Episode 33

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Published on:

18th Aug 2026

Back to School Lunches: Planning, Tools and Ideas to Set You Up for Success

In this episode of Everyday Cooks Recipe Club, Stephanie and Kelly researched school lunch ideas for all ages as well as tools and products that can save you time or make lunch packing easier. We also outline how planning can set you up for success. So if you find packing a lunch to be challenging, this episode is for you!

In this episode, we talk about:

  • How this is a judgment free zone: the lunch you pack can be basic or fancy, both are ok and neither is a reflection on you as a parent
  • Our “first day of school” traditions
  • Kids packing their own snacks
  • How planning might not be fun, but your future self will thank you
  • Figuring out what do you want to make, what will your kid eat and what will hold in the lunchbox
  • Tools and products that will help you: bento boxes, sandwich press, grape cutter, handheld food slicer
  • Lunch ideas for all ages

Resources & Links

Recipe Ideas

https://www.momables.com/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/985231164591608/sent/?invite_code=8243085908c342f9921f2620a9ae9a90&sender=72831856382313263&sfo=1

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/563018699851113/sent/?invite_code=ae34e1c91c8044e99845bfa64d770870&sender=72831856382313263&sfo=1

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/844493676648820/sent/?invite_code=eaedb9af99094b908577d9dbae022efb&sender=72831856382313263&sfo=1

Products

Sandwich Cutter

https://a.co/d/0gclrDBe

Grape Cutter

https://a.co/d/0dSOH4E3

Fruit Slicer Cup

https://a.co/d/00vHUHNI

Variety of Cutting Tools

https://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/Kitchen+Tools/Specialty+Cutting+Tools/

Previous Episode

Egg Slicer Review at the 1:08 mark

https://everyday-cooks-recipe.captivate.fm/episode/gadget-review-tool-time-tuesday-episode-1

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Disclaimer

Everyday Cooks Recipe Club is a podcast for home cooks who love exploring new recipes and sharing the experience. We feature recipes from talented chefs, cookbook authors, and food creators, always giving full credit to the original source. We do not claim ownership of these recipes, and we encourage listeners to support the chefs by purchasing their cookbooks or visiting their websites or social channels. For copyright reasons, we do not share full recipes in our show notes. Instead, we talk about our own cooking experiences, tips, and takeaways.

Credit

Original Music by Matthew J. Smith

Recipe Testers are Matt, Ryan, Matt and Cameron

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About the Podcast

Everyday Cooks Recipe Club
Welcome to Everyday Cooks Recipe Club—a fun, no-pressure cooking podcast for home cooks of all levels who love discovering easy recipes, helpful kitchen tips, and the occasional hilarious cooking mishap. We’re Kelly and Stephanie, two friends who started a cooking club to make our dinners more exciting and now we’re inviting you to pull up a chair and join us.

Here’s the deal: Every month, one of us picks a recipe. It could be a cozy family favorite, a new dish we’ve never tried, or something that pushes us out of our comfort zone. We each make it in our own kitchens, navigating grocery shopping adventures, ingredient swaps, and plenty of “learning moments” along the way.

Then we get together to dish on:
~Why we chose it
~How the shopping went
~The steps that made us cheer, laugh, or groan
~The tweaks we’d try next time
~Whether it’s destined to become a weeknight staple or a one-time experiment

That’s our main monthly episode, a recipe deep dive with real talk about what worked and what didn’t. The rest of the month, you’ll get short and snackable episodes filled with quick meal ideas, time-saving cooking tips, kitchen gadget finds, and simple recipes you can make anytime. Think of them as the side dishes to our main course.

If you’re looking for a home cooking podcast that feels more like chatting with friends in the kitchen than watching a polished cooking show, you’re in the right place. We believe great food doesn’t have to be complicated, mistakes make the best stories, and every home cook deserves a little club of their own.

So grab your spatula, pour yourself something tasty, and hit play. Welcome to Everyday Cooks Recipe Club where we’re sharing recipes, tips, and laughs one month at a time, with plenty of delicious detours along the way.

About your host

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Kelly Smith