10.05.2010

Stuck on Lunch


I have become officially boring.  For someone who loves food, experiments and tries new recipes all the time, when I'm home  I eat the same lunch every day.  What's up with that?? Please tell me it's not age!  

Consider that I only have to feed myself at lunch...so I could choose anything. Or try something new. But I rarely take advantage of it...unless the kids are home of course, or I have company. I always seem to get stuck on lunch kicks, but this particular one has lasted nearly 6 months. I should make and post a list of all my odd ball lunch obsessions over the years. I've had some dandies. One thing they all have in common, they are fairly quick and easy to make.


Are you ready for this (dare I even call it) recipe? Keep in mind salads are not my favorite thing, unless someone else has made it for me. All that cutting and slicing for one person. Uh uh. But I will confess, I was on a salad kick (I was crazy for Ken's lo-cal Raspberry and Walnut vinaigrette at the time) once for an entire year. I moved on after discovering this latest lunch gem. When I find something I like, I'll stick to it like glue. Truly pathetic.

Barbara's Stuffed Taco


First you take an 8 grain, lo-cal soft taco.



Then you throw it into a frying pan (no oil) just  to soften. Both sides. It goes fast, so watch it. If you let it go too long, it crisps and you can't roll it up. Just heat it through.


Then I spread some Laughing Cow cheese (only one, mind you) on it.....garlic and herb version, of course.



Then I break up some toasted pecans...and sprinkle a mixture of dried cranberries and dried cherries on top.





And top it off with 4 really thin slices of deli turkey.


Roll it up and voila! My lunch.  Every. Single. Day.


Nope, no salad, although  sometimes I add arugula, if there's any in the bin.

Are you still reading? I was right, wasn't I?  Same lunch every day = boring.

What about you? Do you take the same lunch to work every day? Pack the same lunch in your kid's lunchboxes? Or make the same lunch every time you're alone (cause nobody else will ever find out how mundane you are)?
Tell me I'm not the only one. What's your go-to lunch?

61 comments:

  1. My lunch is usually leftovers so it varies. But I have to say, that this looks like a mighty fine lunch, one I wouldn't mind eating every day!

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  2. That makes 2 of us then! I was having tortilla wraps with the same filling for lunch every day a few weeks back. Your lunch looks delish!

    Maria
    x

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  3. That looks delicious! I also eat the same lunch every day!!!! I can't be bothered to cook when I'm alone, so I eat the same salad with tarator sauce day after day... It is not age, don't worry! ;-P

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  4. I find salad the most tiring thing to do, I totally agree with you. Lately I am trying to cut a few calories from my daily diet so I drink skimmed chocolate milk for lunch at work. I am starving to death but I guess I have to pay for the food I had during summer.

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  5. No, you're most definitely not alone. In the evenings, I'm more adventurous but at lunchtime, it's either a snadwich of cheddar and tomatoes on white bread or pasta with red pesto and parmasan. Please don't feel bad, it's normal to get into a routine.

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  6. I've had my sameness with lunch at times. Cheddar melted on a bagel, on whole grain bread, on tortillas--always accompanied by a dill pickle, sometimes a salad. Then there are times I eat leftovers from the night before. Sometimes I have a spoonful of peanut butter and a glass of milk. My husband had the same lunch every day at work for decades: cheese sandwich and an apple. I think your lunch looks pretty good. Maybe I'll try it.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  7. I'm laughing because I'm the exact same way! I get on a kick and run with it. I seem to go through phases...for a while it was tuna melts, then fruit/cheese/nut plates, then turkey wraps (by the way, your wrap looks amazing!). Or if I'm feeling really adventurous I'll make a big pot of soup and eat that for lunches all week. Lol, I need help! :)

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  8. It's funny about habits... mine is breakfast. I eat peanut butter toast most of the time... weekends brunchy things but during the week... it is a rut...lunch is better because there is usually a left over something to snack on... and I love that!!! I must say... your old standby is much more exciting than mine! It is a delicious combination of wonderful flavors... a very special 'rut' if you ask me.

    ALso... with someone as food-curious as you are... well we all need a break from fabulousness some of the time and a great old standby is a fine place to rest.

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  9. I find lunch frustrating to plan for also Barbara. I vary between chicken salads and various other salads, sandwiches and soups. I would much rather plan a dinner meal than a lunch any day.

    No, it's not age. I've had the lunch planning problem for a long time.

    Your stuffed taco looks delicious, especially by the way with Laughing Cow cheese. It's so easy to spread isn't is?
    Sam

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  10. I could eat that every day..I wish I could..

    On a different note..I have been eating the same breakfast and lunch for nearly6 months now..
    It's not age:)

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  11. I think so many of us get into a lunch rut. We find something that we like and is easy...and then we don't spice things up! This is one of the great thing about reading other people's blogs...you are introduced to some great ideas. To me...this wrap looks new and exciting. I want to give it a try soon!

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  12. Looks like a delicious lunch, but not every day! Lunch is my favorite so I try to change it up! Breakfast, now that is boring during the week!

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  13. Your lunch looks so good, and I just might give it a try. I usually eat a slice of turkey rolled around a slice of red pepper. It holds me for a while, but obviously not long enough. It is everyone on their own at our house for lunch. I really wish we would take more time to eat our main meal at noon and then just a light dinner like they do in Europe.

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  14. I must confess I'm the same with lunch and sometimes breakfast too. I not sure why, but I think it's because I want something fast and easy that I don't have to think about.
    I love your little lunch wrap.
    Mimi

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  15. I could eat this every single day too.

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  16. You're a hoot, Barbara. :-) If I had to get stuck on just one lunch, I'd be a happy camper eating this!! My one rut is noodle soup with lots of garlic and soy sauce. That makes me happy. :-)

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  17. First of all, WOW! Your wrap is positively gorgeous and inspired - I must try it immediately, so I can fall into the lovely habit of enjoying it for lunch every day too!

    Secondly, you're definitely not alone! When I was working night shifts in the hospital I had the exact same lunch (if one can call one's second meal of the day, consumed at 1am, lunch) every single day for a year: a salad of baby greens with balsamic vinegar, and a peanut butter sandwich! :-)

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  18. It might be your lunch every single day but at least it's a good lunch! My lunch used to be (SO not kidding) an Easy Mac bowl of mac and cheese. I think I aged my heart fifteen years when I did that.

    Now I have pasta, or sandwiches, or leftovers from dinner. I am a leftovers queen.

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  19. I love your lunch Barbara and is not the age, course not!
    Normally Im alone to lunch (the kids have their lunch at school and I cook to them all days) but form sometimes a salad, or a sandwhich you know nothing special.
    Except when Im inspired an want something new, I made an caramel onions quiche today and really was so good (I take some pictures) and my daugther loves it! But normally Im not different than you! je gloria

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  20. That's definitely not a boring wrap. Very creative and full of flavor. I rarely eat the same thing two days in a row.

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  21. Hi Barbara,

    that looks like a great lunch and I would be happy to have it every day.
    I am like you if I am home alone, do not bother very much.
    I often make a sandwich, today I had meatloaf from last nights dinner.
    I often heat up soup that I have made and in the freezer. Always have a cup of green tea for lunch.

    Hope that your week is going well.
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  22. What a delicious rut to be in! I usually take leftovers for my lunch, but when I'm home I usually have a PBJ. Your wrap is lovely!

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  23. Not boring at all! I'd throw some spinach in there and be good to go.

    I tend to eat the same things too (and yes, I think it's an age thing...LOL)

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  24. This is much better than my lunch. I'm becoming more and more loyal to the same foods. I used to get bored quickly of things. Getting older and wiser, I guess...

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  25. That is an awesome lunch!

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  26. Sounds pretty good to me, Barbara! Back when I had lunch at home every day, I often went on kicks too...salad + beans + homemade salsa was my daily lunch!

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  27. Your boring = yummy to me!
    I hear you about the rutt. MAybe it is because you are thinking about all the fabulous things you will make others, you just need something comforting for you...everyday. I understand that.

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  28. Hey, I really like this! Its so easy, healthy, and delicious looking. I think Ill try this with some bouison :). I dont think its boring at all...
    hmmm... what about a smoked salmon cream cheese and dill version, that could be yummy (yeah, always with the smoked fish LOL).
    Or how about pear, spreadable cheese and pecan...
    and if you want to do a desert version, nutella!!!
    This is actually a really fab idea, I can see why you keep making it.
    *kisses* HH

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  29. That's a nic lunch. I normally eat something that requires no effort like Ravioli or Spaghettios in a tin[which is weird as I hate pasta]

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  30. My lunch usually consists of leftovers from the day before. Making a wrap is such a great idea and every day's creation is new and different. Admittedly, some days are better than others.

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  31. Barbara,
    I would eat this every day too!! Looks/sounds great.
    I'm with HH above anything smoked such as smoked salmon also sounds good to me. My lunch is typically a salad with nuts, cranberries, diced red onion, lots of greens, homemade vinaigrette, topped with either salmon or italian tuna from our local gourmet shop, I always add diced avocado and chickpeas. It never fails to give me insane amounts of energy after I eat it and I love every thing in it. ( some days if I am running out the door with the boys I toast whole wheat waffle and top it with a little chunky peanut butter) Going to give yours a try!!
    xx
    Bunny

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  32. I'm pretty boring with my lunches too - they most often consist of a low-carb wrap stuffed with tuna or grilled chicken, avocado, greens, tomato and onion (ps - I think avocado would be delicious with what you have going on in your wrap!)

    Sometimes I'll go on a salad kick during the summer. But this week and last there has been a change-up - I found a healthy vegetarian moussaka recipe that I love and have prepared on the weekends to portion into lunches for the week. I love the feeling of having a hot lunch at work rather than a salad or sandwich!

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  33. Ha! You're on a food jag! I'm a jag eater, too! This summer I ate an alarming amount of chicken tabbouleh for lunch.

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  34. MIL and my husband are both like that. When they find something they like, they eat it until I can't even stand the sight/smell of it anymore. I think it's fairly normal!

    Oh - and this poultry hater has been eating a lot of chicken lately. Even my husband asked Sunday what was going on...

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  35. Barbara your lunch looks delish, your choice of cheese made me smile too! That at least I can buy here in France, taco's on the other hand, not so easy.
    DH & I have the same lunch almost every day.
    Mixed salad greens & tomotoes (homegrown in the summer months)with....something.
    Some sort of cheese, or cooked ham, or cooked chicken, tinned tuna or pink salmon & Wasa crispbreads.
    Now, that sounds boring!

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  36. You're funny, Barbara. Maybe it's that it is a really delicious sandwich rather than old age. I've been known to get stuck on a good thing, especially when I'm eating by myself. I'm 32 now-that's not too old. I don't think...

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  37. It is DEFINITELY NOT your age! You are the perfect roller. What I love about this post, is it is something we rarely do: photograph and write about the simpler things we do. And, I loved the read and the entire "lunch experience".
    :)
    Valerie

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  38. I have to agree with Pam! I don't mind having this everyday as well. It looks so yummy! Hope you're having a wonderful day.
    Kristy

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  39. I suppose I am boring too. When I am home alone, I usually eat a frozen diet dinner for lunch(GASP)!!!

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  40. I'm back because I just remembered a cute saying among couples that are newly retired: "I married him for breakfast and dinner, but not for lunch." Perhaps these were wise women (smile).
    Sam

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  41. Your lunch is more exciting than mine! I always have leftovers for lunch. I make a huge batch of pasta for dinner early in the week and then re-heat some each day for lunch thereafter. Boring!

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  42. Simply tempting Barbara. I really like this idea of lunch.

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  43. I am boring as well because I normally just skip lunch! Bad, I know...

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  44. Now this looks delicious. I am a soup person. I am in a soup rut. But I like my rut.

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  45. I'm SO similar to you! I love to vary my dinners but I definitely get fixated on very specific lunches. Right now, I'm on cottage cheese mixed with cereal and fruit. It's an addiction. A while ago it was greek yogurt, before that it was eggplant covered in cilantro hummus. This wrap looks fantastic. i think it might be the next lunch fad in my life.

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  46. I am going to make some wraps with salmon for lunch! Your wraps look so satisfying!

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  47. I switch it up when the girls are here for lunch, but otherwise I tend to fall into a rut too. But your stuffed taco looks fabulous! I'm going to try it for lunch today!

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  48. Mmm, that does look delicious. I think it is actually harder when cooking for one though. When I don't have either of the kids in the house, I have really, really boring lunches like a fried egg on toast. But most days, there's usually leftovers from dinner which means a hot lunch, yay :) And I'm with you, too much chopping involved for salad for one, I'll just eat an apple instead.

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  49. What an inspired and delicious version of tacos...a perfect lunch!!!

    Big hugs ~

    :) T

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  50. Oh Barbara,u have so muc deliciousness here, food has nothig to do with age in the negative sense but in the the positive, all thumbs up:-)
    Oh i wanted to join the 12 weeks of cookies too, we are allowed to skip a week or 2?
    love the cookies u have for week 1!!
    And oh im in love with swifty too!!

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  51. Sounds good to me! Why change something if you enjoy it? It sounds healthy and delicious. My ruts tend to be breakfast, at least during the week.

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  52. Muy rico tu almuerzo!!!
    Un abrazo grande desde Chile
    edith
    La brujita

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  53. Muy rico tu almuerzo!!!
    Un abrazo grande desde Chile
    edith
    La brujita

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  54. This actually looks good to me and I can envision making it for myself! I tend to eat something different every day b/c I don't plan ahead and so I usually eat whatever we ate the night before, or a hodge podge of leftover bits. That sure doesn't sound appetizing!

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  55. Oh Barbara...this post certainly resonated with my routine ways at lunch time. If I'm not eating out with clients...I certainly don't mind making myself the few favourites EVERYtime too!
    It's purely what we're comforted with in order to boost our great intentions for the hopefully amazing supper we will prepare ;o)

    What's age got to do with it...I'm guessing nothing at all!

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

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  56. That looks quite tasty! My go-to lunch of late is a little similar -- pita stuffed with homegrown tomatoes, mixed salad greens, slices of cucumber, hummus and a drizzle of lemon-infused olive oil. It's simple, but so satisfying.

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  57. I grew up eating LaVache qui rit, so I am so interested in how you use it; that turkey sandwich is so fabulous, love the sweet/salty/crunchy/creamy mix. You could market this!
    I would it this every day if I had a choice. Lunch is something that one does not like to think about. Sometimes I would eat a bag of dried chick peas for lunch with some black coffee, or a lot of cheese and bread or..the list is endless and not very interesting.

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  58. there's something comforting about having the same thing for a particular meal every day. i vary my lunch, but my breakfast is almost always the same and is most definitely boring. oh well. :)

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  59. you make my mouth watery, friend,
    what delicious treats.
    love the looking of the duck tart.
    wow,

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  60. I also eat wraps like this or leftovers or maybe breakfast bars if I'm really busy :)

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  61. Wow, this looks delicious! And if it tastes delicious, there's no reason NOT to have it every single day. Life is short. Fill it with stuff that tastes good, for heaven's sake.

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