Here at Covet, we are snackanistas, gourmet goddesses, and foodtrepreneurs. So, naturally one of our favorite times of the day is lunch time. The clinking of forks, sharing of recipes, and laughter amongst colleagues is music to our ears! Gathering in the kitchen to retreat from our desks is much needed after those first few demanding hours of the day filled with catching up on emails, calls to New York, and tackling any pressing matters that may have popped up in those few hours while we were sleeping the night before.
Are we alone in our love affair with this magical midday meal? The majority of the American workforce has put lunch breaks on the back burner. NPR reports that only one in five office workers are taking the time to step away from their desks to take a lunch. Are we intentionally starving ourselves of necessary nutrients needed to focus and recharge? Are we suddenly a culture of breakfast buffs who have finally realized it actually is the most important meal of the day? Are we trying to get brownie points with the boss by logging the most hours in the office?
Thankfully, no. The fact of the matter is a majority of people are simply eating their lunches at their desks. Whether it is because it’s affordable, convenient, or because we are so insanely busy, the art of deskside dining has become a thing, and we are embracing it.
And this isn’t just because our office is stacked with delicious and nutritious products from our amazing food and beverage clients. We love deskside dining because it gives us a chance to get to know our coworkers more personally and create amazing dishes in the comfort of our second home.
Obviously, your goal should not be to stay inside all day. Multiple studies show that getting out of the office — even for a few minutes a day — boosts creativity, lowers stress, and reduces the likelihood of physical ailments associated with sitting in front of a computer all day. Give those eyeballs a break and stretch those legs!
If, for whatever reason, you are one of the 80% of people opting to dine deskside, do yourself a favor and stow away some luxe food items to give your lunch a gourmet touch. Just because you are dining in, doesn’t mean your meal has to be boring! Below are some creative ideas from some of our own office gourmands on what you can keep in your drawers to punch things up at lunch.
“I am a big fan of spice, so I always have some hot sauce on hand. I also keep organic soups and oats at my desk for when I am in a pinch. And when they’re in season, I usually bring a big bag of avocados from the tree in my yard to top off any dish. I always need caffeine on hand for crunch time, so Chameleon Cold Brew Concentrate is what I usually have hidden in the back of the fridge.”
- Leah Brown, Senior Publicist
“I find that sometimes I pack a lunch that sounds great in the morning, but come lunchtime I am over it. I always keep a container of Bitchin Sauce in the fridge – it makes everything taste amazing. I also can’t stand the ingredient panel on most bottled dressings, so I always have a small mason jar with some EVOO, vinegar, dijon mustard and chili flakes mixed up and ready to go for when I am in the mood for salad. I also keep GoRaw Watermelon Seeds at my desk to sprinkle on salads or eat by the handful when I am craving something salty.”
- Casey Blatt, Operations Coordinator
“I am big on dining in, so I always keep easy snacks around to keep my energy up. Health Warrior Chia Seeds are great with my morning yogurt, oatmeal, or even in water. Trader Joe’s raw, unsalted almond butter is another go-to, just on a spoon when I need something really quick. Spiceologist’s Spice Cave Fire Blend is great to sprinkle on just about anything, and I always have some salsa hiding in the fridge to dip carrots in, or use as a topper on salad or a bowl. Oh, and hot sauce on everything!”
- Holly Sweat, Publicity Assistant
For even more ideas on what you can keep in the office to make your meals more enjoyable, take a look at Bon Appetit’s rendition of the Art of Deskside Dining.
