What a Difference Packing Your Lunch Makes
Two weeks ago, I went to the Farmer’s Market and bought a huge loaf of bread, two bell peppers, a bag of salad mix, and two croissants. All of it cost $20.00, which is a crazy lot of money to pay, but everything was fresh, tasty and made locally. Considering that I packed 3 lunches for work and ate 2-4 other meals (lunch or dinner) from it, that’s not bad. I bought some orange juice and small steaks at the market later in the week, on top of pulling frozen chicken from the fridge to round things out, protein-wise. For two of those lunches I took to work, I bought some tuna or seafood salad to fill out the salad mix I packed, for about $3.50 each time. The other one was leftover steak. Each meal was awesome and fresh! (What do you think inspired my Nalgene post with the balsamic vinaigrette recipe?)
I even went away for Father’s Day and returned to find a small wedge of bread that had a speck of mold. I cut off that part and served with cooked lentils from the pantry so as not to waste it. (I was going to toss the bread, but hoped it would go stale to make breadcrumbs. Unfortunately, it’s too humid right now.) The only thing left in the fridge is a bell pepper, which though old now, will get consumed soon.
This week, I didn’t have time to go to market because I was away for the holiday and I’ve already spent about $20 on 1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner. This is not happy making. I went to lunch late on Tuesday and hated absolutely everything they had to offer. I grabbed my car keys and went for salad and half sandwich at a Vie de France instead. I could have skipped the salad. It was no better or worse than the farmer’s market salad mix. The sandwich was tuna nicoise, very yummy with no mayonnaise. However, this does not excuse the fact that I think I am going to have to keep on packing much lunch because frankly, I’m feeling moody about food (PMS) and think I can make lunch for cheaper and love its taste a lot more if I bring it from home.
Maybe it’s the PMS, but after a week of really yummy packed lunches, looking at food prepared other places has zero appeal.
Anyone else feeling this way?
MVP wrote:
Yeah, I know what you mean. I love eating my own homemade lunches, I just hate getting them ready in the morning. If I prepare leftovers from the night before, I have to be near a microwave to heat them up at work. My job often requires me to be out on the road. So, my best bet is to pack a sandwich or something I can keep cold in a lunch box-thing with fruit and crackers or other snacks. I end up spending too much money and/or consuming empty calories if I don’t take the time to pack a lunch.
Posted on 20-Jun-07 at 9:50 am | Permalink
Sistah Ant wrote:
i’m lucky, cause i can take salad ingredients to work and make one whenever i want. i have a little container where i keep my toppings and dressing, and a ziploc bag with the lettuce i use. i keep dry non-perishables sealed in an empty file cabinet. and now spending $5 or more for any meal out just feels stupid - i only do it rarely.
Posted on 20-Jun-07 at 10:22 am | Permalink
Kate wrote:
I agree. I enjoy lunches I’ve packed myself far more than I do lunches I buy.
Posted on 20-Jun-07 at 10:56 am | Permalink
Kevin wrote:
Well, I’m on the other side of things here. I’d much rather eat out every day of the week!
HOWEVER, I do make myself pack my lunch (and breakfast)– every day of the week. I used to get clobbered by the “latte factor”. Literally, in fact — we have a GREAT local coffee shop right between home and work.
A few months ago my wife and I got SERIOUS about our finances. Instead of eating out and driving to the gym three times a week to squeeze in workouts, I now bring my food and walk the two miles to work (and dropped the $50/month gym membership). I save $10+ a day on food, have negligible gas costs, and stay fit while saving on gym fees. It’s a win-win situation, but…
I do still look wistfully upon my coworkers’ pizza, subs, and other fine treats.
Posted on 20-Jun-07 at 11:33 am | Permalink
English Major wrote:
I’m with you!
Since embarking on my frugal food experiment, I’ve rediscovered my love of cooking and food prep, and am finding myself having little trouble passing up buying food from any of the lunch places around my office. If I learned to make sushi, truly, my life would be complete.
Posted on 20-Jun-07 at 1:00 pm | Permalink
djc wrote:
If your leftover red bell is a little soft and wrinkled, a good way to use it is to char the skin until black over a gas flame, holding it with metal kitchen tongs. Put it in a paper bag to cool, then rub the skin off, chop and de-seed. Makes a great addition to salad or sandwiches, or pasta sauce.
Posted on 21-Jun-07 at 2:25 pm | Permalink
sfmoneymusings wrote:
lentils and bread? that sounds so delicious! what kind of lentils did you use and did you season them?
Even when I eat out once a month with a friend it’s never as good as my home-made sandwiches or lunches from home. There’s something really special about packing your own lunch - I think it’s that warm feel-good feeling that you saved money by not eating out or something else.
Posted on 22-Jun-07 at 3:12 am | Permalink
Shelly wrote:
You can cut off mold from cheese and it eat, but I would highly discourge you from doing this with bread again.
The reason? Mold doesn’t go through cheese as rapidly and as throughly as it goes through bread. While you didn’t get sick that time, you might the next.
Posted on 26-Jun-07 at 11:57 am | Permalink
mapgirl wrote:
Shelly: Thanks for the word of warning! I was wondering if that was safe to do or not.
Posted on 26-Jun-07 at 12:15 pm | Permalink