Feed a Child, Nourish a Mind
Creamy peanut butter, spread to the bread’s edges, a layer of blackberry jelly, capped with another slice of wheatberry bread. A quick double-cut into triangles, then a wrap and tuck into the lunchbox. Anything else? A nice piece of fruit. A cup of yogurt. Every now and then, a cookie.
But always a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
That was my morning routine, for many years, getting my daughter ready for school. I couldn’t count how many PB &Js I’d assembled of the course of her school career. But I do remember how miffed I got, when I learned that she had been making them for herself whenever she stayed with her dad. Until she said,
“But Momma, you make the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!”
I softened, of course. And I thought about the love that went into that simple lunch. Financially, we’d experienced some lean years, for sure. But, unlike many in America and around the world, I never had to worry about Not being able to provide her nourishment.
I thought about those many mornings packing lunches when I was learning about the important work of The Lunchbox Fund.
I recently learned about this organization through Nichole Gulotta of The Giving Table. In food education and activism, I place my focus locally, for the most part. But it is important to open the lens wider. Last year, mobilized by Nichole, we raised awareness about hunger and food insecurity in America, a call to action aligned with the release of the documentary, A Place at the Table.
Today, through Nichole’s initiative, our team of 100 bloggers is shining the light on childhood hunger in South Africa, where over 12 million children live in poverty. The South African government does have programs that feed 8 million of them. But that leaves 4 million with nothing. Founded in 2005, The Lunchbox Fund is dedicated to bridging that gap, providing school feeding programs for these kids who have been left out entirely. The work they are doing is changing lives. And, through our network of bloggers participating in this outreach, we can help.
Our goal, throughout this week, is to raise awareness, and raise $5000.
That money will stretch far, and provide a daily meal for 100 South African children for a year. That’s impressive bang for the buck. If you feel moved to donate, as little as $5 or $10 would make a big difference.
Do good deeds wherever you can. We are all in this together, on this beautiful planet.
Sometimes we extend our hands out into our immediate community. Other times it is our community-at-large, wide, wondrous and ever connected.
THREE HEALTHY DELICIOUS SANDWICHES TO TUCK INTO YOUR LUNCHBOX:
I ‘ve included some easy, affordable recipes, right for any lunch: Fresh Dill-Tuna Salad, Gala Apple-Golden Raisin-Peanut Butter Wrap, and Herbed Quinoa-White Cheddar-Vegetable Wrap. I encourage you to check out Cooking Light’s Ideas for the Lunch Box Brigade for other healthy and tasty ideas for packing.
FRESH DILL TUNA SALAD SANDWICH
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 heaping teaspoon fresh dill
1/4 teaspoon garlic
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
pinch salt
1 rib celery, diced
2 tablespoons diced red onion
1 6 ounce can of tuna, drained well
1 tablespoon toasted sliced almonds (optional)
handful lettuce leaves, cleaned and dried
whole wheat bread
In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, Dijon, lemon juice, fresh dill, garlic, black pepper and salt.
Stir in the diced celery and red onion. Add the tuna and toss gently until well combined.
Place the lettuces on a slice of bread. Scoop on the tuna. Top with another slice. Cut and serve.
Makes 2-3 sandwiches
GALA APPLE-GOLDEN RAISIN-PEANUT BUTTER WRAP
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons golden raisins
1/2 gala apple, thinly sliced
soft flour tortillas
Slather the tortilla with your favorite peanut butter. Place thinly sliced apples in the center. Sprinkle with golden raisins or currants.
Roll it up. Slice in half, at an angle. Wrap it and tuck it in a lunchbox.
WHITE CHEDDAR-HERBED QUINOA-VEGETABLE WRAP
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley
6 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 carrot, julienned
1/2 cucumber, julienned
1/4 red bell pepper, julienned
handful of fresh spinach leaves
1 ounce white cheddar, shredded
2 tablespoons coarse grain mustard
whole wheat tortillas
Place red onion into a small bowl. Add vinegar, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
Fold in the cooked quinoa.
Spread some coarse grain mustard over the tortilla. In the center, spoon on a mound of quinoa. Place the julienned vegetables on either side of the quinoa, followed by a layer of spinach leaves. Sprinkle on the white cheddar. Roll tightly and wrap in plastic
.
Makes 2 generous sandwich wraps.
To Donate:
www.causes.com/campaigns/71195-provide-a-daily-meal-to-south-african-schoolchildren/
Posted in Articles, Recipes, Sandwiches
Comment on This Post:
February 11th, 2014 at 6:45 am
oh what a wonderful cause Nancy! Seriously, my hurt breaks when i think of kids who don’t get a lunch or dinner while my kids are here being picky over what they get so freely. It brings things into perspective and I love that you are getting involved in this and i would love to help contribute!
February 11th, 2014 at 2:42 pm
Children the world over, even right here in Nashville, go to school and to bed hungry…shameful on our part really…but it so great to know about organizations like The Lunchbox Fund.You are one of the best folks I know when it comes to pitching in and helping those in need and that is a wonderful trait. Not to mention you make a mean sandwich! Great post Nance.
February 11th, 2014 at 4:02 pm
Such a nice organization Nancy…it is amazing how hunger still strike so many places in the world…and it is so sad…
Your wrap looks amazing Nancy…full of goodness.
Have a wonderful week my dear :D
February 12th, 2014 at 6:19 am
A great cause, Nancy. I work on a local level with something similar.
PB&J!! Oh yeah….lunchbox staple. Do you know, my mother made PB and honey! The honey soaked into the bread and was divine.
Love the idea of the PB wrap!
February 12th, 2014 at 7:39 am
Hi Friends,
Thanks for your kind comments.
Of the three sandwiches, I’ll have to say that the Gala Apple-Peanut Butter-Golden Raisin is the best!
February 12th, 2014 at 12:48 pm
“Do good deeds wherever you can. We are all in this together, on this beautiful planet.” True. It’s so easy to get caught up in day-to-day. Thanks, Nancy.
February 12th, 2014 at 6:44 pm
This is such a great campaign – I’ve seen it on so many blogs. So wonderful, and it makes me proud so call so many bloggers “friends” (even if we’ve never met).
The sandwiches looks great – I’m particularly interested in the quinoa-veggie wrap.
p.s. thank you so much for the wonderful, thoughtful comment you left on my last post. I generally like your comments, but that one is specially inspiring to me :)
February 16th, 2014 at 9:59 am
I love Nichole’s work and this post. Your lunches are simple and beautiful and so is the cause.
February 17th, 2014 at 7:21 am
The Giving Table was able to reach its goal of raising $5000. this past week for The Lunchbox Fund.
Many many thanks to all of you who read this post, especially those of you who contributed.
February 17th, 2014 at 9:15 am
Hey, This is an inspiring post. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Shall look forward to your next post.
Have a wonderful week ahead. Take care.
Thanks & Regards, Sonia!!!