For all of you out there in other countries not understanding some of my lingo or Australian terms let me know. Op Shops are thrift stores / charity shops. The "Op" stands for Opportunity, as in Opportunity Shops, but no one really calls them that anymore. The are just Op Shops or even Oppies.
Last night I had a visit from friends who are very careful with their money and do everything they can to maximise it and live frugally. I make my lunch with left overs or purchase something inexpensive in my break, from the supermarket such as salad ingredients or bread and sandwich feelings. Well Gary who also works full time goes to the supermarket on Mondays and buys his food for the weeks 5 lunches including drink and makes them up each day at work. His spends roughly $11. And I think this as a inexpensive option that also frees up time and I want to give it a go.
My lunch break is 1 hour long if our phones are not running off the hook. I really want to use that 1 "child free" hour I have more wisely, either with sanity time for myself or getting bills paid and educational books read to grow my mind. I also want it to be nourishing, filling and healthy food wise. Anyway... today I descended to the supermarket and bought a weeks worth of food to replicate Gary's example and see if it works for me.
I spent $11.27 and this is what I purchased to make myself 5 office lunches (minus drinks as I mainly drink water).
- 1 loaf of quality bread $3.00 (on special)
- 10 fruits $2.61 (I selected fruits on special which usually means the fruits are in season - therefor more ecologically sustainable, unfortunately they are not local produce)
- 5 slices of honey ham from the Service Deli section $1.99 (on special)
- 1 jar of marinated feta $1.00 (on special)
- 2 tomato's $1.86 (normal price)
- 1 cucumber .81 cents (normal price)
 |
| Weeks Worth of Lunch |
 |
| Quick filling (notice without butter as I try to be healthier) |
 |
| My $2.26 Lunch! Bon Appetit!!! |
What is your lunch like? Do you take your bags to the shops with you?
I think your lunch idea is really good for people who have a kitchen at work. Would be good if your work place had a freezer then you could freeze the bread and just take out what you needed each day. This would stop you having to eat bread that's a bit stale by the end of the week. Our work base has a freezer and if people go shopping in their lunch break they can keep their stuff frozen until they go home.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom had a friend who would make the families sandwiches for the forthcoming MONTH then freeze them and take them out day by day. It sounds a good idea in principle but I can't get my head round ( and perhaps this is me ) eating the cooked meats cold from the freezer. We always make ours the night before. Tonight we were low on bread so I heated some pasta, mixed it with pesto and threw in leftover salad and cheese. Makes a nice change from a sandwich.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, There are freezers built into the 3 fridges but they are often really full. My bread sits in the fridge and I find it okay for my tastes.
ReplyDeleteDoes your workplace have a big freezer or one built into the fridge?
Hey Miss Piggy Bank,
I used to freeze sandwiches - the meats and cheese are fine - they defrost within 5 to 10 minutes. However I dislike thawed lettuce, tomato and cucumber.