The clock strikes lunch time and you have a choice to make. Do you eat the boring turkey sandwich you packed again or opt to join co-workers for burgers because it sounds more exciting than what you brought?
Some people actually feel like eating at their desk is a necessity because they are just too busy to stop for lunch. Instead, they settle for a soggy salad or eat a sandwich in 2 minutes so they can get back to work.
These scenarios play out in offices all across the country every day. We’ve all heard that packing your own lunch is better for you and cheaper than eating out. So, why don’t we do it more often?
Perhaps you just need some new ideas that don’t take a lot of time.
Here are a few ideas and three creative recipes for making lunch at work more enjoyable.
Get cute containers and lunch box. We eat first with our eyes. Just like presentation is important at a restaurant getting your lunch out of a cute insulated bag is more enjoyable than pulling it out of a leftover grocery bag.
Step away from your desk. At least once a week eat in the break room or walk outside and eat on a bench. A change of scenery gives you a chance to breathe some fresh air and clear your mind so it can refocus on the work it needs to do.
Don’t check your email. There are only so many hours in the day so sometimes you have to eat in your car while you run a few errands. Whatever you do, don’t check your work email. Remember, it’s supposed to be a break. Take the time you deserve and give yourself a break.
Get creative with what you pack. You don’t have to eat the same thing over and over. Variety is the spice of life, as they say! Food literally fuels your brain. It is the energy your brain needs to function at its best. The right food can boost your performance at work by improving memory and focus, like this Chickpea Salad.
- 1 can drained Chickpeas
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Feta Cheese
- Greens: kale, spinach or lettuce
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Lemon Juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- This is a hearty salad that will hold up for a few days. Toss all the ingredients into a bowl. There are no measurements because this is about what looks good to you. You can't mess it up! Use however much cheese, tomatoes and seeds you like. Drizzle with EVOO so it coats when you mix it all up and just squeeze a little lemon juice over the top. Like a lot of greens? That's ok! Don't want much, then use just a handful. Don't add the greens until right before you are ready to toss and eat, unless you choose kale. In that case, you can add it in with the rest of the ingredients.
That salad was one of three ideas I shared in a recent appearance on TV. Charlotte Today Host and friend Colleen Odegaard loved it so much that, after the show, she took the jar and a fork and ate it on the car on the way to her next assignment. In this video, I’ll also show you how to make a white bean and avocado sandwich that will beat the same old sandwiches that give lunch at your desk a bad rep and a twist on a childhood lunch classic(wait until you see my version of peanut butter and jelly!).
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