packed lunch box

lemon_and_mint · Post by **lemon_and_mint** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:47 am

One of my new years resolutions is to take packed lunch every day to work instead of paying around £4 a day for sandwiches and drink, that should save a bit of money.

I want to experiment with cold rice and pasts dishes, apart from vinagrette dressing, or plain mayo, what sort of suce or dressing can i use, also what else can i put in the lunch?

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:03 am

I've been doing this for years, LP. If you have access to a microwave at lunchtime, just cook a little extra at suppertime, then take the leftovers to work for lunch.

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:08 am

I've been doing this also for the last 6 months or so, I bring salad in a bag, I'm able to put in fridge along with my dressing and other stuff I like to put in my salad, I have a bowl in the office I re-use and wash out after every use. It works great.

I also bring a loaf of bread, lunch meats and keep mayo or dressing of my choice in fridge....its amazing the money that is saved doing this...along with the $5.00 a day I'm saving from not smoking for a year come Wednesday!!:yh_dance:yh_dance:yh_dance

Good for you Lemon, I know you can do it!!:):)

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:28 am

Piece of fruit, some yogurt, a little of whatever is in the house. I never eat cafeteria food.................

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:29 am

As the microwave is in the canteen which is an age away from my office, I take cold rice such as uncle bens egg fried rice cook it (2 mins) in the morning and put it in my container, sometimes I add chopped ham or chicken. Cous Cous is also nice cold as is tuna, sweetcorn and pasta with cherry tomatoes. I have bought a food flask and have been making my own chunky soups to take. One panful can do 3-4 days if hubby keeps his mitts off:sneaky:...The packets of mug shots and pasta shots are good too, just add hot water, 4 for a pound in Asda..I love the sweet n sour flavour but its quite spicy..Ryvitas and phili cheese is also easy to take to work with cherry toms etc..

I prefer taking my own food..

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:32 am

Oh, hubby likes the goodies in your lunch!

My problem is, I put my lunch in the little 'fridge in the classroom, sneaky kids might peak in there while I'm on hall duty. I don't want it to be too appetizing to any of them-I always pack rice cakes, that seems to do the trick. They really don't like them. :wah:

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:36 am

if you like balsamic vinegar Lemon id recommend you buy a bottle and use that, it has a good shelf life so you can keep it in your drawer(s) heh heh and it goes with anything.

Blending equal parts fat free or low fat mayonnaise with drained non-fat yogurt is a terrific way to make a creamy yet low fat dressing for potato salad, pasta salad and sandwiches. Gussy it up with herbs and spices to suit your taste. I like to add a little lime juice and cumin for a southwestern kick, or some curry powder for a taste of India. You can chop any veg or salad veg to throw in.

lemon_and_mint · Post by **lemon_and_mint** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:22 am

Thank you everyone, especially you chezzie, some nice ideas there i will try.

I wont have access to microwave or cooker, so i was wondering whether i could make some beef or chicken casserole and take it in a flask?but would this keep it piping hot?I would not want to eat lukewarm casserole, plus it might be a danger for foodpoising at a warm temperature.That would be nice in winter weather.

i didnt know you could get shop bought egg rice, i will have to try it.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:24 am

lemon_and_mint;751041 wrote: Thank you everyone, especially you chezzie, some nice ideas there i will try.

I wont have access to microwave or cooker, so i was wondering whether i could make some beef or chicken casserole and take it in a flask?but would this keep it piping hot?I would not want to eat lukewarm casserole, plus it might be a danger for foodpoising at a warm temperature.That would be nice in winter weather.

I heat my soup up quite hot, in the microwave and also put hot water in my food flask and let it stand for 30-40 secs before i put the soup in and my soups always piping hot. Usually prepare it around 7-30am to eat for 12 or 1pm.

lemon_and_mint · Post by **lemon_and_mint** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:27 am

Chezzie;751043 wrote: I heat my soup up quite hot, in the microwave and also put hot water in my food flask and let it stand for 30-40 secs before i put the soup in and my soups always piping hot. Usually prepare it around 7-30am to eat for 12 or 1pm.

aahh right heat the flask with hot water first - tricks of the trade.......thanks i will try it.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:29 am

lemon_and_mint;751046 wrote: aahh right heat the flask with hot water first - tricks of the trade.......thanks i will try it.

you will be amazed how much difference it makes, put the screw lid on too, can leave it up to a minute which if your like me and running round in the morning, that minute could be used elsewhere lol

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:25 am

What ?? no access to a Microwave I would protest that should be an given in any companies lunch room. :-5 Your food should stay hot in a Thermos(Flask) is what you call them for at least 4 hours. To keep things cold get a lunch box with those removal colds pack and just freeze them overnight.

lemon_and_mint · Post by **lemon_and_mint** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:27 am

CARLA;751081 wrote: What ?? no access to a Microwave I would protest that should be an given in any companies lunch room. :-5 Your food should stay hot in a Thermos(Flask) is what you call them for at least 4 hours. To keep things cold get a lunch box with those removal colds pack and just freeze them overnight.

no its that i am out of the office most of the time, on the road, or at other buildings.

moonpie · Post by **moonpie** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:30 am

If it wasn't for hubby, I would be buying lunch everyday or starving. I cannot bear to look at making sandwiches in the a.m. Hubby makes my lunch, along with his. If there are left overs from the night before, I usually have that all made up and ready to go in the a.m. Buying lunch can get really expensive, and for the most times, its not all that great of a choice (at least in the area I work in)

I usually like small cans of fruit to take also, or sometimes the small jello puddings also help diversify the humdrum of just sandwiches.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:02 am

Moonpie, have you ever heard of bento? It's lunch in a box...Japanese.

Look here for starters: http://ss-biggie.livejournal.com/

Google "bento box" for more sites. It can be fancy food or simple, however you desire to make it. You can buy a fancy bento box or just use a simple Tupperware container. I'm going to be doing this this year just because it looks fun.

lemon_and_mint · Post by **lemon_and_mint** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:11 am

RedGlitter;751123 wrote: Moonpie, have you ever heard of bento? It's lunch in a box...Japanese.

Look here for starters: http://ss-biggie.livejournal.com/

Google "bento box" for more sites. It can be fancy food or simple, however you desire to make it. You can buy a fancy bento box or just use a simple Tupperware container. I'm going to be doing this this year just because it looks fun.

that does look appetising, yes,happy new year, red.

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:13 am

Did someone mention lunch box :yh_whistl

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:16 am

ThePheasant;751133 wrote: Did someone mention lunch box :yh_whistl

britains famous

Attached files

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:17 am

Or you could do like I do hang around the lunch room eating crackers looking hungry. Soon you will have 1/2 of everyone's lunch in the room, works everytime.

Actually I have a cute young women who has taken pitty on me and cooks me a hot meal every day. For some reason she thinks I need feeding (NOT). I love her for it she is so cute. Even when she isn't going to be in the office all day she leaves me a lunch in the refrigrator with instruction on how to prepare it. I guess you would say I now have my own personal cook. :-4

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:20 am

CARLA;751135 wrote: Or you could do like I do hang around the lunch room eating crackers looking hungry. Soon you will have 1/2 of everyone's lunch in the room, works everytime.

Actually I have a cute young women who has taken pitty on me and cooks me a hot meal every day. For some reason she thinks I need feeding (NOT). I love her for it she is so cute. Even when she isn't going to be in the office all day she leaves me a lunch in the refrigrator with instruction on how to prepare it. I guess you would say I now have my own personal cook. :-4

awww ya worth it Carla, shes showing her appreciation:)

lemon_and_mint · Post by **lemon_and_mint** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:23 am

CARLA;751135 wrote: Or you could do like I do hang around the lunch room eating crackers looking hungry. Soon you will have 1/2 of everyone's lunch in the room, works everytime.

Actually I have a cute young women who has taken pitty on me and cooks me a hot meal every day. For some reason she thinks I need feeding (NOT). I love her for it she is so cute. Even when she isn't going to be in the office all day she leaves me a lunch in the refrigrator with instruction on how to prepare it. I guess you would say I now have my own personal cook. :-4

i could try hanging round motorway service stations looking hungry, but i dont think that will work so well.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:28 am

:wah: L&M I don't think you will get many food offers, you might get another kinda of offer..

[QUOTE]i could try hanging round motorway service stations looking hungry, but i dont think that will work so well.[/QUOTE]

moonpie · Post by **moonpie** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:32 pm

RedGlitter;751123 wrote: Moonpie, have you ever heard of bento? It's lunch in a box...Japanese.

Look here for starters: http://ss-biggie.livejournal.com/

Google "bento box" for more sites. It can be fancy food or simple, however you desire to make it. You can buy a fancy bento box or just use a simple Tupperware container. I'm going to be doing this this year just because it looks fun.

Hi Red, I don't think I could get Hubby to be that creative. You know - new tricks, old dogs, etc. Thanks anyways.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:50 pm

Vary sandwiches with different breads like pita ar tortilla wraps. Cheese and crackers is quick as a snack. Add black olives to tuna to uhhh you know jazz it up. Ready to eat pudding. Get a thermos for hot soup, it should keep warm.

Try different lunch meats w/ a variety of cheeses.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:56 pm

Hey, I'd like Nomad to make MY lunch every day!

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:36 pm

The only time I eat in the school cafeteria is when they have frito pie made with red chili............this is my most favorite school food. As for the rest of the lunches - it is what everyone else has said. There is nothing like some healthy snack or last night's leftovers.