Hello
fanciful people! Welcome to the first installment of Tasty Tuesday! Be
excited. Very excited. We hope you find Tasty Tuesday, well, tasty I
guess. Today’s post is a little more budget related when thinking about
tasty food but on any given week you might find an idea for a snack you
can’t resist, a look into a new diet, recipes for an easy dinner or even
tasty entertainment ideas--you know we love to entertain. We might even
feature one of our favorite restaurants a time or two. Without further
adieu, our first Tasty Tuesday!
Usually
at about 11:15 hunger pains ensue and you would think I am about to
die. Ravenous tendencies begin to emerge and I have to remind myself
that in only 45 minutes I can enjoy a “tasty” lunch. Or, what usually
happens, I grab a handful of almonds or inhale half of a granola bar.
During
any given week I (and I think I can speak for Laurie as well) consume
four, but usually, five homemade lunches. Don’t I enjoy getting out of
the office or away from my desk? Of course I do! And most times I will
at least bring a magazine to get my mind off of work, drive to a park
and eat in my car if the weather isn’t cooperating or find a picnic
table and soak in some fresh air. Even more than going out for lunch I
enjoy what could be up to 1,000 extra dollars a year for brown bagging.
$1,000
people! According to an August 2012 ABC News blog post and an
Accounting Principles survey, the average American usually spends up to
$46.50 a week on lunch! Think of the all the things you could do with an
extra $1,000 a year. The average brown bag lunch is usually never over
$5.00 and is most often less than that amount. That cuts your cost for
lunch in half as opposed to eating out every day. In half people.
Ok,
now you have seen the $’s and are willing to use a little time every
day to enjoy a homemade lunch what is on the menu right? You hate peanut
butter and jelly and ham sandwiches. Ok. I get that. They aren’t my
favorite either. What do I eat? I was so hoping you would ask. I am more
than willing to share my lunch secrets.
One
of my secrets is that I often buy a number of items that can
interchange for multiple different types of lunches. For instance I buy
sweet peppers (bonus, high in vitamins) that will be fantastic in salads
and on wraps. Or I might buy spinach that can be the star of or added
to any salads, soups or sandwiches. Multi-use items allow for more
creative lunches that won't leave you craving that deli down the street.
Other
options are cooking a little more food on the weekend or the night
before and use leftovers to build your lunch. Say you have grilled
chicken, steamed veggies and mashed potatoes. Maybe leave the potatoes
at home to steer away the afternoon slump and stay pepped up on the
protein and veggies. Add your chicken to some salad or throw it in a
wrap and have the veggies as a healthy side.This might be an example
straight from my house.... Grilling season has begun!
Here is a week of “tasty” lunch ideas if you are needing some inspiration.
-Alison
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