Just in time for back to school, a neat new cookbook has appeared on my desk: Vegan Lunch Box: 130 Amazing, Animal-Free Lunches Kids and Grown-Ups Will Love! The latest edition from Jennifer McCann, the author of the popular blog VeganLunchBox, it’s a user-friendly cookbook with ideas I think will actually WORK with kids. I’m going to try the Layered Bean Dip, Roasted Tomato Basil Soup (make some now while tomatoes are glorious, then freeze it), and Hazelnut Banana Sandwich Bites on my still-picky-eater teens. Lots of the recipes look good for easy dinners, too.

Our website has lots of good ideas for building a better lunch for your children — or for yourself. With schools finally paying attention to the nutritional value of the foods they serve (goodbye Coke machines!), the time is ripe to make changes and put better foods into our kids’ lunch boxes.

Oh, and check out the supercute, eco-friendly, bento-style lunch boxes available at Laptop Lunches. I want one!