Coming up with exciting and nutritious school lunches each morning can be a challenging and tedious task for parents.
But one father-of-two is putting weary parents across Australia to shame with his eye-popping packed lunches and themed bento boxes.
Melbourne-based father-of-two, George Georgievski, 44, has been on school lunch duty for more than two years since taking over the role from his wife and as a result, has gained a following of more than 31,000 on his Instagram page.
Helping hand: George Georgievski (pictured) took over making packed lunches for his two daughters from his wife last year, after he saw how chaotic the mornings were at home
Some of his most recent snacks have included the Spring-Wich (top left) – a spring roll sandwich with shredded chicken
He also makes Sand-Lings (top left) – his healthy take on dumplings
The dedicated dad uses a bento box lunch planner to whip up nutritious and innovative lunches for his two daughters and is constantly coming up with new meal ideas to keep things exciting.
Some of his most recent snacks have included the Spring-Wich – a spring roll sandwich with shredded chicken, the Rav-Wich – his take on Italian ravioli, and the Sand-Ling – his take on a dumpling.
Other unique ideas have included espresso cup apple pies, capsicum cups, stuffed croissants, avocados filled with dip and the Sa-Lagna – a lasagna inspired snack using Salada biscuits and salami.
The dedicated dad uses a bento box lunch planner to whip up nutritious and innovative lunches for his two daughters and is constantly coming up with new meal ideas
Other unique ideas have included espresso cup apple pies, capsicum cups, stuffed croissants, avocados filled with dip and the Sa-Lagna – a lasagna inspired snack using Salada biscuits
‘A regular comment my wife and I receive is, how lucky she is to have a husband who does the cooking and is so hands on. I just don’t see it that way,’ Mr Georgievski said
‘A regular comment my wife and I receive is how lucky she is to have a husband who does the cooking and is so hands on. I just don’t see it that way,’ Mr Georgievski wrote on his blog.
‘You see, I’m a parent, I’m doing what a parent should be doing. There is no “wife” or “husband” duties in our household, there is only “parent” duties. It’s my duty to show my girl’s the way.’
Mr Georgievski, whose daughters are five and eight, avoids sugar and wrappers entirely, uses only wholesome foods and wants to help parents learn to pack healthy and nutritious school lunches for their kids.
Speaking to FEMAIL previously, Mr Georgievski said he used to leave for work before the rest of the household woke up and missed out on the ‘morning chaos’.
‘One day when I was off sick, I saw first hand the time constraints and chaos that my gorgeous wife endured. It was at that point that I took over making the packed lunches,’ he said.
Speaking to FEMAIL previously, Mr Georgievski said he used to leave for work before the rest of the household woke up and missed out on the ‘morning chaos’
‘Variety is the key for my girls, by exposing them to different fun food they’ll be more willing to try more and make the most of the amazing foods this world has to offer,’ he said
‘I used to leave for work early so I missed the morning chaos. One day when I was sick, I saw first hand the chaos my gorgeous wife endured,’ Mr Georgievski (pictured with his kids) said
‘I only make a sandwich once a week, I use wraps, pasta, rice and eggs as well. Variety is the key for my girls, by exposing them to different fun food they’ll be more willing to try more and make the most of the amazing foods this world has to offer.’
On Fridays, Mr Georgievski does something he calls ‘Heritage Friday Lunch’.
‘I focus on a country’s food and what those children will eat. For example, today I focused on Macedonia, and I will also add some fun facts with the description of the lunch to teach the kids through food and culture,’ he said.
During the rest of the week, however, his lunchbox routine is extremely easy.
‘It takes me about five to ten minutes,’ he said.
On Fridays, Mr Georgievski does something he calls ‘Heritage Friday Lunch’
‘It takes me about five to ten minutes,’ he said
With regards to tips for other parents, Mr Georgievski said it’s important to plan ahead and do the grocery shopping on a Sunday – he also advocates involving the kids (pictured)
‘Planning for the week ahead makes it much easier to fill the lunchboxes with nutritious foods.’
With regards to tips for other time-poor parents, Mr Georgievski said it’s most important to keep school packed lunches exciting:
‘Use the colours of the rainbow when making lunches, and opt for fresh fruit over canned,’ he said.
‘It’s also good to change up the lunches each day to get different types of vitamins. I try and avoid sugary treats and use exotic fruits like dragonfruit or passionfruit as a treat instead.