What is in Your Brown Bag?
@Angelwhispers (8978)
United States
May 12, 2008 4:08pm CST
With the rising costs of gas, groceries and eating out. Do you bag your lunch? how about your kids do you pack their lunches? Do you send spouse S/O off to work carrying a lunch pail or brown bag? What do you pack in those bags? Sandwiches, soups, Tv dinners, your cat or dog?
16 people like this
38 responses
@agfarm (930)
• United States
12 May 08
Angel.....you are Awesome. I would pack little baby-Beagles for my husband , But there just isn't enough meat on their little Bones , Plus........
he gets Kindo' choked up to see two little eyes and a Tail poking out between two Slices of Bread. The sad puppy-dog eyes are just too much for him.
So I end up ( usually ) w/ peanutbutter / Strawberry Jam Samiches....Some fruit , a snack.....And a hot -Dog. ( The real Kind , not the little fuzzie guys )
But if he's been a stinker.....I put a stick o' Butter , a couple o' eggs , a hunk o'cheese , and pretty much anything else I can Find and I tell him he's on his Own.
That doesn't happen too ofter though.....He's usually very sweet!
5 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
12 May 08
rotflmao Agfarm...I agree with you Baby-Beagles are best left for appetizers and not lunch fare :))) I bet hubby is happy when you are happy with him as well, I would hate to get to work and find a stick of butter and raw eggs myself! LMAO
3 people like this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
12 May 08
As being at home is my work Angel, I don't end to bag my meal too often. I do plate my lunch time sandwich though. I am very clean around the house and hate to drop crumbs. However, when I used to travel 10 miles to work I often took my lunch with me. Usually a piece of fillet steak. A onion. some mushrooms, peppercorns cream and butter for a sauce. A couple of potatoes to turn into fries and some fozen veg. Oh, and a grill of course. Sometimes though I just couldn't be bothered with all that and took a pastrami sandwich, an orange, and some juice. I have never packed a pet into my lunch bag - but if you were to really economise I guess that you could. Probably run to a couple of meals at least. I am potty aren't I? Completely bonkers.
4 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
12 May 08
Completely with out the neurons in your brain Pike :)) I do believe you have been out sniffing the elephant dung a bit to long today. I keep telling you everything in moderation, Sugar.
2 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
12 May 08
rotflmao yes you seem to be in rare form today... and we love that!
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
12 May 08
I've pretty much always brought my lunch to work because I have health problems and am usually on a strict diet. Right now, I don't really get a lunch, but only two 15 minute breaks, so I have to bring my own food as there is no time to go out and get anything. It also depends on what time I am working as sometimes I am working later in the day, after lunch, and only have to bring snacks or a dinner. I bring a salad, fruit, milk, and one grain like oatmeal.
3 people like this
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
13 May 08
Yeah. But, to be honest, I do eat sugar and food that is bad for me, but I tend to save it for about one to two days a week rather than every day.
2 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
13 May 08
It makes a big difference doesn't Darlene if you must watch carbs and sugar?
2 people like this
@mummymo (23706)
•
12 May 08
LOL I think my cat would love to go to work with my other half! My kids usually take a packed lunch, Niall loves ham rolls or sandwiches, cereal bars, fruit, water, and sometimes a sweety, Niamh enjoys either tuna, mayo and sweetcorn or an egg mayo sandwich, lots of fruit and some yoghurt, the other half has a canteen but will often just take a microwave meal in and have that and I am stuck at home so I don't need a brown bag! lol xxx
3 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
12 May 08
I adore egg and mayo sandwiches! My husband packs a big lunch bag every day. he is underweight sometimes so he will take one of those generic ensure shakes for weight gain, a sandwhich, and enough cookies and snack cakes to feed a small army. he needs it however as he has a high metabolism.. Shoot and I look at an oreo and gain weight.
4 people like this
@mummymo (23706)
•
12 May 08
good grief I hate Mark now! Hate, hate, hate!!! Well maybe I don't hate him - I just am extremely jealous of his metabolism! lol I used to have a high one too til after I had my first child - it is really awful that I barely eat and have a very small appetite yet am overweight! By the way we don't tend to have brown bags here , we have mainly coolbags or boxes that are kid sized! lol Unless you are 14 and decide to recycle carrier bags to put your lunch in! Hugs to you angel and please tell Mark I don't really hate him and tell him if he wants some extra weight I will gladly have some suctioned out and passed on to him! xxx
2 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
13 May 08
Yes it kills me Mo, during the summer I even have to add a breakfast shake of carnation instant breakfast, a protein powder, one egg and half and half, to keep him at about 155 160. Gosh one of those shakes and I would gain 10 lbs.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
12 May 08
When I worked I took my own lunch with a plastic container
of frozen veggies and some kind of meat, and a slice of bread'and fruit of some kind. then at lunch I wou ld
nuke my veggies and meat and make a sandwich with the
meat. saved me a lot of money and I had a balanced
lunch to boot.
4 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
13 May 08
I take my lunch to the shop also Hatley What is nice is that I have a whole kitchenette in our new shop that includes a stove and a microwave. The grand kids are there at the shop with me in the afternoons so its nice to be able to feed them wholesome lunches.
1 person likes this
@jer31558 (3683)
• United States
12 May 08
Hi Angel, my wife has always sent my lunch with me to work. I am unable to leave during lunch or dinner, so I either bring it or do without. Usually its whatever we have for dinner or lunch, whichever the case may be...sometimes I do have sandwiches though and occasionally a treat as well.
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
12 May 08
My husband will occasionally take left overs for lunch too, but he prefers a sandwiches only because he does not like to take the time at the microwave. Either way he goes it is much cheaper than him grabbing something out every day.
Jer so very good to see you!
2 people like this
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
13 May 08
My husband is proud to take his lunch to work. I bought some divided plastic storage containers so I can send his lunch in. He takes leftovers from supper the night before. If we don't have leftovers , he'll take a sandwich or something. He doesn't mind it at all. Then I am a stay at home MeeMee and I eat leftovers from supper the night before also for my dinner. Sometimes, I'll cook extra just so we have have enough for our dinner the next day. My husband uses a plastic grocery bag to take his lunch in. We are very frugal.
3 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
13 May 08
Hi there Mamachathie, my husband actually prefers to take a lunch over getting a fast food lunch. Although he does not like to take the time to use the microwave if he can help it. We do use up left overs through out the week, can't afford to waste food what so ever.
1 person likes this
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
12 May 08
Hello Angel!:-)
I am not that concerned, personally, about gas prices here as I don't own a vehicle but my partner got a car last week, so, indirectly, I am. And, my homeland took a disproportionate share of upsurge in grocery prices throughout the world. Prices for groceries that I am told are 2-4 times higher than when I left. Eating out is definitely expensive, least one is student' tuna sandwich for about $4.5 (equivalent). So yes, it's important that I take my own lunch with me in order to compensate back there!:-)
I usually take either the left over from yesternight, with fruit and drink, or, as is usually the case, my friend brings lunch for me too, LOL! and I contribute drinks etc. Usually in lunch we have rice with different combinations of vegetables and/or meat, most of the time it's vegetables or lentils though. Sometimes it's traditional bread fried and filled with vegetables in layers. Sometimes, it's Ratatouille (I remember your story about Ratatouille, LOL). We don't usually eat sweet in lunch unless it's cake, that too only sometimes.
I have never carried a
2 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
12 May 08
I don't think you will ever forget my poor Ratatouille. Nor shall I for that matter! LMAO
"Sometimes it's traditional bread fried and filled with vegetables in layers."
Dang Kamran that sounds so good. Now at least I know you eat well even living the bachelor albeit marred life.
Jake when he was in the first grade and our cat Anikin was a small little kitten he did try and stuff him in his back pack to take to school, he might have gotten away with it had I not saw his back pack move strangely.
3 people like this
@crazed_moma (1054)
• United States
12 May 08
I don't brown bag any one's lunch but I need to start! I just got sick of having all the lunch snacks eaten before the week was even half over. It would still save money though even if I did buy a few extra boxes of little debbies a week..... (Currently I don't buy them at all) For me I always think I'll be home in plenty of time to eat lunch but lately it's been more along the line of 3 by the time I get home..... I need to just go buy a bunch of yogurt smoothies to leave in the office fridge.
3 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
12 May 08
Man anything in the middle of the afternoon, beats a starving belly. when you get home hungry like that if you are anything like me you over eat because of the hunger. Those low fat shakes are a great way to stave off the hunger
1 person likes this
@kaysue4 (951)
• United States
13 May 08
I am lucky that my boys get a free lunch in school. When summer hits, I don't know what I am going to do for the extra food.
I will increase the amount of rice that I eat, so the boys will have more food I guess. I will decrease what I eat and then when the family eats I will just tell them I am not hungry so they will have a good meal and then IF anything is left over I will eat then.
This is the only other thing I can think of.
Now, I can't reduce down what my dogs eat and they already eat the cheaper food. I might have to rehome a couple of my darling doggie babies though, which I would hate to do.
2 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
17 May 08
Kaysue may I ask what country you live in? I have no way of saying this in an easy manner, but why would you be feeding dogs, if money was so tight to feed children and yourself? I am truly sorry if I misunderstand.
@kaysue4 (951)
• United States
17 May 08
I live in the USA and I have had my pets for a very long time and I have tried to find them homes, but have tried. I can't send them to a place that will put them to sleep neither. It costs only around $20 dollars to feed them for 2 weeks, so actually it is not too much of a daily cost.
I do understand your point also, why have more cost if you don't have to. At one time we were doing SO much better. I was actually working and we didn't have such a hard time and then my health has went down hill and I can't work now.
It all started with my feet and I got to the point that I couldn't even walk and when I got home from work I had to crawl into the house from the driveway. Then the knee that I have had issues with for now 24 years, had to be repaired again. At this time I had started going to school to learn to do something else. Now, I am having more issues and I can't even hardly get out of bed on my own through the night. I am on many meds also. But through all of this I have had my dogs and they have been a comfort to me and when I am in the most pain they will come and lay with me and even lick my tears from my face. This is way it is not easy to find them a new home, which I have tried, but being that things are tough for everyone, no one wants to add the cost of a pet.
1 person likes this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
12 May 08
A bottle of booze???
Sometimes the dog...
I pack a lunch for my daughter. It's usually a sandwich and a snack with something to drink. Nothing too exciting but cheaper than lunch at school and I also know exactly what she is eating.
3 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
12 May 08
LMAO :)) Our lunch programs have gone down hill as well, not to mention what is served Jake will hardly eat.
A drunk dog Brown bag sounds grand to me!
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
13 May 08
I only pack a lunch now for the soon to be ex. His cholesterol is too high, he's diabetic and he has high blood pressure.
This is a standard lunch for him - at HIS insistence:
6 cookies,(chocolate chip)
2 O-Henry Bars
1 peice of cake with butter (I make one pan a week for his lunches)
2 sliced garlic sausage sandwiches with lots of butter and mustard
1 small bottle of soda (NOT diet)
1 orange, peeled, sectioned and sugered
2 hard boiled eggs with salt
So I've been packing this lunch for him with very few variations for almost 4 years now. Do you think it's possible I could become a widow before a divorce?
I live in hope. lol
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157873)
• United States
13 May 08
Sounds like he is planning to self destruct at any minute. He might be a nicer person to be married to if he watched what he ate and was healthy about it.
2 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
13 May 08
That song by Paul Simon, jumps to mind here sparks,,,, 50 ways to leave your lover! LMAO
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
13 May 08
Well thanks Angel, it'll be in my head all day now! But hey - wishful thinking can be a wonderful thing right? ROFL
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
13 May 08
All mine have always had packed lunches, we cannot afford with four kids anyway to let them have school lunches it would cost a fortune. So they all have a packed lunch for work and school. The kids just have a sandwich, a bag of crisps and a biscuit and a drink. They do not eat a big dinner they just like a light snack and then we have a big meal in the evening.
2 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
17 May 08
Gemini Rose, the school lunches here has as well gotten very expensive not to mention the children do not eat them. its money thrown away. Taking a lunch you know is good for your child and that he/she willeat no mater how light is the better way as far as I am concerned.
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
17 May 08
Well they are expensive, plus the stuff that is on the menu I know for a fact half of it my children will not eat. They have things like fish pie, salmon salad and curries, they will not eat that!!
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
12 May 08
hi angel.
yes, both me and my wife bring pack lunches to work. usually, its the left-over food from yesterday. sometiems, we wake up early to prepare our packed lunch for the day. usually, its a sandwich for me and rice and viand for her. its usually something easy to prepare like fried fish or porkchop. sometimes its canned goods. whatever it is, we make sure that the food that we pack is nutricious and delicious.
3 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
12 May 08
Hi there Allen, I think it is neat that this is something you and your spouse do together. Kinda reminds me of an old Donna Fargo song, " I'll pack your lunch you'll pack mine" Happiest Girl in the Whole USA.
Anyway its sweet.
2 people like this
@Ohara_1983 (4117)
• Kuwait
15 May 08
ha ha ha ha , you got a nice joke my friend, actually in my hubby work they have thier lunch & breakfast so i just cook for dinner, for my daughter if we go out just a sandwich, water & juice for her.
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
17 May 08
Howdy Ohara :))))))) glad you find some humor here .. I always do enjoy a good laugh.
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
14 May 08
Well.. yes.. most of the time for me and my son, sometimes for my daughter and hubby.
I Often take whatever dinner leftovers are in the fridge. It's easy to me. I have a microwave in my office so I can just pop it in and eat. My son is still ok taking a lunch to school even though he just started high school - the time when they don't want to take lunches anymore. He prefers to take sandwiches but he doesn't mind take his thermos with soup or a leftover he likes.
Hubby tends to forget his lunch most days LOL
And my daughter sometimes does take a lunch butnot often. She would prefer to take one of those frozen dinner things - low calorie preferably :)
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
17 May 08
Arkaf, at least you try and feed them LMAO :))))) you can lead a horse to water and all of that right?
1 person likes this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
17 May 08
Sounds Like you have it to gether in the AM Cher :))))) I envy that LMAO :))))
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
13 May 08
My daughter qualifies for free breakfast and lunch at school so no need to pack her lunch like I used to. Hubby packs a lunch for work nearly every day thou. I eat lunch here at home being I only work part-time. Tried packing Simba in hubby's lunch once but he caught on b4 he got to the truck and brought him back in the house. lol Simba is his buddy and waits in the bedroom window for his truck to pull in then races to the door to jump into his arms soon as it's opened.
2 people like this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
14 May 08
I pack my husband's lunch every day It varies but usually consists of two sandwiches (on bread, or roll, or tortilla) a piece of fruit and possibly some chips.
A sandwich might have a filling of spinach, turkey, tomato, onion
On wednesday and friday I might pack him pizza or an omelete sandwich or macaroni salad with tuna and tomoatoes, cheese and boiled egg.
2 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
17 May 08
Modestah, would you come and live with me and pack my lunches? Dang that sandwich sounds good!
1 person likes this
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
13 May 08
Honestly I have been brown bagging it for years. I started doing this when I realized how much money I was spending and how much debt I had. So since I cook all the meals (usually) I always make a little extra and set it aside for the next day at work. I have found that this makes me planning dinner so much easier, and I look forward to lunch usually. Now I do not feel guilty when I want to order out with the girls at work occasionally. If I did not order out at all I would save a total of $1440 a year (based on an average of $6 five times a week). It adds up and I have noticed a lot of my coworkers doing the same since the cost of gas going up.
Although it is hard with the costs of everything rising, the thrifty ones are always the ones to adapt.
But I never put my cat or dog in the bag, b/c then I would have nothing to eat LOL
2 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
13 May 08
"Although it is hard with the costs of everything rising, the thrifty ones are always the ones to adapt."
no truer words could you have said.
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
13 May 08
But there is a fine between thrifty and cheaply afraid. Somewhere along the lines i have become afraid to spend money on myself. So I am working on that right now, sadly the gas prices, ect. are not encouraging me to do so.
1 person likes this
