Can you Recommend Some Cold Lunch Ideas?
I received my first ever blog post request. That is, I got a question from a reader (and friend) to answer via a post.
Here is her question:
I am trying to find some creative meals to give to my husband when he goes to work. We are trying to save money and buying lunch each day is obviously way too much [money]. Right now we are getting some rolls, sandwich meat and cheese. Which is okay and we shake it up by getting some different types of meats but I am sure he is getting bored of those. You see with his job he doesn’t have access to a microwave so we can’t provide stuff that we can just heat up.
Now, I’m neither a nutrition expert nor a chef (not technically anyway). I’m just wearing one of the many hats I wear as a wife and mother.
I wish I could say that I happily pack my husband and myself a lunch each day we go to work. The truth is that I don’t. If we do take lunch from home, usually it’s either leftovers from dinner, or (for myself) a frozen South Beach meal. But, both of us have access to a microwave at work.
My friend pointed out two very important aspects of her situation.
- They are trying to save money.
- Her husband can’t access a microwave.
Keeping that in mind, here are my cold lunch ideas. (Using the term “cold” loosely since some are actually warm choices, but the point is that no microwave is required.) Some are not the healthiest choices, but they sure are cost-effective.
Sandwiches
She mentions that they’re already doing the standard sandwich, but here are some other types of sandwiches they could make. These mainly vary the “bread” used, but any of them could vary in content as well.
- Peanut butter & jelly: Try using different kinds of jelly (grape, strawberry, etc.) or even jam which has a different texture. If you also spice up the bread used, like using multigrain, nutty bread, it could really take the standard PB&J up a notch.
- Pita pocket: Tuna salad or chicken salad can easily be stuffed in a pita. To avoid it spoiling, if a fridge is not available either, a portable cooler
or insulated lunch bag
- Bagel: Bagels make great sandwich “bread”. There are also the square bagels that make for great sandwiches.
- Wraps: Take a traditional ham & cheese and wrap it instead of using bread. Obviously, you can create endless types of wraps and can use either whole wheat, tomato, or spinach tortillas when the plain flour tortilla tires out.
- Croissant: I’m sure you’ve heard of the CroissanWich from Burger King. Why not make your own? Again, many types of sandwiches can be created using a croissant as the “bread”.
Hot Lunches
Using a thermos
- Soup: Pack up last night’s leftover soup or try the canned variety.
- Chili: You can make a batch of chili early in the week that will last a few days. There are also plenty of canned chilis out there.
- Chef Boyardee: Not the healthiest, I know, but it is rather cheap and can make for a quick meal every so often. Spaghetti will probably work best, but you can try many of their choices.
- Pork & Beans: Also not the best choice in my opinion, but some folks love it.
Salads
Of course salads can easily replace a traditional sandwich, but they normally need to keep cool. If no fridge is accessible, you could (as mentioned earlier) use a portable cooler or insulated lunch bag. Packing the dressing separately is always a good idea. But, the rest could easily be pre-tossed together.
There are endless salad choices available. A personal favorite for lunch in our house is green leaf lettuce, black olives, shredded carrots, shredded cheese, craisins, and cut up chicken. My husband also likes to add sunflower seed kernels. For the chicken, you could buy the pre-cut grilled chicken strips for convenience.
Other Ideas
- Hot Dogs: We’ve done this on many beach trips. Boil the hot dogs in the morning and pack in a plastic container. They do well at room-temperature and can easily be assembled with the bread, cheese, etc., when it’s time for lunch.
- Leftovers: There is plenty of food that if you heat up real well in the morning before leaving the house, keeps well and can be eaten at room-temperature by lunch time. Rice comes to mind.
What Others are Saying
- Lunch in a Box: Box Lunches
- WebMD: 15 Fresh Brown Bag Lunch Ideas
- Clever Dude: Frugal Lunch by Clever Dudette
Now it’s your turn.
Do you have any more ideas for cold lunches? What do you recommend she pack for her husband’s lunch?
I look forward to reading your comments about lunch ideas you’ve tried in the past or think will work.
Photo by Pieter Dirkx
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Posted in life on September 1st, 2008 by Modern Mami | | 12 Comments
Case of the Blahs
I’ve been having a case of the blahs lately. I can’t even figure out why. It’s not like I have anything to complain about.
Work is ok. And, I’m thankful that I have a job considering the state of things these days.
We have a home. (check)
We have food. (check)
Baby girl is doing good – she’s not sick and there’s no behavioral issues. (check)
And yet, I feel blah.
Then that turns into guilt for feeling blah when I know there are others out there dealing with so much.
Maybe it’s the monotony of everyday life. You know, the same old same old routine we go through.
Get up.
Get dressed.
Go to work.
Sit at desk for 8 hours.
Pick up kid.
Drive home.
Make/eat dinner.
Clean up dishes.
Kid’s bath/bed time.
Crash on couch.
Go to bed.
Repeat.
Today I called my husband and said, “I feel like playing hooky and forgetting about that whole ‘responsible parent’ thing and just going to have fun with you. Like we did back in high school/college.”
And of course, now I feel guilty for saying that.
Cause when I have such a wonderful daughter, why would I want to leave her behind with her abuelos to go have fun on my own?
This little blah-phase needs to leave.
Fast.
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Posted in life on August 4th, 2008 by Modern Mami | | 9 Comments
Go Read This
It’s as if she read my mind…
I would never have been able to put it in such great words, though.
So go read!
Oh, The Joys - Things Fall Apart
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Posted in Work, life on July 9th, 2008 by Modern Mami | | 0 Comments
Taking a Sick Day
on the sofa
with a cold
that is all
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Posted in life on July 7th, 2008 by Modern Mami | | 2 Comments
What to do on My Day Off?
How sad is this?
I have a 3 day weekend coming up and I’m not even sure what to do with myself on Monday!
I have a few choices in mind - errands, house work, “me” time, but can’t decide.
So, let’s do a little poll…
What should I do on my day off on Monday?
- Organize closets - mine and baby girl’s
- Work on baby girl’s baby album/scrapbook
- Drop her off with grandparents for a couple of hours so I can get a mani/pedi and eyebrows waxed
- Go to bank to open up bank account for baby girl
- Go return various items purchased prior to our Hawaii trip (various stores)
This is what happens when you work during the week and can’t run errands on a regular basis.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments!
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Posted in life on June 27th, 2008 by Modern Mami | | 3 Comments
Housework, Giggle and Run, and Babies
Eeek! It’s been almost a week since I posted.
And what a week it’s been!
(Don’t worry, the title will make sense soon.)
Let’s see - we went to a friend’s house over the weekend and stayed overnight.
She has a 3 month old baby girl and a 5 year old little boy and it’s been at least a year since we had seen each other!
Needless to say, the baby is a.do.ra.ble! And, it was hilarious to watch my 2 year old baby girl play hide & seek with her son. It was more like “giggle & run” than actual hiding.
Of course, it was back to the work week after that - and it’s been a busy work week!
Where does the time go when you’re sitting in meetings each day?
But, I do have to say that the husband and I have been trying to stick with our managing housework schedule and we’ve actually kept up with it this week! He’s been great help and took on the sweeping and mopping last night while I cooked dinner!
Thankfully, I have a 3 day weekend coming up and hopefully we’ll be able to organize and paint our office.
Great plans for the weekend, huh? But, when you’ve been having fun the past few weekends, it’s time to take a break and give the house some TLC too.
What are your big plans for this weekend?
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Posted in life on June 26th, 2008 by Modern Mami | | 3 Comments
Quick Update
Oh my God!
I promise, I didn’t stay in Hawaii…though I wish I had!
I should have taken a few extra days to get my house (and life) back in order after returning from the trip.
So, needless to say, it’s been a busy week and a half, trying to recuperate from the trip and get back into our normal routine.
Work is very busy, baby girl caught a slight cold, my mother caught the cold from her, and I’ve been running around in circles!
I will update soon and will write all about the trip and include some pictures.
Just give me a few days (hopefully)…cross your fingers! 
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Posted in life on June 3rd, 2008 by Modern Mami | | 2 Comments
Happy Birthday to Me!
Hellooooo!
Today is my birthday and I’m celebrating it like never before!
I’m probably sitting on some nice beach, relaxing, and sipping on some mai tais.
Hopefully anyway.
As you know, I’m in Hawaii currently, and yes, I know I keep talking about it.
But, I can do that because it’s my birthday.
I’ll be back soon!
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Posted in life on May 21st, 2008 by Modern Mami | | 5 Comments
Adios Florida…Aloha Hawaii
The day is finally here!
Right as this is being posted, I’m on the plane (hopefully) and on my way to Honolulu!
I’ll be gone for a week and will miss baby girl tremendously, but I know we’ll have lots of fun.
I’ve got some posts all set to go for the coming week, including a guest post by Virginia lawyer Andrew Flusche. He’s got some great legal tips for parents.
See you all next week!
Aloha!
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Posted in life on May 17th, 2008 by Modern Mami | | 0 Comments
We’re going to Hawaii
It’s almost here!
I’m so super excited!
In two more days, I’ll be hopping on a plane and on my way to Hawaii!
It is the first real vacation for us in about 4 years AND it’s actually our belated honeymoon.
Yup, five years ago we got married and never had a honeymoon.
So, this is a much deserved trip and I can’t wait!
I’ll be missing my baby girl of course, but she’s in good hands with her abuela and we’ll have fun.
What I’m NOT looking forward to is the very long plane trip. We are traveling all day, I think like 12 hours.
So who here has been to Honolulu?
Let me know in the comments of your favorite attractions, dining spots, and anything else you recommend we visit.
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Posted in life on May 15th, 2008 by Modern Mami | | 1 Comments
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