I am. Really. I mean I'm not so great at eating in general. I'm not talking about making healthy choices because I actually like healthy food; I'm talking about the fact that lunch is difficult. For example, today as I was running out of the house, late (as usual), I thought "Oh shit. What am I going to eat today?!" I ran to the pantry, found an old package of Cheez-its, some jello with peaches in it, and an apple. Bonus! Sometimes I only find saltines. Every day it's this sort of scavenging.In my head, I hear my mom saying, "Ginger, if you would just pack a lunch the night before, right after you lay out your clothes for the next day, you wouldn't run late AND you'd have a lunch prepared!" OR "Ginger, if you plan better before you go to the grocery store, you might have some snacky type things to throw in your lunch sack." And I get it. I do. But here's the thing - I know all of this and have known for quite a while, yet my living habits have not changed. There is always something more important to do. Um. Like grade or study... or blog. I can't seem to make her advice a habit. I might, on occasion, remember her words and actually follow them for a week or two, but the habit doesn't stick no matter how good my intentions are.
Add the bad habits to the fact that I hate almost all leftovers, save pizza and spaghetti, and I HATE lunch meat which means that most sandwiches are out. I don't have a way to keep food cold at work and heating something is difficult since the microwave is down the hall and its cleanly-condition is usually pretty sketchy at best. I forget to bring dishes home. I'll let you imagine what that means. The school cafeteria is a mile away, and the lines are long and are filled with loud students during the only time I have my classroom to myself.
If I even allow myself the time to eat, the situation is sort of hopeless. Sometimes I'll walk over to the farmer's market across the street and grab an apple and some pretzels. If I'm extra lucky, I'll find trail mix!
But mostly, I dread lunch since I know I need to eat and I'm lucky that I get to.
Any suggestions?
10 comments:
Yeah. I gave up. I'm Slimfasting it. The ice thingies I bought at Container Store work really well. Which is good, since warm Slimfast tastes like butt. Not literally, though. Not that I've tasted... oh, nevermind. :)
Yeah Ging it seems like not much has changed since you were younger!! I have to agree with your mom's advise! Plan ahead!! I know I know I should follow her advise too!!
You know there's always PB&J!!
Luna bars - they are an excellent source of nutrition for women, tasty, and you can buy a box and keep them in your desk at work. Throw in a piece of fruit too, and that's far better than just saltines! :)
Ginger we have this same problem. It is so fustrating because just like you said it would be easier to just plan ahead but unless it is part of your routine it is hard to make the habit. We don't do left overs either unless it is soup and I am hit or miss with lunch meat. God could have just made our bodies so that we didn't need to eat so much sheesh. Thanks for your post I will be watching for the suggestions.
Even though John always had a cafeteria at NASA or school and the kids' schools provided lunch, we've always made our own lunches for health sake.
We have a combo approach to get through the week: A freezer full of Ethnic Gourmet and Seeds of Change heatable dishes for the days in a rush with micro access; Fresh breads from the farmers' markets to make big hummus and tomato sandwiches or olive oiled bread with chunks of cheese (or tubs, if you like soft cheeses like that cute chevrie bucket); and meals we prepared for lunches over the weekend--these include Fantastic Foods falafel that can be frozen ahead of time and thawed on your pita throughout your morning, bean burritos wrapped in wax paper (so you don't heat the plastic), or vegetable fried rice.
When all this fails, throw a yam or potato in your bag in the morning. Both are yummy baked. Yams need a little spread of apple sauce (keep the cups in your desk) and potatoes do well with a little plain yogurt and salt/pepper.
The final-final last ditch avoid-cheezits idea is to keep a box of Annie's Mac single serves in your desk. I know, you're thinking where's the protein? If you also keep a few cans of boneless/skinless sardines in your desk you can empty one into the cooked Mac. It's actually delicious. For a bonus, sardines are the best mix of healthy fish oils and low fish pollutants you can find.
Hi all! Thanks for the advice!
I DO love PB&Js and I am eager to make a tomato pita! That sounds awesome. I wish I knew where to get some good fresh bread around here (that doesn't cost a fortune), but I do know where to get some EXCELLENT fruits and veggies. Also, I do need to invest in wax paper.
I'm not sure what a Luna bar is but I'll look for one next time I'm shopping.
I have done the Slimfast thing before. Unfortunately, I gained weight on it. Oops.
I still say DOWN WITH LUNCH!
An IV, on a wheeled stand that can follow you around. Extra hydration, extra potty breaks in which you get free time out of your classroom!
Just be careful when crossing the street to the Farmer's Market. The IV could get tangled or, worse, run over by a Mac truck.
That would suck.
Dude! You solved it Lis! An IV! YES!
And good advice on the whole not becoming Frogger thing. That would suck.
P.S.
Ha Ha Christine knows what butt tastes like!
Yogurt, apple, almonds/peanuts, light popcorn.
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