5 Links to Read Before Packing a Lunch

Each week, we’ll be sharing a comprehensive list of links to help you master a cooking technique. Culinary greatness, here you come.

Today: How to pack the best lunch ever.

Whether you had the last three months off (we’re looking at you, kids and teachers), or just took a too-short summer vacation, returning to the back-to-school (and work) grind is rough. But that’s no excuse for buying lunch out every day while you’re “getting back into the swing of things.” Not only is packing your own lunch better for you and your budget, but with a little creativity and forethought, it can actually be fun! We promise.

• Consider salad (especially with grains like quinoa) your new best friend. These canning jar adaptors help keep dressing separate to avoid sogginess. (Food52.)

• Sometimes, to get excited about lunch, we need to move past the basic PB&J. Here are 40 grown-up ideas, for adults and kids with really good taste. (Los Angeles Times.)

• Being on a budget is no excuse to not pack a lunch. Gabriella shows us how to make jealousy-inducing lunches without breaking the bank. (Food52.)

• If you suffer from lunch-buying syndrome, these three tips will help you see the brown-bagging light. (The Kitchn.)

• BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch) is the next big craze, according to Mark Bittman. (New York Times.)

What are your tips for packing lunches? Tell us in the comments!