Just because you’re eating at your desk doesn’t mean you should settle for humdrum brown-bag lunches, so make your midday meal something to look forward to.
Photography by Jared Sych
All Beefed Up Sandwich from Made Foods
Specializing in healthy gourmet takeaway meals, Made Foods packs a flavour punch into the humble sandwich. With tender braised beef topped with barbecue sauce, spinach, red peppers, red onion and lemon aioli on focaccia bread, this sandwich is small but mighty – and healthy to boot.
Seven locations, madefoods.com
Fresh-Pressed Juice from Chongo’s
Orange juice isn’t just for breakfast. The OJ that they press onsite at Chongo’s tastes like a concentrated version of the fruit it came from – and it’s more affordable than many fresh-pressed juices in the city. They also do an apple, carrot and beet juice that’s just as nice.
1235 26 Ave. S.E. (Crossroads Market), 403-921-4554, chongosmarket.com @chongosmarket
Asian Noodle Salad from The Main Dish
A tub of noodle salad with cashews, celery, red pepper, carrots and ginger-soy dressing satisfies on its own, and also makes a tasty vehicle for leftover roasted chicken, pork, fish or veggies from dinner the night before.
903 General Ave. N.E., 403-265-3474, tmdish.com
Energy Bites from Little Tucker
These treats are perfectly portable and just enough to satisfy that afternoon sweet craving. Try the salted lucuma caramel made with a sweet Peruvian fruit that balances out the almond butter, coconut, cinnamon and pinch of pink Himalayan salt.
Available at 30 retailers; for a full list, go to littletucker.ca, @littletuckeryyc
Cookie Dough from Bridgeland Market
Keep this cookie dough loaded with oats, dried fruit, chocolate chunks and other good things on hand for fresh cookies anytime. Just slice, bake and pack. Because everyone needs a cookie to get them through the day.
1104 1 Ave. N.E., 403-269-2381, bridgelandmarket.com, @bridgelandmrkt