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What Do I Put In My Kids School Lunch? A Question As Old As Time

A raspberry, a blueberry, a strawberry and a cherry in a line with a white backdrop.

By Lorie Ham

By now, most kids are back at school, or will be soon, and parents face the same question that has existed for decades—what do I put in my kids’ school lunches? School lunch ideas abound. You can find them on the internet, in books, or by chatting with fellow parents. The norm has definitely changed through the years. Where a bologna sandwich, chips, and a soda may have been the standard in the past, most parents now try to find a balance between fun, cost-effectiveness, and healthy. Some may choose to have their kids purchase lunch at school, but then they give up all control over what their kids eat.

The Everymom Blog offers some great suggestions in a recent article titled 30 Creative School Lunch Ideas Your Kids Will Actually Want to Eat. Some of the ideas included are a DIY pizza lunchable, a protein bistro box (inspired by the Starbucks version), and broccoli tots. There’s even a grocery shopping list for the ingredients of each lunch.

Another great resource for school lunch ideas is books. You can find a large assortment at your local library, or purchase them on Amazon or your local bookstore. Here are just a few:

  • Super Simple Lunches: easy no-bake recipes for kids (things they can even do themselves) written by Nancy Tuminelly.
  • Little Bento: 32 irresistible bento box lunches for kids, written by food blogger Michele Olivier.
  • Best Lunch Box Ever: ideas and recipes for school lunches kids will love by Katie SullivanMorford.
  • Vegan Lunch Box: 150 amazing, animal-free lunches kids and grown-ups will love! by Jennifer McCann.

As parents and grandparents themselves, the staff at Mennonite Insurance/Mennonite Aid, wanted to share a few tips, suggestions, and even a recipe, from their experiences of sending school lunches with their kids:

Michelle Heinrichs

I’ve found our local grocery store deli section has great grab-and-go options that are even adult- or health-friendly. But you can also save money by creating your own versions at home.

Build-Your-Own Sandwich / Cracker Stackers

  • Whole-grain crackers, pita chips, or mini bagels
  • Cheese cubes/slices (cheddar, mozzarella, Colby Jack)
  • Turkey, ham, or chicken slices (rolled or cut with cookie cutters)
  • Baby carrots, cucumber slices, or cherry tomatoes
  • Apple slices or grapes
  • Small treat (a couple of chocolate chips or a mini cookie)

Protein Snack Box (similar idea to the one on Everymom)

  • Hard-boiled eggs (pre-peeled)
  • Cheese sticks
  • Whole-grain crackers or pretzels
  • Apple slices with peanut/almond butter dip
  • Trail mix clusters (if nut-safe at school)

Tips to Keep It Fun & Practical

  • Use silicone muffin liners or bento-box dividers to separate items.
  • Cookie cutters make sandwiches, cheese, and deli meat more exciting.
  • Pack dips in small containers (hummus, ranch, nut/seed butter, guac).
  • Rotate proteins (meat, beans, eggs, cheese) for variety and balance.

Teresa Quijano

My kids are simple when it comes to school lunches. My older ones sometimes barely eat, but my youngest only gets 30 minutes, so we keep it quick and filling.

Go-to favorites:

  • Ham and cheese sliders on Hawaiian rolls
  • Turkey and cheese roll-ups
  • Lunchables
  • Croissant chicken sandwiches
  • Chicken strips
  • Yogurt with fruit (parfait-style)
  • Leftovers like salmon, Chipotle, pasta, ribs, or tri-tip

We always pack fruit, chips, a granola bar, Goldfish, Ritz, a Capri-Sun, and dessert.

Tip:
Freeze yogurt parfaits or Go-Gurts overnight. By lunchtime, they’re thawed and double as an ice pack to keep the lunchbox cool.

Dalia Jimenez

Dallas was a picky eater her first four years of school — she took a grilled cheese sandwich every day with chips and a Capri-Sun.

Grandkids:

  • Baby Cruz is the opposite of picky. He loves real food at school — broccoli, salmon, sweet potatoes. He’ll eat just about anything and is a very healthy eater.

Marcus Mahling

One of my school-day favorites was the Chili Boat in a Tostada Bowl.

Ingredients (per serving):

  • 1 tostada bowl (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup hot chili (thick consistency)
  • ¼ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • Optional toppings: diced onion, shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, sour cream, jalapeños

Prep Steps:

  1. Warm tostada bowls in a 300°F oven for 3–5 minutes to re-crisp.
  2. Keep chili hot (160°F+) in a stockpot or steam table.
  3. Assemble: place tostada bowl on a tray, add chili, sprinkle cheese, and finish with toppings. Serve immediately for best crunch.

Tip: Thicken chili to prevent sogginess and serve right after assembly.

Many of these ideas can be great for grown-up lunches as well! We would love it if you would share with us some of your school lunch ideas and tips on the Mennonite Insurance Facebook page.

Making Sure Your Fall Event is a Safe Event

A serene autumn landscape featuring a winding dirt path through a forest with vibrant orange, red, and green foliage, shrouded in a light mist.

By Lorie Ham

Fall is almost here! According to a 2023 CBS News article, fall is the most popular season of the year. The article states that in a survey of 1600 Americans, 45 percent named autumn as their favorite season, nearly double the next closest season (summer at 24 percent). If you do an internet search, you will find that this is a common opinion.

Most of us look forward to the cooler weather, the falling leaves, upcoming holidays, and family get togethers. Some also have special events to plan in the fall—whether it’s a big event for one of the holidays, a wedding, something work related, or perhaps an entertainment or sporting event. Whatever the event, we all want to put safety first.

The National Event Connection has a list of things to keep in mind when planning your event, whether large or small. They emphasize that safety comes first above all else. Building safe events means anticipating what could happen before they become real problems. From planning for crowd control, to having back up plans for weather changes, to establishing emergency protocols. Their tips include doing proper pre-planning, building a risk management plan, and where appropriate, collaborate with local authorities and venue staff.

If you are planning a big event, ZKIPSTER has a 9-point event safety plan. Their plan includes anticipating the unpredictable, making sure you have a checklist, understanding the terrain of your event, and looking for anything that might pose a hazard such as uneven flooring, low-hanging decor, or obstructed exits. They also state that it is important to know when to call in experts, and to make sure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.

AG Financial has a list of suggestions specifically for ministries planning a fall festival. These include making sure there is proper supervision, keeping parking and traffic organized, ensure that the rules are clearly stated and being followed, and making sure your ministry is covered in case something does happen.

Along the lines of making certain you have the insurance coverage you need for your event, we asked Marcus Mahling, Regional Sales Manager, Mennonite Insurance Services, a few questions.

Q: What type of insurance does someone need to get for an event?

Marcus: Most events need Special Event Liability Insurance to cover injuries, property damage, and other risks. If alcohol will be served, Liquor Liability is highly recommended. Depending on the event, you might also consider event cancellation coverage or workers’ compensation if you’re hiring staff.

Q: What type of liabilities do they need to be sure are covered?

Marcus: Key coverages include bodily injury, property damage, and liquor liability if applicable (see above). Many venues also require that they be named as an Additional Insured on your policy.

Q: What else do they need to be aware of in the area of liability for an event?

Marcus: Make sure your coverage extends to setup and teardown days. If you’re using vendors or subcontractors, confirm they have their own insurance and list you as an Additional Insured. Also, check the venue’s insurance requirements — many require minimum liability limits.

Q: Does this liability change depending on the type of event?

Marcus: Yes. Weddings, concerts, sports events, and festivals all carry different risks and may require higher liability limits or additional coverages.

Q: Do all events need to have liability insurance?

Marcus: Not every event legally requires insurance, but most venues and cities do. Even when it’s not required, having coverage protects you from costly claims. Weddings, corporate functions, fundraisers, and large public gatherings almost always require proof of coverage. Smaller private gatherings at home may not require a separate policy, but you should still review your homeowner’s insurance for adequate liability protection.

If you have any more questions about your insurance coverage for events you are planning this fall, or any time, Mennonite Insurance Services would be happy to help. Just reach out at (559) 638-2327.

Why Is Insurance Getting So High?

a series of wooden house models of increasing height, arranged in a bar graph-like structure, with a blue upward arrow indicating growth or rising values, symbolizing increasing property or housing market trends.

By Lorie Lewis Ham

Prices on everything in our lives seem to keep going up these days, and this includes the price of insurance—whether it be for your car or your home.

According to an article in USA Today, the average auto insurance rate in the U.S. is expected to go up by 7.5% in 2025, as stated in a recent analysis by MarketWatch Guides. The hikes will add an average $182 to the average annual full-coverage premium nationwide, raising it to $2,615 from $2,433. Drivers in several states face increases of at least $200. An increase in national disasters such as floods, wildfires, and hurricanes are to blame for a lot of the increase. Also, the shortage of vehicle parts, skilled auto repair workers, and supply chain problems that have continued since early in the COVID pandemic.

Not only are national disasters an issue because cars may need to be repaired or replaced more often, but also the cost of parts needed continues to go up. An article on Noble Quote.com states that inflation is hitting the auto industry hard and has touched every aspect of the auto world. Labor and parts costs have gone up significantly. Tariffs are also playing a part in that rise of costs. Another factor, is that cars are more expensive and complicated to fix as the technologies in newer cars require more specialized diagnostics and repairs, hence higher labor costs. Freeman Insuranceservices.com says for example, repairing an EV often involves more labor hours and expensive parts compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

Homeowners insurance is also facing an increase in cost. According to Trusted Choice.com, home insurance has increased by an average of 21% across the U.S. in the last couple of years. Some of the reasons for the increase include the same things that made car insurance go up, such as an increase in national disasters, including wildfires in some areas of the country like California. Speaking of California, it is one of the many areas where a lot of insurance companies have stopped writing coverage because they are high risk areas. As natural disasters worsen and become more frequent, some home insurance companies just aren’t willing to continue writing policies in the states that are deemed high-risk.

Trusted Choice.com goes on to state that another factor is that the construction industry has also seen a labor shortage. In August of 2024, there were 368,000 construction job openings in the U.S., which was an increase of 138,000 from the previous month. This number was more than double that expected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Also, just like with cars, inflation and supply chain issues have made the cost of repairing or rebuilding a home much more expensive.

The rise in insurance rates has been going on for a while now. According to an article on Lending Tree.com, home insurance rates climbed 40.4% cumulatively across the U.S. over six years.Rates stayed relatively level from 2019 through 2021, with the biggest jump of 3.0% in 2021. They have since risen faster, with increases of 5.4%, 11.0% and 11.4% in 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

While this continued rise in insurance rates may be concerning to the consumer, just like any other business, insurance companies can’t afford to lose money. So, with the rising costs of repairing your home and car, insurance rates also have to go up.

There are a few things consumers can do to combat some of the rising costs of insurance. In a recent CNBC.com article, they share seven ways to lower car insurance. These include shopping around, paying your premium annually if you are able, bundling your car and home insurance, and being aware of any discounts you may qualify for. Kinplinger suggests many of the same things for reducing your home insurance, such as bundling and asking about any discounts you might qualify for. There may also be discounts available through organizations you belong to. Implementing simple home upgrades can often lead to savings on your homeowners insurance premiums as well, and you can lower your deductibles.

Mennonite Insurance Services is here to answer any of your questions about your insurance, and to help you see if there are ways you can bring the costs down. You can contact them at (559) 638-2327.

Summer Cycling Fun!

a bicycle resting on a sandy beach with a sunset or sunrise in the background, creating a serene and peaceful scene.

By Lorie Lewis Ham

It’s summer vacation time and there are so many fun things you can do! Things that fit any budget. From heading to the beach, to escaping into a good book on your couch in your air conditioned house, to attending fun free programs at your local library, or traveling across the country or the world. One thing that is becoming more and more popular is cycling! If you enjoy cycling, there are often free trails and places you can ride near home. Or, you can go on cycling trips and adventures away from home, often without breaking the bank—depending on what you are looking for and your level of experience.

California has a website called Cal Bike (California Bicycle Coalition), which lists many different bike trails in the state, both curated, and with bike maps for trips you can take on your own. The website includes links to free maps of bicycle routes on local and regional roadways, state highways, and dedicated bike paths throughout California. For more specific route suggestions in your area, you can contact your local bike advocacy organization. They also have cycling resources and advocacy information. Many other states also have their own bicycle coalitions.

Bike tours and vacations are more popular now than ever, according to a 2024 article in The Globe and Mail. One reason is the new popularity of e-bikes, which opens up cycling to many who never considered it before. In the article, Mike Scarola, CEO at Canadian tour company Butterfield and Robinson, says e-bikes have been a game changer for travelers, going from less than 25 percent of their bike reservations five years ago to 60 percent in 2024.

If you are looking to book a cycling vacation, VBT is one of many websites that offer a number of different options that you can book right on the site. There are guided and self-guided options all over the world! You can also find bike and boat tours, and guided walking tours, if those are more you style. If you want to go on a guided cycling tour, there are packages you can book where they take care of everything. You choose your destination, what type of bike you want to ride, and your activity level, and VBT puts it together. You also get to meet your tour leaders online, and they offer support along the way to meet your needs. Backroads is a similar company you can check out as well, and I’m sure a Google search would find many more.

No matter what type of cycling you are doing it is always important to be safe. NHTSA has a list of some basic bicycle safety. Americans are increasingly biking to commute, for exercise, or just for fun. Tips include making sure you have a proper fitting helmet, and drive defensively and be focused and on alert. It is also important to be prepared. Make certain that your bike and tires are in good condition, ride a bike that fits you, wear the proper safety gear, follow safety and driving rules, and choose routes with less traffic.

During the summer, you also need to be aware of the temperature. The League of American Cyclists has several tips on riding in the heat, which include to stay hydrated, travel light, try to ride during the cooler parts of the day, be prepared for emergencies (which is important for any cycling trip), and take breaks in the shade. An easy way to make sure your bike is in good working order before hitting the road, dirt path, or wherever you travel, is to do an ABC Quick Check.

A cycling vacation/trip has many advantages. It can be beneficial to your health, help you slow down and truly enjoy the places you go, and it’s better for the environment. Whether you just want to find fun paths near home, or want to go on an all-out cycling vacation, there are many options and opportunities! Have fun this summer, stay safe, and don’t forget the sun screen.

Mennonite Insurance Services would love to hear about your cycling adventures and tips, be sure to share on the Facebook page!

Summer Safety Prep

Illustration of a person inspecting a fire extinguisher next to a checklist, representing fire safety and inspection.

By Lorie Lewis Ham

Summer is nearly here. In some areas of the country, it already feels like summer thanks to the high temperatures. If you haven’t had the chance already, now is the time to prepare yourself for the summer heat, and also for the summer wildfire season in some areas.

HGTV has several tips for getting your house ready for summer. One tip is to spruce up your front door by making sure the weather stripping is in place and by tightening hinges in case anything shifts due to the temperature change. It is also a good idea to give your windows a similar check to make certain they are ready to help keep the heat out, and perhaps give them a nice cleaning (the article includes some good window cleaning suggestions). They also recommend checking on the sprinklers, and cleaning out your gutters.

According to a recent article on Kiplinger, the Farmers’ Almanac’s summer 2025 forecast states that most regions in the United States can expect the hottest temperatures in recorded history. The article has several more suggestions on how to prepare for that heat, including an HVAC tune-up, making sure you have clean air filters in the AC, setting your ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise, plugging air leaks, and aerating your lawn.

The American Red Cross has good tips on how to keep yourself and those you love safe from the summer heat. They include obvious ones such as never leaving kids or pets in a hot car, and making sure that you stay hydrated. It is also a good idea to avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine as they can dehydrate you. Other good tips are to wear loose fitting and light colored clothing, avoid strenuous activity and exercise during the hottest part of the day, and take frequent breaks when you have to work outdoors.

For those who don’t have or can’t afford to use air conditioning, many areas have cooling centers available during the day. A cooling center is an air-conditioned public or private space opened up to the public to temporarily provide relief from extreme hot weather conditions. They not only provide a cool place to be in while it’s hot, some even provide water. One common type of cooling center are public libraries. The National Center for Healthy Housing has links to cooling centers across the United States.

In many areas, especially California, summer also brings more wildfires. Cal Fire states that one crucial thing you can do for your home’s wildfire safety is to create defensible space. Defensible space is the buffer zone you create between your property and the surrounding wildland area. This space is key to slowing or stopping wildfire spread and protecting your home from embers, flames, or heat. It also provides firefighters with a safer area to defend your property. Defensible space is divided up into zones, and the intensity of vegetation management increases as you get closer to your home, with the goal of starting at your house and working outward up to 100 feet or to  your property line. This includes fire-safe landscaping. Cal Fire also has a list to go through with defensible space and home gardening actions you can take to help protect your home. These include removing all combustible materials in a five feet area around your home, removing all dead or dying plant materials within 30 feet of all structures or to the property line, and store combustible outdoor furnishings.

Another good thing to check on as we come into summer, especially if you live in an area where wildfires are a concern, is your insurance coverage. Mennonite Insurance Services would be happy to answer any questions you might have in that area (559) 638-2327.

Here’s to a happy and safe summer!

Unique Travel Spots On the West Coast: Scotts Valley

A flat lay of summer vacation essentials on a wooden background, including a straw hat, starfish, sunglasses, compass, camera, passports, smartphone, flip-flops, and seashells.

By Lorie Lewis Ham

We are doing a series this year about fun travel spots that might be lesser known than some of the big cities. The first one we highlighted was Depoe Bay, Oregon. This time we are highlighting Scotts Valley, California. I think most of us on the West Coast are familiar with Santa Cruz—it has been one of my favorite spots for years—but just a few miles away, up the hill, is the little town of Scotts Valley.

Scotts Valley is a small city in Santa Cruz County, California about thirty miles south of downtown San Jose and six miles north of Santa Cruz, in the upland slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains. As of the 2020 census, the city population was only 12,224. According to the Santa Cruz County website, Scotts Valley has many popular and seasonal family-friendly events including: Music at the Park, Movies at the Park, Food Truck events, the Annual Art, Wine & Beer Festival, the 4th of July Parade and Fireworks Show, Car Shows, and more.

One of the nice things about Scotts Valley is that it offers a more relaxed and less tourist-focused environment than Santa Cruz. Just walking along the tree lined streets can be lovely and relaxing. It is a great and more affordable choice, especially for a family. Another bonus is that hotels there tend to be less expensive than in Santa Cruz, and yet, still close enough to visit all of the sights there as well. Plus it’s a nice central location for visiting many of the other towns in the area.

In Scotts Valley, it’s about the mountains and big trees, as opposed to the beaches you go to in Santa Cruz. However, the beaches are also just minutes away if you want to drive down the hill. Speaking of big trees, the Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Guided Star Walk is one of the fun things you can experience there. It is an astronomy-based guided hike where you are guided up to an observation deck perched on an ancient seabed, over 800 feet above sea level and 17 miles from the beach. Once there, you participate in activities and learn about the night sky. Everyone meets at the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground, and it involves a one mile round trip hike.

Speaking of the Redwoods, less than five miles from Scotts Valley you can also find Roaring Camp Railroads where you can travel on authentic 19th century steam trains through the Big Trees to the summit of Bear Mountain. Or, you can ride early 1900s Pullman cars and open-air excursion cars along a scenic river gorge through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park to the beach of Santa Cruz.

One of the events taking place in Scotts Valley in August is an Art, Wine, and Beer festival. Despite its name, you don’t need to drink to enjoy the festival. It is the premier summer festival in the Santa Cruz Mountains and has something fun for everyone! The fun includes over 100 artists, live music, kid zone, food trucks, Cops Car Show on Saturday, Dog Day on Sunday, and more! Admission is free! Speaking of music, at the end of August the Music at Skypark concert series in Scotts Valley returns for its 14th season.

Fun fact, the famous filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock lived in Scotts Valley from 1940 to 1970, where he entertained many famous Hollywood names of the time. You will have to wait for next spring for this, but in March they have an Alfred Hitchcock Film Festival. If you love old suspense/thriller movies this is the perfect event for you! There are film screenings, food, drinks, and more! The Hitchcock Festival offers a rich tapestry of activities, blending screenings of classics with insightful analyses and discussions. This year’s festival, which was the third annual one, included keynote talks, panel discussions, and a special fashion show inspired by the iconic styles in Hitchcock’s films.

Anywhere in Santa Cruz County is a great choice for visiting during the heat of the summer—whether you want to stay in the more relaxed town of Scotts Valley, or the bustling beach town of Santa Cruz, or one of the many other options in between. You can find a listing of events in the area on the Santa Cruz County website.

If you are planning a summer road trip, it’s also a good idea to check in on your car insurance just in case the unexpected happens. Mennonite Insurance is happy to answer any of your questions (559) 638-2327.

Happy and safe summer travels!