My mother owned a business and worked like a dog full time. I remember she closed the shop late on Fridays, so it would be about 8:00 pm when she wrapped it up. So, occasionally we'd go out for pizza afterwards. Most Friday evenings, my dad would make her spaghetti with clam sauce when she got home.
Even though my mom worked, I almost always had a homemade lunch to take to school. That was fine because I disliked the cafeteria food. She also made a daily lunch for my dad to take to work. Rarely would I buy a school lunch, that was only when Mom was really pressed for time.
When I was working, I packed my own lunch, beverages, and snacks for work. Most people I knew would not only buy takeout for lunch, but also buy breakfast in some form or other, and beverages and snacks throughout the day. Some of them would look at me like I was strange because I carried a small cooler with me to work every day. Fine. Y'all go ahead and spend your hard-earned money on junk, and I'll save my hard-earned money by making and eating my own food. I also packed breakfast and lunch for my husband. He had an hour and twenty-minute commute to work. Sitting down to breakfast takes too much time, so I'd make him breakfast-to-go. Most days, a couple of hard-boiled eggs, an English muffin, bagel, or toast and fruit in a flat container that he could reach into easily and a travel mug of coffee. Occasionally he'd buy lunch at the cafeteria, and it always gave him heartburn. There wasn't a day that went by that he didn't thank me for my effort. I always told him it was my pleasure.
I never liked fast food. Not only that, I can't even remember the last time I ate it. If I'm out and about and I can't wait to eat until I get home, which is extremely rare, I'll stop into a deli or grocery store and grab a piece of fruit or cheese or even a bag of organic potato chips before I stop for fast food.
Preparing my own meals ensures that I'm eating healthy and I know exactly what ingredients are in my food. That's not to say I never eat out, occasionally I do, but I'm selective as to where I go.
Bella
