How Do You “Bag” Your Food?

Last week we ran out of plastic Sandwich Bags. You know, the kind you put your sandwiches or snacks or fruit in, or just about anything you want to protect and save for later.  My husband discovered this while making his lunch to take to work, and he was stymied. He told me, “I feel guilty using a Quart bag for this!”

That made my heart happy. Not that he needed a sandwich bag and we didn’t have one, but that he was conscious of the “waste” it would have been to use a larger bag than he really needed. I’m just that way too.

I suggested that he use Saran Wrap. He looked at me puzzled for just a minute. I could see the gears in his brain whirling, waiting for the brain synapses to occur that would remind him of that plastic stuff he hadn’t seen, probably in years.

This situation developed into an entire conversation of how our Mom’s used to wrap the food they put in our school lunches. I remember my Mom using both waxed paper and saran wrap. I’m not sure if she favored one or the other, or if she just used what she had. My husband said his Mom always used the Tupperware sandwich containers. Ha! I told him that’s because he came from the elite side of town. 🙂

This got me thinking though…. why don’t I use Saran Wrap more than I do…. which, admittedly is very seldom?

I just don’t think about it anymore. I guess I got out of the habit of using it when I got IN the habit of using baggies. I’ll bet it really is more practical than using Sandwich Bags though (more economical and less environmental waste?).

So I’m going to start remembering to use Saran Wrap more now. After all, I have 4 boxes in my cupboard that have been there for years. I guess I used a lot of it at one time since I apparently bought the multi-pack at one of the Wholesale Clubs at which I shop.

It seems a trivial thing I guess, but I’m curious. But what do you use? Saran Wrap? Baggies? Tupperware? Or have you seen the new Silicone (washable, oven-safe, microwave safe, dishwasher safe) bags?

Oh, and he did wrap up his sandwich in Saran Wrap.

FUN FACTS

Waxed Paper was invented in 1876, when Gustave Le Gray introduced it for use as photographic negatives.

Saran Wrap was invented in 1949. “The product was initially developed into a spray to be sprayed onto fighter planes to protect them from salty sea spray.” Then Dow Chemical refined the spray and developed Saran Plastic Wrap.

Glad cling Wrap

 

 

 

 

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Comments (9)

  1. Karla McCormick

    I get discouraged from using it because it clings obnoxiously. The more you try unclinging it, it clings more. Those Tupperware containers worked pretty well as did the baggies. I take a salad and use a nifty Tupperware bowl for that. I bet you will remember why you haven’t used it. 🙂

    May 16, 2019 at 5:14 pm
    • Karen

      Maybe that’s why I stopped using it?

      May 17, 2019 at 7:05 am
      • Karla McCormick

        That’s what I think. Does all that clinginess ring a bell? It was a mess before I had a chance to use it.

        May 17, 2019 at 7:53 am
  2. Interesting facts about wax paper and saran wrap. Do you know why they named WD40…WD40? The WD stands for the chemicals in it and it took 40 tries to get it right. I only use saran wrap to cover dishes that don’t have a lid for the container. I use wax paper when I make candy.

    May 17, 2019 at 10:19 am
  3. Jody Taylor

    Wax paper is not something I have seen down under for years. We call Sarah wrap.. glad wrap regardless if the actual brand and we have a few. I try not to use zip bags too often due to waste and I try to use re usable washable plastic containers. Having said that, I believe I still use too much plastic all round. So I use a combination of the three. I but a cheaper brand of plastic wrap which unfortunately doesn’t stick as well. My daughter puts school sandwiches in paper bags as I did, and my father did mine.

    May 18, 2019 at 3:05 pm
  4. Sue Ogden

    Thanks to KJD for the info about WD40! Amazing! I still have Saran wrap and use it occasionally – when I’m out of the right size baggie! It clings in all the places it shouldn’t and doesn’t cling where you want it to. I like the wrap that sticks to things but have noticed that it leaves a residue you have to scrub off on some bowls so I wonder what it’s doing to food. Actually because of that I don’t ever use it where it will touch the food. I sew a bit, craft and work with clay and stones so I really should buy baggies by bulk but have never found anyone selling Ziplocs in bulk. Also I have to get the size boxes that will fit in my drawer! Karen – please drop by in and let us know how your hubbie fared with the Saran wrap! I’m sure we’re all curious!!!!

    May 18, 2019 at 9:47 pm
  5. Karen

    Someone mentioned earlier, that the less expensive “Saran Wrap” (off brands) don’t cling as much as the good stuff does, and I’ve found that to be true. It can be frustrating when it sticks to places you don’t want it to stick! 😉 I haven’t noticed a residue though. You can buy baggies in bulk at the wholesale stores like Costco and Sam’s Club. Not sure if those are in your area or not, but there might be other such places? And regarding Rick’s use of the Saran Wrap… it worked in a pinch, but he prefers baggies. 🙂

    May 23, 2019 at 8:08 am
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