Boring Lunches-But Grateful

    

     
     Not wasting food is more on my mind than ever as I am trying to avoid any additional store stops. Granted, I should have this mind set all the time, and when I work from the office, I bring leftovers for lunch at least 50% of the time, controlling much of the waste. Most dasy  at home my daughter and I first look to the leftovers, either the nights or two before, or a portion that was thrown in the freezer. It's boring, uninspiring, but I' grateful to have the abundance. DH pretty much takes a chicken sandwich, or wrap, sometimes just sliced, sometimes mixed with mayo, celery, and maybe grape or apple, as a chicken salad sandwich. I don't seem to be able to buy enough bananas to get both my other home family members filled between trips, but if not a banana, he'll bring apples or clementine's. 

     My favorite lunch is leftover pizza. The college kid is less thrilled with left over pizza, but likes it more so if reheated in the air fryer as it doesn't get soggy. Some leftovers she will hoard for herself, and I'm not exaggerating. Vegetable tika masala, or at least what I make as a curry, Chow Mein, and any hotdish with a rice base is her favorite. The kid loves rice! She'll happily eat pasta or  Mexican-ish leftovers (taco and burrito fillings and tortillas-not claiming authenticity), and yes, preferred if there is spicy rice to heat up with the met and beans. 

     On the rare occasions when there were not leftovers, and that's often where the freezer portion comes in handy, I've made sure we have other quick items. I'll go for apples and peanut butter or  veggies and hummus, and maybe a sandwich or piece of toast. She's heated up a frozen egg roll, or even cooked up some rice or eggs. I've been hard boiling eggs to have on hand as well, so might grab one with lunch or a snack later. A few times I've turned them into egg salad, or I've opened tuna to mix with mayo and celery, for sandwich fixings. She's not a big sandwich person, but occasionally will have these  fillings, or just deli meat and butter. This is our 9th week of lunches at home, so I forget all we might be eating up. I know we're not going hungry. 

     It seems food occupies my brain. I'm thinking about what to use up, what we are running out of, what I can make with what is on hand, and how can I stretch out my grocery trips, or at least get in and out quickly. I only price dup a few deals when shopping for my mother-in-law yesterday. I was feeling uncomfortable, and had a plan already for meals for the week, so didn't bother with much so I could get her list fast. I hate being so food obsessed, or maybe I'm obsessing about being obsessed! 

     The progress I was seeing the first month of stay at home has stopped in the weight loss arena. I've not gained though, so glad for that. I have that May goal to lose three pounds, but looking less likely as it is already May 13th and nothing more lost. I've tried to keep meals like pasta to just once per week, not counting leftover lunches, and packing in the vegetables and fruit, particularly at lunch. While I might be eating more calories than I need, and not exercising enough, I do believe my actual diet is healthier than it has been since I stopped nursing over 18 years ago. Eating my boring lunches has been part of that.