I’m a Huge Top Chef fan so this box seemed like an obvious choice for a fun Missionary Box Mom Theme for me! Plus, it could be sent at any time during your Elder’s or Sister’s Mission since
Missionaries LOVE food and they LOVE Crazy Packages!

While typically food is known for bringing people together – as they cook and then sit around a table – with this box I just wanted my son to have a few comforts from home since he is serving outside of the United States and most of these items would be impossible for him to find abroad.

It was fun to come up with a few zany items to include but also easy to add in a few practical items as well. This ‘box’ was a bit harder to find applicable Conference Talks or Church Stories to include – but luckily I did run across a few in my searches.

Please Pack Your Knives and Go!!! It’s always so fun to see the pictures my son sends home of he and his companions opening up these crazy boxes decorated in whatever the theme of the box is! Most of the boxes I mailed were 12X12X8 which meant the flap size was just under 12X6 so you can simply cut one piece of 12X12 scrapbook paper in half for each flap.

Print the Following Conference Talks and Stories:

New Era June 1973: The Gastronomical Adventure by Eleanor Knowles

General Conference October 1976: A Gospel of Conversion – We are through eating by Hartman Rector Jr.

General Conference April 1975: Come Drink the Living Water by A. Theodore Tuttle

General Conference October 1985:Adventures of the Spirit by Robert E. Wells

Depending on the size of the box you are sending – you could include or delete any of the following items – or come up with a few of your own.

QuickFire Challenge Ingredients:
Missionary Cook Book
Missionary Apron
Bright Colored Oven Mitts
Bright Colored Kitchen Towels
Elimination Challenge Ingredients:
Large Full Size McCormick Taco Original Seasoning (24oz.)
Large Full Size McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning (29oz.)
A-1 Steak Sauce (Plastic Container)
Some Dudes Fry Sauce (Plastic Container)
Miscellaneous Bake Mixes
Peanut Butter (Plastic Container)
Jack Links Turkey Jerky and Cheese Sticks (Pkg. of 6 Individually Wrapped)
McCormick Recipe Inspirations Seasoning Packets (Pre-Measured Spices & Recipe Card – Seasons 1 Meal) (0.22oz.)
Great Value Drink Mix Packets
Austin PB & J Cracker Sandwiches
Maple Syrup (You could also send Maple Flavoring for them to make their own!)
Pancake Mix

Shopping List

Missionary Aprons
Personalized Missionary Apron

Missionary Cookbook – I didn’t send a cookbook with this box but I thought about it afterwards and it would have been a fun addition. Here are some titles I found:
1. Missionary Cookbook by Moms Who Have Questions Too
2. Feed My Sheep – A Cookbook for Missionaries
3. The Ultimate Missionary Cookbook
4. Many are Called – But Few Can Cook! Missionary Minded.

Dollar Tree Store
Colorful Oven Mitts
Colorful Kitchen Towels
Fun Kitchen Sink Scrubber

Costco
McCormick Taco Original Seasoning
McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning
Adams Peanut Butter (Plastic Container)
A-1 Steak Sauce (Plastic Container)

Grocery Store
McCormick Recipe Inspirations Seasoning Packets (Multiple Flavors)
Great Value Drink Mixes
Miscellaneous Bake Mixes
Maple Syrup (Plastic Container)

Wal-Mart
Jack Links Turkey Jerky and Cheese Sticks
Peanut Butter (Plastic Container)

(Print off the Missionary Sample Menus and include them in the box)

Missionary Menu

BREAKFAST: The Most Important Meal of the Day!!!
(Eat a whole grain serving, a fruit serving, and 1 dairy serving)

Some examples:
Oatmeal with cut up Banana, and 1 cup Milk, OR
1 serving Whole Grain Cereal, 1/2 cup cubed Fresh Fruit, and 1 cup milk OR
6 oz Greek Yogurt, 1 Fruit, Whole Grain Toast, or Wheat Bagel.
Add in a “healthy fat” serving like some cream cheese or butter. You could also add a boiled egg to give you some protein.

LUNCH : Eat for Energy!!!
Eat a protein and at least one veggie. Choices – maybe a hamburger wrapped in lettuce or a bun, or some chicken with veggies, or even 1 cup of 2% cottage cheese with some veggies – like grape tomatoes with another kind of protein.

DINNER : Eat to Rebuild!!!
You’ve been working hard all day – so eat not just to refuel but to rebuild. Make sure to eat a lean protein and some vegetables!!! Add in a dairy item too.
In between those meals – mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and evening, eat a Healthy Snack.
Example: 1/2 an apple and 2 tsp natural peanut butter. OR
3 oz mixed nuts (small handful) OR
6 slices of tomato, dab of hummus on each slice, with a fresh basil leaf on top. OR
2 cups baby carrots. OR
1 servings of string cheese. OR
1 square 70% or higher dark chocolate with 5 almonds.
Just pick 4-5 things that you know you’ll eat and are easy to grab – like nuts, or string cheese, or baby carrots, or any other healthy snack! Figure out, with your companion, what kinds of protein you’d like to eat, and veggies. Stock your place with some whole grains (cereals, oatmeal, bread, etc.), peanut butter, fruit, nuts, protein like cheese, eggs, meat, etc. Remember – fresh food is best.

And remember these things:
1. Eat every 2.5-3 hours
2. Eat 6 times each day.
3. Exercise 30 minutes each day.
4. Drink AT LEAST 100 oz. of water every day. This is SUPER important!