
Six genius ideas to transform leftovers and cupboard stables into exciting lunchbox meals that your kids will love
SUN SAVERS Six genius ideas to transform leftovers and cupboard stables into exciting lunchbox meals that your kids will love
THE summer term may have only just begun, but if you're already sick of making the same old sandwiches, we've got the answer.
These genius ideas transform leftovers and cupboard staples into exciting lunchbox meals that kids will actually eat.
Advertisement
6
We have six genius ideas to transform leftovers and cupboard stables into exciting lunchbox meals that your kids will love
Credit: Getty
CHIP 'N' DIP: Revive stale pitta bread by cutting each one into triangles and air-frying until crisp.
Blend chickpeas with lemon, garlic and tahini for instant hummus, or mix yoghurt with grated cucumber and mint for a refreshing tzatziki. Add veg sticks for crunch.
SALAD SAVER: Whip up speedy couscous following packet instructions and then mix with chopped roast veggies from last night's roast.
Add a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice to bring it together and leave to cool. Pop portions in airtight containers for lunch boxes.
Advertisement
TORTILLA TREAT: Rescue limp tortilla wraps by filling with grated cheese and mashed beans, then fold and dry-fry until golden. Cut into wedges and pop into a lunchbox.
They're perfect cold and packed with protein.
GRATE IDEA: Make mini frittatas by adding leftover veg to whisked egg and crumbling or grating cheese into the mixture.
Pour into a muffin tin and grate more cheese over the top before baking for 5-10 mins on a low heat. Once cooled, store in an airtight container.
Advertisement
WRAP IT UP: You might already have rice papers in the cupboard, but if not you can pick up packs of them for around £1.50 in specialist Asian supermarkets.
Soak rice papers briefly in warm water, then fill with leftovers from dinner — veggies and leftover meat work well.
RICE BITES: Mix tinned tuna with cooked rice, an egg and breadcrumbs, then shape into patties.
Fry until golden and leave to cool. Can be eaten hot or cold and the protein will keep kids full till dinner.
Advertisement
All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability
Deal of the day
6
Crocs Bayaband Flip sandals, £20.99
Credit: Crocs
CHECK out the mid-season sale at Crocs.co.uk.
A pair of Bayaband Flip sandals was £34.99, now reduced to £20.99.
SAVE: £14
Advertisement
Cheap treat
6
Ferrero Rocher white ice cream lollies, £2.50 at Iceland
Credit: Iceland
MAKE dessert a luxe affair with Ferrero Rocher white ice cream lollies, a pack of four was £5 at Iceland, now £2.50.
SAVE: £2.50
What's new?
COSTA Club members can try the Iced Whipped Latte in new Vanilla Lavender flavour before regular customers on May 8.
Join the free loyalty club now to get perks like this and a free drink for every ten bought.
Top swap
6
Reclining Von Haus chairs, £82.99, Debenhams.com
Credit: Debenhams
Advertisement
6
Or get a similar set at George at Asda for £59
Credit: Asda
LIE back and enjoy the mini heatwave on a set of reclining Von Haus chairs, £82.99, Debenhams.com, or get a similar set at George at Asda for £59.
SAVE: £23.99
Little helper
FOR bargain coach travel, look no further than flixbus.co.uk, routes include bargain fares such as £2.99 one way from Bristol to London.
PLAY NOW TO WIN £200
6
Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle
Advertisement
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
The more codes you enter, the mor

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The celebrity-approved way to wear your silky scarf this summer – and it's not how you think
Check out the Zara piece that makes the trend even easier - and it's under £40. SCARF STYLE The celebrity-approved way to wear your silky scarf this summer – and it's not how you think Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IF there's one accessory trend every fashionista is coveting this summer, it's the square scarf. The humble neck scarf has become one of the most versatile and affordable wardrobe updates of the season, with the high street selling styles to suit all scarf fanatics. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Traditionally, they have been worn on the head if you're a Hollywood icon, or, more commonly, around the neck. Tie yours in a chic Parisian knot or go for bandana-style - the 'cowboy twist' is making a huge comeback this season thanks to Western influences of hit Netflix shows like Yellowstone. 9 One fashionista at Copenhagen Fashion Week showing how to wear a floral printed silk scarf the new way Credit: Getty 9 The scarf as a belt is a true Y2K fashion trend, along with Capri pants and kitten heels Credit: Getty But more recently, we've spotted celebrities from Alexa Chung to Jennifer Lawrence and Kylie Jenner wearing their silk scarves in the most unexpected way. How? Celebrities have been spotted wrapping silky squares into chic belt-like statements, or worn loosely slung around hips, turning this classic item into a fresh, boho-meets-glam style move. 9 Alexa Chung, wearing a gold chain-printed scarf as a belt to elevate her casual outfit Credit: Getty (Photo by Neil P. Mockford/Getty Images for Gucci) Whether tied over jeans, draped with tailored trousers or cinching a flowy dress, this waist-wrap trend is the newest way to let your scarf do the talking. We're quite simply obsessed. Here, fashion stylist Lauren Goodwin-Grafton takes a look at the most stylish and affordable silk scarfs on the high street. 9 Blue Satin Chain Print Scarf With Ring, £22, River Island Credit: Scarf, River Island - BUY NOW This blue chain-print scarf from River Island features a gold ring that takes the hassle out of tying it around your neck when getting ready. The ring is removable, so if you do want to tie it around your waist, it works perfectly. It's a great multi-functional piece and the chain print gives it a luxe look that feels way more expensive than £22. 9 Tomato Placement Satin Square Scarf, £11, Next Credit: Scarf, Next - BUY NOW If graphic prints are your thing, then this scarf will be right up your street. La Dolce Vita tomato prints have been popping up everywhere this summer, and this is a great way to embrace the trend through an accessory. Plus, it will add a pop of colour into an otherwise neutral outfit, and it also comes in a gorgeous tablescape print. For just £11 each, these are such a steal - bravo, Next! 9 Patterned Cotton Scarf, £6.99, H&M Credit: Scarf, H&M - BUY NOW Looking for something a little more low-key? Pick up this paisley printed style from H&M and you'll be on to a winner. It's a staple that'll never truly go out of style, and if you prefer the quiet luxury look, it will go with just about everything in your wardrobe already. It comes in a Western-inspired print, too, which will double up perfectly for any cowgirl-themed dress codes! 9 Leopard Print Satin Printed Multiway Head Scarf, £18, Friends Like These at Next Credit: Scarf, Friends Like These - BUY NOW Animal print has been a fashion staple for the last couple of years - and it looks like it's here to stay for A/W. This fun, twisted pattern feels more elevated than a traditional leopard print. Plus, it's super-versatile, featuring shades of beige and black - it's essentially a neutral that'll work just as well in your summer suitcase as your winter wardrobe. 9 Wide-Led Mid-Waist Scarf Jeans, £35.99, Zara Credit: Jeans with Scarf, Zara - BUY NOW Want more bang for your buck? This pair of jeans from Zara come with a pre-tied crochet scarf, which taps perfectly into the boho trend. These are ideal because you know that the scarf is going to be big enough to wrap around your waist, so there's no faff. And you can obviously untie the scarf and use it to jazz up other outfits, if you like. A new pair of jeans and a trendy scarf for under £40? Yes, please! 9 Striped Satin Scarf, £12.99, Mango Credit: Scarf, Mango - BUY NOW This scarf from Mango is great if you're looking for something a little more chic. The burgundy stripe will take you well into autumn, as it's set to remain one of the biggest colours of the season. Mango has a great selection of scarves all year round, so it's worth checking out the store's full range - they're super-affordable but look a lot more premium.


Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I live in London but haven't paid rent in over a year – my hack means I always sleep comfortably for free
Read on to see how much you can earn from house sitting HOUSE THAT I live in London but haven't paid rent in over a year – my hack means I always sleep comfortably for free Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN has revealed how she has managed to live in London rent-free for over a year. Hattie, from the UK, took to social media to share her money-saving hack. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Hattie revealed how she got free rent in London Credit: tiktok/@hattieev 3 She also got to hang out with people's pets at the same time Credit: tiktok/@hattieev 3 It's considered one of the most expensive cities in the world Credit: Getty The British capital city is one of the most expensive in the world, taking fourth place in a study by wealth migration firm Henley & Partners. The average rent price for a place in London is £2,121 according to Zoopla, but Hattie has managed to avoid the eye-watering cost. In the clip, she said: "I live in London but I haven't paid rent in over a year. So you might be thinking, how? How did you get around this?" Hattie, who is a professional ballet dancer, said she studied in the city for three years before moving to Orlando, Florida. But she decided to come back last year and knew she had to be in London if she wanted to get hired. "I was not in a position where I could afford rent. I did start working pretty soon after I got back in June but I was still freaking out. I did not have money for a deposit," she explained. Hattie claimed many places were asking for six months up front, something she was not in a position to pay for. "I was just thinking how can I realistically do this? How can I live in London where all the auditions are, all of the classes are, all of the opportunities are but not pay rent?" she added. After a quick Google search, she stumbled across a website called Trusted House Sitters. It essentially pairs users needing somewhere to live with people who need their animals looked after while they are away. We moved into a caravan in my mother-in-law's garden for a year, sure it was cramped but we saved £20k Instead of getting paid, you instead stay in the house without paying rent. It's a site Hattie has used for over a year, even though she never planned to do it for this long. "I booked the first sit, thinking in two months time, when I have enough money, I'm going to start renting somewhere," she said. "However, I have done a total of 27 separate cat sits in a year. That means moving every two to three weeks." Hattie revealed that she has essentially lived out of a suitcase for the last year, which can be difficult but is a price worth paying for free rent. While she has been keen to look at flats, hattie says she's always put off. "It's so expensive and you're not even getting really nice accommodation," she added. "I think I'm going to be doing this for a while." SOCIAL MEDIA REACTS The clip has since gone viral on her TikTok account @hattieev with over 54k views. Plenty took to the comments, amazed by Hattie's home hack. One person wrote: "I've thought about doing this for so long! So nice to hear your experience and SO IMPRESSIVE hahaha." Another commented: "Such a good idea, props to you!" How much can you earn as a house sitter in the UK? THE amount a house sitter can earn in the UK varies depending on a number of factors. However, the national average salary for a house sitter in the United Kingdom is £23,952, according to Glass Door. The rates can depend on factors such as: Location Length of stay - some long-term assignments of three months or more can charge a lower fee than shorter assignments. Pets - if the owner has animals that you need to look after the fee may be higher, particularly for dogs which require more work than cats Property size - the bigger the property the more care and upkeep may be required, depending on the terms. "Wow well done for navigating this!" penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "My sister has been doing this for a while and it's incredible!" Someone else added: "Well done, good idea!"


Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Telegraph
‘Birkenstocks walked so five-finger shoes could run': Our ranking of the ugliest shoes
When it comes to footwear, it's possible that 'ugly' should no longer be considered an insult. In fact, in plenty of fashion circles, it seems to be the case of the more conventionally unattractive the shoe, the better. It's been a mixed summer for classics in the ugly-chic shoe department. German brand Birkenstock has defied profit expectations and noted a 16 per cent increase in sales, reportedly aided by the enduring popularity of the brand's 'Boston' suede leather clog, which comes in various muted shades. Meanwhile Crocs suffered a 30 per cent slump in shares in early August after revenue was predicted to decline. It's a far cry from the halcyon days of Covid lockdowns, when the rubber clog company's revenue climbed 64 per cent in the first quarter of 2021 to reach a record-breaking £331m. There's a chance, in a world where once-divisive sheer flats, grown-up jelly shoes, fisherman sandals and hybrid 'sneakerina' styles are de rigueur, Crocs simply haven't maintained their former shock factor. These days, Merrell, Teva, Sorel, Salomon and any other brand a British dad might have worn abroad in the Nineties have deftly transitioned from source of embarrassment to source of inspiration. Ditto podiatrist-approved names like Scholl and FitFlop. At Copenhagen Fashion Week, lace-up ghillies inspired by Irish and Scottish dancing shoes were a frequent sight on the front row. Then there's the most polarising style of all – Vibram's FiveFingers, the toe-separating fitness shoe that's fast becoming a fashion flex. 'Birkenstocks walked so five-finger shoes could run, except now they're more likely to be traversing the natural wine bars and coffee shops of Hackney than the foothills of the Pennines,' says Joy Montgomery, British Vogue's shopping editor. It's the latest in a long line of unexpected footwear trends, which Montgomery reasons are an offbeat antidote to increasingly homogenised style. 'In the face of social media's AI-generated perfectionism, it seems as though designers – and subsequently, fashion-savvy Gen-Zs – have been trying to out-ugly each other with their footwear choices,' she says. 'Every season has seen another orthopaedic shoe silhouette enjoy a moment in the high-fashion spotlight, from Scholls' 'nanny' clog collaboration with Balenciaga to Ecco's partnership with Natacha Ramsay-Levi.' So, which are the ugliest shoes of all? We present an unofficial ranking… The good, the divisive and the ugly Ranked from the least offensive 8. Birkenstocks Boston clogs, £150, Birkenstock The least ugly of the ugly shoe brigade and, as recent sales figures illustrate, still firmly in demand. The list of collaborations alone proves their fashion credentials – Proenza Schouler, Jil Sander, Dior, Manolo Blahnik and more. It's hard to believe that 'Birkies' used to be the preserve of Surreyites holidaying in Cornwall. It's much easier to slip them on – with or without socks – and enjoy the comfort and durability of the shoes that made ugliness aspirational in the first place. 7. Sheer flats Mesh flats, £370, Dear Frances Sheer flats, which offer a glimpse of the (ideally pedicured) foot beneath through mesh or woven fabric, once felt daring and divisive. Now they can be picked up at M&S alongside your groceries, meaning those who find them ugly might just have to accept them at this point. They've retained their fashion appeal too, with elegant heeled iterations at Dear Frances and searches for Alaïa's cult mesh style, which launched a thousand copycats, increasing by more than 350 per cent in the last three months. 6. Hiking sandals Sandals, £40 (down from £50), Teva at M&S Teva is the name to know in this category, born when a river guide attached two Velcro watchbands to an old pair of flip flops in the Grand Canyon in 1984. Their transition from hiking sandal to fashion statement was sealed when it was discovered that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen wear them regularly, rather than similar styles from their quiet luxury brand, The Row, which cost upward of £700. Tevas, in contrast, retail for around £40. A savvy saving could never be ugly. 5. Ghillies Lace-up shoes, £375, Ganni A newcomer to the ugly-chic scene – unless you grew up in Scotland or Ireland and had dancing lessons, that is – lace-up ghillies-inspired styles have been spotted on the catwalks since Chloé and Simone Rocha's spring/summer 2025 shows. They cropped up again at Ganni's autumn/winter 2025 show in Copenhagen and, by the look of the feet of the front row, fashion types are more than willing to embrace the Gaelic mood. They can be worn poking out of jeans if you're not ready to commit, but bonus points if you wear them over socks or tights à la Chloë Sevigny in her Ecco Biom C-Trail ghillie sneakers. 4. Chunky trainers Air Max Muse trainers, £144.99, Nike The chunky trainer has gone full circle. Thick soled styles went from no-go (see Steve Carell's character in the 2011 film Crazy Stupid Love being chastised by Ryan Gosling for his New Balances) to must-have thanks to Balenciaga's Triple S trainers, Nike's Air Max Muse style and gel-bottomed Asics. But just as they shook off the last vestiges of cringe and helped the dad shoe be reclaimed, slim trainers like Puma's Speedcats, Onitsuka Tigers and Alo Yoga's new Sunset Sneakers have slipped back onto the scene. What can we say – fashion is a fickle friend. 3. Sneakerinas Trainers, £96 (down from £120), Ecco The name is unappealing enough, but many iterations of this strange trend just feel a touch too try-hard. The best pairs lean more heavily into the 'ballerina' side of things – see the sleek Vivaia style favoured by Bella Hadid. Others feel part principal dancer, part professional hiker, but almost entirely unconvincing. 2. Crocs Crocs, £49.99, Crocs Crocs have enjoyed various moments in the fashion spotlight over the years thanks to collaborations with Balenciaga and Simone Rocha, and celebrity appearances including Brooke Shields on the Tony Awards red carpet in 2024. But that was aeons ago in fashion history, and the brand's latest partnership with Jean Paul Gaultier is an abomination. Now, there's just no getting past the fact that they're not very attractive. Special dispensation if you're pairing them with medical scrubs, gardening, or happen to be under the age of 10. David Hockney and Tracey Emin, both famously fans of the rubber clog, are also excused. 1. Five-finger shoes FiveFingers, £110, Vibram Sorry, but we're just not convinced. Vibram's proudly freaky FiveFingers were invented to deliver a 'barefoot' experience for sports like sailing and hiking. Fair enough, but why are some members of the style set insisting they're necessary for navigating the uneven terrain of the streets outside fashion shows? Nobody needs to see the outline of your toes on the bus on the way home. If you must divide them, start saving for a more palatable option in the form of Maison Margiela's distinctive Tabi shoes (yours for £820).