You run out the door, you are late and you are thinking about that important 8am meeting. Lunch is the last thing on your mind. In fact, you generally just grab something from the deli line or local fast food place and rush it back to your table. Sound familiar? You aren’t alone. Only one in five people really leaves their desk during the lunch hour. When you feel your stomach growling, it is all too easy to grab something from the vending machine or – if you remember – pack a cold turkey sandwich. But there are many easy ways to spice up your lunch routine at work. Here are some tips for enhancing your mediocre noon meal:
Walk away from your desk.
Do you eat at your desk every day? You have your lunch break for a reason; so use it. You are busy and need a couple of minutes to recharge throughout the day. You’ll come back refreshed and prepared to be productive for the rest of the afternoon. Eating at your table also means you may be multitasking, not paying attention to your food. Leaving your table will help you become a more conscious eater and you will enjoy your food more. Take a walk, socialize with co-workers, do something that gets you up and moving for at least 15 minutes.
Bake healthy chips.
Stay away from the snack machine. You do not need those stale potato chips. You can bake your own with just six ingredients. Slice two pounds of potatoes thickly and coat them with olive oil and a tablespoon of salt. Season with cayenne pepper and pepper. Arrange the slices on a greased baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes until the potatoes are crispy and golden brown. Then, spread it out on parchment paper, sprinkle with salt and enjoy. Pack a handful of chips in your lunch every day for a crunch and fewer guilt.
Deviating from PB and J.
Peanut butter and jelly may be a staple, but it is time for an adult work lunch. You can find sandwich ingredients that aren’t only easy and fast, but also take your lunch to the next level. Try a gourmet chicken salad like the mayo-free Avocado Chicken Salad from Willow Tree Farm. It’s a more sensible choice for you, saving on calories and fat, because it is made with Aveyo, a spread that contains just Hass avocado, white vinegar, olive oil, sea salt, and lime juice. It replaces eggs and most of the oil, while still retaining that classic creamy texture and taste.
Discover new ways to package your salads.
Forget soggy and wilted lettuce. One of the best ways to package salads is in quart-sized canning containers. Put your dressing on the bottom, add lettuce, greens and other salad toppings. If you are really looking to jump-start your salad game, Willow Tree Farm’s new Sriracha Chicken Salad layered perfectly with the greens and added a delicious spice to your salad. Everything remained separate until it was time to unite. Just pour the salad into a bowl and you are ready to eat. Your salad will also last for a few days in the fridge, so you can make your lunch several days in advance.
Make your lunch at work.
Are you all the time running out of time to pack your lunch? Pick a lunch you can throw together in minutes. Chicken salad wraps, tuna melts, pocket pita sandwiches with hummus, or Greek yogurt parfaits are all comparatively easy, healthy meals you can whip up in the office. Save the ingredients and lunch will be a breeze.
Make sad table lunches a thing of the past with these tips. For more ideas for reinventing your lunch routine, visit willowtreefarm.com.
Article provided by BPT
