What I'm packin'

I believe in packing one's own lunch. At least, in theory.
Why? For a number of reasons:

It is probably more eco-friendly (assuming one limits the use of disposable packaging and buys foods that come unpackaged or in multi-serving sizes, and packs reusable guples, I tend to think it should be.)

It is definitely forces one to pre-meditate on the contents of her lunch, thereby encouraging likely better nutritional choices (there is medical evidence that, by planning a meal prior to when one plans to eat it, she is much more statistically likely to stick with a prestated nutritional plan).

It can make you feel smug and superior. (since I only pack lovely, tasty lunches, I enjoy eating my lovely, tasty food when my office mates are eating take-out chicken sandwiches AGAIN).

BUT - is it actually cheaper? If you pack what I just packed, perhaps not.

If one eats a cheap, bad sandwich and little else, then yes, it is cheaper to pack your own lunch.
But...(and I have noticed I almost never pack myself a sandwich), I was shocked to discover recently while using the fun sandwich calculator that my lunches are probably not a huge bargain, financially.

Nonetheless, packing your own lunch can be a weird homemaker-ish source of amusement for me, and now that I have a rockin' lunchbox (mine is a pink Lunchopolis, YMMV), I have even more impetus to pack a grande lunch.

For tomorrow, while my dinner was simmering, I packed:
1/2 cup of Fage total 2% yogurt with a teaspoon of raw, local honey from the JP Farmer's market

a salad, consisting of 1/2 a cucumber and a whole tomato (both brunoise) plus about 1/4 cup of flat-leaf parsley (from my husband's grandmother's garden), and a tablespoon of very finely diced raw red onion dressed with a few drops (circa 1/4 teaspoon) of olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of gray sea salt

a can of Archer Farms sugar free grapefruit energy drink (yay, Target, this is like a good-tasting, but just-as-caffeinated, Red Bull)

a single-serve bag of Almonds (Trader Joe's "just a handful...")

and some snacks that I'll prob leave in the fridge and eat as-needed over the week:
one slice of lowfat cheddar-flavored soy cheese
a berry fruit leather
an Odwalla protein bar (the protein one is the only Odwalla bar that meets my needs, in terms of its being high-protein and lower-sugar, plus all natural and good-tasting!)
a package of Kedem tea biscuits.

do you have any packable lunch ideas that are mostly natural, low-ish in fat (except for nuts, for which I make an exception), mostly free of fleshy animal protein, and low in sugars? bring it. and tell me about it!