Recently I stumbled upon a reusable wrap that keeps sandwiches, carrot sticks and brownies completely protected while en route to your work. And it's easy on the eyes... and easy to clean. Waste-free, allergy-free, toxin-free lunch packaging? Could it really be possible? More

Yesterday we showed you the crazy side of Pinterest lunches, but there are practical lunch tips to be had, too! So how do serious lunch packers do it? I'm guilty of stuffing last night's leftovers into a glass container and shoving it in the bottom of my bag. It might satisfy my hunger at lunchtime, but there's nothing exciting about it... nothing like these colorful, perfectly-packed lunch creations from Pinterest users! This is visual lunch inspiration at its well-rounded best. 

Quick simple lunches don't have to be limited to sandwiches or over-priced take-out. Instead, why not try one of the most delicious, quick-cooking grains of them all? Bulgur wheat! Bulgur may not be as trendy as quinoa or heirloom rices, but it deserves a spot in your grocery cart all the same.

More

A ploughman's lunch doesn't have to be something that's only done in England. Because really, shouldn't making cheese the centerpiece of a meal be a universal concept? Think of it as a deconstructed sandwich.

A ploughman's lunch is a simple template: pair cheese with some bread, chutney, and maybe some meat or pickles or hard-boiled egg, and call it a lunch. But what about getting a little creative with it? Here are five new takes, showing how easy it is to switch it up. More

Here in Southern California, winter is on its way out and I have never felt more ready to give kale salads a rest. Right now I am craving all that is crunchy, fresh and pale green -- like this salad, which mixes a dill-flecked dressing with sweet sugar snap peas, crisp celery, chopped romaine and pretty, pink-edged radish slices that remind me of spring's first blossoms winking to life.

Even if I didn't eat a primarily vegan diet, I'm pretty sure I'd prefer tofu egg-less salad to the real thing. I love the texture of roughly crumbled tofu, the way you can flavor it any way you want, and the absence of heavy mayo (plus it keeps a lot better). Lately, my favorite tofu "egg" salad is one that incorporates bold curry powder, plump golden raisins, and roasted pumpkin seeds. Served as a sandwich or on a bed of greens, it makes an easy and healthy lunch. More

If you're not a fan of plastic and want to avoid it while transporting your lunch, you're in luck: there are plenty of stainless steel lunch containers out there. But our favorite of the bunch has to be this 3-in-1 set from ECOlunchbox. 

I usually tuck some type of whole fruit in my bag to eat with lunch or snack on later in the day. It might roll around a bit or — if I put it directly into my backpack or purse — encounter who-knows-what at the bottom of my bag. To protect apples, pears and other fruit with edible peels, I've come up with an quick way to keep them clean and protected from bruises.