Keep Your "Brown Bag" Lunch Cool!

Keep your "Brown Bag" lunch COOL with these chillers!

Summer is all but here and many people are choosing to bike commute and "brown bag" their lunch.  The only problem is that either way, by bike or by car, your delicious lunch may end up spoiling in the heat.  Also, not everyone has access to refrigeration at the office, school or workplace. Then what do you do?  Well since we're expecting record high temps this summer, I say enlist help from some NEW high - tech coolers to go:

Keeping Cold Drinks Cold - Klean Kanteen

Cold drinks not only taste better but studies have shown that drinking ice cold water helps to burn more calories.  Cold drinks actually lower your core body temperature which is one of the steps in combating heat stress.

Insulated Klean Kanteens come in 12, 16 and 20 oz sizes with a choice of tops: Cafe Cap for sipping along the way or the leak-proof Stainless Loop Cap.  No matter which you choose, you'll be able to keep your iced drinks nice and chilly for up to 24 hours. Better still you can avoid artificial colors, flavors and added sugar by making your own iced tea, coffee or fruit smoothies at home. Take them with you...they will be refreshingly cold when you stop for lunch.


Keeping Lunch Fresh - Cool Gear Lunch 2 Go

Cool Gear Inc. Lunch 2 Go

You have so much more freedom of choice by bringing your lunch along.  Cool Gear makes it easy with their Lunch Series chillers.  Place the lid in the freezer the night before and the gel insert will freeze solid.  Fill the sectioned container with your favorite goodies, (don't forget a snack!), lock the lid down and go. There is even a compartment in the top of the lid to stow a spork and knife which are included.

I really like the Lunch 2 Go as it will keep your food chilled for hours.  The lettuce was STILL crispy on my sandwich after 3 hours of sitting in my hot car. No need for a fridge so you can keep your food with you where ever you go.  No more having to deal with pilfering, food stealing co-workers!  Since everything is self contained and reusable, there is no need for plastic wrap or aluminum foil.  These things have to be disposed of adding to the waste stream and ending up in a landfill somewhere. Definitely a must for those wishing to go green AND eat healthy.


Rachel Ray for Target - Insulated Lunch Tote

Super insulated lunch tote available at Target stores!

This Lunch Tote has become my all time favorite.  Just the right size, I can fit my Klean Kanteen and Lunch 2 Go inside with a little room to spare.  This will hold more than enough food for one person and has a little outer pocket to store napkins or wet wipes. Small enough to fit in my bike panniers but big enough to bring along a full lunch meal and 12 oz drink.


The Sixer Travel Cooler by Mountainsmith

The Sixer Travel Cooler by Mountainsmith Co

I'm really sold on Mountainsmith for their rugged, well thought out backpacking equipment.  So it was no surprise to see a lot of their backpacking details added to The Sixer Travel Cooler.  It comes with a detachable shoulder strap, dual easy pull zippers and even a bottle opener!  Built for traveling it has a clear sleeve on top for a map and a tie down cord on front to hold a towel, jacket or whatever.
Somewhat bigger than the Lunch Tote, it will hold a six pack of bottled beverages PLUS your Lunch 2 Go.  Great for picnics and outings when you don't want to bring along a heavy cooler.

The Wrap:

Using an insulated cooler will obviously increase the performance of your Klean Kanteen and Lunch 2 Go so for maximum chilling on hot days, use them together.  It is very important to keep food properly chilled in the summer months.  Bacteria and mold growth are not only unpleasant but can make you very sick.  Don't take chances with food poisoning and spoilage!  Keep it chilly with these cool, reusable solutions.

Shore Delights

Delicious fresh clams and oysters from H. M. Terry & Co. are shore to please!

One of the best things about summer at the Jersey Shore are the delicious seafood delights.  Oysters, clams, muscles plus all types of fresh fish.  When I plan an outdoor picnic, I always like to include shellfish on the menu.  Oysters and clams are easy to prepare either slightly steamed just until they open or served raw on a half shell with a little hot sauce.  It really doesn't get any better than this!

Opening a raw oyster with an oyster knife

If you would like to add shellfish to your next outdoor party, top them with wet paper towel under ice in a bucket with a strainer underneath until you're ready prepare them.  We also store them loose in the vegetable bin of our fridge with the humidity set on high.  The eastern variety shown here are Sewansecotts harvested from Hogg Island, VA.  They are very meaty with a clean seawater flavor. They are live creatures and will not survive immersed in fresh water.  I like to give both clams and oysters a good scrub and rinse before preparing.  You don't want a lot of sand and mud in the presentation. Once they are clean, start at the back hinge of the shell and pry until the raw oyster pops open.  If you are opening raw clams, slide the knife around the front to cut the muscle then twist to open.  You can then use the knife to separate the meat from the shell and serve it on a half shell over ice.

Oysters Rockefeller is easy to make with a spinach topping.

Oysters Rockefeller uses lightly steamed, then broiled oysters and steamed spinach as a delicious garnish.  This is an alternate way to serve oysters cooked versus raw on a half shell.

Set a tropical theme by adding a Sushi Platter and fresh pineapple as a centerpiece.

In addition to your shellfish, think about perhaps serving a seafood salad with shrimp, oysters, clams and crab meat.  Sushi platters are also a hit and easy to keep fresh.  Add a bottle of Kikoman Soy Sauce and chop sticks to the table for your guests.  Having everything on platters allows your guests to help themselves and adds to the color and festivity of the table.

Green Tea on Tap: Have a drink dispenser on the table so guests can serve themselves chilled refreshments