Let it also be known that I live about twenty minutes from work and don't have the dough to eat out every meal. So, the office lunch life for meeee! I've been at it a while, the whole lunching-from-my-desk routine, and have learned a thing or two about how to do it right.
1. Get one of these. A personal, 20-ounce food warmer is exactly what you need to save a trip to the microwave. Not to mention, it plugs in anywhere and is super discrete, so you can anticipate your meal from the aroma of it warming slowly behind you you while you work.
2. Dude, leftovers. Do not underestimate the value of a warm, homemade meal...even if it is a re-heated, homemade yesterday meal. When I make pasta or plan a crockpot meal, I do so with the intention of having leftovers.
3. Be fancy! I haven't even considered some of these portable office lunch ideas. I'm not sure I'm up to the time commitment here, but these recipes look like they would be so fun to try! As of right now, my idea of "fancy," is when I take the time to make a "grilled" ham and cheese sandwich instead of my standard sandwich.
4. Pack the night before. Of course you can't do this with everything, but you can do it with a lot! I'm sure you know all about the meal-prepping that's taking the country by storm, but it can be more simple than that too. I've started making these overnight oats for breakfast (they're like bland in a really good way). If you do salads, you can make them the night before by stacking the layers in a mason jar so that your dressing doesn't sog everything up and the lettuce stays nice and crisp on the top.
5. Bring the whole damn bag. It takes a little self control, but it's one less thing you have to tote to the office each morning. I keep a stash of something munchie (white cheddar Cheez-its, almonds, trail mix) at my desk and a bag of baby carrots and box of half-n-half in the fitness center mini-frig. When you use half-n-half like I do, you kinda gotta bring your own. My co-worker, Mark, brings the sandwich "fixin's" and makes it right there at his desk - that could be you!
6. Keep your desk-drawer stocked. Even if you don't stuff whole bags of almonds into your desk, don't forget to keep your essential condiments handy: salt and pepper, hot sauce, soy sauce, mustard, ketchup (packets obviously), olive oil, peanut butter.
7. Invest in a grown-up lunchbox. If you don't have access to a double-door, commercial refrigerator (or a mini-frig for that matter), it's time to get a grown-up lunchbox. I was going to find some cool lunchbox ideas, but then I found this post from Brit + Co and I think they've got 'em all.
8. Try a wrap instead. It's hard being one person. Even if you make a sandwich everyday, you can't really use a whole loaf of bread in a week. Sure, if you don't buy Aldi bread, it probably lasts a little longer. But, if you do buy Aldi break, or struggle to use all your bread before it stales, try making wraps instead! They're lighter, healthier and the only change is using shredded cheese (which I KNOW you have). Bonus round: once you notice your bread going stale, remove what is left from the bag and set it out to harden. Crumble it up and you've got bread crumbs! Never buy those. They're too easy to make.
9. Keep emergency lunches on hand. Cans of hearty soups and a couple frozen meals are good to have in backstock. These aren't ideal, since they're more expensive and usually less healthy, but they work in a pinch. Depending on what you've got left at the end of the week, you may consider a simple cheese, meat and cracker combination for lunch.
10. Treat yourself, sparingly. It's ok to eat out or order in for lunch evyery now and again, but don't make a habit of it (Blair, I'm looking at you). While a freaky fast sandwich delivery or lunch out for a department birthday are not only fun, but easy, you can save a pretty penny by making it a habit to make lunch. Additionally, it is a bit more tricky to eat healthy when you aren't making your own food. Bonus round: make your meal out into two lunches! A large order at a sit down restaurant can easily be leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Now, that's a win.
Does anyone else have any good lunch hacks they put into practice?
No comments:
Post a Comment