Long Bones

This could alo be called a love song to Gladware 3 cup/24 oz containers.  I work in downtown Fairbanks Alaska and while Fairbanks is quite a small city at the lunch hour I am still within walking distance (one mile) of a barbecue joint, an awesome Italian place, a Greek restaurant, two Thai places, a Korean food restaurant, three coffee shops, two diners, a really nice restaurant/wine bar, and three bars. At least – I just thought of another restaurant that I’m not sure how to classify. Lots and lots of food options. In fact, Big Daddy’s Bar-B-Q and Banquet Hall is literally one parking lot away from my window. So we can say the temptation to eat out is insistent.

Office View - the orange building is Big Daddy's

Thank goodness for my perpetual lack of financial skills in this one area. I cannot afford to eat out all the time – I could if I budgeted right but there’s always a book or a skirt or a movie…and then all of a sudden I can’t. So I was already not in the habit of eating out every day when I started losing weight last April.

Gladware sealed the deal. Here’s my tip – when you are at home at night preparing a clean and healthy meal for you and your family (if you have one – I don’t), make one extra portion, immediately toss it into a gladware/tupperware/genericware container and put it in the fridge. That way someone won’t accidentally munch on it as a second helping or a snack. You could label it “My Lunch” if that’s a problem in your house. Then put the container in the fridge and grab it as you leave. You don’t have to worry about packing a lunch in the morning before work or trying to scrounge a meal from the condiments drawer at the office (or, the horror, ordering take-out Chinese!!).

Now I know that there are these crazy people out there who are not enthusiastic about left overs. I know people who just refuse to eat them, they throw away whatever is left over from dinner and never look back. While I don’t quite understand these people I do say there are plenty of low calorie solutions that still involve bringing lunch to work with you. For instance, toss together a salad – hold the dressing out so it doesn’t get soggy. (In fact, I keep a bottle of balsamic vinegar on my desk). Make sure you measure out your portion of dressing – it adds up fast!! Or you could make a whole wheat sandwich with lots of vegetables and hummus and low-sodium cold cuts. Add some fruit and you’re set. None of these take up a lot of time in the morning and all will save you from huge restaurant portions.