It’s been a little over 4 months since I started my new job in downtown Boston. I am still really enjoying my new location and being right in the thick of things downtown. I love being around all those people at 7:30am while we are all heading into work. Especially now with all the Christmas decor!
Even though my commute is longer, it doesn’t feel that long because I’m not the one driving. Although I must say the commuter rail is WAY more comfortable than the bus, but I still switch it up to keep things interesting and so I don’t have to pay $4 to park at the commuter rail every day.
With all that said, one of the biggest changes to my “lifestyle” that I’ve noticed is that I find myself buying coffee, breakfast, and lunch MUCH more than I used to.
At first it was the novelty of it all. I have so many different options for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, and quick lunch spots! Almost anything I am craving can be fulfilled…that my friends is dangerous.
(iced coffee from Olga’s Kafe…they have TONS of brewed flavors!)
Not to mention expensive!!
The novelty has pretty much worn off, but there are other factors weighing in here:
- Public transportation: My mornings now have time limits. I may just need an extra 5 or 10 min to pack my lunch but if I’m trying to catch a train, my time is up!
- The more I pack, the more I have to carry. Not a huge deal, but it is nice when I don’t have a second bag with me.
- Juggling a coffee mug along with my purse + work bag. I have a good travel mug with a good seal, but it’s nice to have 2 hands to work with especially when I’m running from the train to the T and have to get my pass out.
- Cravings. Ever go to eat your packed lunch and it just NOT what you want. It’s way too easy to just take a 5min walk and get a salad/sandwich/pizza/soup…etc.
(Gyro from Zo…this place is one of my favorites, good thing it’s still a 0.5 mile walk!)
- It tastes better when someone else makes it. SUCH a cop out, but for some reason lately I’ve been BUYING oatmeal! OATMEAL! Simple oatmeal, and enjoying every bite. Really no excuse for this one.
I’m getting better at the coffee thing, plus I actually like the office coffee (we got Snicker-doodle flavor in so that makes me happy!), but those damn cappuccinos at the Thinking Cup are just SO good. I tend to make that my once-a-week treat.
I’m thinking the coffee trend is becoming my lunch trend too. Now that I’ve tried many of the lunch places near by, I’ve found the few I like most (and actually there aren’t that many…a lot of places are just “ok”). So I’m hoping I’ll get to a once-a-week schedule for buying lunch.
(chickpea fritter from Clover Food Lab, amazing, $5, and filling!)
I never thought I’d be one of those people who buys lunch so often, but I get it…CONVENIENCE!!
Bon Me!
It wouldn’t be so bad if, say, we weren’t spending as much on groceries, but I don’t see that happening either. I need to find that balance because, on the plus side there are some VERY affordable lunch options in the city…I’m talking $5-$6 for a lunch that fills me up! I’m almost glad Whole Foods isn’t close by…now THAT would be a money hole for me!! (I tend go crazy on the salad/hot bar).
(bbq pork & brown rice bowl from Bon Me)
I hope this whole post isn’t coming off as one big complaint ;) I’m just more amazed at how much of an effect something like a new job in a new location can have on ones “usual” habits!
I’m also looking for help! Tips! Ideas!! Meal planning would really help this out as well, and frankly I’ve never been good at meal planning!
Favorite lunches to pack?? Favorite dinners during a busy week? Preferably ones with leftovers??
I haven’t even started on the effects the new job has had on my workout schedule! That’s a post in it’s own, but I’ll let you know I did just start Crossfit! I went to my first intro workout Saturday morning and had my first regular workout tonight! So far so good…and SO sore. ;) I’ll give a recap as soon as I go a few more times.
Now it’s time for bed…I don’t want my sleep schedule to go s**t too ;)
Goodnight friends!
