Jul. 30--Whether you're new to packing school lunches or have been doing it for years, you could probably use a little inspiration.

Here are some ideas culled from Web sites, magazines and other sources to help you jazz up that daily chore:

Mix and match

Come up with a chart of breads, fillings, fruits, veggies and snacks that your kids like, and post them on the fridge. Then create lunches from the list, based on what you have on hand. For instance:

Breads: White, multigrain, rye, pita, buns (hoagie, hot dog, hamburger), croissants, English muffins, bagels, crackers, tortillas, rice cakes.

Fillings: Peanut butter, cream cheese, turkey, ham, tuna, egg salad, cheese, hummus.

Fruits: Banana, apple, orange wedges, grapes, strawberries, raisins, pineapple chunks, applesauce, melon cubes, mandarin oranges.

Vegetables: Baby carrots, bell pepper strips, sugar snap peas, cucumber coins, cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, zucchini sticks.

Other: String cheese, trail mix, hard-boiled eggs, granola, mixed nuts, yogurt, cottage cheese, popcorn, pretzels, cereal bars, muffins.

From supper to lunch

Last night's leftovers can make tasty lunches. Some ideas:

* Frito chili pie -- Pour chili in a thermos. Send along a bag of corn or tortilla chips and another bag of shredded cheese.

* Pizza

* Roasted, fried or rotisserie chicken (alone, such as a chicken leg, or cut into strips)

* Pasta or chef salads

Better than PB&J

If your kid loves peanut butter, go beyond grape jelly. Try these pairings:

* Honey

* Banana slices

* Shredded carrots

* Marshmallow fluff

* Orange marmalade

* Apricot preserves

* Celery sticks (use peanut butter as dip)

* Or, make these yummy Peanut Butter Balls: Combine 1/2 cup crumbled corn flakes and 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter. Form into balls, place on waxed paper and freeze for 10 minutes, or until hardened.

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