L.,
Spanish rice (we make our own recipe ; )
beans soaked 3 days & slow cooked
rice soaked 12 hours to 3 days & cooked as usual. Keep tabs on water.
peppers, green beans, spinach, green olives, a little salt, meat if you like (we use chorizo) all to taste. Tastes great cold (my son prefers it that way ; )
Per Nourishing Traditions, soak your beans 3 days. rice 12-48 hours.
Anything that keeps food warm is not going to be healthy - ie: leaches plastic/BPA into the food, or is cumbersome (glass/steel thermos). Pyrex is a nice heavy glass container (the little ones are nearly indestructible but pack accordingly!)
You really don't want to microwave anyway - it changes the chemical make up of the food. It's just not talked about, that's all. Sad. That's why food always tastes better coming from the stove.
Good luck!
M.
PS: I'm betting she's a great eater - of YOUR food ; )