Lunch on the Run

When you are a teacher, lunch is super important. It not only gives you food fuel which is a thing we are told we need, it gives you a moment to check out of the kid head-space and take a breath. Sadly, many schedules prohibit a proper sit down, napkin on the lap, water in a glass with ice, kind of lunch. So we put together this list of lunch ideas you can make ahead of time, and grab in a hurry at school. Oh, and they don't require utensils. Because who has time for that?

 

The Not So Classic PB&J

Before you roll your eyes and dismiss this traditional kid food, try making a sandwich with almond butter and some really great jam. Artesian jams are typically much lower in sugar than jelly, and almond butter is a great source of protein. Pair it with some baby carrots and a bottle of water, and you are good to go until happy hour! Shape.com has a list of other great nut butter sandwich ideas.

Edamame Hummus Wrap

Combine together protein-rich edamame hummus (Trader Joes has a great one!) with cabbage, bell peppers, scallions, and parsley. Roll it in a spinach tortilla. It's delicious, good for you, and won't kill you if you can't get it in the refrigerator. What's even better, tortilla-wrapped foods make a great tool to wave at a kid when you're trying to get her off the top of the monkey bars!

Chicken Club Wrap

If keeping your food refrigerated isn't an issue for you, and you need big chunks of meat to complete any meal, this wrap is an alternative to the veggie one above. Left-over grilled chicken breast combined with nonfat plain Greek yogurt, onion, bacon, and lettuce is super yummy! Eating Well has a recipe you can follow.

Chicken Salad Pita

Sticking with chicken, this pocket full of goodness is crazy good and only 344 calories. Just stuff 1/2 cup chopped leftover chicken breast, 1/2 grated apple, and 1 tablespoon low-fat Greek yogurt into a whole-wheat pita. Bam!

Summer Rolls

This last one is for you fancy people. It requires a little bit of preparation, but you will have the satisfaction of lunch-shaming your colleagues. Divide 12 large cooked shrimp and 1 cup each bean sprouts and shredded cabbage between 4 rehydrated rice paper sheets. Wrap them up burrito-style. You're going to want to keep these cold. Eating shrimp that has sat out all morning can make for a very unfortunate afternoon in the classroom.

Driving to School

The right playlist can do wonders for foggy-brained mornings. If you find yourself struggling to point the car in the direction of your school, give the following playlist a try. It's an upbeat, poppy kinda collection of songs to put you in the mood to bring the instructional magic that lurks in your DNA!

Geronimo - Sheppard

Even If I'm Loud It Doesn't Mean I'm Talking To You - Tove Styrke

Brighter Than The Sun - Cobie Caillat

Girls Chase Boys - Ingrid Michaelson

Shut Up And Dance - Walk The Moon

Ex's & Oh's - Elle King

The Wire - Haim

Unbelievers - Vampire Weekend

Cooler Than Me - Mike Posner, Big Sean

Get the entire playlist here.

Binge Worthy Shows

Whether this is your last weekend of summer break, or you have several more days, there is still time to check-out and binge watch a show. The following are some of our favorites:

Portlandia

If you enjoy poking fun at hipsters, this show will fill your snarky heart! If you are a hipster, you may want to skip it. It hits a little close to home. Although not meant for kids, you can watch it if kids are lurking around.

The Staircase

A true crime drama about the indictment, trial, and conviction of crime author Michael Peterson for the death of his wife, Kathleen. In December 2001, she was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in their North Carolina home. Peterson was the only person in the house at the time. But that’s just one part of what’s turned into a three-part story... Pull the blinds, fix a snack, and settle in!

Wynonna Earp

The best way to describe this show is, "a supernatural Western horror." Wynona is the great, great granddaughter of Wyatt Earp. She fights the reincarnated bodies of the men he already killed using her “Peacemaker” revolver. Come on, it's creepy and fun!

GLOW

Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling is a comedy featuring the lives of female professional wrestlers in the 80s. You don't have to like wrestling, or the 80s to be entertained by this inspiring comedy. Great writing is always enjoyable, and this show has it!

For a complete list of Netflix shows, check out this page.

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