Wanna see some breakfasts and lunches?
Recently, some of you were wondering what I eat for my non-dinner meals of the day.
Sooo, I've been taking pictures and now I have a little collection for you.
Breakfasts first!
Fried eggs topped with chili oil, a sliced tomato seasoned with salt and pepper, and the heel of a loaf of bread from the freezer:
Leftover mashed potatoes topped with fried eggs and some sauteed carrots, peppers, and onions:
Oatmeal with protein powder (you've seen this one already)
Avocado toast, in variations:
This one is on a toasted homemade whole wheat roll from my freezer.
Scrambled eggs, toast, and avocado
Of note: on work mornings, I typically eat a sliced apple, some egg bites or scrambled eggs, and a piece of toast. Always coffee too! The above pictures are from non-work mornings, where I had a little more time to make and eat breakfast.
Lunches
I pureed some roasted acorn squash and turned it into some soup. Sandwich is 100% whole wheat bread plus ham and cheddar cheese.
And the rest of these are packed lunches from work days.
This one is chipotle chicken, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, green grapes, and cheddar popcorn from Aldi.
Here we have a green salad with chicken, some popcorn and grapes, and some homemade Greek yogurt with peaches.
Next, cottage cheese + mandarin oranges, copycat Aldi chickpea salad, popcorn, clementines, and some chocolate.
This one is the same chickpea salad but with shrimp added, plus grapes and popocorn (ok, I'm on a kick with that right now), a homemade chia seed drink, and some dark chocolate.
Leftover stuffed shells, grapes and popcorn (I know, I know), roasted carrots, and chocolate.
And lastly, a turkey sandwich, berries, popcorn (!!), and some oranges. No grapes this day. 😉
And that's the last one I have in my folder for the moment.
No apologies needed for eating popcorn! Eating the same delicious thing everyday makes sense- satisfying and reduces the number of decisions you have to make.
I bet your coworkers look enviously at your lunches!
Well, I for one always love to see what people actually eat. So yes, I liked this. 🙂 Are you still trying to eat a certain amount of protein in a day, or have you just settled on what you like/makes you feel good throughout the day?
I am not tracking protein per se, but I am still trying to prioritize it because if I don't, I will default to eating too many carbs instead. Ha.
I find it so hard to hit my daily protein goals!
Me tooooo!
I love getting ideas for work lunches so 100% more of this. After looking at your lunches I'm realizing I probably need to be packing more food - I usually pack a sandwich and a fruit but then I am ravenous later in the day before it is time for dinner.
If I may pop in on lunches...
My main strategy was to make large batches of something hearty, freeze in portions, then grab in the morning. For long days, I'd pack two of them.
Everything looks so delicious, Kristen! I bet your work colleagues are salivating!!
Never too much popcorn!
Definitely not too much popcorn. Not even too many eggs. Personally I don't require another collection but I read whatever you post so my opinion may be useless.
What did your coworkers think of your photo-ing your lunches? Do they know about your blog?
A fair number of them do know about my blog. But also, I end up taking my lunch so late, a lot of times I am on my own in the lunch room!
Taking lunch late is great- I think it makes the later part of your shift fly by even faster!
There is no such thing as eating too much popcorn. And I for one would be interested in hearing whether any of your work colleagues get inspired to bring similar lunches.
They are usually surprised to see what I bring!
I loved all of these ideas! Keep them coming! And I love your lunchbox. I have no reason to pack my lunch but maybe I need a happy lunchbox like yours! Makes me smile every time I see it!
Everyone knows I'm at work when they see this one in the fridge! 😉
I love that you eat popcorn every day. It makes my heart sing and I shall now confess that I have a piece of chocolate on most days.
Girl, I have chocolate basically every day!
Looks delicious!
Are you able to finish what’s pictured? Looks like lunch usually your most filling meal on work days since you often eat light after work
As I’ve hit 45, I’ve found I prefer dinner before 4 pm. Already a senior!
Oh yes, I eat it all! By the time I get my lunch break, it's usually at least 2 pm, and I've usually eaten my breakfast at 6 am. So I am PLENTY hungry!
I am also geriatric in my eating habits at 45. I really love eating dinner early (in my case 4:30p or 5:00p if I'm pushing it) and then being done for the night!
I support you completely in your popcorn consumption. Truly the superior snack.
My breakfasts these days are always a piece of buttered whole wheat toast and a cup of strong tea with milk and sugar. I really prefer a full breakfast of eggs, toast, fruit, and tea (something I'd wake up early for pre-motherhood) but between getting out the door and the stomach-shrinking effects of pregnancy, it's just not part of my life right now.
Your lunches look so good! This week I'm having spinach and egg slices, various raw fruits and vegetables, and cocoa-date muffins. Did just realize I forgot the muffin this morning. Boo.
Oh wow, I'm so amazed you can keep going on just a piece of toast. I need a serious amount of fat and protein to carry me through!
I snack! I eat breakfast at around 7:00 and then snack at 10:00 (i.e. I'm snacking right this minute!) I'm also clinic-based right now and not expending the kind of calories I do when I'm on the wards, plus I can't eat much at a time without getting horrible reflux. For a long time, my standard breakfast was 2 pieces of buttered whole grain toast, two scrambled eggs, and two cups of tea--the combo of whole grains, protein, and fat really powered me through.
Also just realized I also forgot my egg slice at home! Not doing great today on the packed lunch front lol. Will probably use the remainder of my resident appreciation week gift card to get something from Tim Hortons.
Hi!
Cocoa date muffins sound divine - would you be able to post a link to the recipe?
Thanks!
It's this, but I add two heaping tablespoons of cocoa powder and omit the flaxseed, vanilla, and blueberries. I've made it with peanut butter, almond butter, tahini, and sunflower seed butter, and all of them work. It makes a very sticky batter, even in non-stick pans, so I now make them either in an 8x8 lined with parchment paper, or in a regular-size muffin tin with paper cupcake liners, but start checking the doneness earlier.
https://www.yummytoddlerfood.com/blueberry-date-snack-cake/
Also, since this is a frugal blog I'll add: medjool dates are an expensive ingredient. I've made it with "baking dates" that come in a compressed block and they work, as do cheaper dates like deglet noor and barhi, but medjool are the tastiest. Raisins, the most frugal option, aren't a great substitute. They technically work (you REALLY have to make sure they're rehydrated) but they cakes come out less sweet and have a fruity, acidic flavour instead of a yummy brown-sugary flavour. Since these are mainly a way to get a high-fibre snack into my daughter's lunch while pretending it's dessert, I spring for the good dates 🙂
Looks so good! I'm just wondering how you feel about eating so many eggs during the week. I'm still old school and worry about that cholesterol thingy, so I try not to eat too many eggs.
And when I make a batch of a salad for during the week for lunches, I find that I stay on my eating program better. I usually make a batch of bean soup for my husband and some sort of salad for myself.
So far, my cholesterol numbers are fine, but of course, if that changes, I can always adjust my diet accordingly. 🙂
I see that chocolate square. . . (*o*)
Oh yes, every day!
Have to drive to the office today & you've inspired me to pack my lunch! Thank you. I really do like to see what other people pack, and now i'm going to add cottage cheese to my bag for today.
Can you post (with links please) all of the containers you use for lunches? I am interested in the glass ones for microwaving and the metal ones for cold things. Also the replacement lids, please.
I need to replace my things and I want to get away from tupperware and the like.
I was poking around in the archives because I thought I'd done this, but it looks like I really need to do an updated one so all my current products are in one place. I'll add it to my to-do list!
Thank you!
Your lunches look very appealing, varied and nutritious. When I was still working, did similar things. Now that I'm retired, I usually skip lunch, but may graze a bit in late afternoon.
I do have breakfast every day, however. I usually make a pot of oatmeal on Mondays and then I have it Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On other days I have a bagel and bacon or sausage or maybe an egg and English Muffin that I make myself. I'll sometimes add a Greek yogurt. And I always start my day with two cups of tea and a bottle of water.
It all looks so good!
I don't usually eat breakfast but have a larger lunch. If I'm at home I usually have an egg with cottage cheese and spinach on toast and then some fruit, but I'm not very creative with bringing lunch to work. I either pack a sandwich or wind up buying something - fortunately or unfortunately there are lots of great independent cafes nearby and I enjoy eating in them! I'm good at mostly cooking dinner but I really need to work on lunch.
I also agree with all the others that you can never have too much popcorn!
You have a very healthy and delicious looking diet, Kristen!
Kristen, this may be an idea for a new series. Maybe readers can also do guest posts on their breakfasts and lunches!
No such thing as too much popcorn! It's a perfect whole grain snack! 🙂
Heather, I was going to say this if no one else did!
My breakfasts and lunches are the same throughout the week:
B = 1/2 C cottage cheese, roasted brussels/broccoli, 1/3 C legume (pinto, black, navy beans cooked by the hubby) and a clementine.
L = a green salad with romaine, celery, carrots shaved, radishes, red or orange or yellow aldi peppers, ranch dressing cut with apple cider vinegar (that I make), and some form of protein: yogurt with fruit or cheese or leftover chicken.
I prep 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches on Sunday so In the morning before work I grab everything and plop it into my lunch bag.
One can never eat too much popcorn! And the Aldi (Clancys) cheddar popcorn is better then Smartfood brand, and waaayyy cheaper!
imho there is never too much popcorn. right now my son can't eat it cause of his braces. so i don't eat it. not even when he is not around. boy do i miss it. he only has another 6 months to go. yay. tomorrow we find out if he got into stuyvesant high school a specialized school in NYC. i prefer he stays where he is. a place that is public with 461 kids. he is one of the smartest in each of his classes. other kids ask him for help. he is a big fish in a small pond. at stuvesant there are 3000 kids. who needs it? well my son does and i hope he gets it. we find out otmorrow.
Your meals look delicious! One question: Do you use popcorn as a healthier substitute for chips?
Hmm, I would say no! I have never been a big chip-eater; they're not a particular temptation to me, partly because they feel very not-filling. But the popcorn makes a nice little salty snack to add a little fun to my lunchbox. 🙂
You can never eat too much popcorn! 🙂
Have you ever tried popcorn with ghee? Omg… taste just like movie theater. I buy kernels from the market. I also have a popcorn glass container that you put in the microwave and it has the measuring cup on the top. You put the popcorn in the microwave for three minutes and it has a place on top where you can put the ghee to melt down over the popcorn and then salt. Very tasty.
Hi! Another 'yes' for popcorn. I love to eat it, except I worry about disturbing a filling when I accidentally bite into an unpopped kernel.
I am a creature of habit and routine. I take the same thing all week for lunch. Also, I try not to need a microwave to keep things easy. When I am organized, I make a salad on Sunday, and dish it out M-F. Sometimes it's a green salad with lots of veggies, olive oil+balsamic vinegar, and protein (usually beans, walnuts, and hardboiled eggs); sometimes it'a a salad made with couscous, veggies, and some kind of protein. And an avocado when I can add it in the morning. I found that I need to make sure I have enough proteins in my green salad otherwise I get hungry too soon. Lately my easy fall back for lunch has been cottage cheese with chickpeas and everything bagel seasoning.
Depending on the meal, snacks include an apple, hummus, baby carrots, triscuit thins, pineapple bits, manadarin oranges, and sometimes ...popcorn. Oh, and also a bite or two of chocolate!!
Bon apetite everyone!
You can never have too many pictures of Chiquita or eat too much popcorn! Just sayin.
WHEW.
Here to COMPLETELY agree. I'm a popcorn fiend. And a kitty lover with three. And love it when Chiquita pics are included. I mean I'm here for all the frugality, tips and learning about everyone but she is such a sweet looking cat.
When I read, "Wanna see some breakfasts and lunches?" my brain immediately went, "Absolutely, I do!" This was fun. 🙂
Your pictures and food look amazing! My food looks horrible compared to yours.
I used to eat lots of popcorn until my dentist vetoed it due to having seen too many patients with bits of husk caught under the gums. So I migrated to the much less healthy potato chips instead. I am caught by the appeal of your chickpea salad. How about the recipe?
Man, I miss popcorn. After learning I am allergic to corn, and with DS#4 getting braces, I am not making it anymore. I started roasting chickpeas (we get the dried ones and cook them to get aquafaba), and those are a nice substitute.
Love this post! Your meals are a study in nutrition, variety, beauty, simplicity and gratification. Great inspiration!
I have noticed that I've had a craving for cheese popcorn lately and I 100% blame you. hahaha It's really nice seeing your lunch ideas though and I appreciate seeing them! I think it could be fun to also see a theme of "use it up" challenges in your lunches, like I had X ingredient in the fridge so I included it in some of my lunches this way, or that sort of thing. Or very occasionally trying a new lunch recipe or new ideas for lunch combinations. I love getting this inspiration.
I also like the use it up challenge. That could be a fun post category. Not only for lunches but across all meals, however they get used.
Your breakfasts and lunches look delicious! I would never think to eat mashed potatoes with breakfast, but it looks good! I can’t eat popcorn any longer because it’s hit or miss with my stomach - sometimes it gives me a really painful stomachache and sometimes not. I err on the side of caution!
I love your tapas-style lunches - varied items, small portions, all food groups, healthy food for the win! And one cannot ever have too much popcorn. 😉
Your popcorn is a better choice than the potato chips many of us would eat instead yet we think nothing of eating chips every day so why would we object to your popcorn?
I'm always surprised at the number of dishes you eat. For breakfast I usually eat two eggs and two slices of buttered bread with cinnamon-Splenda sprinkled on it. For lunch, I often just have a sandwich and a piece of dark chocolate. I would be way too full if I tried to eat your wide variety of foods. But, I am very sedentary which makes a difference.
Ah, yes, and I am VERY much the opposite of sedentary, especially when I go to work. And on the days I'm not at work, I'm still usually pretty active. So yep, I do not feel too full with this amount of food!
Can you do a post on how you make your fried eggs??? they look perfect!
Yes, I can do that!
I enjoyed seeing what you eat for breakfast/lunch and you can never have enough popcorn!
I'm impressed with your amount of cooking!!! I really need to push more things out of my schedule to make time for myself. I admire you for that.
You can NEVER eat too much popcorn!