What’s in my lunch bag?
First of all, don’t you just love my lunch bag? It’s new! My old one, which I purchased at LL Bean last year, was looking a little too mom-frumpy. Like it was the lunch bag equivalent of a fanny pack. Not a good look – even if you’re just carrying it, not wearing it. So this weekend, I found myself in Staples, trying to decide how to use my about-to-expire Rewards check for $24. I probably should have spent it on something practical, like an ink cartridge for my printer, but I couldn’t resist this new bag. You can also find it here on the Built NY website.
So what’s in my lunch bag? A good, healthy lunch. Every Day. I am a Bringer, not a Buyer. It is definitely the way to go. It keeps nutrition up and costs down. My husband, who takes the train every day from our house in the ‘burbs to his office in Boston, tells me that lunch bag carrier-ship is definitely on the rise. It is a sign of our recessionary times.
Since my own lunch gets made after my son’s and my daughter’s, it is usually very quick and simple. Today’s fare is a pretty good example.
- Joseph’s Flax, Oat Bran & Whole Wheat Flour Pita Bread (NuVal score of 65) with Boar’s Head Buffalo Chicken and Cheddar Cheese
- Steamed yellow squash, leftover from last night’s dinner (NuVal score of 98)
- Cherry Tomatoes (NuVal score of 96)
- Clementine (NuVal score of 94)
- Ghiardelli Double Chocolate Chips (NuVal score of
I eat a lot, don’t I?
You may be wondering about the scores on the Boar’s Head deli products. NuVal has not yet scored items from the full service deli, but we will. We will score everything that you find in the grocery store. In the meantime, I feel pretty good knowing that the rest of my lunch gets a super NuVal score. Well, except for those chocolate chips. But I have a thing for chocolate. It gets me through the day.
Looking at this photo of my lunch makes me realize that I sort of have a high-rent lunch. The Boar’s Head deli items are pricey, but I am really picky about cold cuts, so they are the only kind I like. I buy the Nature’s Sweetest Cockail Tomatoes (2 bags for $5 at my local supermarket), but they are absolutely delectable. Worth the price of admission. Clementines, as you may have noticed, only got cheap for about 2 weeks this winter. Most of the time, they’ve been averaging $8 per box. But again, the sweet goodness is worth it to me. It is still cheaper than eating out every day – and SO much healthier. My lunch is an investment in my health and it deserves to be carried in style!
Or at least that’s what I told my husband when I came home from Staples with a cool new lunch bag instead of ink cartridges!
Question of the Day
Are you a Buyer or a Bringer? And if you’re a Bringer, what’s in your lunch bag today?
Posted by: Melissa 14 comments
Posted in: Lunch
Tags: Lunch Bag
on Mar 4th, 2010 at 8:41 am
I’m always a bringer. Today I have Mac N Cheese with collard greens and an orange.
on Mar 4th, 2010 at 8:48 am
Along with Lily, I’m a bringer. I pack mine and my husband’s lunch every night for the next day. I like knowing what goes into the food I eat and saving money is always a plus. Today’s lunch is simply a sweet potato with plain Greek yogurt and cinnamon.
on Mar 4th, 2010 at 9:17 am
I am usually a buyer but I am trying to be a bringer! I still end up eatting out two days a week but it used to be five! I now bring salad with leftovers from the night before.
on Mar 4th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Super cute lunch bag! I love the selection of everything you brought with you. Since I have been working from home lately, I don’t have to worry about bringing anything. When I do pack a lunch, it’s usually a sandwich, some kind of fruit or veggie, crackers or chips, and a little dessert.
on Mar 4th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Definately a bringer gal! Today I have leftover homemade tuna noodle casserole from last night’s dinner. The casserole has lots of goodies such as steamed broccoli inside! I also have a big salad on the side with carrots and cucumber. For some snacking I brought a light mozzarella string cheese and an organic gala apple. YUM! Definately beats the high priced junk I could be eating for lunch
on Mar 4th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Your bag is too cute. Now I want a new one:) I always bring my lunch, it is a must. It saves money and it is a lot healthier too! Today I have fat free cottage cheese, a pear, cut up veggies, 4 whole grain crackers, and an apple for a snack. I also brought my breakfast-rolled oats, lots of cinnamon, a few raisins, and a splash of soy milk:)
on Mar 4th, 2010 at 10:03 am
oh! I have that lunch bag but in a different color. I haven’t used it yet though! I’m trying to get better about bringing my lunch because where I work now, there isn’t a lot of cheap options, or even options for that matter. Today I have a lettuce/tomato salad with low-fat Thousand Island and a banana.
on Mar 4th, 2010 at 10:57 am
I bring most of the time – weight watchers yogurt with bear fit granola or melba toast with weight watchers cream cheese. Daily I have to battle to urge to eat from the college cafeteria (it is right outside my office!!)
on Mar 4th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Packing lunches is the best way to go. I’ve done it for a while and it is a great way to be a bit healthier. Pinch my pockets too!
on Mar 4th, 2010 at 11:28 am
I’m a bringer…usually leftovers from the night before. Today is Chicken and wild rice with some veggies.
on Mar 4th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Hey Melissa!
I just realized you moved. I love the new look
I am a bringer. I need to be able to eat quick and fast as a teacher. I love the new lunchbox. So professional!!
on Mar 4th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
I always bring leftovers. I got a new lunch box earlier this year, since my old one was falling apart. I love your stripes! Mine has polka dots.
I work with a bunch of people who either get fast food, skip lunch, or eat those frozen meal things, so my lunch is always the subject of much scrutiny and wariness. I feel like leftover ziti and cut up veggies with hummus isn’t that scary, but apparently I’m in the minority at my workplace.
on Mar 5th, 2010 at 9:51 am
I’m definitely a bringer.I like to have control over what I eat.Plus, it’s cheaper.Honestly,I don’t think you eat a lot…looks good to me:-) cc
on Mar 5th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Crazy pink sneakers. I’m all for New balance as well.I am so a bringer! I make my husband’s lunches as well, except for 1 day a week, then he is on his own…..
My lunch today:
-1 package string cheese
-5 celery stalks
-handful of Pepperidge Farm graham Fish & 2 chocolate wafers(can’t live w/o chocolate)
-Goulash of left overs-cut up roasted chicken, mixed with left over Chinese chicken stirfy(that was homemade), & leftover squash casserole. By Friday everything gets mixed together