will likely not be able to do it like those girls did! Ah, youth! 🙂

Meredith - Love that playlist. Can’t Hold Us is one of my all time workout faves. Sounds like you’re having fun:)

Stephanie Wilson - LOVE your playlist! I started doing Blogilates on Youtube at the beginning of the year and it is kicking.my.butt. At 39 (40 next month) I am realizing I have to take things a little slower than I used to. But I love when it hurts the next day because I pushed myself. I need to make myself some trail mix now….

Michelle Whitlow - That made my stomach hurt just watching that video!! haha I don’t think I could’ve done that even back when I was 16 but good for them!!! Holy super abs Batman!!

Barbara (WA) - You should try all this at 60+, haha! And moderation with trail mix is even harder!

Melissa - why don’t they go those workout videos with two options: one for just starting out with pauses and talking and one that just works straight through with no pauses or talking. I would love to buy a workout video like that.

jamie - doesn’t that core video inspire you? they do it so flawlessly! i told one of my instructors at the rec center that she should do that routine with her summer classes! yikes!

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happy monday.

so far it’s been a good one.
i got myself into workout gear and did my Pump workout.
i really wanted to skip.  but i had skipped the day before so i couldn’t do that again.
i knocked that out of the way and now i’m working at the Craft House.

last week we had the best date night!
and it was for craig’s work… so technically not even a date.

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Avett Brothers came to wichita again!
they are in our top five favorite bands.  (probably in the top two…)
this was our third time to see them in concert.
i was smiling all night.
i love those avett boys.
i just watched a ton of youtube videos trying to find the perfect one but i always end up back to the 15 minute session on NPR.
it’s just my favorite.
the BEST part is Seth at 4:30 (ha ha ha)
they don’t sing it like that on the album but ever since i saw this video a few years ago i insist to craig that it be sung that way in the car and with great volume.
🙂
and at the concert… THEY DID!!!

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and i bought my first concert t-shirt!

wait….that’s not true.
i bought one at a sandi patty concert in 6th grade… i borrowed money from a friend to buy it…and still owe her that money.
and oh how i wish i had a photo!!!
it was a GIANT oversized shirt with i think a rainbow colored scribbly kind of drawing of SP singing.
it went fabulous with my perm and stir-up pants.
i feel like i’ve shared too much….

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anyway…
craig left the next morning for a ski trip with his friends.
i asked for group selfies and he sent me several. 🙂
i have decided the my love languages are (i have several)
1. going to the movies
2. going to concerts
3. group selfies
4. bringing me hot coffee in the morning

HA.
i am so darn happy that he is out having a good time!
he works hard at everything all. the. time.
this guy deserves a break and time to just have fun!

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with him gone i was in charge of getting annie to her first basketball tournament.
oh boy.
the weather was AWFUL and i was a mess but we made it.
i may have even started crying in the car when we finally arrived safely.
i was mad for several hours at the weather but that does no good does it?
annie did great!
i can’t believe the love that has built in my heart for kids basketball in the past 10 years.
i am so grateful for that.
because if i didn’t have it… these tournaments could be great dividers instead of uniters.
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they are 10 years old so everything is still about learning how to play.
everything she said about losing or frustration or missed shots i would answer with some form of:
“you’re learning a lot in every game”
“i liked how you stayed feisty”
“just keep trying”
because you know there are so many parents out there that break your heart at those games.
it’s rough you guys.
they get craaaaazy.
it’s the most bizarre thing to watch go down.

bottom line: she loves basketball.

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this is what happens when you forget to collect the eggs in freezing weather…. bummer.

 

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lastly…. i HAVE to tell you about a big giveaway with Marta over at FourFitSisters.com!
They are giving away a Les Mills Pump program!!!
that’s worth A LOT of money and also… it’s no longer available!
what a super prize!

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Go over to FourFitSisters and enter to win the whole PUMP program!
it’s my favorite workout i have done.
i am getting stronger every workout!
i love knowing i will be strong enough to add all the weight on eventually.
i KNOW IT.

hope your monday is going well.
craft house laundry is half done… planning my meals & workouts for the week… waffle has a haircut today… and a huge list of emails need to be written.

blerg.

 

Mindy - Oh for the love of stir-up pants. I had a red pair that I wore with an over-sized white shirt that had red, blue and green full sized handprints all over it. I seriously hope there are not pictures…I can still hear Sandi Patty talking about wanting to be Barbara Streisand – so funny. My first (and only) concert T-shirt is a Steven Curtis Chapman. I wore it out. Lucky you with your recent concert! Since it is far from Monday I will wish you a happy weekend : )

Melissa - Hey Meg,

I wanted to get your real opinion on this workout. I have been over to their site and I was looking at the Pyro workout. My friend which is an exercise instructor said it was really hard.

Do you really like this one you are doing now?

I am not a fan of exercise, but I feel better when I do it. I need to find an exercise program that I can do five days a week just to stay in shape and be able to eat sweets!

So I would appreciate your thoughts.

Warmly,
Melissa

Michelle Deckert Richmond - Kids sports….where we spend a good chunk of our time. I read somewhere the best 6 words to say to your child….”I love to watch you play.” They smile everytime I say this to them. I have 3 girls in hockey and one girl in horseback riding. Michelle from Canada.

jen - Stir up pants! I totally forgot about those….I wore them A LOT and loved them! And I totally agree with you, some of these parents are CRAZY! My son is 9 and into basketball and some of the parents are jumping up and down screaming at the poor kids. It’s insane.

Barbara (WA) - I always cried at Sandi Patti concerts – and I was already an adult 🙂

jill - I think “stay feisty” is going to be my new life’s mantra =)

Lynn - Use those eggs to make hard boiled eggs. They will peel SUPER easy!

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want to workout with me?

i got distracted on pinterest while looking for fitness things… with vintage.
and wow are these fun!
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oh my.

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yay!! family fitness fun!
i better stock up on black leotards.

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i do love rainbows…. but darn it!  that coupon expired.
literally 30 years ago.

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i almost feel like if a lady is confident enough to box in pumps… then she’s gonna win.

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“hey honey… whatcha doing in there?”
“oh just riding the stationary bike in front of the sheer curtains at night in my bathing suit… don’t worry i am wearing my slippers for safety!”

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GO FOR IT!
chevron was cool way before we thought.

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the sound exercise program?
what does that mean?
and doesn’t she look a little like brittney spears?

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i bet this has freaky music with it!

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i. just. can’t. even.
whaaaaat?????
our best inflatable exercise AIR JEANS??

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isn’t that almost identical to the Umpaloompa costume?
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hey craig… i’ve got something for us to do together!
finally we can workout TOGETHER!

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somebody reading this is going to say “MY MOM HAD THAT!”
i just know it.

anyway… that was not what i meant to blog about.

long ago before i blogged, when i was a mom of babies & little ones i would go to the Y to workout.
i will admit to mostly going for the free 1.5 hours of childcare and a chance to blow dry my hair in peace.
it was the only way i could get a break so i took it!

i tried all kinds of fitness classes.
i took one spin class and it was the only time in my life i was SURE i was having a heart attack.
but… false alarm… i wasn’t.
i never went back to that spin room again.

my FAVORITE class that was called Body Pump.
i really loved it.
i liked using the weights and the instructor was healthy and i felt strong when i left.
i remember that!
(i also remember that one time she asked me for my name and told me i wasn’t registered for that class! HA HA HA! i didn’t know it wasn’t a free Y class.  so apparently i crashed it.  but after that i paid for it because it was great!)

well now… over a decade later… i realized that the Les Mills PUMP program is that same class!

here is a clip of what the workout looks like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ocLvpbBsQ&list=PLFD33B17D817086E9

i was surprised by the accents of the trainers!  but it’s kind of fun too!
it’s funny to listen to the first few times…. like working out with hugh jackman!
or crocodile dundee.

Marta, my nutritional & healthy lifestyle guru hooked me up with the PUMP program and i am loving it!
it’s just like i remembered!
i was telling her again how much i love it and she asked if i would want to have a fitness & nutrition group for PUMP?

ummm… YES!!

do you want to join me together in an online group where Marta will help us with meal planning, recipes and MOTIVATION to bring out our “inner athlete” while we workout with Pump!
during this group Marta will help us every step of the way.
and I will be checking in everyday too!
we can chat about squats and burning triceps and such.
i am already super psyched.

you know about Marta right?
she’s a busy mom & wife that decided to take her health and her family’s health seriously.
she trains women all over the country about nutrition, fitness and taking care of themselves.
she has been where you have… she’s been unhappy with her health and made choices to change.
i love the way Marta encourages so many by using her gifts to help women live with more joy.
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so if you want to join Marta’s PUMP group with me…

Send Marta an email  at hausofgirls@gmail.com to get into the group.
OR  message her on her Facebook page.

it will be 3 weeks long.
she will pack all the nutrition information in that she can.
she will share recipes, give lots of motivation, answers and ENCOURAGEMENT!
who doesn’t need more of that everyday?
you will get all the details from Marta after you email her.

she will walk you through how to order the program through her website.
it comes with all of this!  the barbell, weights and all those dvds!   🙂

les-mills-pump

—————————————————————————————————————–

 

BUT… we planned all of this and Marta got an email today that the company is not going to be restocking PUMP after it sells out!
NOOooooo!
so you honestly do have to order quickly before it is all gone.
this was never meant to be a “this is the last chance to get PUMP” kind of post but now… it really IS your last chance to buy it?!
some of you may not even get to be in this group because it will be gone forever.
which is crazy because it’s awesome!

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i think at the end of our group we should attempt to recreate this photo!
that’s a clean and press right there.

this group is going to be E P I C.
i can’t wait.
i have already noticed changes in my body and I’m excited to take new measurements next week!

 

also… if you already have PUMP you could join the group too!
it’s not just for newbies.   🙂

and lastly,

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Deb Meyers - Yep, my momma actually had Slimnastics.

jennibell - I can’t believe you just reminded me that 1985 was 30 years ago?!? Wow. I just don’t know how to feel about that. . .!!

Lisa - Your commentary on the pictures is hilarious! Ha! The workout gear back then is so very bad! Will we look back on our workout gear and think it’s so dated?! I wish I could join this group with you. But I just had another baby and won’t be able to do that level of exercise for several more weeks.

Kylie - I tried to go on the website to buy the body pump program and it isn’t listed…is it already sold out?

Holly - yep, my mom had Firm Believer. There, I did it!

Megan - Your comments are even better than the pictures. Hilarious!!

Rhonda - I was totally saying, “My mom had that!” to the Firm Believer record (yes, record) before I read your caption! 🙂 Love your blog.
Rhonda

Sheila - I know it’s all in fun but you gotta admit that for having six daughters, Gloria has it going on! ☺️

Kristin S - How in the world do you find these images?!?!?

sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com - awesome, awesome. seems we’ve been obsessed with our hinny and tummy size for quite a few decades now, eh? My vote for best-in-show is the inflatable air jeans.
i am begging you. youtube the 1980’s crystal light aerobic championships.
thanks for the fun, Meg!

Jill - my favorite was the caption you made for the girl on the bike cycling in front of the sheer curtains at night in her bathing suit and slippers! You made me laugh so hard. I read it over and over.

Bethany - My mom DID have that workout record!!! There was a booklet that came with it with black and white pictures of the exercises. I used to put on my leggings, big t-shirt, and leg warmers and try to do the moves.

I am loving Les Mills Pump! I emailed Marta fir more info so I may be joining you for the challenge.

Ruth - Loved those old pictures. I laughed too. As your grandkids will be doing when they look at yours. Just sayin. 🙂

Lee Ann - Thanks for the tears of laughter this morning! Oh my!

And I love LesMills Pump! So sad they’re getting rid of it.

stacy - just laughed OUT LOUD while looking at the pictures. Leotards, sweat bands, leg warmers…ahhhh….the things of my ’80s youth! 🙂
Totally joining! 🙂

**and I TOTALLY want to be in the “after” photo doing the clean and press.

Kathi - I sent my email to Haus of Girls! I hope I don’t fizzle out before the end.

Angela Storm - I love everything about this. Literally everything.

Unfortunately, my Mom did not have Firm Believers, but she did have a slammin’ collection of windbreakers, which she rocked like nobodies business. Oh, and my grandparents had an old wooden Nordic Trac. Look that one up- priceless!

Kimberlee Jost - My mom had Firm Believer.
You didn’t have to look too far.
Haha.

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what 2015 means for me.

well… this is a big year for me.

i turn 40 in september.

(pause for effect)

that’s ridiculous.

i certainly don’t FEEL like i thought i would at 39.
it always seemed old.
my teachers at school were 40!
i remember my parents turning 40?!
how am i this age already?
my friends and family have all turned forty but i am the young one?!

last year my 2014 word was HEALTHY.
this year… energy?   intensity?  strength? action?

i pick ACTION.

it works for exercise & health but also for some other things i want to do this year too.

this is not a new year’s resolution because i didn’t start in january.
i was just too tired.
but it’s time to get serious.
i can’t turn 40 right now… i don’t feel physically ready!
i have some things to accomplish.

for me – 40 = fitness.

i am currently using the Les Mills PUMP workout.

(you can order it through that link and have Marta be your coach!)

i was using PiYo and i liked it but i missed the weights… so i switched over to pump.

i’m drinking a ton of water.

eating lots of protein and veggies.

limiting wheat and dairy and sugar.

i have 249 days to feel different.

i want to “LIKE” exercise.
and healthy food!
so i am faking it till i make it. 🙂

and of course i would like to lose a little more weight but that would be a happy bonus.

i want to keep running!
i have been SO LAZY about it.
so that has to stop.

workout
obviously this outfit would help me perform better…right? (from dicks sporting goods)

 

i’m signing up for 4 races in the next 8 months.
for reals.
because that is a great way to stay motivated.
you have to register for the race ($$) and stay in shape so you can RUN it without bumming yourself out.

and the more PUMP i do… the stronger i will be so it’s a win-win.

Marta has a helped me so much this year.
she has taught me about food & health and is such an encourager.
i’m sticking by her side this year too! (virtually… not in real life 😉
she has a nutritional group starting feb. 13 that YOU could join and feel better in a matter of days!
contact her through her Facebook page.  You won’t regret it!

but the main thing i have to do is JUST DO IT.
i have a million excuses that go through my head every day but none of those will help me reach my goals.

what about you?
what’s your word for 2015?
what are you doing this year… reading more?  massage?  rest? getting involved?  working out?

share with me! i’d love to hear that everyone else is working towards something too!

 

 

Lisa - My word this year is intentional. I am trying really hard to be present in my little world. MY little world. That means no more Facebook (which surprisingly I don’t miss at all). That means staying off the phone and away from the television. That means more time with my husband and kids. That means more time spent taking care of myself. All really great things, and I super excited about this year. I am ready to be a better me, and to leave a legacy of love for my family. I am going to be present….

patti - Hi! If you ever want to change things up, try Fitnessblender. It’s free workout programs online. Dare I say that it has changed everything for me! I despise exercise, and it’s the only ” program” that I’ve ever really stuck to. And I’m 44! I think it’s because I saw results right away…not necessarily in weight loss, but in how I felt. Like an athlete, which I’m not! Anyway, just thought I’d share what has worked for me. This year, for me, is about being fit. Not what my scale says, but how I feel inside and out. Hopefully, strong, positive and healthy! Good luck!

Ekta - This was on my fb timeline….thought of this post of yours I read this morning….had to come here and leave the link.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4537538

Jenni - My word for 2015 is rhythm. In 2013 we moved to a new state. In late 2014 we bought a house in the new state. We are finally feeling settled and at home in our new state, so I really want to find our rhythm again. I thrive on routines in every way…health, money, housekeeping, grocery shopping, family life…but routines are very rigid and make you feel guilty when you break them. I need grace and flexibility. I need rhythm.

Kathy - My word for this year is one that I really want to focus on. It is Christ-like. I’m not sure if it’s actually one word or a hyphenated word, or if it’s two words. But I know all things are possible through faith in Jesus Christ, and I want to be more like Him. I have a laundry list of areas in my life that I could improve in, not the least of them being my body. I’m ashamed of what I’ve let my 55 year old body become and I intend on improving it and getting it stronger. One day at a time.

Necole@seriouslysassymama - My word is strength. I was diagnosed with MS back in October, and it threw me for a loop. I have always focused on everyone around me, and now have been forced to focus more on me. I have to have the strength to keep going with my new diet, meds, and exercise. I do not want to be in a wheelchair. I was never really overweight to begin with, but I am down to 120 from 140 and feel great. I am also back to work full-time, so I really need the strength to keep everything organized.

Madelyn - My mom is a pump instructor- she’s my fitness inspiration! Good luck with your goals, races are such fun motivation!!

stephany - I also turn 40 this year…in June!

My word for the year is LOVE.

I am also trying to get into great shape. I am using the hashtag (along with a lot of others) #fitbyforty on IG.

vanessa - Have you ever tried T-25? It’s horrible but it’s only 25 minutes of horrible and good all at the same time. I’m on week 5 and never been in better shape – sometimes I even feel like I can do a short run afterwards just to put in 45 minutes/day. I could only do half of about everything when I first started, but stuck with it and now can pretty much do the entire 25 minutes without stopping on most days. It’s hard – a good hard, but I feel STRONG! (And I turned 40 last week)

kelly - I sign up and pay for races that is how I keep running…posting on instagram (@fireflygirls) keeps me accountable too!! Good luck…I have a big birthday in January of 2017…add ten yoars to your 40…my goal is to run the dopey challenge at the WDW Marathon weekend…YIKES!!!

Lee Ann - I turn 40 in March! And I’m just finishing my first week of LesMills Pump. Loving it! I missed the weights too. Can’t wait to see what “action” looks like for you this year!

Kathie - Since I just turned 44 last week and I have a 6 month old at home (first, surprise, miracle child). I think this year the only word I have time for is “Mommy”. With it taking us so long to have her, I want to enjoy every little second I can while she is so little.

Susan A - I turn 50 in April. Our 8 year old keeps me young(er) and tired(er). 🙂 My word is FOCUS…I need to focus on eating healthier, exercising, organizing, better sleep, family time, GOD, work, me…and not necessarily in that order. It’s only 83 days till 50. It just doesn’t seem possible. I remember sitting around at college back-in-the-day joking with friends that we’d be 35 in the year 2000. We thought that was an eternity away…then BAM! There it was and life marches on. Love your blog! ~Susan~

Elizabeth - I am turning 30 this year! Totally freaking out, not where I wanted to be at this point in my life. I am glad I have until December to make this my year!
I don’t have a word for this year…
My focus is family, spending more on purpose time with purpose.

marcie - My word is Balance. I’m looking to balance so many things in a much better way this year… I’m striving for balance.

Denise - My words for the past few years have been “grateful evolution” I love that it makes me focus on the gifts I’ve been given and in and through the tough things God is changing me. I’m evolving, becoming who He knew I was all along. I’m 53, I did a Spartan this year and we are signed up for a half marathon in April. I asked my husband if he thought maybe we should do a 5k first! He said go big or stay home! lol I’m excited for you in your action days and look forward to being even more inspired by you as you press on toward the goal God has in mind for you!! You got this

Stephanie Wilson - I turn 40 in April and it is motivating me like nothing ever has! I am in the process of posting my first novel on my blog, which is so scary for me. And like you, fitness is very important. My goal is to run a 5K this year and hopefully do more after that. I started doing Blogilates (on Youtube) workouts this month and she kicks my butt! But I love the feeling of accomplishment when I am done. If I had to choose a word for 2015 it would be happiness. I am finally figuring out what makes me happy and that I am worthy of it. Love your blog, it is always a bright spot in my day.

Lesley - I feel ya! I’m turning 50 in August! I have no idea how this happened, like I haven’t even decided what I’ll be when I grow up yet. I still feel young (er). Fitness is key! I’m so glad you steered me to Marta. She’s the bomb and I love Pump…it’s one of the best things I’ve done for myself. Don’t you feel so strong when you lift that bar?…love it.
My word for 2015 is…..quiet…for thinking, reading, creating and maybe even figuring out what to be whn I grow up. Love you Meg! xox

Kristen - i absolutely LOVE les mills pump! it might be my all time favorite workout. i love how it makes me feel athletic and strong even though i am completely uncoordinated! i have gotten some instructor dvds off ebay so i can keep adding a variety of pump workouts to my rotation.

i adore that outfit… super cute!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - I turn 40 in March and canNOT believe it!

My word for the year is background – making sure I give the glory to Him!!

Jolene - A great blog I read (Katie from Runs for Cookies) covered this recently. Here’s the link…..

http://www.runsforcookies.com/2015/01/get-it-over-with.html

Bethany - I don’t have a word, but the main thing I am focusing on is making time reading my bible and playing a priority. It seems that all the other things fall into place better when I make that a priority. Of course I have goals for my health and fitness, my kids, my marriage, my business, but first things first…it’s God.

I have been doing PiYo and love it, but also bought Les Mills Pump for the weight training. I like the combo of the two.

Barbara (WA) - I’ve got to get my health back in 2015. I’ve had a series of misadventures including a broken wrist. Working on getting strength back so I can do what I love – gardening, growing flowers to sell, lifting my grandson!!!

Meghan Elkins - Races = ACTION! Can’t wait to continue to follow your year of action! 😀

Elaine - Turning 40 isn’t so bad….it really is just a number 🙂 I love your attitude and the energy you are approaching it with, it is going to be a great year! My word for this year is STRONG. I want to be strong spiritually, emotionally and physically. Mostly I want to set a good example of a strong woman for my kids. Have a great day!

Crystal - I love LM Pump!! A friend introduced it to me last summer. We both feel like you see such great physical changes fast. ( Or faster than other forms of exercise). Can’t wait to hear how you like it!!

janetg - Oh to be forty again!! And whether you believe it or not I thought being in the 50s’was the best!! Oh shock of shocks! I will be 69 on my next birthday!! Where did the time go? Other than some aches and pains I still feel 40–but have none of the responsibilities of 40!! Enjoy every minute of each year.

Amy am - Action is my word this year too! I’m trying to do less planning and dreaming and thinking about things and just do them – big or small. Health and fitness is a big part of that.

I turn 30 in March, and I’m having a pretty hard time with it. The joys of major milestones…

Lynette - Hi! I turned 40 last year and I am working so hard on becoming healthy this year. I did Marta’s sugar detox in December and it rocked my world, I felt so much better and had so much more energy. I have since started running and exercising and it has been so good. I have cheated a little with my eating and need to work on that a little more but I learned so much through that detox. I don’t love exercise yet but i like it more than when i first started and i definitely appreciate what it does for me! Good luck with your races in the next few months. My husband and I are running a tough mudder in March and I am nervous and excited as I train for that!

Tricia @ The Domestic Fringe - Oh, man, I’m turning 40 in February. I’m like, “Say what?”
How did this happen. It’s still like I’m 30! Anyway…I started a new year long blog series called, Conquering Forty, because ya, I’m gonna conquer this decade. You will too. I know it!

Love your “action” word. You’re quite the inspiration for me with your health and fitness. I admire the work and dedication you put into being healthy. Way to go!

~FringeGirl

Janine - “i have 249 days to feel different”
Aak! We have the same birthday. It’s in 249 days? I’ll be 37 and that means I need to be in a better place physically to try to have another kid before 40. My word for the year is “improvement”. I want to improve on areas of my life. Health, fitness, organization, home improvements, etc. so Improvement it is.

Jenny B. - I didn’t choose a word this year, but I really like yours! I was just joking with my husband this evening, calling myself a woman of inaction. So, maybe “action” would be a good word for me to aspire to this year! 🙂

molly - well. we just welcomed baby #4 on jan 6th. so 2015 is going to be a year full of change and milestones in our family. so right now my words for jan and feb. and possibly beyond are relax and enjoy. i am trying not to sweat the small stuff, make sure i am focused on what is important, and enjoy this time in our life. the days are long but the years are short.

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