Packing a healthy, low cost lunch!
I may be going back to work soon, so I have been thinking about how I will continue to eat healthy in the workplace. I am not great at packing a lunch. I tend to grab things at a fast food place or go to a sit down restaurant and eat.
Since I am trying to stay away from processed foods and am trying to eat healthy, I need to come up with some alternative lunches.
I have seen these salads in a jar on many Pinterest sites in the past and decided it was time to give it a try.
When you pack salads in a jar they are supposed to last longer than any other way. I am excited about the possibility of packing healthy lunches on Sunday's and using them for the entire week. Pinterest users say they last 5-7 days. It probably depends on the freshness of your ingredients to start with.
I purchased fresh organic vegetables and uncured ham, and used my own fresh tomatoes. It will still be much cheaper than buying salads out.
My Salad Recipe:
Salad Dressing (I used Olive Oil and Red Wine Vinegar)
Tomatoes
Cucumber
Mushrooms
Lettuce
Uncured Ham
Sliced Almonds
I saw on Pinterest that the order of the layering is important. The lettuce should not be in the bottom with the salad dressing or it will get soggy. If it is layered higher up it will stay fresh and crisp.
I am going to leave my salad in the refrigerator for a few days and then eat it to see if it still tastes fresh to me.
When I do start back to work I will make salads on Sundays for the week. I have found several different recipes, but I really think you just put what you like in the salads and vary them so you don't get tired of them.
They also layered vegetables in the jars, without lettuce for a healthy lunch.
I am going to do some experimenting on different types of things that will create a healthy lunch and change it up for variety.
When you purchase salads at restaurants, even fast food restaurants they are expensive. This way I will save money and only use fresh, healthy ingredients.
These jars were pickle jars. They were such nice jars that I decided to keep them when I emptied them. They worked great!
Here are a couple of blog posts I found with different salads they used.
Mason Jar Salads With Recipes and Packing Order! Lunches that last a week in the fridge!
They even packed layered fruits in jars!!
I can't wait to try my salad! If you have done this, please leave a comment and let me know what you think!
Such a great idea!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Frances, glad to see you posting again.
DeleteI love this idea.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a great idea! I wish I had come up with it originally.
DeleteThis is a cute idea Betty... :)
ReplyDeleteI am lucky that where I work, I can take my vegetables in with me and cut them right at my desk, so I buy enough veggies for a few days, bag them up each morning and then enjoy at work. It works perfectly for me. Let me know about the jars, I really like the idea, I just need to know that everything says crisp and fresh :)
I think if it is really fresh and crisp, then lunch can be thought of once a week and just be ready.
DeleteInteresting, I never thought of this. Pinterest has so many good ideas, the only problem is I get side-tracked when I start looking around. Thanks for doing the leg work on this for me.
ReplyDeleteI am on Day 6 of my clean eating program and loving the way I feel. I have dropped
8 lbs already. I know this is because I have really cleaned it up and the weight loss will slow down once my body become accustomed to the new clean eating habits. Tonight I am allowed a cheat meal and we are having grilled burgers with chips and a veggie salad I whipped up.
Barbara @ www.allmylivesnow.com
You are doing fantastic! Hope you can keep it up for a while before it slows down. Losing fast just really motivates. Your meal sounds pretty good.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI never heard of salad in a jar.so, thanks for sharing all the pictures. I will try this.
One thing I find helpful for me with salads is to prep lettuce and all the veggies I will put in on Sunday. But I keep everything is separate tuber-ware . In the morning it is super easy to toss what I want, add some nuts or fruit and take a Large salad to work. I keep my salad dressing at work ,too (Newman's low fat raspberry vinaigrette). Something else I love is a mix of salads. It is amazing how lovely some of the other kinds of lettuce taste. You might wan to experiment.
Have a great week!
I had never seen it until I found it on Pinterest. Your suggestions are great too. They say the food stays fresher in the jar than containers. I can't wait to see if that's true.
DeleteI've always wanted to try this! I can't wait for your review after you've eaten them!
ReplyDeleteKristin
I am anxious to see! I'll let you know.
Delete