However, the story wouldn't fully be told if I left out the pure joy of getting new warm and toasty fall clothes. Oh JC Penney catalog... the sweet, sweet times we've spent together. The sweater dreams. The courdoury fantasies. The character lunchboxes! Yes!
Most of my childhood pictures are still at my mother's house. Which leaves me unable to rifle through boxes in hopes of finding actual proof of exactly which lunchboxes I carted around for more years than I'm sure it was cool. I can tell you that Wonder Woman, Holly Hobby and likely some kittens graced the lids of my metal sandwich and juice toters at one time or another.
After entering the corporate world in the 90s, there was no real need for me to have a lunchbox any longer. Not with having several buddies to go out with every day. Things have changed in the past couple of years with the economy, many people work from home at my company and I've come to prefer saving my eating out for socializing. So I used plastic, disposable shopping bags for the daily haul for months. Only, they aren't very sturdy, nor reliable. And now with me bringing reusable bags to the market, my stockpile of flimsy ones has dwindled severely. Oh what is a girl who makes lunch at home to do? Go to Office Depot, of course.
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| The brand new lunchbox for grownups! |
Right, so it's not colorful, flashy or covered with superhero graphics. But it is water resistant, insulated and I'm okay with the understated basic black. I'm excited! In fact, I now have an urge to buy a new pencil box and some pens to go with it. (Guess that feeling never leaves you no matter how old you get.)
It may seem like when you work at the same place for some years that every day is just the same old same old at times. Not as many first days except when you switch departments, but hopefully only last days of your choosing. (I've been through three layoffs, so I know what that's like.) Doesn't hurt to give yourself a fresh start even if you've been somewhere for five years, eight months and seven days. (Just sayin'.) Shake it up! The spark needs to be reignited when you're in a rut and you may have to be the very person to light your own fire. I'm thinking of this week as embarking on a new journey with unforeseen opportunity and strong personal growth just around the corner. Possibility is a great motivator! (So is a yummy lunch!)
I needed something to put in my new lunchbox today, so you get an easy recipe to boot.
Curry Chicken Salad
2 chicken breasts (1 1/2 pounds approx.)
1/4 cup mayo (Hellman's makes an olive oil one that has less fat)
1/4 cup 2% Fage or greek style yogurt
1 1/2 tsps sweet curry powder (Penzeys is darn tasty)
1/3 cup toasted almond slices (Trader Joe's!)
1/3 cup golden raisins
Boston lettuce leaves
Boil chicken in chicken broth (Trader Joe's concentrate packets) until cooked through, take out, put on plate and let cool. Shred or chop into chunks. Add mayo, yogurt and curry powder. Mix until chicken is thoroughly coated. Fold in almonds and raisins. Put a few Boston lettuce leaves in a bowl and add a scoop of chicken salad on top. Can even wrap the salad in a lettuce leaf. (I like it in a regular wrap too!)
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| Curry Chicken Salad |
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