Sack lunches #SOLC18

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Making my lunch is something I do every work day.  Monday's lunch was turkey and honey mustard on half of a whole wheat pita, a handful of blueberries, a low fat/low sugar yogurt (Siggi's) and a red pear.

I'm working to remove some food, replace others and health-ify my lunches.  I love fruit, I eat bread & carbs, and I need more veggies.  I started thinking back to my lunches in elementary school.

Lunch contained a sandwich.  This sandwich was on white bread, smeared with Miracle Whip.  (Yes, friends, I still don't like mayonnaise.) On the sandwich you would find veal bologna from the deli.  Sometimes there would be sliced American cheese on the sandwich, but not always.

Along with the sandwich, I'd have a baggie full of chips, crunchy Cheetos, or Doritos.  There would be a packaged dessert, perhaps a Hostess cupcake with smooth chocolate frosting and a swirl of vanilla icing.  Maybe a Nutty Bar or a Twinkie. (Mom shopped at the Hostess outlet store).

Last, a piece of fruit was found at the bottom of the bag.  Usually it was a red delicious apple.  On rare occasions I might have a pear or plum, but it was always a piece of whole fruit that could survive the day with minimal bruising or getting smushed.

I bought milk at school.  For many years it came in a triangular package that you would stick a straw into.  I remember milk being less than 25 cents, and at no time was chocolate milk available.  (Bummer!)

Looking back, I can see where my idea of what lunch should look like began.  I still carry some sort of sandwich and fruit.  I hope to be more creative with my lunches, but Pinterest pictures do more to discourage some new lunch ideas.

Do you have some healthy lunch suggestions?

Stuffed Animals #SOLC 2/31

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I'm a sucker for stuffed animals.  The fuzzier, softer and bigger the animal - the crazier I am about it.  When I was little, I carried around Cottontail (a bunny puppet) for years.  It was thrown in the wash, lost one eye, and looked like a dishrag.

Cottontail was my first stuffed animal (even though she wasn't stuffed!).  I remember receiving LOTS of bunnies and other animals over the years.  At one point, there was barely any room for me in my bed at night.  Since my bed was against the wall, I would line up my animals oldest (against the wall) to youngest (next to me) as I laid at the edge of the bed.  I could not bear (tee hee) for any animal to fall on the floor.

My current favorite stuffed animal is named Snuffles.  He's a Gund polar bear that my boyfriend (now husband!) bought for me in high school.  I worked at the candy store in the mall, and Jeff was a stuffed animal aficionado as well.  That polar bear was pretty pricey for a high school budget.

Over the years, Jeff has become to resemble Snuffles.  Since Jeff travels to work each week, I tease him that Snuffles is his stand in.  He listens quietly to my rants and doesn't mind if I squeeze him extra tight.  If I'm feeling silly, I'll send pictures of Snuffles doing things that Jeff enjoys.  When he's home, Jeff likes to toss Snuffles on the floor and tease me about liking Snuffles better.  (Hmmm, we've been married for 25 years... I think the bear is more patient!)

Stuffed animals are better than pets - they listen, they aren't too messy and they don't mind if they end up on the floor.