I was just wondering you know, is this neurotic? Is there some kind of mentally unhealthy thinking going on that I'm planning this out and packing food with us? But I guess not. And really, when you're out, gosh. The choices are abysmal. Even "healthy" fast food is pretty garbagy and you can't count on a good salad or your grilled chicken is under done or covered in who knows what.

So yeah, am genius (humor me)!

What's "crazy" or "nuts" about planning ahead and portioning out food? I don't get it.

Also: What a cute lunch container!

Google "Laptop Lunches". Not crazy.

The line between mentally healthy and unhealthy really depends on whether your behavior is disruptive/harmful - are you better off with or without the habit - is it disrupting your functioning or enjoyment of life? Functioning is even the primary factor mental health professionals are taught to look for. If it works, there's no need to fix it (at least that's what I was taught in grad school in developmental psych).

Sure it could become neurotic, if you felt that you could only eat food out of little compartments. But just the act of making and packing daily lunches for household members? Nope, not neurotic.

If it works (makes life easier)... Good.

If it makes life more difficult or unpleasant... not so good.


Obviously that's an oversimplification, because some people don't recognize when they've crossed the line - but for the most part if you're living with other people, they will tell you when it gets "crazy" in a way that isn't working.

I don't even have kids and I want one of these for me! I'm a teacher and this would work great for me.

These boxes are super cute, right? The laptop ones are nice but...these come with stickers (I will secretly always be a ten year old girl in 1983, filling out her sticker book)!

Passionista, all I can really say in defense of that is I don't feel like I have a very good grasp of normal when it comes to food. My grandmother was a bulimic right up until she went into hospice care. My mother has been gaining and losing huge amounts of weight my whole life. Either you are on a diet (not eating) or you're not on a diet (and eating everything in sight). That's all I know. In the past, I have lost weight (WW, Jenny Craig, and the low carb eating I mentioned in the first post are exceptions, those felt like training wheels for getting close to normal, although WW can get really weirdly obsessive. My particular meetings were just...wow. People were OBSESSIVE in what I thought was not a great way) by just not eating. Days and days of not eating. Or eating weird things. Or just as little as possible. So I know that what sounds like a good idea and actually makes the weight come off is often, for me, just the flip side of eating whatever, whenever. You know, it's like I'm obsessed with eating everything and can't stop thinking about food, or I'm obsessed with not eating and controlling in weird ways.

Sometimes I do a gut check and come up with "I don't know, better ask someone else."

kaplods, those are some very good guide lines that make sense to me.

Great Idea!!! I may even purchase one... of course the one with the ears and stickers!!!

Apparently they used to come with some kind of little extra compartment that snapped on the front, but they wouldn't stay on when sliding in and out of backpacks so that part has been discontinued. I LOVE compartments, wonder if I could find one on ebay?

Ummm....i love it. I need a lunch box for school and I think i might buy it.

If planning everything and sticking into a box helps, go for it. It seems really easy to just grab and go if you're running errand or have a day outside of the home too. Awesome

Crazy does not equal imaginative and creative, which is what I think your idea is. Go for it!

Ah. I see what you mean now. Well, I carry around portions of food sometimes (veggies in ziploc baggies and some fruit, and/or some plain nuts, chiefly). I get anxious sometimes when I know I'm going somewhere where the food choices will be poor. For me, having that (which is similar to your box) is anxiety-relieving, prevents my making less-than-ideal choices, and prevents my getting too hungry. I don't think any of those things are bad.

I think it's a GREAT idea. And if it works for you, then BONUS!!! :)

We do this quite often at my house. It's just me and my mom so we'll cook a big dinner on Sunday and have enough for me to take my lunch to work the next 2 days. It's great b/c I only have to cook every 3 days or so if I want. ;) I usually cook on the days I'm off (2 days one week, 5 days the next week) and have a variety to choose from when I go back to work.

I agree with what others have said and I also think it is an awesome idea :)

I have a huge issue with staying focused. If I don't plan down to the detail then my mind just wanders off and I have a hard time getting everything organized.

In order for me to lose weight I have to plan and organize my meals or I will be like oh dang I forgot to eat and/or be staring into the fridge like umm I know I have food here somewhere lol

I just use bowls and such right now but getting a cute box might be a fun idea. They have these fit & fresh dishes I have been wanting to get forever.
http://www.fit-fresh.com/index_alt2.php

I think this a great idea, and as someone else says, it sounds as though it has a lot in common with Japanese bento lunch boxes. I love bento, and if you're interested, I thought you might be keen to have a look at these two great bento blogs, for lunch and presentation ideas!

http://justbento.com/
http://www.aibento.net/

I LOVE bento boxes - I am thoroughly um, bemused? flummoxed? amazed? by the fancy fussy Hello-Kitty-out-of-rice-balls bentos! That's crazy! I can't really see myself spending two hours at night carefully crafting lunch but oh how my daughter would LOVE that. She's a big fan of sushi and cherry tomatoes and I see those play a big part in creative bento. I'm going to have to do them for a party like 2Bees Aunt Elanor! Little bento boxes would make a great goodie bag filler instead of the usual bubbles, sidewalk chalk, etc.

Those Fit N Fresh containers look great! I love how the ice packs fit right in. That's brilliant!