There are a lot of benefits when it comes down to packing your lunch. Packed lunches are generally more economical than eating out. They are also faster since you don't have to drive somewhere and wait in line for your food to be ready, which means you have more time to enjoy your meal. The French and many other Latin Europeans love to take their time making food and take just as much time enjoying their meal. Eating is all about enjoyment – talking, relaxing, and socializing.

Here is a European-inspired packed lunch you can enjoy on your next workday.

We love a classic Parisian Jambon -Beurre. This French sandwich is not only delicious, it is also very simple to make, and requires very little time and ingredients.

Ingredients:

• Baguette
• Salted Butter (but regular butter works too)
• Parisian Ham
• Cornichons (this one is not necessary, but we highly recommend it)

Cut open the Baguette, spread salted butter on the inside of the bread, add a slice or two of ham, add a couple of cornichons, and you're done.

Greek salads are refreshing, colorful and burst with flavors. Salads are a great way to add some fiber into your diet and can be as simple or as complex as you'd like them to be.

Ingredients:

• Sliced cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Green Bell peppers
• Pickled red onion
• Olives
• Feta Cheese
• Greek Vinaigrette Dressing

Cut your ingredients into similar-sized pieces. Toss the veggies, olives, and feta cheese in a bowl, add the dressing, and mix well.

The best way to end your meal on a good note is to enjoy a café gourmand. If you ever have the chance to visit France, ask for a café gourmand. It is an espresso served with several tiny portions of desserts and sweets.

You will need:

• Italian coffee
• Finish milk chocolate
• German Milka sandwich cookies
• French Macaron 
• What ever sweet or dessert you like

The bitterness of the espresso contrasts perfectly with the sweetness of the dessert, so it's the perfect ending to a meal.

Many of us used to bring a packed lunch that our parents made for us to school. Sometimes we'd also exchange our chips for a friend's cookies. Packed lunches can take time to make, but at the end of the day, they are cheaper in the long run, give us the freedom to choose what we eat, and give us the luxury to have variety. Making and packing your lunches will be part of your new art de vivre in no time.
What will you be packing for your next lunch?