Returning to work...and a container confession

Today, I am somewhat sad to say, was my first day back at work for 2012. The sadness doesn't come from any aspect of the day, or even work per se - rather that the break is over and the busy work stretch I have ahead is starting.

Still, I can be (and am!) grateful that I had an enjoyable enough break to not want it to end. And that by returning on a Thursday I am starting with a 2 day work week, which is rather a good arrangement.

I looked back over my I'm Dreaming Of... post yesterday, where I'd noted things I was hoping to do over the break. I was pleased to realise that I'd managed almost all of them: reading, some photography practice, baking and cooking (albeit mostly before Christmas), some shopping, some blog updates, time outdoors, and even cleaning the blinds. I didn't, however, wash the windows, clean the fridge very well, or re-organise the pantry. I guess I know my priorities ;)

Given that today marks a return to work, with packed lunches and snacks, I thought it might be appropriate to reveal something about my relationship with Tupperware-like containers. You see, I have a slight obsession with them. Particularly the small ones.

It's starting to cause storage problems.

I am also rather fond of using these containers to store and/or organise pre-prepared food in the fridge.

This latter tendency is a bit more hit-and-miss - there are some weeks when I bemoan my lack of organisation in cutting things up in advance - but my small plastic containers get a lot of use during the working week.

Some of them are perfect for cereal, dried fruit and nuts, or even yoghurt.

Others are better suited to a whole packed lunch, and are almost like a lunchbox.

 As I type this, there are six containers or similar in the fridge. In addition to the watermelon pictured above, there are washed grapes (albeit not in a container as such)...

Washed salad leaves and perhaps a surplus of chopped carrot...

And three smaller, single-serve options...

With mango...

And two serves of dinner leftovers, vegetable and tofu stir fry to be precise...

Fortunately, there are some benefits to an obsession with plastic containers. For a start, they are re-usable, and so my use of disposable plastic has reduced. They also allow me to look past some of the commercial packaged snacks that used to catch my eye in the supermarket. The idea of paying for individual packaging when I can use a brightly coloured container instead...well, it's not so appealing.

I do think, though, that it is time to stop expanding the collection. There is only so much space in our kitchen. What's more, I wouldn't want to neglect other categories of possible items. I'm thinking that my bowl collection could do with some attention this year...

Do you have obsessions with any dishes, containers, or kitchen utensils? 

And do you pack work lunches or snacks?

(As an addition, lest the above pictures paint an excessively healthy version of our kitchen, I should note that a whole section of the pantry is currently filled with chocolate!)

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