Brown Bagging It - Less $; More Nutritious

Packing a lunch - it can be good, creative, inexpensive AND healthier than eating out. Here are some ideas...

These 13 Instant Lunches will help you out, whether you're short on time, cash, or both. For an extra delicious, cash-saving treat, plan your work-week around items 9 through 13 (Monday through Friday). All you have to do is buy a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store on Sunday, remove the skin, and shred every last piece of it. Then use that shredded chicken in each lunch throughout the week -- you won't spend more than about $15 for the entire thing.

Instant Lunch #1: Adult Lunchables

Pack a stack of Triscuits, Swiss, and slices of smoked ham or turkey. It's like an adult Lunchables, only it's actually healthy.

Instant Lunch #2: Roast Beef with a Kick

Mix together a bit of mayo with grated horseradish. Spread on toasted rye or wheat bread, then top with roast beef, sharp Cheddar, sliced cucumbers, pickled onions, and arugula.

Instant Lunch #3: Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Salad

Place as many of the following items on a cutting boards as you like: Ham, turkey, cucumber, bell pepper, tomato, olives, beans of any sort, scallions, blue cheese, and iceberg lettuce. Chop into tiny pieces. When you're ready to eat, dress the chopped salad with Honey Mustard.

Instant Lunch #4: Egg Salad Burrito

Chop two hard-boiled eggs and mix with diced pickles, a spoon of olive-oil mayonnaise, and a pinch of cayenne. When you're ready to eat it, spoon the egg salad onto large romaine or Bibb lettuce leaves and eat like a burrito.

Instant Lunch #5: Pita Perfection

Stuff a pita with black beans, guacamole, sliced tomato, crumbled feta cheese, and a handful of your favorite greens.

Instant Lunch #6: Simple Tuna Salad

Mix a can of tuna with chopped pickles, minced onion, and equal parts Dijon and olive oil mayo. Stuff into a whole wheat pita.

Instant Lunch #7: Chips and Burrito Dip

Mix equal parts of cooked brown rice and drained canned black beans. Top with leftover chicken or steak (r deli turkey), salsa, and guacamole. Eat with a small stack of tortilla chips.

Instant Lunch #8: Stuffed Avocado

Slice an avocado and remove the pit. Fill the round cavities with canned tuna and a squeeze of lemon, plus salt and pepper. Eat with Triscuits.

Instant Lunch #9: Monday

Want lunch for a whole work week for less than $15? Buy a rotisserie chicken at the supermarket. Remove the skin and shred every last bit of meat and do the following: On Monday, mix with barbecue sauce. Spread onto a large whole wheat or spinach tortilla and top with sautéed (or raw) onions and slices of avocado. Wrap tightly.

Instant Lunch #10: Tuesday

Toss shredded rotisserie chicken with chopped romaine, roasted red peppers, olives, artichoke hearts, and feta cheese. Bring a dressing to work and toss right before eating.

Instant Lunch #11: Wednesday

Bring a can of creamy tomato or wild mushroom soup to work. Heat. Stir in some shredded rotisserie chicken. Wash it all down with a crisp apple.

Instant Lunch #12: Thursday

Spread a thick layer of hummus onto an English muffin. Stack with arugula or mixed greens, roasted peppers, shredded rotisserie chicken, and a sliced of smoked Gouda or provolone.

Instant Lunch #13: Friday

Toss the shredded rotisserie chicken with cooked spaghetti, scallions, and red bell peppers. Dress with peanut butter mixed with soy sauce, lime, and hot sauce. Top with peanuts; eat hot or cold.

(Source: Eat This, Not That - Menshealth.com)