Author Topic: Share Your Mustachian Work Lunches  (Read 21265 times)

Datastache

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Re: Share Your Mustachian Work Lunches
« Reply #50 on: June 12, 2014, 09:35:09 PM »
PBJ has been my go-to work lunch for years now. I splurge a little bit on a brand of bread I really like, since virtually every other grocery item I buy is the cheapest of its kind. I never seem to tire of it.

onehappypanda

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Re: Share Your Mustachian Work Lunches
« Reply #51 on: June 12, 2014, 09:41:52 PM »
On a related note, any good ideas for primal/paleo work lunches that are quick to put together? I don't eat bread/pasta/soy/peanuts/legumes or much dairy or non-gluten grains, so a lot of the low cost pasta meals/salads and sandwiches aren't really for me.

I also don't have a lot of time on the weekend for prep as I usually ride centuries on Saturdays and take care of my handicapped mom's needs on Sundays.

I end up spending far too much money due to diet restrictions and lack of time. Does anyone else face these challenges?

Thanks!

I don't eat paleo, but I like a lot of the recipes I found here for freezer meals: http://blog.stuffimakemyhusband.com/p/whole30-oamc-freezer-menu.html

This person makes a bunch at one time and freezes everything, but if that's not your style then just make doubles whenever you cook something and freeze half in a lunch-sized container. A particular favorite of ours is the Thai Green Curry (though not entirely frugal, as the curry paste stuff can add up). You can also adapt the idea to make frozen paleo "stir fry" by cooking a meat, making a sauce, and then combining them with frozen stir-fry veggies (after the meat/sauce cool, otherwise it'll start to thaw the veggies) then stick it into lunch-sized containers. A few minutes in the micro will thaw it all nicely. Massive bags of frozen stir-fry veggies are handy, and on sale frequently. Varying the meat and the sauce keeps it from being too boring, though the "formula" is the same.

Rural

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Re: Share Your Mustachian Work Lunches
« Reply #52 on: June 13, 2014, 04:23:26 AM »
On a related note, any good ideas for primal/paleo work lunches that are quick to put together? I don't eat bread/pasta/soy/peanuts/legumes or much dairy or non-gluten grains, so a lot of the low cost pasta meals/salads and sandwiches aren't really for me.

I also don't have a lot of time on the weekend for prep as I usually ride centuries on Saturdays and take care of my handicapped mom's needs on Sundays.

I end up spending far too much money due to diet restrictions and lack of time. Does anyone else face these challenges?

Thanks!

I don't eat paleo, but I like a lot of the recipes I found here for freezer meals: http://blog.stuffimakemyhusband.com/p/whole30-oamc-freezer-menu.html

This person makes a bunch at one time and freezes everything, but if that's not your style then just make doubles whenever you cook something and freeze half in a lunch-sized container. A particular favorite of ours is the Thai Green Curry (though not entirely frugal, as the curry paste stuff can add up). You can also adapt the idea to make frozen paleo "stir fry" by cooking a meat, making a sauce, and then combining them with frozen stir-fry veggies (after the meat/sauce cool, otherwise it'll start to thaw the veggies) then stick it into lunch-sized containers. A few minutes in the micro will thaw it all nicely. Massive bags of frozen stir-fry veggies are handy, and on sale frequently. Varying the meat and the sauce keeps it from being too boring, though the "formula" is the same.


Check any Asian markets in your area for curry paste in small cans. It's generally much, much cheaper than the stuff in jars in American grocery stores. Just keep unused bits in the freezer in a baggie until you use it.

boarder42

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Re: Share Your Mustachian Work Lunches
« Reply #53 on: June 13, 2014, 06:06:05 AM »
Chili...

7 cans of Black beans (if you use dry this gets cheaper) 55c each
2 cans tomatoes 35c each
1 can chipotle peppers diced $2
2lb chicken.   (This can easily be found for 1.69/lb or less on sale - its always 1.79/lb at Sams) 
Seasonings Garilic/paprika/onion powder/chili powder/cayenne/italian spice blend/Franks red hot

makes 11 servings give or take.  ~ $1 per serving.

unix_kung_fu

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Re: Share Your Mustachian Work Lunches
« Reply #54 on: June 13, 2014, 10:01:13 AM »
PB&J Is surprisingly hard to get sick of. I keep a jar of peanut butter in my bag, fill a little tupperware container with the amount of jelly i need, and throw a few slices of wheat bread in a baggie each morning on my way out the door. If I'm tired of PB&J, I might get some deli ham, turkey and swiss cheese and throw a couple slices of each in a ziploc for my sandwich instead. I make pasta salad or black beans & rice, or pack a small bag of chips or an apple to go with my sandwich. Every so often I'll make extra at dinner and pack leftovers for the next day, quesadillas reheat surprisingly well, believe it or not. I'm lucky to have the option to re-heat food at my workplace.


You can get reusable cloth sandwhich bags that you can throw in the wash. Buy a couple of those and no more spending on ziploc bags that eventually end up in the landfill :)

Cressida

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Re: Share Your Mustachian Work Lunches
« Reply #55 on: June 13, 2014, 12:37:31 PM »
You can get reusable cloth sandwhich bags that you can throw in the wash. Buy a couple of those and no more spending on ziploc bags that eventually end up in the landfill :)

hm - I'd be into this. Anyone know where these are available?

unix_kung_fu

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Re: Share Your Mustachian Work Lunches
« Reply #56 on: June 13, 2014, 01:51:12 PM »
Most likely on amazon or etc, but I frequent reuseit.com, and lo and behold here are some:

http://www.reuseit.com/reusable-sandwich-and-snack-bags/reusable-sandwich-and-snack-bags.htm

here is another vendor:

http://www.snacktaxi.com/sandwich-sacks.html

LadyStache

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Re: Share Your Mustachian Work Lunches
« Reply #57 on: June 14, 2014, 08:39:50 AM »
PB&J Is surprisingly hard to get sick of.

+1

I also like to mix up my PB&Js by using different flavors of jam, like peach or blackberry.

Rezdent

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Re: Share Your Mustachian Work Lunches
« Reply #58 on: June 14, 2014, 08:47:34 AM »
You can make your own reusable cloth sandwich bags.  A search for DIY instructions sandwich bag yielded a huge number of results.  These look like a good project for beginners, too.  Repurpose fabric or score new fabrics at thrift stores and you can make them for pennies per bag.

horsepoor

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Re: Share Your Mustachian Work Lunches
« Reply #59 on: June 14, 2014, 09:28:31 AM »
I like a plastic or glass sandwich container instead.  More versatile, can be washed with the dishes and keeps the sandwich from getting smooshed.  The glass SnapLock one I have could hold 2 PB&Js or one fancy pants sandwich stuffed with lots of goodies.