It's that time of year again! Back to school/work (unless you work year-round then your life is one never-ending spiral/new month). It's part of the daily struggle to pack your lunch everyday (I know you could just buy your lunch but who's made of that kind of dough?). EVERYDAY. Unless you have leftovers that you are psyched to eat, the idea of packing a lunch can put you into a funk before you even leave your house. Here are some ideas if you are stuck and want to save dolla bills from eating out. Also, I'm not vegetarian and neither are these, but I'm sure you could substitute here and there.
Even though it's fall, one of my favorite lunches is chicken salad. I know, I used to think it was sick too (ie gross summer potlucks). But hear me out. It's cheap and can be made in advance so you don't have to think about meals for the whole week. A grocery store (Harris Teeter) usually has rotisserie chickens on sale at least once a week (Sunday & Thursdays) so buy one!
Take out the chicken, mix in some red grapes, some heated nuts (pecans), and a small amount of mayo (I don't like mayo, but sadly it is necessary and I will eat it in this), salt, pepper, and honey. That's it! You're set with an entree all week. Go crazy with your bread choice - the bagel thin and sandwich options are numerous these days. Throw it on an english muffin if you're truly wacky!
Some days you want to feel like you eat healthy. Caesar salad is your answer. I think you can throw anything in it? Mine includes a mix of romaine,iceberg, and spinach together with garbanzo beans (you can toast these before work with cayenne pepper/chili powder if you want more of a crunch) and then add crunched up pita chips for extra saltiness. Top with a store bought creamy Caesar dressing. This is a salt salad like you've never had and it's delicious.
This next salad option is labeled gross by some, salty and delicious by others. It really fills you up. Any type of lettuce (spinach is great), tuna, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, salt & pepper Texas Toast croutons, and half or a third of a hard-boiled egg topped with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Seriously this will make you full for a week. I'm particular about salads because I do not like everything to touch before I eat. The cucumbers will get soggy and gross along with the lettuce. So this is one to tackle if you have a lot of prep time or Rubbermaid containers to separate it all out.
Let's talk prepared food. An old standby is Smart Ones Fettucini Alfredo. I get weary of the Lean Cuisine's with meat and I've found the Smart Ones actually taste better. With that said, these are only a monthly buy for me. I get sick of them pretty fast and I only keep them on hand when my brain just can't function in the morning.
Even though it's fall, one of my favorite lunches is chicken salad. I know, I used to think it was sick too (ie gross summer potlucks). But hear me out. It's cheap and can be made in advance so you don't have to think about meals for the whole week. A grocery store (Harris Teeter) usually has rotisserie chickens on sale at least once a week (Sunday & Thursdays) so buy one!
Take out the chicken, mix in some red grapes, some heated nuts (pecans), and a small amount of mayo (I don't like mayo, but sadly it is necessary and I will eat it in this), salt, pepper, and honey. That's it! You're set with an entree all week. Go crazy with your bread choice - the bagel thin and sandwich options are numerous these days. Throw it on an english muffin if you're truly wacky!
Some days you want to feel like you eat healthy. Caesar salad is your answer. I think you can throw anything in it? Mine includes a mix of romaine,iceberg, and spinach together with garbanzo beans (you can toast these before work with cayenne pepper/chili powder if you want more of a crunch) and then add crunched up pita chips for extra saltiness. Top with a store bought creamy Caesar dressing. This is a salt salad like you've never had and it's delicious.
This next salad option is labeled gross by some, salty and delicious by others. It really fills you up. Any type of lettuce (spinach is great), tuna, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, salt & pepper Texas Toast croutons, and half or a third of a hard-boiled egg topped with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Seriously this will make you full for a week. I'm particular about salads because I do not like everything to touch before I eat. The cucumbers will get soggy and gross along with the lettuce. So this is one to tackle if you have a lot of prep time or Rubbermaid containers to separate it all out.
Let's talk prepared food. An old standby is Smart Ones Fettucini Alfredo. I get weary of the Lean Cuisine's with meat and I've found the Smart Ones actually taste better. With that said, these are only a monthly buy for me. I get sick of them pretty fast and I only keep them on hand when my brain just can't function in the morning.
Recently though I've been introduced to Amy's frozen meals. These are delicious! Do yourself a favor and go purchase Amy's Indian Vegetable Korma. Trader Joe's is also in the frozen biz. The Chicken Tikka Masala with basmati rice is good and spicy, even if it's a little small. I'm sure for some people they could eat two of these and still be hungry. Or you could pack some naan on the side. The chicken enchilada's are also good. Easy to reheat, add some salsa and you're done.
These are some standbys of the moment. Feel free to give us your best lunch suggestion!
Photos credits: chicken salad and caesar salad
