Once upon a time this was a serious column. It didn’t last long. At the end of my first month I realised you were never going to read about lentils unless I made it funny. No-one likes to be told what to do, especially if you are halfway through a pack of coffee rolls and sipping your first soda of the day. Spinach? Quinoa? You are a crazy woman! Pass the mayo! (To be fair, I have never seen anyone putting mayo on a coffee roll, but I suspect it’s only a matter of time.)It has however made the writing more tricky. I remember being told “you are only as good as your last column” which is bad news for the off-days. I have to hope I don’t get run over by a bus on a day when it’s not-so-good. I also have to hope that the domestic dramas that generate these little stories keep occurring. And that I keep finding them funny. It’s definitely easier when the LH is the victim. I laughed for days when Belle deposited his lens cap in the toilet on top of a monster-sized poo. It wasn’t so funny when I found my watch clinging onto the rim.Still I would rather a near-disaster in the loo, than suffer a bad case of writer’s block. Worryingly, this week wasn’t looking promising… until I arrived in the Cellar Bar to celebrate my 35th birthday. We’d been for dinner beforehand and I should have known to just head on home at midnight like a responsible mummy-of-two. Instead, we went off to party with an assortment of 17-year-olds, Argentinian rugby players and older ladies wearing spandex. Re the latter, I am just jealous because at 30 years my senior, they arguably looked better than I ever will in lycra.Still, despite being at least three shots short of my dancing best, I made my way onto the dance floor. I hid myself in the middle and tried not to feel self-conscious. “Dance like nobody’s watching!” the saying goes. And I did. I actually thought I was doing ok, until one of my girlfriends piped up with “Come on Cat! Less elbows, more ass!” I never recovered. I was home and in bed approximately 20 minutes later.The next night as I was dutifully making lunch boxes, it did occur to me that maybe I should stick to what I’m good at. I have to face it, I am always, always going to dance with my elbows. Which means I am always, always going to embarrass my kids. (That however is a good thing and payback for a combination of sleepless nights and toilet incidents.) On the upside, nourishing them is my forte. At least at this age when I get to control the majority of what they eat.So, while I won’t be passing on any dance-related tips, I thought I would share four more lunch box ideas with you. These are a great way to liven up school meals and help you to maximise the nutrition while keeping things fun. I know, rock n roll!Popcorn popped in coconut oilThis is super-simple and a regular in our house. Pick up some of the Spectrum coconut oil next time you see it at Supermart, Lindo’s or Down to Earth. Melt a tablespoon over medium heat and use it to pop organic popcorn (very reasonably priced) on your stove. The coconut oil adds a lovely subtle flavor (no need for salt) and the corn comes out super crisp!Oatcake sandwichesSupermart stock several brands of oatcakes flat, oaty, savoury biscuits/cookies that are traditionally eaten with cheese or hummus. My favourite brand is Nairns as they avoid the milk powder and butter that sneak into some of the others. They make regular, organic, seasoned and mini versions. I use the mini ones to make cute almond or cashew butter and jam “sandwiches” for the kids. I popped a picture of these on Facebook recently so take a look if you need a visual. Tip wrap and freeze these overnight and they will stay well stuck together even in a warm lunchbox.Smoothie ice boxesGet hold of some of the small square water bottles with a folding straw from Masters or Gorham’s. Whizz up a smoothie, including nut butter for protein and staying power. Fill the box three-quarters full and freeze. By lunchtime the smoothie will have melted enough to drink but will have kept lunch cool. If your school doesn’t allow juice boxes, you may need to run this one past them first. Technically it’s a much healthier option than juice (and much lower in sugar by volume) but it may be confusing for the kids.Fruit salad with yoghurt sauceLiven up fruit salad or something as basic as melon chunks by stirring through a little yoghurt as a sauce. If your kids will tolerate it, sprinkle in a little chia seed too for some extra antioxidants.The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns BA Hons, Dip ION is the managing director of Natural Ltd and a fully qualified nutritional therapist trained by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in the UK. Please note that she is not a registered dietitian. For details, visit www.natural.bm or call 236-7511. Join Catherine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nutrifitandnaturalnutritionbermuda.