Tired of Packing Lunches? This Vancouver Mom Created a Better Option
I mean, it’s a silly question really. Aren’t we all tired of packing lunches!? Here at The MotherFlock, we’re passionate about sharing the stories of local businesses that truly understand the realities of motherhood - especially when they’re created by moms, for moms. This guest post comes from Dilara, a Vancouver-based chef and founder of More Please Kids Meal. After becoming a mom during the pandemic, she saw firsthand how challenging it can be to nourish little ones while juggling everything else. What started as a way to feed her own daughter well has grown into a business supporting families with fun, nutritious meals kids actually want to eat. And anything that makes moms’ lives easier, gets a big thumbs up from me. Because we really need all the help we can get.
If you've ever cried over a rejected dinner or Googled “how to get my kid to eat vegetables without a hostage negotiation,” this one’s for you.
I’m Dilara, a chef, a mom, and the founder of More Please Kids Meal.
After working in a different field for years, I decided to follow my passion for cooking and studied culinary arts. I spent nearly a decade in hospitality, where my goal was always to bring people joy through food.
After becoming a mom during the early days of the pandemic, things shifted. Like many families, we didn’t have family nearby to help, and I quickly realized how hard it can be to nourish your child while juggling everything else.
I wanted my child to try a variety of foods, but it wasn’t always easy, especially during the toddler years. One week they’d love something, and the next they wouldn’t touch it again. It was challenging and honestly frustrating at times, especially when you’ve made the effort to carve out time and energy to cook.
By time and with More Please Kids Meal: I’ve learned that many kids love crunchy veggies — not just mine — but there are always some they’ll refuse to eat. That’s why I find creative ways to make them small enough to go unnoticed (like in our egg bites with asparagus). You can easily make your own at home: sauté veggies, whisk with eggs and cheese, and bake low and slow. They’re great hot or cold, and perfect for lunchboxes.
Some ingredients, like turmeric, are incredibly beneficial especially for the immune system but not exactly kid favourites. My kid used to enjoy it in oatmeal, but as she got older, the yellow colour started to bother her. So I gave mac and cheese a healthy twist: I swapped cheddar for cauliflower purée and added turmeric powder. It still looks like the classic dish kids love, but with way more nutritional value.
The idea for More Please Kids Meal began when my daughter was getting ready to start kindergarten. As I looked into school lunch options, I realized most hot lunch programs weren’t offering the kind of food I’d feel good about feeding her. Meals lacked nutrition, variety, and often didn’t reflect what kids actually enjoy eating. And let’s be honest; packing lunch every day at home is a job, especially if you want to offer variety. When my daughter first started daycare, I found myself rotating between pasta and broccoli, cauliflower and rice... and then back to broccoli again.
More Please Kids Meal is the result of my journey, combining everything I learned in my previous career with my kitchen experience, and most importantly, my journey as a mom. I know there’s a long road ahead, but I’m here to help: My goal is to make life easier for families by eating fun, nourishing meals that kids will actually eat.
You can find out more about “More Please Kids Meal at":
https://morepleasekidsmeal.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/morepleasekidsmeal/
