Brown Bagging is Back in Style
By Maggie Davis, MS, RD, LDN, FADA, CDE

Even if you’ve packed a wonderful lunch for your midday meal, does it inspire you to look forward to eating right and enjoying a satisfying meal? If the answer is that you don’t get excited about eating some colorless leftovers from a plastic container with flimsy flatware, then here’s some ways to jazz up your lunch, insure a healthy meal and definitely add enjoyment to the experience… Think gift packaging – sometimes even the smallest, homemade gift can be lifted to a sublime level with thoughtful, personalized wrapping.
Here are some ideas:

• In addition to selecting healthy foods, think color as well. Try to include three colors in your meal scheme. Not only will this look more appealing, but it will contribute a variety of nutrients as well.
• Make your lunch look like it’s special by treating yourself or your family members to practical, colorful and reusable totes… Here are some links to some of our favorites:
• Simply – Bags http://www.simply-bags.com/lunch-cooler-bag.html (there’s a patent leather version and a bright orange insulated 2-compartment tote)
• Solutions.com – Built NY brightly colored neoprene pouches http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=10234&itemType=PRODUCT
• Wrapables.com – stylish Milano tote http://www.wrapables.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=C53097&prodlist=gifts
• Jbox.com – a cool bright blue bento box for men or women. Set is microwavable and comes with chopsticks http://www.jbox.com/PRODUCT/BENTO223

• Take your regular flatware from home. Any food will taste better eaten with your usual knife, fork or spoon and you will be reducing the use of disposable plastic.

Make sure that your meal is refrigerated at work or that you include an ice pack to maintain the temperature below 40 degrees F. as long as possible. Consider freezing leftovers or single items that will gradually thaw in a few hours and keep the rest of your lunch bag cold.