Do some research before you buy to see if you are going to get the full value out of what they offer, and not just get pushed to the back of the kitchen cupboard. You might find that an all in one bento lunch box just becomes inconvenient to cart around, or cumbersome to eat from - maybe smaller individual containers better suit your eating habits.
The first thing, aside from your Cheeky Patch, that I can recommend is to get yourself a great lunch bag. You can see my reviews here.
Packing your lunch doesn't have to be expensive.
Once you have your bag there will be a number of things around the house that you can use to pack all your snacks, drinks and meals; including jars, wraps, containers and bottles.
Here are a few items I found around my house that I use to pack my lunch;
Jars
As big or as small as you like are great for packing salads, and dressings separately, dried fruit & nuts, cut up fruit & veg, dips, crackers, treats, and the list goes on. Dependent on the size of your jar there is really no limitation on what you can pack in these.
I like to use them to pack hummus and veggie sticks.
Beewax wraps
Apart from the sensational plastic-free, environmental benefit of using beeswax wraps, with so many pretty, colourful options around why wouldn't you use these to brighten the way you pack your lunch. Not only can wraps be used to cover bowls and half used avocados or onions but it can wrap sandwiches & rolls, and is especially great for snack once you bring out your origami skills to fold them into little pouches.
Brown Paper
As another alternative to plastic wrap or the wax-covered bleached paper - either as a roll or in bag form the old-fashioned brown paper has just as many great uses as beeswax wraps.
Other essentials
Once you have worked out what your packing preference are getting yourself a lunch box and drink bottle are really must haves, as is a reusable coffee/tea/smoothie cup - I recommend a double-walled one that keeps drinks hotter or colder for a lot, lot longer.
From L to R; Lunchbots, Cheeki, Sol
Let me know in the comments what and how you pack your lunch.
Jodi - Cheeky Patch, Founder
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The size and features of what you look for in a bag will depend on how you can store your lunch and what you love to eat. If you have a fridge that you can keep your lunch in at work than a simple tote or non-insulated bad may be fine. But if you don't have a fridge, or you don't trust that your lunch won't be knicked from the office fridge, than a more heavy-duty bag is what you will need.
Also, something that a lot of people may not consider when purchasing is orientation of the lunch bag - if you are going to be packing yoghurt or soups you will want to buy an upright bag that will not cause spillage and a mess when you go to get your lunch out. If you are simple packing salads, sandwiches or fruits this will not be as much of a consideration.
from L to R; Packit, Montii Co, Kollab, Blue Q
Do you have a favourite lunch bag that you can recommend?
Jodi - Cheeky Patch, Founder
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From guest blogger Nourishment with Nicole
]]>Pasta salad is a great option for something new. You can do this so many different ways. You can have an Italian version with short curly noodles, served with toppings like pepperoni, olives, cucumber, tomato, and cheese. You could also try pasta with tuna and corn for a bit more protein and healthy fat. Salmon is another healthy choice for this.
Zoodles, or zucchini noodles, are another idea that’s even healthier. This is the perfect option if you’re avoiding grains or eating less carbs. Top it with Greek style flavors and add nuts or seeds for a nice crunch.
Making wraps instead of sandwiches is another easy way to change things up. Tortillas or leafy greens make it easy to roll everything together. Big greens like chard, kale, collard greens, or butter lettuce work best. Fill it with protein and veggies. Some tasty protein options include chicken, beans, tofu, pork, or fish. The meat can be cooked ahead of time and then shredded for an easy fit.
You can try many flavors with this like;
- chicken, rice, and beans with Mexican cheese;
- bacon and tomato for American taste;
- or shredded pork, carrots, and cabbage for Asian style.
Make sure to use something like cream cheese or hummus on the inside of the wrap to help it stick together and give a bit more flavor. You can also make a dip like peanut sauce or ranch dressing to go with your wrap. The combinations and flavor ideas for this are endless.
Written exclusively by Nourishment with Nicole.
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Going non-stop all day can only lead to one thing - burnout.
In our always-on lifestyles of today it is hard to ever feel switched off. The constant wave of thoughts playing in our minds rarely lets us recharge, causing anxiety and stress.
The stats on how many people actually make time for their lunch or are eating al-desko instead of alfresco is alarming.
There are a multitude of benefits that come from taking what I call a Wellbeing Break. It will boost your mood, reduced stress and anxiety, promote productivity & creativity, you get some perspective, and can be a great time to reconnect and get social face-to-face.
And its not just you who will love the distraction, kids attitudes shift when they are given time outdoors to run and expel their boundless energy, often making the afternoon stretch more enjoyable for everyone
To maximise the effectiveness of your break it only has to be as much as 15-20 away from your desk, preferably get outside to get a quick dose of sunshine and some fresh air. Going green by getting out to a park is more beneficial for cognitive function than an urban environment filled with concrete. And it can be a good time to take a digital detox and break away from the blue light emitted by computers and screen devices.