by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team
Member since:
February 19, 2008

Breakroom Chat Today @ 9pm ET. How can you make sure you have time for a lunch break? Win 250 Gather Points and a Prize!

April 20, 2009 03:46 PM EDT (Updated: April 20, 2009 04:26 PM EDT)
views: 260 | rating: 10/10 (24 votes) | comments: 267

Is your busy schedule taking over your lunch break? We all need time to relax and rejuvenate over a good meal at the office, but are you always able to take a lunch? If not, what can you do to carve out more time for lunch?

Kimber L. will be with us hosting the a live chat today at 9:00 pm ET to discuss how you can make sure you always have time for a lunch break. Can you reprioritize things? Make better to do lists? Delegate more of your workload?

Join other members within the comment field of this article for a chat today from 9:00-9:30 pm ET. You'll need to refresh your browser to see new comments. Two Gather member will be randomly selected to receive 250 Gather Points™ and a coupon for a Deli Creations from Oscar Mayer!

Each Deli Creations from Oscar Mayer sandwich makes it easy to enjoy a restaurant-inspired sandwich without the restaurant price1. Each sandwich comes complete with everything you need packed fresh, including high-quality deli meats, specialty sauces, natural cheeses and delicious oven-baked bread that comes out hot and melty in less than a microwave minute.

[1]Yankelovich Dollars & Consumer Sense, June 2008. States the average person spends $6.14 per meal away from home. Deli Creations suggested retail price is $3.29 equaling a comparative 46 percent savings.

Looking for an online breakroom to share stories and gossip? Join The Breakroom and share your own stories, tips and advice with fellow workers on Gather. You can stop by over your lunch hour or any time during the day!

 
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Comments: 267

Jo N. Apr 20, 2009, 3:49pm EDT
Sounds good, I will try to make it.
David C. Apr 20, 2009, 4:03pm EDT
Won't be able to make it tonight but hope to be able to join you in the future. Keep up the great work.
JoAnne D. Apr 20, 2009, 4:06pm EDT
I hope I can make it, TV dinners for me. I am so tired I hope I can stay awake.
Madeline L. Apr 20, 2009, 4:30pm EDT
I will try to make it.
Darin Waugh Apr 20, 2009, 4:39pm EDT
I might be here as well!
Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~. Apr 20, 2009, 4:45pm EDT
Will try can't promise
Lance L. Apr 20, 2009, 4:45pm EDT
sounds good
Iris D. Apr 20, 2009, 5:21pm EDT
Will be here Thanks
Desiree T. Apr 20, 2009, 5:49pm EDT
Oh yay, can't wait.
timi A. Apr 20, 2009, 6:03pm EDT
Because of the time difference, i have learnt to come an hour early. Thanks, i'll be there
ali a. Apr 20, 2009, 6:08pm EDT
thank you for the invite i hope to be there
ali
Beth G. Apr 20, 2009, 6:39pm EDT
This should be an awesome chat, will remember to come back to it!
Dagmara H. Apr 20, 2009, 6:53pm EDT
not sure if I would be able to make it here
J F. Apr 20, 2009, 7:25pm EDT
Thanks. Will the Wednesday Breakrooms still be going on? I hope so.
charity kimball ツ Apr 20, 2009, 7:26pm EDT
cool:)
Merry W. Apr 20, 2009, 7:28pm EDT
Thanks for the invite, will try to be there!
For anyone who has tried the sandwiches already, Are they pretty good??
Mary M. Apr 20, 2009, 7:29pm EDT
I may not make the chat. My work schedule since September has worked out well in that I now often have time to eat lunch with my hubby, who works opposite to my shift so we can be there for the kids.
☀ Aunt Shanny Apr 20, 2009, 7:45pm EDT
Is your busy schedule taking over your lunch break? Back when I was working in Quality Assurance, I was constantly being interrupted during lunch.

We all need time to relax and rejuvenate over a good meal at the office, but are you always able to take a lunch? Sometimes, I would miss lunch due to having such a busy schedule.

If not, what can you do to carve out more time for lunch? I (and a group of others like me), would leave the grounds of work and go out for lunch or go to a park with a brown bag lunch. We all left our cell phones behind as well. There is nothing so important that your lunch BREAK should be interrupted all the time. I think it's taking advantage. And by law, you have to take a lunch.
Bonnie F. Apr 20, 2009, 7:54pm EDT
Don't think I can make it, I need to go to the Dr.'s tonight
Heather L. Apr 20, 2009, 8:01pm EDT
I'll try to make it
donna h. Apr 20, 2009, 8:41pm EDT
me too
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ Apr 20, 2009, 8:45pm EDT
Wow this is rare. I'm early!
I really need this chat seeing as I missed lunch today!
Felicia R. Apr 20, 2009, 8:46pm EDT
Thanks I hopefully will be there in 15 minutes... and maybe even win a prize or two.. hehe :o)
Belinda Parker Apr 20, 2009, 8:54pm EDT
I got the kids in bed and I'm ready. : )
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~. Apr 20, 2009, 8:56pm EDT
the kids are bathed and down i am here
Kimber L. Apr 20, 2009, 8:56pm EDT
I am here and ready to host!
Kimber L. Apr 20, 2009, 8:57pm EDT
Welcome Dnbuster and Belinda.
Heather L. Apr 20, 2009, 8:57pm EDT
Hi.
Kimber L. Apr 20, 2009, 8:58pm EDT
Our lunch breaks where I work have gotten really hectic- I posted a blog about it too - our boss actually pays us to not leave the building so we have to find creative ways to fit what we need to do into our lunch break while still at work!
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~. Apr 20, 2009, 8:58pm EDT
hi there Kimber!!
Cyndi B. Apr 20, 2009, 8:58pm EDT
Hi
Belinda Parker Apr 20, 2009, 8:58pm EDT
Thanks Kimber! I've been looking forward to this all day.
Trish A. Apr 20, 2009, 8:58pm EDT
Good evening!
Heather L. Apr 20, 2009, 8:59pm EDT
I have more a dinner problem then lunch problem. I work at night and I can't leave my desk because I work in a learning center and I am the only one manning the desk.
Kimber L. Apr 20, 2009, 8:59pm EDT
Hi Cyndi, Hi Trish...

Belinda... tell me about it!!
Kimber L. Apr 20, 2009, 8:59pm EDT
Healther what are some ways you work around it?
Cyndi B. Apr 20, 2009, 8:59pm EDT
Well, I don't work outside the home, but I am often very busy at home during the lunch hour. I make lunch for my family before my husband leaves for work (he works the second shift).
Trish A. Apr 20, 2009, 9:00pm EDT
Since I write at home and my husband comes home for lunch we have a set time when we eat. When he was gone for a month (to Japan) I did have difficulty remembering to stop for lunch.
Sherry W. Apr 20, 2009, 9:00pm EDT
I missed lunch today, too. :P I was so busy getting food for my kids that I ran out of time for myself. Typical.
Kimber L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:00pm EDT
I am allowed to leave my desk but there are pretty much phones in every room of the building. There are even phones in the little kitchen we have on site that I usually heat my food up in. I will answer thephones and put people on hold asking them to wait till I get back to my desk and will wait till my food is done to go there! LOL
Heather L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:00pm EDT
I have a microwave available in my area. I eat a lot of TV dinners at work.
Cyndi B. Apr 20, 2009, 9:01pm EDT
And trying to make lunch with an active toddler can be difficult. I try to have some foods already prepped for me so lunch is faster to make. Some times I just make turkey sandwiches with corn chips - it is so much quicker than a hot lunch every day.
Melissa R Apr 20, 2009, 9:01pm EDT
Good evening everyone!
Darin Waugh Apr 20, 2009, 9:01pm EDT
Hello!
Trish A. Apr 20, 2009, 9:01pm EDT
It's too bad we live in such a fast-paced world.
Hi everyone! I am here for a few minutes! How is everyone tonight?
Chris E. Apr 20, 2009, 9:01pm EDT
Hi Everyone!
Dave L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:01pm EDT
oscar mayer has a way with b o l o g n a hehe
Madeline L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:02pm EDT
Hi, everyone!
Trish A. Apr 20, 2009, 9:02pm EDT
We often have left-overs for lunch.
Kimber L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:02pm EDT
Cyndi - working at home can be just as difficult and stressful as working at a corporate 9-5 it is cool that you can do that for your family!

Trish and Sherry - You have to remember to take care of yourself too!
Darin Waugh Apr 20, 2009, 9:02pm EDT
Doing good!
Desiree T. Apr 20, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
Hello
Chris E. Apr 20, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
Sherry its the same way here. I alwys feed the little one. I get to doing something and then end up skipping lunch or grabing something i can eat on the run.
Darin Waugh Apr 20, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
I hate to make lunch, I wish I could jut buy something everyday, but I can't afford to do that.
Trish A. Apr 20, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
I've become a fan of a side dish of organic salad at each meal. I seem fuller.
We tend to be on a schedule for lunch everyday. I start making stuff at around 11 and they eat by 11.30. I usually get my lunch around 12.30!
April H. Apr 20, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
Good evening!
Belinda Parker Apr 20, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
I work from home also. I also have two young boys and it's difficult to make time for myself to have a lunch break.
Melissa R Apr 20, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
I am lucky and get an hour paid lunch at work. In the winter I never take it all though. I just eat at my desk and surf the net for 30 minutes or so.
J F. Apr 20, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
Hi, everyone. This should be a good chat.
Sherry W. Apr 20, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
Oops, forgot - hello to all first and foremost. :)

Kimber, yeah, I know. :) We just ran out of time, literally, because I was playing maid for my 4 and 2 year olds and spoon feeding the baby. And suddenly it was time to head to preschool. Poof!
Kimber L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
Good evening to everyone who just joined us!

Heather on top of the quick microwaveable dinners I will also keep around a lot of smaller healthier things I can munch one handed if needed - Like almonds, peanut butter crackers, 100 calorie packs
Desiree T. Apr 20, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
I still haven't got my coupons, I can't wait to try them.
Darin Waugh Apr 20, 2009, 9:04pm EDT
But, I usually grit my teeth and end up making somehting, unless we have left overs!
Christina L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:04pm EDT
Hi, I'm here. I tend to skip lunch or eat a very late lunch myself because the day gets gone on me so fast.
Desiree T. Apr 20, 2009, 9:04pm EDT
Ugh I never have time to eat when I should.
April H. Apr 20, 2009, 9:04pm EDT
I love having a salad with my meal Trish!
I wish I could have a salad everyday for lunch!
Heather L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:04pm EDT
Trish, I bring left overs for my work dinner sometimes. Its hard to bring a variety of food to work when all you have is a microwave. I don't even have access to a fridge where I could keep food.
Darin Waugh Apr 20, 2009, 9:04pm EDT
I haven't tried the Deli Creations yet! I'm sure they are wonderful!
Kimber L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
Sherry - you should keep a lot of healthy yet easy to scarf snacks around !! I am constantly eating on the go.

Everyone else who joined welcome - I am trying to keep up with the comments there are so many but that is GREAT!
J F. Apr 20, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
I am trying harder to have lunch because I very seldom ever have breakfast.
Desiree T. Apr 20, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
I had egg salad sandwich today.
Belinda Parker Apr 20, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
How's everyone tonight?
April H. Apr 20, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
I often don't have lunch until I get home, around 2:30.
I usually have an apple and some crackers around noon.
Melissa R Apr 20, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
I usually keep 4 or 5 microwavable meals at work to cut back on eating out so much at lunch. That gets WAY too expensive!
Kimber L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
Darin they are really good and really quick too!!
Christina L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
I work at home now, but when I used to work in an office on a rigid schedule, I would always eat lunch because it was the only break I got and you were forced to take a lunch break where I worked. They would not allow us to work through lunch and leave early.
Felicia R. Apr 20, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
Is the chat in here or some where else??? I am so confused...
Darin Waugh Apr 20, 2009, 9:06pm EDT
I had a boring ham sandwich today!
Heather L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:06pm EDT
Kimber. Thats a good idea. I often bring granola bars to work as well.
Belinda Parker Apr 20, 2009, 9:06pm EDT
I had a turkey sandwich for lunch . It was a late lunch at 2:30.
I got my coupons in the mail today and I am going tomorrow to get some! They sound so good-I can't wait!!
Desiree T. Apr 20, 2009, 9:06pm EDT
Tonight I am having popcorn because I am too tired to cook.
Kimber L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:06pm EDT
Another quick meal/snack I have at work is a sliced appled with cheese slices melted on top of it. You just put the cheese on the apple and microwave it one minute and it is healthy and good too!
Madeline L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:06pm EDT
Lunch is usually a sandwich or leftovers for me. The Oscar Meyers Deli Creations would make sandwich time something special with so many to choose from.
Chris E. Apr 20, 2009, 9:06pm EDT
Darin my husband is like you he would prefer to just buy something although he does make something to eat but then ends up buying something anyways. It drives me crazy.
J F. Apr 20, 2009, 9:06pm EDT
I try to keep baby carrots, celery sticks, a pepper slices available for some lunch quickly. i also have frozen blueberries from my bushes that I like to munch on.
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 20, 2009, 9:06pm EDT
Hello and glad to be here. Sherry, have I told you how much I like your icon picture? It looks so much like one of my nieces.
Sherry W. Apr 20, 2009, 9:07pm EDT
I think I had some crackers off one of the kids' plates, ha ha.
Kimber L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:07pm EDT
Felicia chat is here! Welcome!

I try to plan ahead as much as possible... it helps save money and calories!
Desiree T. Apr 20, 2009, 9:07pm EDT
Hey I love a good ham or turkey sandwich! Especially toasted.
Elizabeth V. Apr 20, 2009, 9:07pm EDT
I cheat. My boss gave me the option to skip lunch breaks and go home an hour earlier. I'd rather go home earlier so If can beat traffic. I still eat, of course; I just work at the same time.
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ Apr 20, 2009, 9:07pm EDT
Someone mentioned "eating on the go" that's about the only way I'm able to fit lunch in.
Christina L. Apr 20, 2009, 9:07pm EDT
When I eat my late lunch at home, I usually eat a big salad or a turkey sandwich. I had the Deli Creations Turkey Monterrey last week, and it was really good. Easy to prepare too.
Jennifer O. Apr 20, 2009, 9:07pm EDT
Hi all
Cyndi B. Apr 20, 2009, 9:07pm EDT
That is a great idea, Kimber! Since getting my appetite back with this pregnancy I've started carrying granola bars with me. Then I don't have to stop for fast food when I am hungry and can still eat something that is healthy.
Trish A. Apr 20, 2009, 9:07pm EDT
Heather, that's a bummer about not having a microwave.

April, too bad we don't live closer we could have salads together.

Darin, if you have a variety of things in the house to choose from it might be more fun. When I'm away from home I pack a lunch box filled with goodies, including my morning and afternoon snacks.

Heather, I've become a fan of canned organic chicken breast if I'm going somewhere without a refrigerator.
Todays lunch was boring for me too Darin-leftover chicken alfredo from 2 days ago!!