Hundreds of schools participate in Meatless Monday nationwide, but if you or your child prefers to brown bag it, Meatless Monday can be a fun, nutritious and educational option too!
I talked to Green Diva Meg in this GD Foodies segment about helping kids get a healthier lunch.
When kids participate in meal planning and cooking, they’re more inclined to eat the final dish. Why not whip up a batch of whole wheat pasta salad together at the beginning of the week? Try Meatless Monday’s recipe for Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad or go freestyle with whatever looks fresh at the market.
Wraps are a convenient and kid-friendly spin on sandwiches. Try making the filling separately and adding it to a tortilla in the morning before school. Some Meatless Monday favorites are Chipotle Hummus Harvest Wraps, Ratatouille Wraps and Asian Tofu Wraps.
Or check out Meatless Monday’s sister campaign The Kids Cook Monday for dozens of recipes parents and kids can cook together. Our Chickpea Salad Sandwiches from blogger Patricia of Grab a Plate are a deliciously simple lunchtime option.
Of course, you can always keep it even simpler and create a spin on PB&J by using fresh fruit like bananas or peaches!
And if your child is interested in learning more about Meatless Monday, check out the Meatless Monday promo page, with information and fun graphics (great for printing and tucking into a lunch box!) about why going meatless once a week is a healthy, environmentally friendly choice.
Meatless Monday Chickpea Salad Sandwiches Recipe
This recipe comes to us from The Kids Cook Monday and Patricia of Grab a Plate.
Ingredients
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 celery stalk
- 2 green onions
- 3 tablespoons low fat mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 slices crusty bread
Directions
Together: Dice the garlic and celery stalk. Slice the green onions thinly.
Kid: Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Transfer to a medium bowl and mash using a fork.
Together: Add the diced garlic, celery, green onions, mayonnaise and mustard to the bowl, taking care to mix to ensure ingredients are evenly distributed.
Together: Season the chickpea mixture with the cayenne pepper and salt and pepper to taste.
Together: Spread equal amounts chickpea salad on 4 slices of the bread, top with veggies if desired, close each sandwich with the remaining bread and enjoy!
