A Back to School Lunch Idea with Hillshire Farms

This is a sponsored post in working collaboration 

with MomItForward and Hillshire Farms.

Every day that I scroll through my Instagram and Pinterest feeds while waiting to pick my oldest up from school is another day that I am reminded of my sub-par parenting skills. Actually, scratch that. I'd like to believe that I have earned badges for the important parenting skills such as "How To Remove A Splinter From A Toddler's Foot," "How To Potty Train Boys," "How to Handle Meltdowns in Target, Aisle 7" and "How to Clean Up Your House in the Five Minutes Before Your Spouse Walks Through the Door." 

What I haven't yet mastered, a skill that Pinterest and Instagram constantly remind me of, is coming up with creative healthy ideas for my kids' lunches. They say you are what you eat and if that's really true then my kids are walking talking peanut butter sandwiches with a side of string cheese and apples. 

They also say variety is the spice of life and I am getting a little burnt out from making peanut butter sandwiches day in and day out. That's why I decided it was time to step a little outside of my boring Peanut Butter comfort zone and spend a little extra brain power on coming up with one of those cute-sy Pinterest-y lunches. 

Without one of those fancy bento boxes that are all the rage lately and with only a handful of minutes to whip up something healthy and delicious while simultaneously worrying about signed Field Trip slips, "O" Show and Tell Day (really? O?) and Class 4A's recent head lice outbreak, it was Hillshire Farm's brand new line of lunch meats, Hillshire Farm Naturals, to the rescue.

With no artificial ingredients, preservatives, colors or added nitrites/nitrates (except those occurring naturally in celery juice), Hillshire Farm Naturals is the natural choice for this busy mom during back-to-school season. The line features four varieties including Slow Roasted Turkey Breast, Hardwood Smoked Turkey Breast, Honey Roasted Ham and Black Forest Ham.

It's Hillshire Farm Naturals Slow Roasted Turkey Breast that was the star of my kids' new favorite lunch, Turkey and Cheese Pinwheels and I'll be the first to admit, it felt great making something fun for a change, outside of our typical Peanut Butter rut. 

To make this quick and easily back-to-school lunch roll-up, you'll need: 
1 Whole Wheat soft Tortilla
2tbsp spread (I use a vegetable cream cheese or greek yogurt cucumber dill dip)
2 slices deli cheese (I use Meunster but can be subbed for any favorite)
2 slices Hillshire Farm Natural Smoked Turkey

Spread your dip on the tortilla, layer lunch meats accordingly, roll tightly and slice into 1 inch rolls. If you're feeling particularly artsy, create little scenes with your roll ups by adding apple slices as flower petals and bell pepper strips as stems. 

It's true, not all sandwich meat is created equal and I'm happy to report that not only does Hillshire Farm Naturals lunch meat taste delicious, but its freshness is also comparative to the meat you would order sliced from a deli counter. 

Do I let my kids have junk food? Sure. I'm a firm believer in most things in moderation but it's also up to me to set the foundation now for their food choices later on. I strive to choose the best option of what's available for my kids- that means lunch meats that are made from real meat, contain no artificial ingredients and aren't too salty or slimy. Hillshire Farm Naturals hits the ball out of the proverbial lunch time park with their new line of lunch meats.

As for the fun presentation? I know I won't always have time to make flowers out of Turkey and Cheese Pinwheels but I also know I won't always have these little impressionable toddlers and preschoolers underfoot and if it gets them to try new foods and step outside of their comfort zone? Pinterest-y lunches, for the win. 

Hillshire Farm Naturals are pre-packaged in a double-sealed, re-sealable tub to seal in freshness and great taste. You can find the new line in the packaged deli meats section of grocery stores nationwide. 

Keep up with the Hillshire Farm brand on Pinterest / YouTube / Facebook / Twitter  

Thank you, Hillshire Farm brand for sponsoring this post 

and giving this busy Mom of 3 a great healthy alternative

to the same ol' Peanut Butter school lunch. All thoughts

expressed are honest and my own.