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Insulated Lunch

Must Have Essentials For Packing Lunches

These days we are all looking for ways to save money, one of the ways you can save money is by taking your own lunches to work or by 'packing" your children's lunches for school.

When it comes to taking lunches on the go, there are some essentials that you will need.

1. A good insulated lunch bag. I do not recommend metal children's lunch boxes because they don't do anything to keep your food warm or cold plus they dent and rust over time.

I recommend that you purchase a soft-bag or better known as a insulated lunch bag. These types of bags are light weight, feature a carrying strap and are insulated to keep your hot foods warm or your cold foods cool.

2. If you like to pack sandwiches, you will need a square plastic sandwich keeper to protect your sandwich from getting smashed. There are a variety of manufacturing companies that make them.

I don't recommend using plastic zipper close bags as they do nothing to protect your sandwich and they are harmful to our environment, not to mention expensive.

3. Plastic microwave-safe container with an air tight and liquid tight seal. You can use these types of containers to carry left-overs from the night before in your lunches.

I don't recommend using cheap empty containers from margarine, yogurts, and other plastic food containers. Just because a container is made from plastic, doesn't mean its microwave safe.

4. Small plastic snack container with seal. These type of containers are perfect for carrying yogurt, fruit cocktail, canned fruits, pudding, jello and other small amounts of desserts and snacks and fit nicely into a lunch bag.

5. A medium-sized round microwave safe container. If you like to take soups, stews, spaghetti, chili and other foods that contain a liquid sauce or broth, I recommend buying a round microwave safe container to fit into your lunch bag. You will want to make sure that this container has a liquid tight and air tight seal.

6. Reuseable Plastic Utensils. You will need a few spoons, forks and a knife. I recommend buying the sets that come with plastic carrying cases that way they will be held together within your lunch bag. Using reusable utensils instead of the one-time use utensils is better for our environment.

7. Cloth Napkins or Paper Napkins. I always recommend that you pack 2 with every lunch.

8. Insulated Drinking Tumbler Cup or a Insulated Plastic Sports Bottle. There are various companies on the market that make some really nice lunch tumblers and sports bottles. You will want to buy one that holds around 12 ounces as you want it to be able to fit nicely in your lunch bag.

9. Condiment Container. These types of containers are often over-looked when it comes to shopping for lunch on the go products. When buying a small or mini container to use for your condiments, I recommend one that is no larger than 4 ounces in size. You will want to make sure that its reusable and has a liquid tight seal so that you don't have to worry about any spills.

10. Ice Packs. I also recommend that you buy 2-3 ice packs if you are going to be carrying food that is meant to be kept cold.

*ice pack tip* I like to take zipper close pint size bags and place my ice pack inside the bag and zipper it shut. As the ice pack thaws through out the day, all the condensation from the ice pack will be kept inside the bag and not all over your lunch containers.

If you keep these 10 things on hand, you will always be ready to take lunch on the go with you. If you are getting ready to do some school shopping for the children, then I recommend you print out this article and take it with you on your school shopping trip.

Having the proper lunch bag essentials will ensure that you enjoy your next freshly packed lunch.

About the Author

Shelly Hill has been working from home since 1989 in Direct Sales. You can visit Shelly online at: http://www.classybusinesswomen.com or at http://wahmshelly.blogspot.com

Need suggestions for lunch food, with lots of restrictions...help?

I need suggestions for what I can bring to work for lunch. There are a lot of issues I have to consider:

We have no way to heat up food.
I have no way to keep food cold (although I do have an insulated lunch bag I could use, and a thermos).
It can't take too long to prepare.
It can't contain wheat.
It can't contain salted meats.

Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!

Here's a website with Wheat Free and Gluten Free Recipes.

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/glutenfree/glutenfree.html

There are a few things that sound interesting such as a pizza crust, breads to use with peanut butter, pasta & lasagna.
Here's also a list of foods that are wheat free:

Best bets
Items marked with a (G) should be avoided by those who are sensitive to gluten:

Almond: flour and meal
Amaranth: whole (as hot cereal, flour, puffed
Barley (G): whole hulled, flakes, flour
Buckwheat: whole groats, cereal, flour (raw or roasted)
Cassava: flour (whole root, dried, ground; tapioca starch is refined from this)
Chestnut: flour
Chickpea: flour
Flaxseed: flour and meal
Hazelnut: flour and meal
Jerusalem artichoke: flour
Kamut® (G): whole, flakes, flour, pasta
Legume flours: yellow and green pea; red and green lentil; white, lima, and pinto bean
Millet: whole grain, flour
Oats: Scotch style, flour, oat bran, rolled flakes
Pearled millet: whole, flour
Potato: flour, starch
Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah): whole, flour
Rice (short, medium, long grain): whole, flour, pasta, puffed, cakes, crackers
Rye (G): flakes, flour, crackers (that contain no wheat)
Soy: flakes, grits, soy flour
Spelt (G): whole, flakes, flour, pasta
Tapioca: starch flour, “pearls”
White sweet potato: flour
Wild rice: whole, pasta

GIANT FLEXIBLE INSULATED LUNCH BAG COOLER EXTRA LARGE

LEGO Insulated Lunch Bag - Fire $20 The insulated Lunch Bag keeps your lunch and snacks cool and fresh Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Red Color Mapping: Red

LEGO Insulated Lunch Bag - Police $20 The insulated Lunch Bag keeps your lunch and snacks cool and fresh Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Blue Color Mapping: Blue

Hadaki 9 Coated Insulated Lunch Pod O'Stripes $25.2 9" Coated Insulated Lunch Pod O'Stripes

Hadaki 9 Coated Insulated Lunch Pod O'Floral $25.2 9" Coated Insulated Lunch Pod O'Floral

Hadaki 9 Coated Insulated Lunch Pod O'Express $25.2 9" Coated Insulated Lunch Pod O'Express

Michigan Wolverines Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag $33.99 Michigan Wolverines Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag

Kentucky Wildcats Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag $24.99 Kentucky Wildcats Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag

Texas Longhorns Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag $33.99 Texas Longhorns Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag

Florida Gators Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag $33.99 Florida Gators Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag

Oklahoma Sooners Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag $33.99 Oklahoma Sooners Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag

Georgia Bulldogs Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag $33.99 Georgia Bulldogs Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag

Wisconsin Badgers Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag $33.99 Wisconsin Badgers Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag

Jworld Insulated Lunch Bag $21.95 Fun and functional lunch bag.Insulated main compartmentExterior pocket Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Squares Neon Color Mapping: Blue Age: Adult Gender: Unisex

Picnic Time Alexis Insulated Lunch Tote $27.99 Insulated lunch/wine tote Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Navy Blue Color Mapping: Blue

Bakugan Insulated Lunch Bag. $9.99 Children's lunch bag with wipe easy lining.WARNING(S):Not suitable for children under 3 years old.

Ameda Insulated, Lunch-Style Zipper Tote, 17/cs $134.11 Ameda Insulated, Lunch-Style Zipper Tote - Great to transport collected breast milk in your Ameda tote.

Disney Minnie Mouse Insulated Lunch Tote Bag $11.95 Disney Minnie Mouse Insulated lunch bag. approx 9"x7.5" Color: Multi-Color

Butterfly Insulated Lunch Bag $8.5 Foam backing and TPE lining add insulation and protection.Roomy interior holds lots of yummy snacks, lunch and beverage, plus its zipper closure keeps your goodies safe and secure!Sturdy rolled handles make carrying easy, while the flat bottom allows you to set it down and dig right in!Durable polyester outside with wipe-clean lining. Long-wearing, water-resistant for years of stylish and practical use!Dimensions: 10.4?/26.5 x 9?/23 cm x 4.7?/12 cm

Birmingham Insulated Tote - Lunch on the Go - by Linea $40.98 With this chic insulated tote, you are sure to have the classiest lunch in the office! This discrete lunch bag looks just like a fashionable purse, but is insulated to keep your food at the right temperature. Take your lunch with you to work. Also makes a great gift for students, from high-school to college! Your teen won't mind bringing their lunch with them in this trendy carrier! The Birmingham tote is made of white and black woven nylon, with a foam and aluminum interior. Type: Lunch Bags and Boxes Color: Black

Bombay Purple Insulated Tote - Lunch on the Go - by Linea $32.98 With this trendy insulated tote, you are sure to have the classiest lunch in the office! This discrete lunch bag looks just like a fashionable purse, but is insulated to keep your food at the right temperature. Take your lunch with you to work. Also makes a great gift for students, from high-school to college! Your teen won't mind bringing their lunch with them in this chic carrier! The Bombay tote is made of nylon, with a foam and aluminum interior. Type: Lunch Bags and Boxes Color: Purple

Glasgow Plaid Insulated Tote - Lunch on the Go - by Linea $32.98 With this chic insulated tote, you are sure to have the classiest lunch in the office! This discrete lunch bag looks just like a fashionable purse, but is insulated to keep your food at the right temperature. Take your lunch with you to work. Also makes a great gift for students, from high-school to college! Your teen won't mind bringing their lunch with them in this trendy carrier! The Glasgow tote is made of nylon, with a foam and aluminum interior. Type: Lunch Bags and Boxes Color: Ivory

Hadaki Ana Insulated Lunch Tote $36 Tote your lunch HADAKI style with Ana's fashionable alternative to a dreary brown bag. Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Jazz Ruby Color Mapping: Red

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Red Small $20.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Red Small

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Royal BlueSmall $20.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Royal BlueSmall

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Navy Medium $18.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Navy Medium

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Red Medium $18.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Red Medium

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Royal blue Medium $19.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Royal blue Medium

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Black Small $15.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Black Small

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Navy Small $15.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Navy Small

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Royal Blue Small $15.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Royal Blue Small

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Gray Small $15.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Gray Small

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Purple Small $15.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Purple Small

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Olive Small $15.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag -Olive Small

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag - Flowal Pink Small $15.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag - Flowal Pink Small

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag - Flowal Sky Purple Small $15.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag - Flowal Sky Purple Small

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag - Flowal Sky Blue Small $15.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag - Flowal Sky Blue Small

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag - Flowal Green Small $15.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag - Flowal Green Small

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag - Flowal Red Small $15.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag - Flowal Red Small

Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag - Flowal Sky Navy Small $15.99 Durable Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag - Flowal Sky Navy Small

Ohio State Buckeyes Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag $33.99 Ohio State Buckeyes Insulated Tailgate Tote: Lunch Bag

Travelon Flat Insulated Lunch Bag Black $19.95 Travelon's insulated lunch bag is great for bringing with on travel trips or good for every day use. Insulated to keep food and beverages cool and fresh. Perfect for travel and the office. Zips flat for convenient storage.

SpongeBob SquarePants Insulated Lunch Bag. $6.99 Children's lunch bag with wipe easy lining.WARNING(S):Not suitable for children under 3 years old.

Hadaki Insulated Nylon Lunch Pod $32 Pods to fit your lifestyle. Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Chocolate With Pink Color Mapping: Brown

KOKO Magnolia Insulated Lunch Bag $20 Eat well, Be Green, Take Lunch…in style! Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Leopard Color Mapping: Yellow

KOKO Alexa Insulated Lunch Bag $20 Eat well, Be Green, Take Lunch…in style! Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Green Circles Color Mapping: Green

KOKO Dima Insulated Lunch Bag $20 Eat well, Be Green, Take Lunch…in style! Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Black Quilt Color Mapping: Black

KOKO Stacy Insulated Lunch Bag $20 Eat well, Be Green, Take Lunch…in style! Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Purple Floral Color Mapping: Purple

KOKO Dani Insulated Lunch Pocket $15 Eat well, Be Green, Take Lunch…in style! Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Leopard Color Mapping: Yellow

KOKO Darcie Insulated Lunch Bag $20 Eat well, Be Green, Take Lunch…in style! Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Plum And Grey Color Mapping: Purple

KOKO Daryl Insulated Lunch Bag $20 Eat well, Be Green, Take Lunch…in style! Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Gold Color Mapping: Yellow

KOKO Becca Insulated Lunch Bag $15 Eat well, Be Green, Take Lunch…in style! Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Plum And Grey Color Mapping: Purple

Playful Ponies Insulated Lunch Bag $19.95 Durable poly canvas is printed with Lila Blakeslee's ponies and horseshoes! Backpack has a coated interior with inside wall pocket and flat bottom. Two-way top zipper and locker loop for hanging. Outside zippered pocket. 15"W x 13"H. Insulated Lunch Bag has a web handle and 38" adjustable/removable shoulder strap. Inner mesh pocket, elastic holder straps, and outside zip pocket. 10"W x 7"H.

Galloping Horse Insulated Lunch Bag $16.95 Lila Blakeslee's graceful horse adorns these daily essentials in poly canvas. Camo Backpack has fully lined main compartment with inside pockets; two-way zipper. Outside zipper front pocket and mesh side pockets. Carry handle; adjustable padded shoulder straps. 12"W x 15 1/2"H. Insulated Lunch Bag has a handle, zipper pockets front and back, and mesh side pocket for drink bottle. 7"W x 9 1/2"H.

Hadaki Insulated Lunch Pod - Coated $27 Magnetic snap closure Insulated interior Comfortable rounded handle Wipes clean easily Water resistant

Hadaki Nylon Insulated Lunch Pod $27 Magnetic snap closure Insulated interior Comfortable rounded handle Wipes clean easily Water resistant

Wildkin Ballerina Lunch Box $21.99 Sturdily constructed, insulated, fabric lunch box. Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Ballerina Color Mapping: Pink

Wildkin Butterfly Lunch Box $21.99 Sturdily constructed, insulated, fabric lunch box. Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Butterfly Color Mapping: Purple

Wildkin Kaleidoscope Lunch Box $21.99 Sturdily constructed, insulated, fabric lunch box. Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Kaleidoscope Color Mapping: Pink

Wildkin Dinosaur Lunch Box $21.99 Sturdily constructed, insulated, fabric lunch box. Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Dinosaur Color Mapping: Orange

Wildkin Camo Lunch Box $21.99 Sturdily constructed, insulated, fabric lunch box. Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Camouflage Color Mapping: Green

Wildkin Majestic Lunch Box $21.99 Sturdily constructed, insulated, fabric lunch box. Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Majestic Color Mapping: Pink

Dora the Explorer Zippered Lunch Box Fully Insulated $8.95 Send your little one off to school with this great "Dora the Explorer" lunch cooler. Fully Insulated to keep their lunch cold or warm. Large enough to hold plenty of goodies, measures 7 inches by 8.5 inches by 5 inches wide. Officially licensed Disney product. Color: Multi-Color

Dora the Explorer Dora & Boots Insulated Lunch Box $14.99 Dora the Explorer Insulated Lunch Box: * One large zippered main compartment * Adjustable shoulder strap and one canvas carrying strap on top. * Dora the Explorer and her friend Boots embellish the front of this adorable backpack. * Dimensions:8"Hx10"W Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Pink

Picnic Time Milano Insulated Lunch Tote $30.99 The Milano Tote is a great gift for those with an active lifestyle. This chic, insulated tote is perfect as a lunch bag, purse, make-up bag, or poolside necessities tote. Type: Lunch Bags & Coolers Color: Olive Color Mapping: Green

Two-tone Insulated Lunch Bag (Case of 40) $517.63 Carry your lunch and keep it cool with this two-tone insulated lunch bag. These lunch bags feature a zip-top closure, an insulated liner, and a durable construction to keep your food safe. Two-tone insulated lunch bag Dimensions: 8 inches wide x 10 inches long x 6 inches high Construction: 210D polyester, PEV liningColors: Green, blue, orange, black, purple and redExterior Pockets: Two (2) front pockets and one (1) side mesh pocketInterior Pockets: Two (2) compartmentsUse: Lunch holderQuantity: Case of 40Closure: Zip-topFeatures: Two tone with handle

Hello Kitty Pink Insulated Lunch Bag - Bear $12.95 Hello Kitty Insulated Lunch bag White & Pink Carry handle on top with Zip Closure. Approx 9 in(W) X 7 in(H) X 3 in(D) Color: Multi-Color

Spongebob Squarepants Insulated Soft Lunch Bag $9.95 Make mealtime fun with this adorable SpongeBob lunch bag. Interior is insulated. Measures approximately 8 x 4.5 x 7.5 inches (21 x 14 x 13 cm). Color: Multi-Color

SpongeBob Squarepants Insulated Soft Lunch Bag $8.99 Make mealtime fun with this adorable SpongeBob lunch bag. Interior is insulated. Measures approximately 8 x 4.5 x 7.5 inches (21 x 14 x 13 cm). Color: Multi-Color

Picnic at Ascot 427B Insulated Lunch Tote in Navy $22.23 Dimensions: 6.5 W x 10 H x 5.5 D. Color: Navy. Features a Collapsible insulated lunch tote with easy clean Peva lining. Easy velcro closure. Fun shape.

Gourmet Getaway Insulated Lunch Tote by Built NY $26.49 If you are all about style then this lunch tote is for you. The gourmet getaway bag is an insulated lunch bag and is great for road trips or anytime you are on the run. The lunch tote expands to fit a variety of containers and is machine washable.Features: Great Gift Idea Beautiful colors Washing machine safe Size: 12" tall x 12.5" wide x 6.75 deep

Hadaki Insulated Pod Lunch Tote $30 Ditch that brown paper bag. This cute and colorful Hadaki tote will definitely make the style grade at lunchtime. Even better than that is the fact that it's insulated to keep foods closer to their original temperature.

Tags: bag, bags, insulated, insulated lunch bags, insulated lunch bags for women, insulated lunch boxes, insulated lunch boxes for adults, insulated lunch tote, lunch, totes

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 at 4:09 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.