My husband is kind of a chef. No really, he is. I mean, he makes things like this. Yes, that IS mushroom soup with a pastry topping. He loves to cook. He loves to talk about food. He loves to watch The Food Network. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I enjoy food too. And I am actually quite a good cook. And I guarantee that I make better chocolate chip cookies than you do (and no, they don’t come from a tube thankyouverymuch). But since I am not living in my own house right now, I am not really entertaining all that much. This is out of logistics, mind you, not laziness. I swear.
And cooking for my children is, well, as the French say une perte de temps. (I don’t really know if the French say this, but let’s pretend that they do and that it actually means ‘a waste of time’ shall we?) (I lived in Canada for 12 years and I don’t speak a lick) My kids like things like lasagna made from nothing but ricotta cheese, mozzarella and tomato sauce. FANCY.
So, I haven’t been cooking much. I keep dinners for me and the kids pretty simple. baked chicken. rice. edamame. lasagna. homemade mac and cheese. broccoli. make your own tacos. grilled cheese. again, FANCY.
And don’t even get me started on when I eat alone. At least when I was working in an office, I had to make efforts to eat a lunch that I wasn’t too embarrassed to eat in front of people. But now that I work at home, no one is there to watch me eat mini-wheats for lunch for 18 days in a row.
Or 37 peanut m&ms and a string cheese. Or an entire bag of cheese popcorn. Or peanut butter straight off the spoon and a handful of pretzels. Or a Luna bar and some cashews. Or an entire tub of frozen yogurt. Oh no. I can embarrass myself to no end, and you can be sure that is exactly what I do.
Until now.
I am not big on resolutions, but I am making it a goal this year (sure, I’m a little late…but it’s still January! Points for that, no?) to try to eat NORMAL food. I mean, really, is it that hard to make a sandwich? or warm up some soup? This is where you, friends, come in. What do YOU eat for lunch? I need some ideas for lunch, please. And if they could be easy, and relatively low calorie, and pretty cheap, and, oh, also delicious, that would be aces. Oh, and I don’t eat fish, so don’t even go the tuna route.
And the good news is that once you give me non-mortifying lunch ideas, I can invite you all over.
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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: kidthingsnet
January 12, 2010 at 9:23 am
I’ve been on a diet since last week, so I’ve been having salads for lunch since. A bag of lettuce, maybe a few tomatoes or whatever, some salad dressing and voila!
Twitter: alimartell
January 12, 2010 at 9:24 am
@C @ Kid Things, but then do you eat nothing until dinner? I feel like I might STARVE with just a salad!
Twitter: kidthingsnet
January 12, 2010 at 9:28 am
@alimartell, We eat dinner kind of late because my husband doesn’t get home from work til around 7, so at around 3:00 I usually have a few grapes or nuts or something. But it’s really not too bad.
Love the post. I put a lot of effort into breakfast and dinner, but lunch is hard for me because a.) I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off at work and b.) I have a metabolic condition so I have to eat frequently, watch the sugar and get lots of protein and fiber. Lately I have been eating lots of soups for lunch. If I don’t have any leftovers available, the campbells in the can that you drink is great because I can eat and still deal with flying chairs at work. I know, I know…it’s in a can…but you can DRINK it…which should feel wrong, but it doesn’t and sometimes, that’s all have time for! I usually have a piece of fruit with that and some crackers or carrots and dip. When the weather warms up I like salads with chicken on them, some walnuts and some kind of vinagrette. I also like the Uncle Ben’s brown rice in a bag you micorwave for 90 seconds. Throw in some black beans, salsa, shredded cheddar and some avocado…pretty tasty and serves the need. Ok, I have rambled…I need another cup of coffee obviously.
Twitter: MommaIncredible
January 12, 2010 at 9:34 am
I pretty much skipped lunch until I started homeschooling my 10 year old. Pretty much daily I have a salad. But not *just* a salad. It’s magical. Romaine lettuce, one of those mini cans of corn, tomato, an avocado, (add assorted veggies here), and I top it with shredded turkey. I make my own magical dressing to top it as well: it’s super good and really easy.
3 T of Olive Oil
2.5 T Red wine vinegar
Dollop of dijon mustard
Italian seasonings of choice (I use parsley, basil, oregano, and a dash of garlic salt)
mix.
YUM.
Twitter: annabellespeaks
January 12, 2010 at 9:37 am
Because of my work schedule I have to to most of my cooking on the weekends, so I try to make things that will last me a few days into the week. A typical Sunday will have me cooking some boneless skinless chicken thighs (more flavor than chicken breasts for me) in extra virgin olive oil and whatever spices sound good at the time. This is clearly a VERY SPECIFIC RECIPE. Then I cut them up into bits, wrap serving sizes in tin foil, and I have the chicken for spinach salads for a few days. The salads are just spinach, shredded carrot/broccoli/cabbage mix, and a little more olive oil if it needs more flavor. I’m not a big fan of regular salad dressing. Sometimes I’ll throw some cooked pasta in with the salad if I’m bored.
With that I have plain yogurt with a ton of cinnamon in it and a banana/other fruit. I have snacks on either side of lunch to I don’t starve with the light-ish lunch (my salads are small). Usually fruit, dark chocolate, or sunflower seeds.
Twitter: logicallibby
January 12, 2010 at 9:51 am
I wish I were better at lunch. I either end up eating next to nothing (microwave popcorn), or I totally pig out (meatball sub). Either way I am not healthy. I need the same help you do.
Twitter: mpjeno
January 12, 2010 at 10:07 am
okay, so this doesn’t necessarily fall in the healthy category … but it’s simple, de-lish and not HORRIBLE for you. i’ve been living off what i’m calling “gourmet grilled cheese,” lately – it’s whatever kind of bread you want (i’m on a marble rye kick), with provolone cheese & sun-dried tomato pesto. you put it all together grilled-cheese-style, then you grill it up and D.I.E.
@Jen,
YUM!
Twitter: mariamelee
January 12, 2010 at 10:41 am
I totally graze. When my husband is out of town, the kids eat normal dinners (okay, sandwiches) and I end up eating deli meat and cheese (with no bread) and an apple and a bunch of nuts and some candy and probably a bowl of cereal.
Um….all that stuff is healthy up there! Sorry but I LOVE to eat and lunch is my favorite thing to eat because I am away from my husband who watches EVERY single thing I put in my mouth. But really, I normally just eat for lunch more of what I made for dinner the night before. Make extra so you have some for lunch the next day! Last night was Turkey Spaghetti and while I was preparing the sauce I threw a sweet potato in the oven for lunch today. See my family really, really likes spaghetti and I had to make it a little lean (by using turkey instead of beef and whole wheat pasta instead of the regular and the kids do NOT taste the difference) because they eat so much of it. So there’s a good chance that I wont get any for lunch the next day. That’s ok – because I just take a little of what is left over and like a 1/2 sandwich or like today a sweet potato with Molly McButter salt and pepper – YUMMMMMY! I’m not on a diet and I never will be – I’m a fatty (not really) but I run daily so I can eat what I want!
So – plan your evening meals around lunch – I do shopping on Sunday afternoon for the next week and almost always plan the dinner so there will be left overs for lunch the next day!
Here are some of my favorite (easy) lunches, with or without my kids:
1. Black bean and cheese quesadillas: whole wheat tortilla, canned black beans, cheddar cheese, salsa–voila!
2. Pita bread with hummus, red peppers, spinach, and cheese
3. Matzo pizza: a piece of matzo (sp?) with marinara sauce and cheese, baked until the cheese melts (served with a side salad, this COULD be healthy)
4. Leftovers from the night before
5. Pasta with peas: Cook whole wheat pasta. Then, in a pan, heat olive oil, throw in some crushed red pepper flakes and some minced garlic and cook till the garlic pops. At the last minute or two, throw in half a bag of frozen peas and some fresh parmesan. Dump over the pasta. Soooo yummy!
Twitter: Sweet_Life
January 12, 2010 at 12:24 pm
I pre-make a pot of brown rice on the weekend and season it with some salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Then throughout the week I toss different stuff in with my daily portion. Sometimes I saute a handful of frozen shrimp in peanut oil and toss in a few veggies and nuts.
Sometimes I keep it cold and top it with some fresh spinach, tomatoes and sesame seeds and turn it into a salad.
Other times, I top it with some left over chicken or what have you from the night before.
I’m also a big fan of boiling a dozen eggs over the weekend so that I can have a quick snack at mid-day.
Twitter: alotofnothing
January 12, 2010 at 9:22 pm
@Andrea’s Sweet Life,
you’re aiming way too high.
but that dozen egg idea is a good one.
This may not qualify as “normal” but I think omelets are the perfect lunch when you’re super busy. My favorite, and this sounds disgusting but I’ve won many people over with one bite, is an omelet with refried beans in it, cheese, and topped with salsa. With omelets you can just throw in whatever you have in the fridge- some chopped up ham, or green pepper, avocado, or even spinach and mushrooms. It literally takes 4 minutes from start to finish, and it keeps me energized for a long afternoon at work.
And if you’re on a diet, egg beaters work just fine. (Even though I cannot stand the taste of them!)
No help here, I eat the same way you do :(
Twitter: tenakim
January 12, 2010 at 3:37 pm
If there is a meal I skip, it’s lunch. I do an egg white with english muffin for breakfast pretty much everyday and that holds me over till dinner, usually. I’ve been dieting- so this is a big step- but I used to eat cupcakes or chocolate for breakfast , lunch and dinner!
Leftovers
the Sunday roast made into a sandwich
Sushi from the grocery store (on the day where I’m smart enough to grocery shop in a store that has it
Lean Cuisine
“club sandwich salad” Romaine, poached chicken breast, sliced tomato, crumbled bacon, and three croutons w/oil and vinegar dressing
whole wheat English muffin with Smucker’s natural peanut butter and a piece of fruit
Faje yogurt with Splenda mixed in and a piece of fruit
I’m EXCITING!!!111!!!
Twitter: alimartell
January 12, 2010 at 4:42 pm
@Poppy Buxom, can you recommend any lean cuisines that you like?
I always walk down that aisle and am intrigued…but never know what to get!
Twitter: nannyanya
January 13, 2010 at 5:07 pm
@alimartell, I love Lean Cuisine, but I think Healthy Choice is a bit better. I’m beyond picky but I enjoy the various pasta dishes (my favorite is usually the Chicken, Broccoli, Alfredo combo or the Chicken Parmesan with Lasagna). The pizzas are pretty good and grilled sandwiches are yummy too.
Twitter: Mommymaile
February 3, 2010 at 9:41 pm
@alimartell, I could live on Lean Cuisine Enchilada Suiza (its creamy green chile sauce)
Twitter: alotofnothing
January 12, 2010 at 9:21 pm
@Poppy Buxom, the take-home sushi is goood.
Twitter: shaunaglenn
January 12, 2010 at 4:12 pm
I eat Lean Cuisines. The End.
Twitter: alimartell
January 12, 2010 at 4:42 pm
@Shauna, need recommendations, please.
As soon as I get home from this God-forsaken trip I’ve taken to NY I am really buckling down. Low fat, low sugar, and EXERCISE!
Twitter: Amy_Urquhart
January 12, 2010 at 4:31 pm
I’m a huge fan of chicken noodle soup. Not any fancy kind, just the no name out of a can, add a can of water variety. With crackers. Fast. Cheap. Yummy.
Twitter: mamaspohr
January 12, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I eat crap and I love it. Except The Diabeetus prevents that. But soon? Cinnamon Toast Crunch for every meal of the day!
Twitter: alimartell
January 12, 2010 at 4:43 pm
@heather…, AND THIS IS WHY I LOVE YOU.
@heather… i love how you call it The Diabeetus :D
I live in Michigan where the climate is basically Canada’s, so during our long cold season, I often bring a packet of Kashi instant oatmeal for lunch. It’s tasty and smells amazing, and the oatmeal sticks with you for a while. In a good way.
Twitter: alotofnothing
January 12, 2010 at 9:20 pm
I have 2 low-fat hot dogs every day. Every. Single. Week. Day. Takes 5 min, then I sit down and watch All My Children. You know, if I actually watched it. But I don’t. You can’t prove it.
Now that I think of it, I don’t know what I eat for lunch. I know I eat it every day and I’m not big on processed food. I guess it’s mostly leftovers. Which brings me to recommend the book Cook Once a Week. It has great ideas for dinners that you can turn into yummy leftover lunches.
I make extras of dinner and have them for leftovers whenever I can. If I don’t have any leftovers and go with a salad, I always add meat of some kind to it otherwise it doesn’t fill me up enough to last till dinner. In my freezer I have at the moment a collection of leftover lunch-sized portions – next step would be remembering to actually bring them to work!
I totally eat cereal for lunch all the time. LOL
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