Designing this bag has been an interesting adventure for me.  I was just looking for a good way to send my husband to work with leftover chili, spaghetti or casserole for lunch.  Little did I know that so many other people were trying the same thing, and had come up with such clever ideas!

Here are a few links to get you started:

A good post on Mason Jar Salads;

More salad recipes;

Many wonderful jar lunch ideas;

Adorable little pies in half-pints!

And here are some labels for printing so you know what’s in your jars.  Maybe put your name on it, so no one steals your jar out of the fridge at work?  Or write the cooking method and time?  There are many other fine label designs out there, but these would take less ink than many I saw.  I’d print them on paper, and just insert them between the lid and the ring.

Here’s a really cool thing I discovered:  Did you know that most blenders are designed with the correct size and threading to accept canning jars?  I had no idea!  Imagine the possibilities!  (Smoothies, here we come!)

And another thing I hadn’t considered is regulating portion sizes – the measurements are marked right on the side of many brands of jars.  Very convenient if you’re watching your diet.

 So here’s my contribution:

Once in a while, you might run across a “disposable” plastic container that EXACTLY fits the mouth of a canning jar.  So I thought – perfect way to bring raw veggies with dip!  Here it is all put together:

Here it is with the lid off – see how the lip of the container covers the top of the jar:

And here, all taken apart and ready to enjoy:

I’m sure it’s very obvious how it works, but just pack some veggies into the jar.  Put your dip into the plastic container and pop it into the top of the jar.  Place the lid and ring on, and tighten down as much as you can.  (It won’t go all the way down, because of the lip of the plastic container.)  Once assembled, I tipped it over to check, and saw no signs of leakage.  In case you’re wondering, this plastic container is from a 4-pack of whole kernel corn at Wal-Mart.    I would not recommend washing the plastic in the dishwasher, microwaving, or heating in any way; but I’d be willing to use it for a cold dip.