The Brown Bag is Back

(ARA) - While the days of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches may be a distant childhood memory, the “brown bag” lunch is once again becoming a popular fixture on the office desk. With recent economic factors influencing food purchases, America is looking to the brown bag to save a few bucks. According to a new study from the market research firm NPD Group, weekday packed lunches among adults reached a new high in 2007, and this trend is expected to continue.

But “bagging it” doesn’t have to mean a boring turkey sandwich and apple five days a week. With several new, affordable and convenient products, not to mention tips and tricks to turn leftovers into luscious lunches, ordinary options won’t be missed. Revamping the traditional brown bag can help cut costs, as well as turn your mid-day meal into a healthier, more delicious selection you’ll actually look forward to eating.

Bowl is the New Box
Even for those on the go, prepackaged options are now available that deliver nutrition as well as convenience. New shelf-stable options can be readily kept at the office for a quick lunchtime fix. For example, Del Monte’s new Harvest Selections (www.HarvestSelections.com; $2.59) makes it easy to incorporate veggies into lunch -- a meal that often does not include a vegetable. Harvest Selections are wholesome microwaveable meal bowls that are packed with two full servings of vegetables per meal, meeting 40 percent of the USDA MyPyramid recommendations. Because they do not need to be refrigerated, the shelf-stable meals are perfect for stashing in your desk drawer or tote bag.

Leftover Love
Prepare healthy, delicious meals that dish up plenty of leftovers. A few tweaks to yesterday’s dinner can provide delectable work week lunches. Transform chicken or beef leftovers into healthy pasta dishes or vegetable packed salads that can easily be toted to the office. Try adding spreads, such as hummus, to spice up traditional cold cut sandwiches. Hummus, left over from a weekend get-together, can be a healthy, delicious alternative to mayo on Monday’s turkey sandwich as it is packed with flavor and is a great source of protein.

When preparing weekend meals, search for recipes that involve pantry staples such as whole wheat pastas, brown rice, and vegetables. Look for recipes that utilize ingredients that can feed the entire family for $10 or less and whip up inexpensive meals that dish out several portions. With the average serving costing just a little more than $2, one portion is cheaper, and usually healthier than your typical slice of pizza.

To ensure you can always prepare healthy, delicious meals any time of the week, always keep your pantry stocked with a few staples, including canned fruits and vegetables, such as Del Monte corn and tomatoes, and lean proteins such as tuna. Remember to keep a full spice rack to add your own personal touch to traditional recipes.

Brown Bag Buddy
Bring the concept of morning carpooling to the office lunch room, and try partnering with a work friend to make eating in more diverse and exciting! Take turns bringing packed lunches for each other to keep brown bagging fun and surprising. If others in the office want to participate, start a weekly, healthy work potluck lunch.

By planning ahead and stocking up on a few healthy staples, you’ll be prepared for quick and healthy meal options even during the most hectic weeks. And you’ll save a few bucks, too.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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School Lunch Packing 101

CC Note: All over Fayette County early this morning, the sounds of groans filled the air as moms had to start the daily grind of preparing school lunches. Here are some tips as you get your children ready to face the day at school.

(NAPSI)-Busy parents know the school year means a packed planner filled with everything from recitals to soccer games to parent-teacher conferences. As time gets stretched, they often fall back on routines, one of which is what they pack for lunch.

“Everyone needs some shortcuts to help during the busy school season, especially when it comes to packing a lunch,” says nutrition expert Bridget Swinney, M.S., R.D. “But it’s important to give your kids variety, make it fun and filled with favorites so you can feel confident your kids will eat their lunch and stay nourished throughout the day. Kid-favorite sandwiches always do the trick. For moms who want more sandwich options, Oscar Mayer has a 98% Fat Free Bologna with .5 grams of fat and 1 gram of sugar.”

Following are some tips to help parents pack a lunch they know their kids will love and they can feel good about sending in their backpacks.

Get Kids Involved--Help your kids get excited about lunchtime by including them in the process. Invite them along to the grocery store and have them pick out nutritious foods from each food group. They’ll be more likely to eat foods they picked out, and they might just learn about the food groups during the process.

Support the Sandwich Standbys--Remember the sandwich classics that your kids love and you know they’ll look forward to eating. For those concerned about sugar in their kids’ lunches, you may be surprised to learn that a sandwich made with Oscar Mayer Beef Bologna has only 4 grams of sugar, making it a kid favorite you can feel good about packing. Plus, the balance of nutrients it provides will help your kids feel full throughout the day.

Save Time--Use the weekends to think ahead about packing lunches. Cut up vegetables and fruit, premake sandwiches and stock up on healthy snacks so there’s minimal preparation in the morning. Alternate new combinations with kid favorites like bologna. Some varieties like Oscar Mayer Beef Bologna are made with premium beef and no fillers--it’s so easy it’s sure to be an adult favorite, too.

Make it Fun--Break out of a lunchtime rut by brainstorming creative ways to capture your kids’ appetites and attention. Encourage them to “play with their food” by using cookie cutters to create sandwiches in fun shapes or wrap their sandwich in a whole grain tortilla and cut into bite-sized pinwheel pieces. Of course, including a quick note or joke will brighten any child’s day.

Take a Dip--Kids love to dip their foods, so let them have fun with it. First combine an assortment of veggies like carrots, grape tomatoes and red bell peppers. Then include a dip of your choice like low-fat dressing, hummus or yogurt for some dipping fun.

For more lunchtime ideas, visit oscarmayer.com.

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J. Christopher's when you're in the mood for something different!

If you're looking for a great breakfast or lunch then zip on over to Westpark Walk in Peachtree City and grab a booth or table at J. Christopher's.

Everything from the coffee to omelettes to the soups and sandwiches are a step outside (and above) the norm.

Coffee... European Gourmet, Cafe Mocha, Cappuccino, Espresso...

Lighter fare includes tempting treats like:

Blueberry Scones ($1.79) - These are absolutely yummy! A nice soft triangle of blueberry bread topped with more blueberries. If you love blueberries you'll love this treat. Great for a mid-morning break.

Breakfast Parfait ($4.79) - fat-free yogurt, honey almond granola, strawberries and blueberries with whip cream!

Irish oatmeal, cinnamon rolls, bagels & lox, an assortment of bagels and more. Try the Lo-Carb Platter ($6.89), the South Beach ($6.89), a Sunrise Quesadilla (smoked turkey, bacon bits and Monterrey jack stuffed in a flour tortilla, grilled and then topped with pico de gallo) or the Atkin's Diet Substitute. Still thinking about those blueberries? Try the Berry Crepes!

Lest you think all of the treats are light we'll move onto the The Griddle! Blueberry Crunchcakes (yes, J. Christopher's is a blueberry lover's heaven), Chocolate Chipcakes ($6.79), Maple Toast ($5.79) and Strawberry Toast (maple toast crusted with granola and topped with sweet strawberry compote) are a few of the items I love to watch other's eat while I'm checking out one of the Skillets, Omelettes or Morning Stars! I have to admit that I'm prone to sneaking a bite from my husbands plate while he's not looking.

One of my favorite omelets is the Goddess ($7.59) as I'm always watching my figure. It is an eggwhite omelet with diced tomato, spinach and feta cheese. Another favorite is the Popeye, which comes stuffed with spinach, bacon, krabmeat, mushrooms and cream cheese. I have them hold the bacon.

Omelets are served with roasted potatoes or grits, fruit and an English muffin.

Here's a few other tempting items from the menu: Bleu Bacon Burger, Turkey Dijon BLT, Sante Fe Grille (blackened chicken sandwich all soothed with ranch dressing and avocado), Salmon Salad, Mandarin Chicken Salad and the Patty Melt.

I haven't tried any of their soups yet, but based on the quality of everything else I've tried, they have to be excellent.

The seasonal favorite list makes my mouth water! Fried Green Benedict, Pumpkin Pancakes, Gingerbread Waffle, Chocolate Crepe, Italian Omelette, Caramel French Toast... it is a long, tempting list! I'm going to have to find out when they plan to have the Kahlua Waffle on the day's specials, hips be darned I'm trying that one.

Even the kids (10 & under) can have some fun with their food choices. What child wouldn't want to try Dinosaur Eggs? Just in case they're not up for eggs the menu includes pancakes (chocolate chip or blueberry), french toast, waffles, grilled cheese and chicken fingers. Included in the price ($4,79) are fresh fruit and a beverage.

If you're used to IHOP prices and volume then you might be a tad disappointed in J. Christopher's. I've never heard, or had, anyone complain about a lack of food, but for those who like quantity over quality this might not be on your list of regular stops.

Due to the wide open space the noise levels can get a bit high at times. It's not overwhelming but this isn't meant to be the place you go for a romantic dinner. In fact, they're only open for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

We give J. Christopher's a Fayette High Five!

There are 13 J. Christopher's in the Atlanta area. I'll be looking for other locations as I travel around the city!

J. Christopher's
Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch
264 Commerce Dr.
Westpark Walk
Peachtree City
678-216-1010

Open 7 days a week from 7 am to 2 pm.
www.jchristophers.com