Bye Bye Drive Thru...

I'm always looking for good ideas for healthy and delicious meals.  I tend to concentrate on the evening meal because traditionally, evening has always been the time of day I sit down with loved ones and dine.  However, I've noticed that I am less than creative when it comes to the noon time meal.  Lunch for me has been a quick run through a drive thru.  My daughter in law, Carrie,  says I've got to stay out of the drive through line and in fact, because of her aversion to the drive through, I NEVER call her while I'm in line or at least I try not to!  Yesterday, my daughter, Blake, told me about something she's tried and it sounds like a great idea and something I can live with.  You see, even my noon day meal has to be exciting and appealing.  (I know, I know, then why do I find myself in a drive through every day?!)  Blake told me about the salads she's been creating in Mason jars and how good, convenient and healthy they are.  I decided to do a little research on packing lunch in a Mason jar and here's what I've found. 

1.  Salad if packed properly in a Mason jar will easily last 5 days…hey , that's the whole work week!

2. Packing properly is key.  Here's the order from bottom to top.

Dressing

Hardy veggies (tomatoes, cukes, peppers, carrots, broccoli, etc)

Less hardy veggies (beans, spouts, olives, mushrooms)

Meat and cheese

Greens

Nuts, croutons and such

3.  Place the lid on the jar tightly to ensure freshness

4.  Use GLASS jars.

And really, that's about it. After packing my lunch this morning, I sure wish the mason jar salad lunch had been my idea!  I can't wait for lunch.  Here's to happy, healthy, tasty lunches!