frugal lunch ideas

**perSue** · 03-26-2009, 12:25 PM

here's the thing, i'll have to carry the food w/me all day (til eaten).
no fridge access. no microwave access.
i'd like breakfast, lunch & snack ideas... or whatever ya got!

since this is for me, and i'm a super picky eater, i'll let you know no meat or cheese please. i can make a meal outta "snacky" foods, so no worries there.

i have an insulated bag, tupperware AND a thermos available if need be.

please any ideas you have would be appreciated.

all i've got are raw fruits/veggies and hm pb crackers. I'd like a little more variety. LOL

Thanks a bunch

**imagine** · 03-26-2009, 12:29 PM

Are you needing to carry more than one meal during the day?

Do you have an ice pack or anything like that?

Will you be packing it fresh from home each morning?

**perSue** · 03-26-2009, 12:32 PM

no ice pack.

i'll be carrying breakfast snacks & lunch w/me.
breakfast will be eaten upon arrival. and i'll want snacks for between and after lunch (it used to be pb crackers).

packing either the night before (put in fridge) or that a.m.... (probly the former, for less to do in the a.m.)

Thanks for helping me clarify.

**Momto2Boyz** · 03-26-2009, 12:38 PM

Alright, let's see what I can come up with:

Snacks:
Homemade granola (1/3 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup honey, melt both, add 3 cups oats, bake for 10 minutes at 350), makes a big batch
Applesauce cups - you can make your own, by putting some in a small tupperware container
veggies & hummus

lunch foods:
I guess since you are a picky eater, you'd just have to go with what you like.
PB&J sandwiches
veggie wraps
leftovers that don't require refridgeration

breakfast foods:
bagel & cream cheese
dry cereal
granola

That is all I can think of for now. I guess it really depends on what kinds of things you like to eat!

**perSue** · 03-26-2009, 12:52 PM

thanks for the granola recipe (i may make that today!!!)

if it sounds like something a veggie (non meat eatin' or cheez eaten and NON SOY) i'll probly eat it.

i can make do on a week's (or so) worth of ideas and mix & match.

i'm just lacking creative thought today... so i need your all's help.

keep the ideas coming please!

**perSue** · 03-26-2009, 12:58 PM

ok i thought of a couple ideas.... things i'll have to make on wkends to have ready for the coming week.

i could make polenta & add it to salads.
make bean burgers - or make it "crumbles" & add to salad (instead of just beans to salad, a little more texture). (ask me if you wanna know more)

i have the obvious like fruits - some come with own "packaging" (ie, skins) & others (pineapple) i could cut up & put in tupperware.

and that's it LOL

**mommy4ever** · 03-26-2009, 01:11 PM

I have 4 who bring lunches.

perogies do well in a thermos. I know you don't like cheese but potato and onions ones are yummy and filling.

If you can get a wide mouth insulated container, salads are great. As well a blue pack ice pack from teh dollar store will go a long way for snacks.

Hummus with melba toast, delish. Spinach dip with a variety of crackers. Sandwiches of all kinds. Rice and beans would work in thtermos, as any kind of soup you like. Last nights leftovers work well in the thermos as well.

Breakfasts, we like breakfast sandwiches, on either an english muffin or bun. I like egg mushroom and salsa, the family likes egg, ham and cheese..lol. A tortilla can be used for this too, to make a breakfast burrito or quesidilla. Homemade muffins, sweetbreads and squares do well in a lunchbox as well.

**mauimagic** · 03-26-2009, 01:21 PM

How about spaghetti and lasagne - leftovers from dinner.

**rsbs** · 03-26-2009, 01:29 PM

Mmmmm....
I love burritos!

I bento for myself & my DD - lunches 3 days a week & suppers 2 nights a week. And what I put in them really boils down to what we can stand to eat cold. For me, it's alot.
My fav breakfast is hard boiled eggs, cheese, & sliced pickles on ritz (type) crackers. I know you don't eat the cheese - do you eat eggs?
I even like cold pasta, with tomato sauce.
I'm a tomato freak, so another fave breakfast is sliced tomatos, marinated overnight in olive oil- that's been infused with italian spices & roasted garlic - & fresh chopped basil. I add feta to mine too (but you dont' have to, it tastes great even without it!) & eat it all on fresh baked bread. Fortunately, for me, most of that comes from my garden & I make bread - I highly recommend it!
Make your own snack mix - I do a weeks' worth at a time & share with all DD's teammates.
Any kind of veggie wraps. cheeseless pizza... or focaccia

- cut it up into sticks for easy transport & even dipping if you like a certain type of sauce (DD uses spaghetti sauce, or alfredo)
mini waffles or french toast transport well too.
Sushi even! It can be made without meat- I've done it!

**perSue** · 03-26-2009, 01:36 PM

i love the marinate tomatoes.... mmm on foccacia bread! I may definitely have to try this.

i'm making a list over here of different ideas.

i can do leftovers - soup & pastas.... that'll happen when i cook & IF there are any LO's

LOL

another idea i thought of was Bagel & Nutella or other nut butters (for breakfast).

**Judi Dial** · 03-26-2009, 02:04 PM

How about hot cereal in your thermos? You can add whatever sweetners you like. There was a discussion about thermos cooking hot cereal not too long ago...?

We had potato pancakes and applesauce for lunch today. That would work, they're better hot, but they're frugal and easy to make so you don't have a complicated something to do BEFORE work...

Judi

**DJ1972** · 03-26-2009, 02:20 PM

I work from my car, so I carry a few snacks with me to keep from hitting the drive thru.
-baggies with almonds, peanuts, pecans, or walnuts in them for snacking
-grape tomatoes (luv those things)
-pretzel sticks
-homemade granola bars [ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104316"]Homemade No Bake Granola Bars - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

**perSue** · 03-26-2009, 07:32 PM

i wanted to share the ideas i got & my list so far. let me know what you think

snacks/breakfast:
fruit (as is or in tupperware cup)
hm granola
veg/humus
applesauce cups
dry cereal
pb crackers
nuts
trail mix
melba toast/humus
muffins
triscuits/wheat crackers & humus

meals:
LO (the obvious one)
veg/humus/crust of bread
bagel w/nutella OR nut butter
pb sandwich
veg sandwich/wrap w/humus
soup
salad w/bean, hm bean crumble
bean burgers
polenta "fries"
taco salad w/bean crumble
pierogi's (potato & onion ARE good!)

it may not seem like a lot, but i dont need a ton of variety.
this is enough to mix & match & be happy with.
BUT i'm always open to new/other ideas.

there are tons of fruits & veg out there & seasons change, so no prob w/variety there.

Let me know what you think.