Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Tupperware & lunch on the go

Ok, it's possible it's just me.  (and maybe Natalie over at Follow My Fitsteps.)  But when school is in session I feel like the bag lady.  That's just fine, but, there's a small problem.  There is NO lunch box possibly large enough to carry all the things I need for the day!  Now, some might say "eat less," but, I think I've got the consumption part of this figured out.  It's the transport that needs some help!  The issue really hinges on the fact that we're gone ALL day.  I won't be unprepared or hungry.  That just leads to cranky, and nobody wants that!  So, when I pack for the day, I'm looking at 2-3 snacks and a lunch.  (3rd snack is required if I go straight from work to the gym).  So, that's a lot of food for those tiny lunch bags!!!  Seriously....  I'm supposed to get all that, including all of my fruits, veggies, etc, in something like this....


Are you freaking kidding me!?  Please say someone besides Natalie relates - lol.  Though, this is a super cute little SNACK bag! I feel a little like my (very overweight) high school history teacher who carried his "lunch" in one of these...

But I'm not talking about the personal size.  Oh no, this was the, "I can fit a meal for a family of 6 inside this" size.  But, I get it - well, kinda.  I don't think he had quite the quality of options that I know Natalie and I pack in his cooler.  I guess you gotta have enough room for all 6 sodas a day.  But I digress.  Let's do this....  a typical array of what I'd pack for the day.

Snack 1:  an apple w/a cheesestick or 2
Snack 2: 1 container of greek yogurt
Snack 3: carrots with hummus
Lunch:  Salsa chicken in a tortilla with shredded cheese, some sort of vegetable and a fruit.

In fairness, I usually pack a little something extra just in case I'm still hungry.  I want to have options I know are good, not just have to grab something at work that might not be the best choice.  If you can get all that in that little bag up top, please come visit me so we can have an intervention.  The other issue is keeping it cold.  You've gotta have some ice packs - so now, I need even MORE space!  And what if I want to keep my water cold?  Or one for later!? (Truthfully, I usually put the water for the ride home in the fridge at work).

So, I have a couple of things that help me - the first is some of the "fit and fresh" products.  If you've never heard of them, find them.  They have built in ice packs inside the containers!  Less space in the lunch bag, yay!  Here are some pictures of some of them....

 The one I use the most is this one..... 

I also have, and love, this one....

 Of course, even though they're awesome, they still take up room!  I have not yet solved the "what do I carry all this in" problem yet.  But soon enough.  School starts in a little under 2 weeks and I'm going to have to find something!  Amazon has a whole host of fit and fresh products.  I've also spotted a few of them at bed bath and beyond and Hyvee on 6th st.  If you're not like me and can get away with a small bag, TJMaxx has SUPER CUTE bags on sale that come with a fit and fresh container!  

I'm considering investing in this...  



It basically allows you to pre-portion all your fruits and veggies, and store them in the fridge just like this.  No more "I didn't have time to pack" excuses!

So.....

How do you deal with packing lunches? snacks?
Any tips?  Suggestions? 

6 comments:

Melissa said...

When someone figures out this problem let me know too. I get made fun of (yes I am 26 and get made fun of still) for my bags I carry into work. (Well use to when I still worked at the preschool) I cannot find a lunch box big enough so I have used target sacks but that looks ridiculous. And I just put it in my reusable grocery sack with my water X 3. But I am very excited you told me about these containers with ice packs because I have always had the option of a fridge (even if it was tiny) and I have no clue if I will during student teaching. So let's be honest I get tons of anxiety when I am packing lunches and snacks because I have to pack breakfast, snacks, and lunches, and when I have class dinner since I leave the house at 4:40am and don't come back until after 10. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciateed. And Yes I am a bag lady too.... I have 5-6 big bags I take everyday for gym, work, school, lunch, etc.

Sorry for the long comment but I was just talking to someone about my frustration about this topic the other day and still have no solution. Bags and needing more fridge space are my current frustrations!

Mel

Krista said...

I found (what I hope will be) my solution. I have taken a photograph, it cost less than 20.00 and I think it will work! I'll blog about it later tonight! Unfortunately, it does not help the "bag lady" cause! lol

Lauren said...

I love this post. Now that I am going to the gym in the mornings before work, I have to pack my breakfast now. I have been carrying 2 lunch boxes so that I can have breakfast in one and lunch with snacks in the other. I usually walk into work with a couple bags and a couple drink options so that I'm not spending money at work on unhealthy things. I don't really have any suggestions because I'm in the same pickle, but I definitely laughed while reading this post. Ahhhh....the lives of new and improved girls.

Melissa said...

Nothing will ever solve the problem of bags.... we will just be bag ladies forever!! I am okay with that. But finding a way to stay organized and keep everything nicely put together for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks would be great! Can't wait to see what you have found!

LauraJayne said...

I used to be a total bag lady too, but now I live less than a block from my gym (also school), so I workout and get ready at home, and will be able to go home before going to class - so I'm down to three bags, my lunch, my purse, and my laptop bag! I feel almost light!

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