Although my job here at Track5Media is pretty damn awesome, I’d be lying if I said that lunchtime isn’t one of the highlights of my day. As the self-appointed “lunch coordinator,” I’ve been able to explore cuisines and bring the office closer together with our savory meal decisions. Office lunch isn’t just about fueling up so you can get through the day. It should be time to enjoy some good food and good company. Now, I won’t look down upon those who opt for the traditional packed sandwich or salad, but I do think there are ways that you can spice up your office lunch and make it one of the best parts of the day! Below are just a few ways that you can make sure you’re doing some great office lunch bonding.
Tips For Crushing Your Office Lunch
Make It a Group Thing
One of the best things about getting lunch here at Track5Media is that you’re usually not alone! If someone is feeling Chinese takeout, you can expect that you’ll have a few others looking to hop on that lunch train. If time allows it, opt to take lunch outside on a particularly nice day. Spending some time outside with your coworkers is a great way to break up a day spent in the office. We’re always open to lunch suggestions in the office, and there’s usually more than one of us trying a new place to eat! It also might be a good idea to organize a monthly lunch outing where you can all get out of the office and enjoy a nice sit-down lunch.
Keep Condiments and Silverware Handy
Luckily, we have a pretty large kitchen here in the office, so we can afford to stock up on silverware and condiments. If you’re working with a smaller space, don’t hesitate to use some of your desk drawers to stock up on condiments and spices. This way, if you find your meal needs to be refreshed or spiced up by the time you get to your lunch break, you can do so with ease. Alternatively, if you don’t pack your lunch one day and you find your lunch-break purchase is a little bland, you can kick it up a notch or two. Also, few things are more unappetizing than eating a meal out of a takeout container with a sad, flimsy plastic fork that’s likely to break as soon as you take your first bite. Keeping some silverware handy will ensure that you’re enjoying your office lunch to the fullest.
Don’t Be Scared of Leftovers
I know some of you might groan when hearing the word “leftovers,” and believe me I still do sometimes. However, leftovers are an underrated option when it comes to crushing your office lunch. If you had something truly delicious for dinner last night, why not enjoy it again for lunch? If you don’t feel like eating the same thing for multiple days, try turning your leftovers into a new meal. Take that leftover pork loin and turn it into a pulled pork sandwich!
Snack, But Don’t Overdo It
I hate to admit it, but this is definitely a lesson I’ve learned the hard way. The snack monster that lives on my shoulder constantly barks in my ear while I’m at work, which is why I’ve had to be mindful when it comes to snacking. I try to snack on something light, like popcorn, if I’m feeling hungry. There’s nothing worse than overeating and feeling way too stuffed while trying to get your work done for the day. I’ve found that taking small baggies of chips or mixed nuts really curb my penance for overeating.
Get Creative
Probably the contribution to the office that I’m most proud of is our “Lunch Wheel O’ Goodness.” What is this intriguing sounding piece of innovation you ask? Well, it’s a wheel that randomly chooses a place to eat for lunch. If none of us in the office have a specific hankering, we’ll let the wheel decide. It has options for our favorite places as well as some fun categories like “person with the closest birthday chooses.” There are a ton of online templates that will allow you to bring some fun to the office when getting lunch.
Lunch should be a time that you can bond with your coworkers. You spend a good amount of time with them after all, so why not make lunch a highly anticipated event. If you have other ways that you crush your office lunch, leave us a comment below!
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