can I get an upgrade?FREE
It's time to make a couple of additions here at Budget Bytes, both of which come as a response to suggestions from all of you awesome readers out there! The more I exercise my cooking and meal planning muscles, the more I forget what it was like when I was just starting out. You wouldn't believe how much easier it is just one year into the project!
The first suggestion comes from Tara, who asked for examples of grocery lists. This got me thinking about how overwhelming it can be to plan out an entire meal, gather the ingredients and then execute the whole thing. When I was in school studying Nutritional Science, they had us planning menus and writing grocery lists every day (all. freaking. day.), so it's second nature to me now. And hey, since I'm already doing it for the blog, why not post it and save y'all some trouble? Right? Right. So, the first new addition to the blog will be "Complete Meal Ideas" with grocery lists. I have a fairly large bank of recipes now so I'll start putting together the meal ideas slowly.
Click on the "Complete Meal Ideas" tag in the "Labels" list in the column on the right to be taken to all of the posts that fit that category. There is one in there already, a BBQ Chicken Dinner that I made way back in the Blog's beginning (there are no grocery lists on that post, sorry).
The second addition to the blog comes courtesy of Saj. Saj is on the road for work a lot and does not have the luxury of a refrigerator and microwave to reheat food for lunch. Confined to sandwiches, wraps and other items that can be kept cool with a cold pack, Saj is looking for something new and exciting for his brown bag lunches. This is definitely going to be a challenge for me seeing as I've always had the luxury of being able to reheat my leftovers from the night before. I have a couple of ideas so far (one which you'll be seeing this week) and will hopefully be adding more as time goes on. I will be labeling these meals with the "lunch box" tag so look for that in the Labels list soon.
As always, thank you ALL so much for visiting, emailing and sharing your ideas. Feel free to email me any time and share your ideas in the comments section. Your comments are not only helpful to me but to other readers as well!
In the mean time, lets all put our heads together, help each other out and share ideas. What is your favorite thing to pack for lunch? 2,500 heads are definitely better than one!
- Beth M
The first suggestion comes from Tara, who asked for examples of grocery lists. This got me thinking about how overwhelming it can be to plan out an entire meal, gather the ingredients and then execute the whole thing. When I was in school studying Nutritional Science, they had us planning menus and writing grocery lists every day (all. freaking. day.), so it's second nature to me now. And hey, since I'm already doing it for the blog, why not post it and save y'all some trouble? Right? Right. So, the first new addition to the blog will be "Complete Meal Ideas" with grocery lists. I have a fairly large bank of recipes now so I'll start putting together the meal ideas slowly.
Click on the "Complete Meal Ideas" tag in the "Labels" list in the column on the right to be taken to all of the posts that fit that category. There is one in there already, a BBQ Chicken Dinner that I made way back in the Blog's beginning (there are no grocery lists on that post, sorry).
The second addition to the blog comes courtesy of Saj. Saj is on the road for work a lot and does not have the luxury of a refrigerator and microwave to reheat food for lunch. Confined to sandwiches, wraps and other items that can be kept cool with a cold pack, Saj is looking for something new and exciting for his brown bag lunches. This is definitely going to be a challenge for me seeing as I've always had the luxury of being able to reheat my leftovers from the night before. I have a couple of ideas so far (one which you'll be seeing this week) and will hopefully be adding more as time goes on. I will be labeling these meals with the "lunch box" tag so look for that in the Labels list soon.
As always, thank you ALL so much for visiting, emailing and sharing your ideas. Feel free to email me any time and share your ideas in the comments section. Your comments are not only helpful to me but to other readers as well!
In the mean time, lets all put our heads together, help each other out and share ideas. What is your favorite thing to pack for lunch? 2,500 heads are definitely better than one!
- Beth M
Labels: updates
posted by Beth M @ 9:21 AM
8 Comments:
At May 11, 2010 at 10:06 AM ,
Anonymous said...
This sounds great the planning stuff is really helpful for those of us with no prior experience.
I especially like the "weekly" style plans, normally I piece these together from your serving commentary, but is there a better way to find this stuff all in one place? Like I've cooked a pot roast on Sunday and by Tuesday it was a quesilla, wednesday with rice, etc. and the way you've reused a veggie mix in bruschetta and omlettes or something.
Also I'd love to know what kind of jar salsa you buy (none I've bought were ever good enough to even finish the jar) and the best storage containers for "budget bytes" portions.
but even without these items I really enjoy and appreciate all info on the blog so Thank-you!
At May 11, 2010 at 10:51 AM ,
Anonymous said...
For some cold lunch ideas, try couscous salad or lentil salad. I make both and use whatever fresh veggies are in season (my basic lentil salad recipe is from Vegetarian Times). Also, a simple pesto and pasta dish is good cold to give another bit of variety from the wraps.
At May 11, 2010 at 4:15 PM ,
Mariah said...
Your antipasto recipe makes a great lunch...I also love classic sandwiches and making your own trail mix (almonds, dark chocolate chips, sunflower seeds etc)
At May 11, 2010 at 7:40 PM ,
hannah said...
Hummus is amazing and easy to make! Can be used as a dip or spread on pita.
At May 12, 2010 at 9:23 AM ,
Tara said...
I can't tell you how excited I am about your blog, with or without the upgrades. Your blog is such a blessing! Thank you so much for reading and responding to my email in the manner you did. It showed me that you really do want to share your knowledge and skills by helping others.
I can't wait to see your new upgrades!
Keep up the great work!!!
At May 12, 2010 at 12:08 PM ,
Beth M said...
Anon#1 - As far as recipes using leftovers (like the antipasto series or meatball series) I haven't come up with a good way to group them together but they will always be posted near eachother (because I have to use up the left overs before they go bad). Honestly, I like the cheap-o generic salsa just fine so I usually buy that. As far as storage containers, I buy the "disposable" gladware containers but never throw them away. They are dishwasher safe, stack easily in the cupboard and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. I've tried less expensive brands but they don't snap shut as tightly. I think they're usually 5 containers for $2 but they last forever so I think it's worth it.
Anon#2 - lentil salad is a GREAT idea! I am adding that to my "to make" list immediately.
Mariah - Trail mix would also make an interesting addition to a peanut butter sandwich too!
Tara - I'm glad to help any time you need :)
FYI, Bundle.com is holding a brown bag lunch contest which will be going on until the end of the month. Even if you don't want to enter, it will be a great resource for new lunch ideas. Keep checking as new entries are posted!
Happy Lunching!
Beth M.
At May 12, 2010 at 8:31 PM ,
saj said...
Beth!
Thanks for the shout out! I am looking forward to all the ideas that get posted. The lentil or couscous salad sound good, i will definitely give it a try. Can't wait to try all the suggestions/ideas i find in the lunchbox tag!
At May 15, 2010 at 8:06 AM ,
Nicole from: For the Love of Food said...
When I worked I loved taking what I had the night before. But, on those warm summer days when I didn't want to reheat something I would be so thrilled to come to lunch with my huge (family size) homemade salad filled with any vegetable I could get my hands on, feta, sprouts, roasted sunflower seeds, and olives. Then, I'd always top it off with a delicious homemade salad dressing. The whole deal always had my coworkers drooling over my lunch while they chewed on their dry bread sandwiches.
ps- I love how you put your meals together!
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