**DISCLAIMER**
The safety of your children is a top priority for us. We want you to have all the information. Everything in our lunchboxes is prepared and cooked in a commercial Alberta Health Services inspected kitchen. Although we work extremely hard to ensure there is no cross-contamination while preparing our lunches we cannot offer a 100% guarantee. Our facility is not completely free of gluten, nuts, corn, soy, pork and seafood.
#1 High-Quality Protein
This is an undeniable essential nutrient for all things related to growth. Our littles need protein for their developing brains, muscles, tissues, immune system, and hormones. A big one here is building neurotransmitters - which is how the brain will communicate to the rest of the body. Research shows that one in seven school-aged children do not meet their daily protein intake goals. The only way we obtain certain amino acids (protein building blocks) is by eating certain protein-rich foods.
And quality is key. There is a difference in the nutrient profile of pasture-raised animals. Grass-fed beef has been shown to be leaner than conventional, and higher in essential Omega-3 fatty acids. It's also higher in Vitamin E, some B vitamins, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
LUNCH LOVE ONLY USES:
- Local Grass-Fed Beef
- Local Free-Range Chicken
- Local Free-Range Chicken Sausages
- Local Free-Range Turkey
- Local Free-Range Eggs
- Organic (*Sprouted) Beans and Seeds
- Grass-Fed Beef Gelatin
#2 Complex Carbohydrates
Our brains need carbohydrates but not all carbs are created equal. We need to get our littles off the energy roller coaster of refined sugars. Our lunches include high-quality complex carbohydrates to maintain balanced blood sugar levels. This allows our children to have sustained energy and focus throughout the day.
LUNCH LOVE USES:
- Local, Organic and Seasonal Vegetables
- Local, Organic and Seasonal Fruits
- Organic Naturally Fermented (Sourdough) Whole Grains
- Organic Gluten-Free Oats
- Organic Fruit and Vegetable Juices
#3 Healthy Fats
Just like carbohydrates, there are good fats and bad fats. Our brains are over half fat, so these are what the brain needs to grow…we don’t want skinny brains for our littles! Most packaged lunch foods contain trans or rancid fats that drain the brain. Good quality essential fatty acids are what the brain wants!
LUNCH LOVE PROUDLY USES:
- Organic Cacao
- Organic Olives
- Organic Avocados
- Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil
- Organic Coconut flour
- 2 Year + Aged Cheddar Cheese
- Algae (Phytoplankton or spirulina in gummies*)
- Pasture-raised Local Meats
#4 Gut Goodies
Probiotics - Healthy, happy gut bugs = healthy, happy brains
AT LUNCH LOVE, WE PREPARE OUR MEALS WITH:
- Naturally Fermented Carrots
- Naturally Fermented Cucumbers (aka Pickles)
- Naturally Fermented Grains (Sourdough Bread)
Prebiotics - Favourite foods of those healthy, happy gut bugs.
LUNCH LOVE ONLY USES:
- Organic Cacao
- Organic Allergen Free 70% Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chips
- Jicama
- Organic Oatmeal
- Organic Quinoa
#5 Brain Nutrients
Calcium - Needed for neurotransmission - keep those brain cells talking.
LUNCH LOVE PREPARES FOOD WITH:
- 2 Year Aged Cheddar Cheese
- Oranges
- Chia Seeds
Magnesium - Lovingly known as our calming mineral.
LUNCH LOVE USES:
- Organic Gluten-Free Oats
- Bananas
- Raisins
Iron - Is the key to energy.
WE USE:
- Organic Raisins
- Free-Range Local Eggs
- Organic Pumpkin Seeds (butter)
Choline - Keeps memory on point.
WE USE:
B Vitamins - EVERYTHING nervous system! Energy, memory, calming…
WE USE:
- Free-Range Local Eggs
- Bananas
- Avocados
- Greens
- Beans
Vitamin C - Top dog for immunity. Did you know the brain has it’s own immune system?
WE USE:
- Strawberries
- Peppers
- Avocados
Vitamin D - Works to keep your little’s mood stable.
WE USE:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Gogi Berries
- Oranges (juiced in muffins)
#6 Non-GMO
We believe in natural foods and will always do our best to ensure all ingredients are non-genetically modified.
#7 Seasonal
Children are often intuitive eaters. Their tastes, along with their energy requirements, may change with the seasons. We will always do our best to vary our meals based on seasonal ingredients.
#8 Local
There are so many amazing foods being grown and raised all around us. We will choose local whenever possible.
#9 Organic
There are way too many chemicals in our day-to-day lives. These can be especially disruptive to the growing cells that make up our littles. We want to lessen this burden wherever we can. All of our ingredients are either local herbicide and pesticide-free or organic.