Lunch Box: Pizza

It's pizza-to-go, though definitely not the cheese-soaked, pepperoni smothered version you might get delivered.

Pizza can be trimmed down easily and still tastes like a splurge. The kids will recognize all the familiar pieces: crust, red sauce, and cheese, but we're doing a whole wheat crust, going easy on the cheese (right?), and sprinkling it with healthier toppings the kids can choose themselves.

Serve with a piece of fruit or cut veggies, delicious Italian Cookies, and water or low-fat milk.

• Make it healthier: stick to the suggested toppings and you'll be on the right track. Also, cut calories by not laying the crust on too thick--stretch it, literally, and shoot for a thin crust so it's not too bready.
• Make ahead: this is the best part--everything can be made and packed up beforehand. Make the pizza the night before and the cookies up to a few days before--even more in advance if you plan to freeze them. You can also freeze the cookie dough and bake a handful the night before.
• Make it portable: stack slices of pizza on top of each other, using parchment paper to keep them from sticking together, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap to keep toppings intact. 
• Make it fun: let the kids choose their own toppings (from a list you provide) and designate portions of the pie for each kid's picks. And let them do the sprinkling honors too.

It's like pizza with a lid! Calzones can be dipped in (rather than stuffed with) red sauce, and parents know a little something about a kid's desire to dip. (Use one of the pizza sauce recipes.)

• Use the recipe below for Real Italian Calzones, but substitute pepperoni with a low-fat protein suggested in the list of toppings.
• Low-fat mozzarella can also be substituted for cheddar as a healthier option.
• Save a step by purchasing frozen bread dough at the grocery store.
• Put red sauce in a plastic container and add it to your child's lunch box for their dipping pleasure.
• For easier transport, try making two smaller calzones instead of one big one. This way they will be easier for little hands to handle and, as opposed to cutting them in half and worrying about spillage, these mini calzones are both "sealed."