What do you take to work for lunch?

J&K10910 · July 2012

If you take your lunch, that is.

For the summer, I'm rarely in the office. Pretty much only for meetings and groups. I drive all over the county, so I'm often not NEAR the office at lunch time. I'm struggling with coming up with things I can eat for lunch that I can bring (fast food gets old, unhealthy, and expensive--not to mention super limited options with not eating bread/buns) and eat in the car without warming up. I'm tired of bringing salads with chicken and quinoa salads.

So what you do eat? Any suggestions for things that I can eat cold (I have an excellent insulated lunchbox to keep things cold and safe) in the car? (Not while I'm driving, I usually have 15-30 minutes to pull into a park somewhere.) I don't do sandwiches or wraps.

J&K10910 · July 2012

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Alright then.

DramaGeek · July 2012

Skinnytaste has a great avocado egg salad recipe. You could eat that on a salad or just by itself. Or with chips or crackers, if you eat those.

Do you do pasta? I have a fantastic pasta recipe that can be served any temp you want - hot, cold, room temp, whatever.

Marrin713 · July 2012

Cheese and crackers? No sandwiches, wraps or salads sort of took the wind out of my sails as far as suggestions go. What about deli type salads - like a chicken or ham salad with pita?

DramaGeek · July 2012

Taco salad would be good. It's still salad, but it could be mostly beans, cheese, rice, meat, etc and less lettuce and tomato.

You could do pulled pork (or the meat of your choice).

brandichamberlain · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_what-do-you-take-to-work-for-lunch?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b581c708-f363-4dbe-be31-993c34063fd5Post:80e2332d-6c29-4fc9-aa59-95f618fcd572">What do you take to work for lunch?</a>:
[QUOTE]If you take your lunch, that is. For the summer, I'm rarely in the office. Pretty much only for meetings and groups. I drive all over the county, so I'm often not NEAR the office at lunch time. I'm struggling with coming up with things I can eat for lunch that I can bring (fast food gets old, unhealthy, and expensive--not to mention super limited options with not eating bread/buns) and eat in the car without warming up. I'm tired of bringing salads with chicken and quinoa salads. So what you do eat? Any suggestions for things that I can eat cold (I have an excellent insulated lunchbox to keep things cold and safe) in the car? (Not while I'm driving, I usually have 15-30 minutes to pull into a park somewhere.) <strong>I don't do sandwiches or wraps.</strong>
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>Would you open to a sandwich with lettuce as the bun? I've made those and they hold up well and are really good. </div><div>
</div><div>
</div>

Marrin713 · July 2012

Yum, taco salad!

sarabear23 · July 2012

You can do tortilla chips, right?

What about a shredded chicken 'salad'? Some chicken, salsa, green onion, corn, black beans, and eat it with chips? Almost like cold nachos, without the cheese.

HandBanana · July 2012

I love cottage cheese. I buy the large tub and portion it out in tiny leftover containers I have. That and a pbj sandwich.

Marrin713 · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_what-do-you-take-to-work-for-lunch?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:b581c708-f363-4dbe-be31-993c34063fd5Post:684c782e-a23b-4134-8ec3-c22974f70c42">Re: What do you take to work for lunch?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to What do you take to work for lunch? : Would you open to a sandwich with lettuce as the bun? I've made those and they hold up well and are really good.
Posted by brandichamberlain[/QUOTE]

My coworker brings lettuce wraps in her insulated lunchbag and they hold up really well.

Snippylynn · July 2012

JK, how do you feel about wheat berries? I have a recipe that I adjust the hell out of to make it to my taste that has wheat berries, beans, feta, olive tapenade, peppers and artichoke hearts.

pokepoke27 · July 2012

I found this for you J -

http://www.fitsugar.com/Low-Carb--Bread-Sandwich-Ideas-18609909

Some of those look like they could be good, maybe.

Also, I'm kind of strange because I can eat a lot of food that should be warmed up cold. Like soup, for example. So I wouldn't have a problem pulling over and drinking cool soup from a thermos. Same goes with something like steak or chicken. For the most part, I would be able to eat leftovers from dinner for lunch the next day without heating it up.

J&K10910 · July 2012

I can do pasta--rice pasta doesn't work so well for some things, but I'd definitely be willing to try it if you'll share the recipe, drama!

Taco salads and stuff are things that I definitely do. I usually bring leftovers, but not being able to heat things up kills that. I think I'll make a giant batch of taco meat soon that I can freeze in individual portions.

Sarabear, that sounds good too! And a little different than normal too.

Brandi, I would try a sandwich with lettuce as a bun. I wasn't a huge sandwich person before I went GF, but I know there are some good lettuce wrap recipes out there, and I hadn't really thought of bringing those for lunch. Thanks!

Snippylynn · July 2012

I love to mix cottage cheese with dried fruit and nuts

mkrupar · July 2012

Hummus & Veggies

Instead of a salad you could just bring some sliced veggies with a dipping sauce, cheese, some meat, etc. LIttle picnic style.

I'm a fan of chicken salad on celery sticks.

Fruit & Yogurt

I struggle with this too as I bring my lunch to work and tend to run out of ideas or get bored with my selections easily. I can only eat so many salads.

brandichamberlain · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_what-do-you-take-to-work-for-lunch?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b581c708-f363-4dbe-be31-993c34063fd5Post:702f5efe-7f0a-4100-9009-4c0ba426cffb">Re: What do you take to work for lunch?</a>:
[QUOTE]I found this for you J - <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/Low-Carb--Bread-Sandwich-Ideas-18609909" rel="nofollow">http://www.fitsugar.com/Low-Carb--Bread-Sandwich-Ideas-18609909</a> Some of those look like they could be good, maybe. <strong>Also, I'm kind of strange because I can eat a lot of food that should be warmed up cold. Like soup, for example. So I wouldn't have a problem pulling over and drinking cool soup from a thermos. Same goes with something like steak or chicken. For the most part, I would be able to eat leftovers from dinner for lunch the next day without heating it up.
Posted by pokepoke27[/QUOTE]</strong>

<div>
</div><div>I can do this too.</div><div>
</div><div>You could also do a fruit salad, yogurt, and nuts to get some protein for one lunch. </div>

whitsy · July 2012

I love pasta salad in the summertime. Farfalle, italian salad dressing, olives, feta, diced grilled chicken. red peppers, maybe some carrots if I have some on hand.

I like crackers with deli meat and fancy spreads, like roasted garlic or chives cream cheese.

PetalPockets2012 · July 2012

So I usually take a turkey sandwich and I realize that is no help but it's what I do. I usually bring apple slices (or another fruit) and low-fat mozzarella cheese as well.

I've also made cold pasta salads (is there gluten free pasta?). Cut up chicken, box of pasta, feta cheese, your choice of Italian dressing to taste. Tomatoes and olives optional. It makes a lot and keeps well.

I also like tuna, egg or chicken salad.

brandichamberlain · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_what-do-you-take-to-work-for-lunch?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b581c708-f363-4dbe-be31-993c34063fd5Post:c2d118b2-35bf-4feb-86e8-6b9a6e7159cf">Re: What do you take to work for lunch?</a>:
[QUOTE] Brandi, I would try a sandwich with lettuce as a bun. I wasn't a huge sandwich person before I went GF, but I know there are some good lettuce wrap recipes out there, and I hadn't really thought of bringing those for lunch. Thanks!
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>Here are some ideas:</div><div>
</div><div><a href="http://balancedbites.com/2011/05/15-deliciou-lettuce-wrap-ideas.html" rel="nofollow">http://balancedbites.com/2011/05/15-deliciou-lettuce-wrap-ideas.html</a> </div>

DramaGeek · July 2012

All right, the recipe is super simple and could easily be adapted to add/substitute ingredients.

1 lb pasta

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tsp salt

2 tsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp pepper (or to taste)

1 shallot, diced (optional)

1-3 cloves fresh garlic, minced

1.5 lb fresh tomatoes, diced

6 oz fresh mozzarella, torn or shredded

1/4 c fresh basil, torn or shredded

Put pasta on to cook. Meanwhile, mix olive oil, salt, lemon, pepper, shallot, garlic and tomatoes in a bowl. Let sit until pasta is ready. Drain pasta and immediately add to tomato mixture. Add mozzarella and basil. Mix well.

I've been toying with the idea of adding shrimp or chicken to this as well.

sarabear23 · July 2012

You could also do a chicken fried rice. I don't mind eating fried rice cold, as long as it isnt dried out. It's a good option to add a lot of veggies too.

brandichamberlain · July 2012

Drama- that looks amazing! I'm going to try that for sure.

kroot87 · July 2012

I love this recipe, and this one. They're both quick and easy, and pretty healthy. Sometimes I bring tortilla chips for the black bean and corn salad, but it's great by itself. I also make a pasta salad with tuna, greek yogurt, and dijon mustard that's pretty yummy.

J&K10910 · July 2012

Drama, that looks really similar to my favorite quinoa salad. I never thought to do it with pasta. It would definitely be good with chicken.

Mmm, I love fried rice. I make it sometimes. I should make it more.

Thanks for all the ideas guys! These are all things that I have eaten but don't think of because I get in such a rut.

J&K10910 · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_what-do-you-take-to-work-for-lunch?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b581c708-f363-4dbe-be31-993c34063fd5Post:0a801f57-f500-4f0e-8ce9-c1b2851062f1">Re: What do you take to work for lunch?</a>:
[QUOTE]I love this recipe, and this one. They're both quick and easy, and pretty healthy. Sometimes I bring tortilla chips for the black bean and corn salad, but it's great by itself. I also make a pasta salad with tuna, greek yogurt, and dijon mustard that's pretty yummy.
Posted by kroot87[/QUOTE]

The first link didn't work for me, and I'm super interested. Can you try to repost it, please?

kroot87 · July 2012

here ya go!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/black-bean-and-corn-salad-recipe/index.html

ETA: I usually skip the hot sauce and add fresh cilantro.

J&K10910 · July 2012

Yum, that looks good!

HandBanana · July 2012

In Response to Re:What do you take to work for lunch?:[QUOTE]I love to mix cottage cheese with dried fruit and nuts Posted by Snippylynn[/QUOTE]

That sounds delicious.

kroot87 · July 2012

I could eat it every day. If you like avocado, that's good with it also. I'll just slice some up and add it right before I eat it, or in the morning if I'm packing it for lunch - it doesn't keep well otherwise.

J&K10910 · July 2012

Mmmm, I love avocado. Good healthy fats addition too.

pokepoke27 · July 2012

I love to take an avacado and put a little bit of salad dressing in the hole and just eat it like that. Or lemon juice. Mmmm.

What do you take to work for lunch?

Re: What do you take to work for lunch?

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