Lunch has its own brand of stress. You may carry it with you to work or at the very least there’s just no time to cook. It’s so much easier to just eat out…until you see the cost! So, let’s liberate you from the stress of lunch!
After years of sending lunch with my kids, husband, and ME, I have 3 ideas for you on this front…read them all, pick what works for you (or mix and match), and then dig in!
1. Leftovers
You heard me right! And if you just said “ick” in the back of your head (like you don’t like leftovers), you’re not cooking the right things! I seriously believe this! You don’t have to eat the meals back to back, but if you truly love what you’re eating, you won’t mind having at least one repeat of that great meal or a mix and match from a couple of meals.
Make sure your lunch dishes (whatever you use to carry your lunch in) are clean before supper. Once you’re done eating and everything has cooled, pack up those lunch portions right then. Now they’re ready to just grab in the morning. Mornings are tough; so make it easier on yourself by having this step already done.
2. One favorite dish for lunches
Consider making just one favorite dish to have for lunch all week. Our favorite for this is chicken salad, and I have a collection of recipes I rotate through. Easy to pack to go and doesn’t even have to be heated.
3. Prep one meal with variations
Leanne Ely over at savingdinner.com was the first I saw to do this…share easy variations for ONE meal you could actually adjust per serving for just a single person. (disclaimer: this particular option isn’t Whole30 compliant but a frugal option when you’re not on Whole30)
Rice and beans both are easy to cook (check out a great method for rice here or simply buy those canned beans when they’re on sale) AND freeze. So, they’re a natural to make ahead, then pull out as you need them and make these fabulous flavors. (See her ideas here)
I would add Italian and Cajun variations to her flavorful options.
For Italian, top with chopped fresh tomatoes, drained petite diced tomatoes from a can, or simply a little leftover pasta sauce, then sprinkle with garlic powder, Italian seasoning mix, and (if you’re not on Whole30) a little Parmesan.
For Cajun, top with the same tomatoes and a spicy Cajun seasoning.
Moving forward, limit your lunch stress
So now you have at least 3 options to make lunch much easier. Planning one item you can eat on through the week, packing any leftovers right after supper so they’re ready to go next morning OR making rice and beans you can “dress up” any way you like…which way will you limit the stress of lunch? Let me know in the comments below!
