Some people like cars, shoes; I like lunchboxes and bikes, go figure.

I really do. And yet, I told you I don't really pack lunch anymore. But I like it when I do. When I worked in an office I looked forward to my lunch and my book more than anything in the day (and the job wasn't torture or anything. Mostly). And in the heat I never, ever leave the house with out a LARGE cooler bag filled with refreezable ice to keep our water cool and in case the small child has leftovers or I need to bring a snack (it's always one or the other).

I love lunchboxes. They make lunch a lot of fun by giving you little spaces in which you can imagine what it is you'll be dying for come the afternoon and what you'll have waiting for yourself as a treat.  This company makes little plastic boxes (the safe sort) that seal easily and can be opened by a 3 year old that are perfect for snacks (nuts, raisins, a chocolate, crackers -- or grapes, carrots, etc.  Pack wet OR dry but not both because the wet ingredients sog up the dry, but it's like a tiny, inexpensive bento box. 

And then there's bento boxes.   The ingenious Jennifer McCann's terrific web site Veganlunchbox often mentions the coolest new lunchboxes -- check it out (and for ideas, her book is really great even if you aren't vegan but especially if you are)!  Most of these I learned about from her.  I Love Obento is really adorable lunch for the Hello Kitty crowd.  I dig Laptop Lunches, the only downside that some of the lunch containers have no lids so I don't know how they hold up with travel.  I like the idea of the To Go Ware, but there's no way to keep things cold without putting it...in a cooler bag.  But if you're going to work with a refrigerator, they're awfully cool for things like salad and fruits and/or vegetables.  You can also pack frozen fruits and/or vegetables and let them come to temperature in the To-Go Ware.  By the afternoon when they're singing happy birthday in the office over a giant chocolate cake you'll be happy to have it (even if it's just so you can eat the veggies, wipe it out and take some cake home. This is how my mind works).



Here is one I really love:  Lunchsense.  It's a washable, purselike container that snaps together (or apart for a picnic lunch!) and contains lunches like a perfectly formed puzzle.  All of this appeals to my sickening sense of organization and cleanliness and fun.  And comes with an ice pack.   I want one.

A lunchtime proviso: you can't microwave plastic (it migrates into food) so it's best to get a thermos to keep things hot if you need that, or pack a heavy glass container, or keep one at work for the microwave.  And you shouldn't keep it all at room temp either because it's usually more than 2 hours from commute to lunch.   And 2 hours is the time limit on room temperature foods that are normally kept hot or cold.  Any longer and you could get sick.  So consider that stuff and remember that you can always take the stuff out a half hour before you eat it and let it come to room temperature.



All these cute containers give me another reason to love my dishwasher (it's the kind you roll over to the kitchen sink, but it gets the job done and saves me from cleaning 17 little pieces left from lunch.  If you don't have one, stick with bigger containers (like the To-Go Ware pictured at right) that are easy to wash up.

Get yourself a Klean Kanteen (can no one spell?) and you'll be all set.

What to pack?  Here are some Trader Joe's lists that might zero you in a bit, but nothing beats hanging around the store for a bit for ideas.

All of these might seem expensive at around $30 a crack, but consider this: if you're eating lunch at a restaurant 5 days a week, even if you spend just $5, it will only take a couple of weeks for the thing to pay for itself, because bringing your own food is cheaper.  And you'll probably lose weight and be healthier because of what you packed.  And you'll have time for that magazine or book you've been wanting to read.  You'll read it at the park where you'll find a mate because you're looking so good now and you're obviously very intelligent because you're sitting there reading.  In other words, pack a lunch and all will be right in your world.  You don't believe me but just try it and see if I'm wrong.