What's in your lunch bag?

[GoinAllTheWay]

I am one of those people that spend waaaaaaaaaaaay to much money on buying lunches when at work. The reason for that is two fold really. After a really hectic morning, I really feel the urge to get outside the office for a while and relax for a bit before going back for round two. Also, i LOATHE the idea of having to eat some stupid cold sandwich every day with some juicebox and a few cookies all wrapped up in Saran Wrap. I have Earls, Tony Romas, CPU, varous Chinese Food restaraunt, Humpties and a Nellies all within spitting distance of my office, the temptation is way to much!

So what do you guys bring in that would help beat the lunch blahs? I'm a big fan of bringing in cold home made bbq ribs or maybe Fajitas of sorts from time to time but that is about the extent of my creativity.

[HelloHockeyFans]

This sort of ties in with the_only_turek_fan's other thread about wasteful spending. I rarely eat out at work because I think it's a huge waste of money. The only time I actually do, is for group functions at lunch time which I usually know about ahead of time.

Every day for lunch, I have whatever I had the night before for dinner. I just make extra every night, put it in a tupperware container and bring it in the next day. Healthier food and a lot tastier than eating out at a Wendy's or whatever.

[J pold]

Hookers and Blow.

[mac_gurl]

I definatly agree that eating out is a waste of money. Dont' get me wrong, i used to eat out everyday, but have found Im better to bring lunch now.

I also cook an extra serving the night before and eat that, or eat cut up veggies, or cheese and crackers.

[Flashpoint]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Every day for lunch, I have whatever I had the night before for dinner. I just make extra every night, put it in a tupperware container and bring it in the next day. Healthier food and a lot tastier than eating out at a Wendy's or whatever.

Ditto. Chicken Curry and rice. Mmmmmm....

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

tastier than eating out at a Wendy's or whatever.

Tastier than Wendys?! Blasphemy!

Seriously though, it doesn't have to be the same everyday. As HHF says, and especially if your office has a microwave, bring leftovers. Sometimes what I like to do is just bring all the ingredients for a salad and mix them up at lunch, but I go all out and make a taco salad with ground beef and cheese and sour cream and everything on it. My sister likes those bagged salads that you can get a grocery store ready to eat. Dump in the dressing, shake the bag, and you're good to go! Also, I always bring a bottle of water and a pop. Crystal Light makes single serving juice mixes so once in a while I'll add one of those to change things up a bit.

However for now, I'm working from home so I can just make whatever.

[halibut]

Just figure on the cost of what you will be making for a lunch and try and spend similar. If you typically have a bag lunch with leftovers, calculate approximate costs and spend appropriately. Start bringing portions to compliment a purchased item.

Bring a drink and side and go and buy the sandwich at nellies or etc...

That is what sometimes do if you are bored with the typical sandwich

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by halibut

Just figure on the cost of what you will be making for a lunch and try and spend similar.

See, that's the thing... when you're making dinner at home, you can get away with a good meal at extreme good value, if you're like me and watch for deals on meats, vegetables, etc.

It's extremely hard to beat packing your lunch when eating out will cost you at the very least $8 or so (more like $15 if you don't go fast food), while cooking a huge portion of pasta with deli meats at home will run you around $20, but feed you for around 4 meals.

[mykalberta]

My current week's (M-F) lunch is HamburgerHelper Lasagna with frozen Veg (broccoli and cheese or portatoes and cheese - very good).

Last week was wraps with lettuce, peppers, salmon with ceasar salad.

And yes, it does get boring eating the same thing for lunch every day but it saves a hella lot of money.

Normally I plan my meals for the week based on the Costco Coupons www.getmoreofwhatyoulove.ca

Depending on circumstance, I will also sometimes only make lunch for M-H and then eat out Friday - normally Koryo to Taco Time in the 5th/6th Street and 5th Av SW food court.

MYK

[ken0042]

I find the best things to re-heat are things with sauce. One of my favourites is chicken in mushroom sauce. Grill 4 chicken breats in the fry pan at home, then once cooked dump in a can of mushroom soup and let simmer for 10 minutes. The get some potaotes, cut them into chuncks, and then cook them in the oven until they are almost done. Then when you microwave the potatoes and chicken, the sauce keep the chicken from getting dry and rubbery, and to potatoes come out fresh.

[Tron_fdc]

At the start of the week I fill my gas guzzling truck up at Superstore, then use the coupons I get to buy lunch from their deli.

The rest of the time I buy my lunch, which totals about $50 a week. I seem to be on a first name basis with the Koreans who own Subway beside me.....camsanidah!!!

[enthused]

I'm big on making wraps or sandwiches with tons of veggies, hummus, chicken, etc. Or I'll bring like hummus or tzaziki and pita. Leftovers are also good too, I love cold pasta. But if I am running late in the mornings, which tends to happen a fair bit, I'll eat out for lunch, which starts to get pretty costly.

[Cowperson]

Today, it's Campbell's Hearty Noodles . . . . just add water. And a banana.

Other days it might be one of those Nuke Soups, chicken noodle. And a banana and/or an orange

Other days it might be a blueberry bagel, some grapes, an orange and a banana.

I have Earls, Tony Romas, CPU, varous Chinese Food restaraunt, Humpties and a Nellies all within spitting distance of my office, the temptation is way to much!

You're gonna get fat man!!!

Also, if I did that, I'd be fast asleep by 2:30.

Cowperson

[ernie]

Today was spaghetti and meatballs. Yesterday was sesame roast pork with a side of veg stir fried with black bean sauce. Tomorrow will be a hearty a corn and chicken chowder. All made at home. Just make leftovers and pack them up in individual serving sizes that night. We find that if we just stick all the leftovers back in the fridge without dividing it up we won't put a lunch together the next morning.

[JiriHrdina]

I eat out every day for lunch. Typically I hit Timmy's which I think is pretty good value and not expensive. Portion sizes are small too (as long as you get the regular size sandwiches) so its not too bad.

For me its less about the food and more about having that break mid-day. My workday is 8:30-7PM every day - I need a 45 minute break in the middle to keep my sanity. I look forward to getting out of the office and sitting down to read the paper casually while I eat my lunch. Worth the 5 bucks or whatever I spend to have that.

[kermitology]

I try to make a lot of extra when I make dinner so that I have leftovers for lunch. I'll make a salad on occassion as well and have a piece of fruit. I love summer because then I can eat plums. I love plums.

[worth]

maybe i'm boring, but i pretty much eat the same thing every day and i have no problems with it.

at coffee break at 9:30 i usually have a yogurt and a piece of fruit, most likley a banana.

lunch i'll have my main meal which is usually a nice sandwich. i don't think i can get sick of sandwitches. their great, easy to make and tasty, or i'll take something from dinner the night before.

I never use the microwave because there's always a long lineup and while everyones waiting, i'm eating. with that i'll usually have some more fruit or vegtables and same for the afternoon break. suits me just fine. although i don't really have a choice because i don't work downtown. the only thing close is the lunch truck that comes around at 9:30, but if you want a full days meal from that you have to spend $10. No thanks.

Oh yeah and a lot of people here eat those microwaveable lunches, Man, i don't know how anyone can eat those things. Can't take 10 minutes to make a decent lunch that is actually good for you?

[arloiginla]

Leftovers always work, especially if they are something good like ribs from dinner the night before, as you suggested. Just heat 'em up in the microwave and go. I guess if you wanted to take the time you could always bring a KD to work and take 10 mi nutes to make it on the stove too.

[Sample00]

My mommy brought me lunch today.
bun with cheese and salami.
yogurt
banana
and Crystal lite Ice tea mix.
I love my mom!!!

[shane_c]

muffin and a granola bar for my snacks. For the main meal I'm dining on a pb&j on whole wheat. That's pretty much what I bring everyday. Sometimes though I mix my lunch up and have tuna or some cereal.