feeling a little square

While I was on my ten minute break at work today, I sat there, guzzling a coffee and scrolling through Facebook when I came across a lunch by my friend Biting the Hand that Feeds You's DIY Starbucks bistro box post.  (Click that string of text to see what she was up to.) Quite often I have found recipes and inspiration for lunches through the website MOMables.com. There is a constant flow of menu ideas, recipes and tips from them and I've loved being able to be a member.  Check it out sometime.

It's such a simple thing to do...and while I work at Starbucks and have for a long time, and your purchase of said bistro boxes supports my 401k and stocks, you can make your own for way less than $5-6. So save your money and get packing. If you really have to have the Starbucks ones, check out my post on making the most of your Starbucks Rewards.  

The one I've made for today is a variation on the bistro box or could even be considered a DIY Lunchables. If you don't have any silicone cupcake liners, you could always use parchment papers to separate or even paper cupcake liners do the job well...and if you don't have an EasyLunchboxes container yet...stop reading and go buy some (HERE) now. 

This lunch contains a hard boiled egg (molded into a square using this awesome tool), hard salami rolled up, Laurel Hill Peace Pretzels bought at Whole Foods, colby jack cheese sliced off a huge block of cheese from Costco, grapes, carrot wedges cut with the slicer side of a cheese grater, and some ranch dressing made with the Hidden Valley packets. 

Using an egg mold is quite simple...boil eggs, peel while still hot being careful not to burn your fingerprints off like my friend Beth did last week, stick in mold then refrigerate until cold all the way through. Remove from your mold and POOF! Adorably awesome eggs. 

If you are interested in any of the products I use, click the affiliate links below, please! Anytime you purchase through one of my links, regardless of what you purchase, I get a small percentage of the sale. It's how lunchy gets paid! Thanks!

  

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feeling like a half break

Ever feel like taking a half break? Then this is the lunch for you. I got a partner (employee) sample from work today to try out the new sandwiches at Starbucks...so I took my sample and forwarded it on to my kids via this lunch. The new ham and New York cheddar sammy will surely be scarfed down by my two kids. Who will then be required to tell me just how good it was. Hey, momma needs a break. I call it a half break since i actually had to put the rest of the lunch together. And they each got half a sandwich.

For those of you who aren't lucky enough to work at Starbucks...those rewards from your Starbucks card are good for food too! Check out my post on how to use your card to the fullest HERE

Don't have a Starbucks card yet? Where have you been?! Get one NOW!  Use my link so I can make three cents HERE. And support my 401K!

They've got a half of said sandwich with blanched carrots, potato straws and a fortune cookie. We are trying out the blanched carrots to see if they get eaten. Lately, uncooked carrots have been passed on to friends. Cross your fingers!

How cute is the marketing crew at Starbucks? Why, yes, I will unwrap and unwind. Thank you.

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feeling like I love Starbucks

I don't have to tell you Starbucks is awesome, do I? For most people, there's home, there's work, and then there's Starbucks. Starbucks even has a name for this. They call it the "third place.". For 13 years, I've been lucky enough to have my third-place also be my second-place! For a while I thought it was all three...but it was worth it. I was once a manager, I met my husband there, and he even proposed to me at a Starbucks while I was on my 10 minute break! Then we had a couple of kids and then I stepped down so I could stay home with them. Once my youngest went to preK, I decided I'd go back to work, but only while they were in school. It's been working perfectly for this family for the past 5 years. Honestly, they'll never get rid of me!

That being said...here's my "Ode to Starbucks" lunch. Did you know that if you have a registered Starbucks card that you can earn free drinks OR food?! What a great option! After only twelve swipes of your card, you've earned it. (see my starbucks rewards tips below, after the lunch of course.) I always opt for the food since I get all I can drink for free while I'm working. Today I snagged a free reward egg salad sandwich. They're so good! I split it between the two girls lunches, added some apples, and grapes with cheese stuck on a fabulous Starbucks splash stick. Thanks to www.momables.com for the idea! Who says those have to be for drinks only? They're free and better yet, they're dishwasher safe. I wish more people would reuse them...and the cup sleeves for that matter.

Now for top secret rewards info:

-First, go to mystarbucksrewards.com and get that card registered. Do it by 3/14/13 and they'll give you $5 with your $5 reload. That offer is only for new accounts.

-download the Starbucks app on your smart phone if you'd like...it's so much easier to keep track of your balance and rewards there. They'll also message you free music downloads. Sweet!

-Here's the secret info...probably not too secret, but not clearly stated: every time you make a purchase, you'll earn a "star." BUT: if your card balance does not cover your whole purchase...you won't get one. So make sure that you've got enough money on that thing! We can reload it simply right at the register with a card or even with your phone app. (Another tip: if you don't want to sign for that credit card purchase...reload for $24.99 or less! Most people do $20)

-If you're buying more than one thing: make us baristas ring it separately. Even if you get a snarky face...who cares? It's free stuff, yo! Honestly, it's not difficult for us, just let us know right off the bat so we can do it. Otherwise, we have to void off items we've already rung in...and they keep track of our line voids. So speak up! Say, "I'd like you to ring these separately, please." Then rattle off your individual orders. Tons of people do it. Be aware of the line, though.  If it is long, and you're holding it up with more than one individual order, people will get annoyed and so will your baristas.  Don't be afraid of your barista...she's seen it all!

-Start earning your rewards. 12 transactions equals a free drink or something from the pastry case. Free drinks are any size, anything added in...have fun with it. Want any good recommendations? Ask me in the comments below! You can't get bottled drinks as your reward. The food is limited to fresh pastries, sandwiches, bistro boxes, oatmeal and yogurts. You can't get prepackaged cookies, mints, candy or nuts.

-If someone gives you a new Starbucks card: have us transfer that balance onto your registered card. You don't need a ton of registered cards. Just one. We cannot reload cards for less than $5, so make sure you transfer the new card over before using it.

Any questions about it? Ask me! Want me to tell you how to order? Comment below. Anything goes. Thanks for supporting my 401k!

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