i have been thinking of getting a drop-able bento box looks like a good idea.

And you getting big bucks too!!

I am noticing a lot of commuters are eating their breakfast before they leave. I am on the other side of the coin. I like eating my breakfast after the commute in the morning, or near the end. I guess each has their advantages. Just like when I workout, I don't eat anything before, only afterwards.

I am seeing that panniers are a great addition to the commuting gear too. All my bikes are road bikes, and just like my motorcycle, I hate putting bags on my bikes. Maybe I have to grow into that!!

Back to carrying the breakfast and lunch, it is cheaper and way healthier and more fun!!

I always hated my backpack too and then I picked up a Seagull messenger bag and these things rock. Unless its completely loaded down, I dont even realize its on. I usually carry an extra shirt, a large notebook, a laptop, a coffee cup, a water cup, and lunch in it on my normal days.

If I brought all my food in for the week it would last till about 2pm Monday. I have to bring it daily, by 11 I usually eat half my sandwich.

My team is walking out the door to go to lunch at 10:50.

I'm not sure how stopping at Panera for breakfast every morning is saving you money, but the rest sounds reasonable

my old commute took me 2 miles away from a local donut shop. you bet your buns i went the extra 4 miles for hot, freshly made donuts. i took a PB&J for lunch.

Here is what I get for $1.58 at Panera Bread. 1 cup of tea $1.58, courtesy read of the paper (very important), and that is it.. I have my oatmeal and two peices of fruit that I bring from home.. Also, I must admit, I get a high off sipping off the green tea and reading the paper. Also, I am paying for the comfort of the table, chair, fireplace, etc... Not bad for $1.58..

Tell me life isn't sweet!!!

That works. I thought you were buying breakfast there too.

PBnJ + a piece of fruit for lunch usually. There is a locally owned coffee shop across the street from my office that I stop at and get a coffee and yogurt parfait for breakfast every morning. They use greek yogurt, relatively fresh fruit compote and a really nice granola. Its pretty good.

Do you work with thieves or something?

I eat breakfast at home and usually carry my lunch in my seatbag, a Carradice Barley, Pendle or Acorn. I also keep a stash of food in my office (granola bars, instant oatmeal, soup) that I replenish on days that I drive. Sometimes I have leftovers for lunch, other times a sandwich. I also usually bring a banana, apple and a snack like Wheat Thins or pretzels.

I carry breakfast in my stomach. I try to keep my lunch compact enough to fit in one Pyrex bowl. I'm too lazy to make lunch, so it is usually leftovers.

I use one of these to hold breakfast and lunch. I bungie it on top of my rack bag. It works well, but adds a few minutes of faffing around every time I ride. I think I might start packing everything in once a week this next year.

I'm cheap.. so that's still too rich for my blood.

But once you try panniers when it's over 90°F out, I think you'll agree the backpack isn't the way to go on hot days. But I do prefer the backpack in the winter, because it's still more convenient to pack / unpack in my office instead of at my bike.

Yeah, this is what I'm trying to get a handle on. On the other hand, if I'm commuting in that weather (I often wimp out when it gets too hot), I'm going to be soaked no matter what I do and my backpack at least has a hydration bladder. Went with the backback this summer, but might switch back to painiers (or just tossing stuff in the wald folding baskets I have currently attached to my rack) next summer.

If I could fit my backpack in a Wald folding basket, that would be my ideal world I think. With a bag in another basket on the other side for a spare.

Unfortunately I'm cheap and don't have expensive panniers that I can just grab the whole thing easily and go. Just a pain to get on and off the bike so I leave them there.

Now hold on there.. I am the CHEAPEST!! I got no panniers, plus I ride the public transportation free!!

As an anecdote, I used to get $10 spending money every month for little items like that, but I found I never spent it, so I've had the same $10 in my wallet for months now. I don't have anything that I spend money on any day, especially something I can make for for 10 cents at home instead of paying $1.58.

I keep track of what I haven't spent and occasionally splurge on a cheap bottle of liquor, but that's rare due to the way it impact my hypoglycemia.

I like this idea! It's been fun to get ideas for meals-on-the-go.

breakfast home, protein shake on arrival at work, (also on arrival home to build those leg muscles). the store the fixings including blender at work. I kept a mix of things that I rotated at work, such as shoes socks pants and fleece pullovers, soap shampoo tooth paste, towel etc. some food items too. I always carried some food and clothing though always bringing laundry home. was able to car commute a couple days a week and restocked then. used a rear rack with large trunk. no backpack for me.