swasat
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Post by swasat on Oct 28, 2014 12:26:32 GMT -5
I plan all my dinners with next day's lunches in mind. So 90% of the time I have enough leftovers for DH and my lunches. The days that we don't, a quick 3-4 ingredient salad is easy to whip up. Add in boiled eggs and some fruit and lunch is ready to go!
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Opti
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Post by Opti on Oct 28, 2014 12:34:35 GMT -5
You can always learn new things here. Not sure if this will change the rare times I make sandwiches but it will be useful if I make one to take to work.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Oct 28, 2014 12:54:43 GMT -5
Not to ask a silly question, but if it's a military base, don't they have places to eat on-base? When we lived on a military base, the only places to eat on base was at either the NCO or Officer's club, or the bowling alley. Fast food joints usually congregate around the entrance outside of the base, I don't ever remember seeing any inside the gates.
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Oct 28, 2014 13:07:40 GMT -5
Just an FYI Phoenix, Ziploc makes lunch containers that have lids that seal each individual compartment. Important if one part of lunch is juicy and may ruin other parts.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Oct 28, 2014 13:49:40 GMT -5
Just an FYI Phoenix, Ziploc makes lunch containers that have lids that seal each individual compartment. Important if one part of lunch is juicy and may ruin other parts. If you find the Ziplock ones and like them, buy what you can. They're no longer making them per one of the bloggers/FB pages I follow. I'll see if I can find the post about it.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Oct 28, 2014 13:50:47 GMT -5
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Oct 28, 2014 14:00:19 GMT -5
I second Amy's, canned soup, and ramen as cheap easy options for days you are too lazy to fix something or don't have leftovers.
Sometimes I like to bring a few fresh things and just "cook" at work if my leftovers are boring or need to be stretched a bit. For instance, if you have leftover chicken but finished your veggies or starch you can just bring a potato to nuke, or a bag of minute rice, and steam some veggies in a bit of water. I love to add a handful of fresh kale, broccoli, and hot sauce to my ramen.
Keep some favorite seasonings (I like Cholula and Herbamare) at your desk and hoard leftover condiment packages.
Fresh n' Easy also has a lot of ready made single serve meals and soups that are pretty good if you have one of those in your area.
Oh and I recommend you invest in some pyrex. Tomato sauce, plastic, and microwaves don't mix well.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Oct 28, 2014 14:17:21 GMT -5
Before you start planning meals you can nuke in the office microwave, you might want to inquire what the expectations are for its use. Do several people generally want to use it around the same time of day? If so, you will want to be sure not to bring something that takes an inordinate amount of microwave time to prepare or time your lunch for earlier or later so you're not "that guy" who hogs the microwave. Also, find out what your office mates consider "stinky food" that should not be microwaved in the office. It is almost universally considered bad office-microwave manners to heat any kind of fish or shellfish in the office microwave because fish and shellfish heated in the microwave give off stinky fumes and everyone will end up hating you. Some office grouches complain about anything with garlic in it, too. So, just check with your office mates to see what is expected regarding office microwave etiquette to avoid causing offense while you're still the new guy.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Oct 28, 2014 15:03:23 GMT -5
soup salad chili wraps roast lasagna/casserole sandwich
These are the most frequent lunches for me and DH. I make soup every week when the weather gets colder and always have enough for a couple of lunches. Often, I save 2 portions for lunches and freeze 2 portions for future lunches. I make soups like minestrone, chicken noodle, chicken enchilada etc. They aren't difficult at all and they taste great and are nutritious. We eat salads a LOT during the summer. Chop and prep veggies on the weekend. we usually grill up some chicken or boil eggs for extra protein. Anything you throw in a salad, can be thrown in a wrap. We do buffalo chicken, grilled chicken ceaser, tex mex, pulled pork, Mediterranean, all kinds of wraps. just depends on what ingredients we have on hand. You can use pork roast and pair if with veggies for a hearty meal, or make pulled pork for sandwiches, wraps or salad. My husband loves veggie lasagna or pasta bakes, which is what he is eating this week for lunch. He often does sandwiches as well, and takes some veggies to snack on.
I don't tend to eat food from packages too often, but I do keep some store bought soup and crackers in my cabinet at work. There are days when I forget lunch or just need something in a pinch. a can of soup works.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2014 19:46:29 GMT -5
I think you've gotten a ton of great suggestions Phoenix! I also think it's not realistic to go from buying lunch every day to making homemade food everyday and / or batch cooking, and bringing in leftovers. It doesn't have to be one thing or the other, I'd mix it up! I'd try to batch cook at least one thing every week. Make big portions (6 or 8), have some for dinner that night, and freeze the rest in individual portions for other dinners or lunches. It would also improve your cooking skills. Things like chili, lasagne, soups (split pea and ham, vegetable) freeze well. So if you make a big pot of chili one week, a large pan of lasagne another week, a big pot of soup one week, that's 18 meals right there! Find one or two other dishes from everybody's suggestions and make one a week. After a month of doing that, a dish every week, you'll have enough meals stocked up that you'll only need to do it twice a month. I'd make twice as much of another easy dinner or two you make during the week, and bring half of that in for lunch one day, and freeze the other half. If you don't want to eat the same thing twice in a row, stick the other half in the freezer and take it another day. Then I'd buy ready meals for two lunches, and make a (really nice) sandwich or wrap one day. I often bring frozen meals to work ... we too have a staff kitchen with two microwaves. I work 3 days a week so I generally bring a frozen meal once a week, leftovers (if I have any) or a sandwich (if I don't) once a week, and get takeout once a week. IMO it's the "extras" that make a difference. A sandwich or salad on its own can be boring, but if you have good bread, a good dessert, maybe a small soup, some raw veggies (carrot or cucumber sticks or radishes or cherry tomatoes) it can make a BIG difference, and it's healthier than potato chips, for example. I'd also definitely invest in some zip-lock baggies and a few Tupperware type containers! And I'd buy a bunch of ready meals (like 5-10) and "taste test" them. Keep notes, or the wrapper, so you remember what you liked and what you didn't. Other thought: can you organize a "food run" once a week? Maybe once a week somebody can go get pizza, or Chinese takeaway, etc, for several people? Of course in that case you'd take turns doing it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2014 19:57:23 GMT -5
I also think you need to get a cookbook. Since you don't seem to love cooking, I'd suggest getting a cookbook for college students, because the recipes are generally easy, relatively cheap, and quick to make.
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Oct 29, 2014 9:18:20 GMT -5
Just an FYI Phoenix, Ziploc makes lunch containers that have lids that seal each individual compartment. Important if one part of lunch is juicy and may ruin other parts. If you find the Ziplock ones and like them, buy what you can. They're no longer making them per one of the bloggers/FB pages I follow. I'll see if I can find the post about it. NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Oct 30, 2014 20:41:45 GMT -5
Where I work during tax season, I soon found out that there was a line-up to use the one microwave, so I figured out yogurt with granola and vegetarian sandwiches, etc. to eat. I really don't want to spend my entire lunch half hour waiting to use the microwave and then have to scarf down the food so fast I don't enjoy it.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Oct 30, 2014 21:42:28 GMT -5
Well, I did find out today that there is a rec center on base across from the Marine barracks that sells lunch every day. So that's good.
Still, it's good to be able to bring my lunch.
I am a bit worried about the frozen dinners. I thought those were not very good for you and you really gain weight while eating them.
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svwashout
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Post by svwashout on Oct 30, 2014 22:29:29 GMT -5
Got my 10lb sack of potatoes for $0.99. Cook one up for lunch each day in the company microwave, I do it early morning when I arrive so I don't hold up the queue at lunchtime. Not too difficult just punch in 5 minutes and careful pulling it out. Cost-wise I think it meets YM guidelines, that's a nickel a day for lunch, and it drops to 4 cents if I can find a bag with smaller ones. Just have to find my lost shaker of salt. Some folks "borrow" half & half from the coffee machine for theirs, they're the misers.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Oct 31, 2014 2:00:29 GMT -5
Well, I did find out today that there is a rec center on base across from the Marine barracks that sells lunch every day. So that's good.
Still, it's good to be able to bring my lunch.
I am a bit worried about the frozen dinners. I thought those were not very good for you and you really gain weight while eating them. I don't eat them, way too much sodium, etc, but, in moderation it probably doesn't hurt. Not something I'd do every day. Will you be going home for Christmas? If so, does your mom cook? You may want to ask her if she'll show you a few basics. There are so many things we don't want to learn until years after we move out, but, lots of moms are usually moms and would love to spend the time together, teach their adult kids stuff, etc. I know my mom was excited when I finally asked her to show me how to crochet (next will be to show me how to sew). Hopefully your mom would be excited to show you!
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tallguy
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Post by tallguy on Oct 31, 2014 2:12:37 GMT -5
I've got nothin' to add here. To the best of my recollection, I haven't brought lunch EVER in my working career. Of course, I've never bought lunch either. Most I would do was bring in a jar of juice for the day.
I used to argue with companies that I should not be required to take a lunch period at all. I always figured that no matter what I did after I got home, it was a better use of time than sitting around work for an extra half-hour doing nothing. At one point, an HR person told me it was a law that I had to take a lunch period. I told her, "No, it's not. That's ridiculous." She suggested that I call the Department of Labor and Industries, and even gave me the phone number. So I called.
"Hello, my employer is telling me that the law requires me to take a lunch period." "Yes, that's correct. If you work over a certain number of hours they have to give you a lunch break." "No, you don't understand. The law requires them to OFFER me a lunch period. There is NOTHING in the law that requires me to TAKE one." "Oh. We've never gotten THAT question before. Yes, you're right." "I know, but thank you."
So I go back to work the next day and tell the HR person what they said. She got irate, and even started yelling a little bit. I guess it was poor form to actually be right. Who knew?
So they stopped requiring me to take a lunch. For a couple years. They were going to make some changes and called a company meeting for everyone working at the corporate location. One announcement early on was that everyone would have to abide by the lunch schedule. I got up and walked out, right in front of the owners and president, vice-president, and general manager. Ended up spending a half-hour a day for the next couple months or so just walking around angry. They then realized that they were better off making me happy, so dropped it again. And I still don't take a lunch break.
Trust me, it makes the, "What to have for lunch today?" question MUCH simpler....
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Oct 31, 2014 2:13:35 GMT -5
Got my 10lb sack of potatoes for $0.99. Cook one up for lunch each day in the company microwave, I do it early morning when I arrive so I don't hold up the queue at lunchtime. Not too difficult just punch in 5 minutes and careful pulling it out. Cost-wise I think it meets YM guidelines, that's a nickel a day for lunch, and it drops to 4 cents if I can find a bag with smaller ones. Just have to find my lost shaker of salt. Some folks "borrow" half & half from the coffee machine for theirs, they're the misers. A hot baked potato in each pocket makes excellent hand-warmers in the dead of winter. Sometimes I do that when I'm walking to work, then just reheat at mealtime.
(One has to get creative when living on the frozen tundra.)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2014 7:04:13 GMT -5
Well, I did find out today that there is a rec center on base across from the Marine barracks that sells lunch every day. So that's good.
Still, it's good to be able to bring my lunch.
I am a bit worried about the frozen dinners. I thought those were not very good for you and you really gain weight while eating them. I don't eat them, way too much sodium, etc, but, in moderation it probably doesn't hurt. Not something I'd do every day. Will you be going home for Christmas? If so, does your mom cook? You may want to ask her if she'll show you a few basics. There are so many things we don't want to learn until years after we move out, but, lots of moms are usually moms and would love to spend the time together, teach their adult kids stuff, etc. I know my mom was excited when I finally asked her to show me how to crochet (next will be to show me how to sew). Hopefully your mom would be excited to show you! unless you have blood pressure issues, there is no real need to limit sodium....however, I'm not sure how this whole 'they have too much sodium' got started, but they don't.... and Phoenix - why wouldn't they be good for you compared to you eating out every day?
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Oct 31, 2014 11:12:21 GMT -5
If you get the good frozen meals (i.e. not the Banquet/Hungry Man crap), they can be just as healthy as a lot of food made at home. Just read the labels if you have specific concerns. Many of my former coworkers brought the frozen meals for lunch and not one of them dropped dead from the experience. Safeway has its own line of smaller-sized frozen meals, many of which are really good (and usually only $2.00 each). I used to take them myself for days when I hadn't had the time or the inclination to fix something from scratch.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2014 11:23:10 GMT -5
If you get the good frozen meals (i.e. not the Banquet/Hungry Man crap), they can be just as healthy as a lot of food made at home. Just read the labels if you have specific concerns. Many of my former coworkers brought the frozen meals for lunch and not one of them dropped dead from the experience. Safeway has its own line of smaller-sized frozen meals, many of which are really good (and usually only $2.00 each). I used to take them myself for days when I hadn't had the time or the inclination to fix something from scratch.
is a lunch brought from home that is made up of leftovers all cooked from scratch healthier than a frozen meal - probably, however, Phoenix said he was going out every day. unless he was getting a fresh made meal of all natural organic ingredients, I doubt the frozen meal is more unhealthy.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Oct 31, 2014 11:41:06 GMT -5
If you get the good frozen meals (i.e. not the Banquet/Hungry Man crap), they can be just as healthy as a lot of food made at home. Just read the labels if you have specific concerns. Many of my former coworkers brought the frozen meals for lunch and not one of them dropped dead from the experience. Safeway has its own line of smaller-sized frozen meals, many of which are really good (and usually only $2.00 each). I used to take them myself for days when I hadn't had the time or the inclination to fix something from scratch.
is a lunch brought from home that is made up of leftovers all cooked from scratch healthier than a frozen meal - probably, however, Phoenix said he was going out every day. unless he was getting a fresh made meal of all natural organic ingredients, I doubt the frozen meal is more unhealthy. Well, I was mostly thinking of a comparison between the better frozen meals and some of the stuff I make at home. I am fairly confident that even an organocrunchy foodie evangelist would often prefer the frozen meal to some of my concoctions. (And I'm okay with that.)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2014 11:59:28 GMT -5
If you find the Ziplock ones and like them, buy what you can. They're no longer making them per one of the bloggers/FB pages I follow. I'll see if I can find the post about it. NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No is right! I bought two of them for younger son when he started school this Fall and I just love them. I'll have to check out Target this weekend and stock up.
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