Lunches: As appealing as the are portable

By JENNIFER MASTROIANNI Repository food writer

It is 10 p.m., you are dog-butt draggin’ tired, and it is time to pack lunches. Shuffle to the fridge. Shlump to the pantry. Grab a brown bag. Slap together a bologna sandwich, throw in an apple, a handful of chips and a paper towel.

Same old, same old. Ho-hum-dee-dum.

Come on, it’s not that bad. All it takes is a bit of ingenuity and gadgetry to add excitement to prepared lunches.

Karen Phillippi discovered a lunch packer’s dream product.

“I'm an avid cook, mostly because I'm an avid eater,” said Phillippi, director of marketing and public relations for the Canton Symphony Orchestra. “I pack lunches most days, from leftovers, and I found a great container.”

Laptop Lunches was created by a California company bent on providing a fun, practical food container that promotes good nutrition and waste reduction.

The sturdy, tray-like lunch kit has inner containers to accommodate a variety of foods. Spill-proof, sealable lids keep foods intact in their containers. The unit pictured is $19.99. Other styles are available, including a deluxe version that has an insulated carrying case and water bottle for $33.99. The products can be found at www.laptoplunches.com.